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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.

Course readings.

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) 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