Syl450.htm

SYLLABUS FOR COM 450--GREAT SPEECHES IN AMERICAN HISTORY


Professor Lloyd Rohler
Burney Center 109 Phone: 395-3093
MWF 10:00-11:00, 3:00-4:00, and by appt on TTH

FOCUS OF COURSE:

This course focus on the creation of a public sphere in American culture. We will examine the expansion of the audience and the development of social policies such as public education to prepare the populace to participate in public affairs. We will examine the role that technology played in changing the nauture of this participation. Some of the topics to be discussed include the following:

  1. The growth of the public and changes in its compostion.
  2. Changes in public taste and sensibility.
  3. Persistence and change in traditional genres of public address.
  4. The struggle to gain access to the public by minorities and disaffected groups.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:


Students will become familiar with the continuing dialogue about the meaning of the American experience. We will identify important speakers and movements that have influenced the development of the United States since the founding of the first colonies by Europeans. We will develop a web page for posting our own reports and link it to other resources on the web.

COURSE POLICIES:

Daily attendance is a must. The tests and final will cover material discussed in class including student presentations. Oral presentations must be given on the date assigned.

ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING:

There will be two tests worth 100 pts each. There will be two or three oral presentations worth 100 points each plus a final exam. There will be additional computer assignments worth 50 points. Students should read the section in the Student Handbook regarding academic dishonesty.

TEXTS: Ron Reid, AMERICAN RHETORICAL DISCOURSE