DATE

CLASS DISCUSSION OR ACTIVITY

ASSIGNMENT DATES

29 Aug.

Course Orientation and Introduction
The Rhetorical Tradition -- Part 1

Bizzell, RT, 1-41; 429-49

10 Sept.

Theoretical Foundations of Contemporary Rhetoric

 function and scope of rhetorical theory
the nature of rhetorical activity
the traditional relationship between Rhetoric and other academic disciplines

Bizzell, RT, 1181-1205

ASSIGNMENT 1 DUE

17 Sept.

Defining Rhetorical Texts

practical versus productive texts
oral versus written texts
persuasive versus expressive texts
decorum and aesthetics

 ASSIGNMENT 2 DUE

24 Sept.

Defining Rhetorical Contexts

text versus context
historical investigation versus critical analysis
context as political situation
individual versus social movement contexts

ABSTRACT 1 DUE

1 Oct.

Determining the Epistemic Nature of Rhetoric
the epistemic function of rhetoric
relative truth and rationality
rhetoric and philosophy

ABSTRACT 2 Due

8 Oct.

Theoretical Foundations of Rhetorical Criticism
the function and scope of rhetorical criticism
Kenneth Burke and the "New Rhetoric"
critical models for discourse

PRESENTATION 1 DUE

15 Oct.

Public Deliberation and Argumentation
 reason and public morality
critical rhetoric and social change
the theories of Perelman & Toulmin

PRESENTATION 2 DUE
EXAM#1-- GOES ON-LINE

22 Oct.

Ethical Responsibilities of Contemporary Rhetoric
traditional view -- Weaver
competing contemporary views -- Johannesen, Hariman, Diggs

 EXAM#1 MUST BE COMPLETED

29 Oct.

Rhetoric, Language, and Literacy
 language and meaning
visual imagery
media literacy

JOURNAL SEARCH/ ESSAY CLAIM DUE

5 Nov.

Rhetoric and Communication Technologies
 ethical issues raised by technological advances
media constraints and advantages for rhetorical texts
new media and social change

BOOK REVIEW DUE

12 Nov.

Rhetoric, Power, and Social Constructs
Foucault
McGee
Farrell

 WORKING BIBLIOGRAPHY DUE

19 Nov.

Rhetoric and Communication Competence
 Habermas
Speech Act Theory

 ESSAY DRAFT DUE

26 Nov.

Oral Defense of Final Essays 

 EXAM #2 DUE

3 Dec.

Oral Defense of Final Essays 

 FINAL BIBLIOGRAPHY DUE

 FINAL VERSION OF SCHOLARLY ESSAY ON OR BEFORE THE FINAL EXAMINATION DATE, Thursday 13 December, by 4:30 p.m.