Course Description
The field of rhetorical criticism is concerned with the expert reading of persuasive discourse. The course traces the classical roots of this critical tradition but also explores many examples drawing upon different lineages. Students undertake various projects of critical interpretation.
Athena Title
SEM RHET CRIT
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in SPCM 8300
Pre or Corequisite
Permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Offered spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
1. To interrogate discursive texts so as to better understand their persuasive potency. 2. To develop critical methods that enable us to discover the inventional thought at work in rhetorical texts. 3. To develop disciplined observation, logical analysis, and creative speculation. 4. To refine one’s skills as a written communicator.
Topical Outline
1. Key text # 1 by the author, of the era, or on the subject. 2. Secondary literature on the text #1. 3. Key text #2 by the author, of the era, or on the subject. 4. Secondary literature on text #2. 5. Key text #3 by the author, of the era, or on the subject. 6. Secondary literature on text #3. 7. Key text #4 by the author, or the era, or on the subject. 8. Secondary literature on text #4. 9. Key text #5 by the author, of the era, or on the subject. 10. Secondary literature on text #5. 11. Synthetic comparison of issues raised in 1-10. 12. Written products.
Syllabus
Public CV