| SES # | TOPICS | READINGS |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introductions | |
| 2 | What is Rhetoric? | |
| 3 | Say again! What is Rhetoric? | Readings Geometric Proofs as Syllogism or Enthymeme (PDF) Discussion questions for Aristotle. Rhetoric. Chapters 1-2. (PDF) Aristotle. Rhetoric, Book 1. Chapter 1. Aristotle. Rhetoric, Book 1. Chapter 2. Brown vs. School Board of Topeka, Kansas Brown vs. Board of Education Audio Clip (search under 'Brown vs. Board of Education') Discussion Definitions of Rhetoric (Lunsford). Argument vs. Persuasion What is the key element of argument? Discuss the term enthymeme. What are the key elements in persuasion? Exercises examining ethos, pathos, and logos. Discuss the rhetorical triangle. |
| 4 | The Three Types of Classical Rhetoric | Readings Study guide for Aristotle. Rhetoric, Book 1. Chapters 4-7. (PDF) Aristotle. Rhetoric, Book 1. Chapter 3. Aristotle. Rhetoric, Book 1. Chapter 4. Aristotle. Rhetoric, Book 1. Chapter 5. Aristotle. Rhetoric, Book 1. Chapter 6. Aristotle. Rhetoric. Book 1. Chapter 7. Discussion Discuss the three types of classical rhetoric. Divide the class into groups. Each group lists modern versions of each type. |
| 5 | Points-at-Issue | Readings Outline of Cicero and Roe v. Wade (PDF) Cicero. De Inventione. Book I, Chapters 8-23. Roe vs. Wade.. Rushdie, Salman. "Ugly phrase conceals an uglier truth." Discussion Discussion of De Inventione and Roe v. Wade. Rushdie on Rendition. Class makes list of current controversies and breaks into groups to discuss what points are at issue. |
| 6 | The Down and Dirty Rhetoric | Readings Study Guide for Plato, Giorgias (PDF)  Hett, W. S., and H. Rackham. Problems Books 22-38, Rhetorica ad Alexandrum. Loeb Classical Library; Rev Ed edition, 1970. ISBN: 9780674993501.Plato. Giorgias. Discussion Class will discuss the basic structure of classical orations, Rhetorica ad Alexandrum, and Gorgias Class will break up into groups and write their own Socratic dialogues on Rhetoric. |
| 7 | Workshop Day | Readings Levin, Michael. "The case for torture." Buchanan, Patrick. "The case for torture." Dershowitz, Alan M. "Is there a torturous road to justice?" Los Angeles Times, November 8, 2001, pp. B19, Los Angeles, CA. Discussion You and your partner bring an outline to class. We'll workshop to help you with your analysis |
| 8-9 | Practice Presentations | |
| 10 | Final Presentations | |
| 11 | More Aristotle: Pathos: The Rhetoric of Emotions | Readings Study Guide Aristotle. Rhetoric, Book 2. Chapters 1-17. (PDF) Read Aristotle. Rhetoric, Book II. Chapters 1-17. Discussion Discussion of which categories are still relevant. Have the contents within the categories changed? Divide class into groups. Each group will revise Aristotle Emotional Schema Discuss advertisements in terms of the Rhetoric of Emotions. Show classic TV ads. |
| 12 | More Pathos | Go over Web Post 4 given in assignments section. |
| 13 | Workshop Day | |
| 14 | Introduction to Visual Rhetoric and the Perils of Power-Point (Lecture) | |
| 15 | More Topics | Readings Read Aristotle. Rhetoric, Book II. Chapters 18-26. |
| 16 | Practice Presentations in Class | |
| 17 | Final Presentation Project 2 | |
| 18 | Rhetorical Style 1 | |
| 19 | Rhetorical Style 2 | |
| 20 | Rhetorical Style 3 | |
| 21 | Last day of class Discussion | |
| 22 | Final Conferences |
Table of Contents
Study Materials
Readings
| When you click the Amazon logo to the left of any citation and purchase the book (or other media) from Amazon.com, MIT OpenCourseWare will receive up to 10% of this purchase and any other purchases you make during that visit. This will not increase the cost of your purchase. Links provided are to the US Amazon site, but you can also support OCW through Amazon sites in other regions. Learn more. |
Required Texts
There are no required textbooks. All readings may be found by following the hyperlinks below.
Readings by Session
The reading assignments are listed by the date they are due.