This is an archived course. A more recent version may be available at ocw.mit.edu.

Calendar

Below is a list of topics covered in the course with their associated class sessions. Key dates are also listed; they correspond to the writing assignments due on those particular days.

(Note: Students were required to turn in a total of three critical reflections only. Only the first critical reflection was mandatory; the second and third ones were turned in depending on which critical reflections each student chose.)

Please see readings and assignments for more detailed information about the course calendar.

SES # TOPICS KEY DATES
Introduction to the Course
1 Introduction to Course  
Introductions to Each Other and Plato
2 Speeches of Introduction  
3 Discussion: Plato, Sophists, and Rhetoric  
Rhetoric
4 Discussion 1st Critical Reflection due
5 Discussion (cont.)  
6 Discussion (cont.)  
7 No Class, but Reading Assigned  
8 Workshop Major Essay 1 due
Rhetoric and Ethics
9 Discussion Mandatory Revision of Major Essay 1 due
Rhetoric and Government
10 Discussion Critical Reflection due
11 Discussion (cont.) Critical Reflection due
12 Discussion (cont.) Critical Reflection due
13 Discussion (cont.) Critical Reflection due
Rhetoric and Justice
14 Workshop Major Essay 2 due
15 Discussion Critical Reflection due
16 Discussion (cont.) Mandatory Revision of Major Essay 2 due
17 Discussion (cont.) Critical Reflection due
Rhetoric and Ethics (cont.)
18 Discussion Critical Reflection due
19 Discussion (cont.) Critical Reflection due
20 Workshop Major Essay 3 due
21 Discussion (cont.)  
22 Discussion (cont.) Mandatory Revision of Major Essay 3 due
23 Discussion (cont.) Critical Reflection due
Rhetoric and Oral Presentations
24 Speeches Begin Last day to turn in Optional Revision of Major Essay 2
25 Speeches (cont.) Typed version of Final Persuasive Speech due
26 Speeches (cont.)  
27

Speeches End

Wrap-up Activities

 Last day to turn in Optional Revision of Major Essay 3