Course Description
Prerequisite: graduate standing.
Nature, extent, practice of rhetoric; emphasis on necessity of integrating a solid understanding of rhetorical theory with extensive writing in a variety of modes for a variety of audiences and reasons. Core requirement.
Nature, extent, practice of rhetoric; emphasis on necessity of integrating a solid understanding of rhetorical theory with extensive writing in a variety of modes for a variety of audiences and reasons. Core requirement.
Why should I study rhetorical theory? I just want to be a writer!
Being an effective professional and technical writer requires accurately identifying and explaining key concepts and theories in the field in order to identify and explain historical trends and disciplinary shifts. In order to accomplish this, we will use rhetorical theory as a framework for reading and composing texts and artifacts; locating, analyzing, assessing, and synthesizing scholarly research in order to offer a theoretical account of our rhetorical practice and the rhetorical practice of others. In addition, we will practice articulating relationships between theory, research, and praxis.
Course Outcomes
Each reading/viewing, assignment, discussion, and exam in this course works toward building student mastery in:
- understanding the history of rhetoric and major rhetorical theories, both classical and contemporary.
- analyzing rhetorical situations, artifacts, or concepts.
- conducting primary and/or secondary research that will add to knowledge in their field.
- composing discourse- and audience-specific documents using appropriate evidence and appeals.
- exploring and experimenting with technologies and the distinctive social and rhetorical exigencies they create.
- attending to editorial detail and citation.
- acting as professionals in the online classroom.