Syllabus for Com 341 Rhetorical Theory,  Professor Lloyd Rohler. Leutze Hall 235

Phone: 962-3093. Office Hours: MWF 9:30-10:00, and T TH 11:00-12:15, and F 1:30-2:30  and by apt. any day

 

Com 341: Course Description:

 

This class examines the development of our thinking about the nature and purpose of communication from the Ancient Greeks to the present day. The approach is historical and focuses on the three great systems of communication that have emerged to meet the needs of social and political changes in our western civilization.

 

Course Objectives:

 

This course is intended to:

  1. Introduce students to common terminology within rhetorical theory.
  2. Provide biographical information that places theorists, practitioners, teachers, and critics in historical context.
  3. Discuss rhetorical theories in relations to their implied worldview, scholarly tradition, specific strengths and weakness and personal relevance.
  4. Enhance awareness of the rhetorical dimensions of social reality and the issues raised by these dimensions.
  5. Provide students with an overview of the thinkers and theories which have historically guided the study of rhetoric and communication.
  6. Promote application of the theories and concepts through the critical construction and analysis of symbolic activity and artifacts.
  7. Be able to construct and deliver an effective oral argument about a journal article.
  8. Be able to construct an effective written argument about a visual artifact.
  9. Be able to conduct primary and secondary research using the internet and be able to evaluate it before using it to construct a written argument about a speech.
  10. Be able to analyze and critique a commercial.

 

Course Competencies:

 

After completing this course the successful student will:

  1. Be able to explain how the expansion of the audience brought about new concerns for rhetoric.
  2. Demonstrate familiarity with historical figures and theories of rhetoric.
  3. Articulate the relationship between the evolution of rhetoric and other aspects of the human condition such as technology, government, science and religion.
  4. Apply course vocabulary in the examination of rhetorical activities and artifacts.
  5. Identify and justify his/her theoretical perspective within the rhetorical perspective.

 

Major Topics Covered:

 

 

Text: James A. Herrick, The History and Theory of Rhetoric, 3nd ed.  Plato, The Phaedrus.

 

Course Policies:

 

PORTFOLIO ARTIFACTS

  One of the culminating experiences of a communication studies degree is the completion of COM 490 Discipline Capstone, a course that may include the preparation of a personal portfolio to organize and showcase your abilities.  I encourage you to retain items from this class, whether produced independently or in groups, for inclusion as portfolio artifacts.  Beyond the Capstone class, your portfolio may prove a valuable tool as you seek entry into a graduate program or employment in your areas of specialization. 

 

Academic Honor Code.

“The University of North Carolina at Wilmington is committed to the proposition that the pursuit of truth requires the presence of honesty among all involved. It is therefore this institution’s stated policy that no form of dishonesty among its faculty or students will be tolerated.” See Student Handbook and Code of Student Life for the entire policy, details, and punishment.

 

Attendance:

You are expected to be present for each class meeting. Most of the class consists of oral presentations and lecture material that is not in the textbook. You will be at a disadvantage on tests if you were not present to hear and to take part in discussion of the material. There is not a separate grade for attendance. However, on days before a vacation, attendance will be taken and those present may earn up to ten additional points.

 

Assignments and Point Values:        Total of  850 points

Paper on Plato’s Phaedrus                50 points

Rhetorical Analysis of  an

American Speech                                                100 points

Rhetorical analysis of a Cartoon     100 points

Rhetorical Analysis of a

Commercial                                          100 points

Test on Ancient Rhetoric                   100 point

Test on Modern Rhetoric                   100 points

Test on Cont Rhetoric                        100 points

Final Test                                              100 points

Oral Presentation                                 100 points

 

 

Assignment sheets for the oral presentation and rhetorical criticism paper are on the class web site. There is a sample outline for the oral presentation and a link to sources for political speeches on the site as well. The assignment for the Phaedrus paper is online.

 

Format for Oral Presentations in Com 341

 

Go to the library and make a copy of the article that you have been assigned. Read the corresponding chapter in our text to provide the background you will need to understand the article. For example, if you are assigned to report on George Campbell and we have not yet discussed George Campbell in class, it makes sense to read the section on George Campbell in the text before trying to understand the article. Note: these articles are written for professionals in the field. You  may need to look up some words or terms in a dictionary in order to understand them. Once you have read and reread the article, make an outline of it. Do not omit important parts of the article. If you do not understand it or have questions about it, contact me and I will help you. Once you have a complete outline, practice presenting it. On the day you give your report, you will need to provide me with an outline. You should make your report from an outline. Do not write it out and read it word for word. You will be evaluated on the basis of how well you explained the content of the article to the class.

 

Assignment in Rhetorical Criticism

 

You need to select a political speech and write a criticism of it using the Classical system of analysis. You will be provided a handout summarizing the classical system with suggestions on using it for criticizing a speech. Potential speeches are available on-line at the American Rhetoric Site. Your paper should be about five pages double spaced with standard margins. A class meeting will be devoted to this assignment. Assignment sheets for the other critical papers will be handed out in class and/or posted to the website.

 

 

Final grades will be determined by total points with 90% of 750 points needed for an A-, etc. Pluses and Minuses will be given for final grades. GRADING SCALE By Percentage A = 100-93,  A- = 92-90, B+ = 89-87,  B = 86-83,  B-= 82-80,  C+ = 79-77,  C = 76-73,  C- = 72-70,  D+ = 69-67l,  D = 66-63,  D-= 62-60,  59 & below = F