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    Readings

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    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.

    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)

    Amazon logo 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