GRST 181 - Classical Rhetoric and the 2016 Presidential Campaign

Semester Offered: Fall
1 unit(s)

We are all inundated by words and images intended to persuade, whether from advertisers, from supposedly neutral news sources, and, particularly in an election year, from politicians. All of these employ the techniques of classical rhetoric, which has its roots in the birth of democracy in ancient Greece and has remained central in western discourse until the present day. In this course we will consider the function of rhetorical speech in the ancient world and the role of rhetoric in contemporary American society, with particular attention to its use in the 2016 presidential campaign. Some may be surprised to discover the continuing relevance of ancient theories of persuasion in modern times, when channels for the delivery and consumption of persuasive discourse have proliferated far beyond those available to ancient rhetoricians. Writing assignments will include analyses of contemporary rhetoric, including speeches, advertisements, and news coverage from the campaign, as well as exercises aimed at making our own writing more persuasive. Curtis Dozier.

Open only to freshmen; satisfies college requirement for a Freshman Writing Seminar.

Two 75-minute periods.