Persuasion in Western Culture

Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

• Critically analyze how oratory (public discourse) and other forms of persuasion (e.g., in interpersonal conversation) flourish in particular types of societies and how rhetoric in general has influenced our discursive practices today;
• Recognize the factors responsible for the success or failure of persuasive communication in a particular situation;
• Analyze any example of persuasive communication from a variety of theoretical perspectives;
• Learn and explain key rhetorical theories from classical times to the present;
• Develop/expand your repertoire of rhetorical skills;
• Explore the importance of rhetoric in everyday life;
• Cultivate critical awareness of the persuasive techniques that can be used to invite, exclude, or manipulate audiences;
• Develop a clearer understanding of the relationships between communication and communities, especially the ways in which communication serves to both shape and reflect the ideologies of communities and cultures
• Written communication: Develop and express ideas in writing.
• Critical thinking: Develop habits of mind characterized by the comprehensive exploration of issues, ideas, artifacts, and events before accepting or formulating an opinion or conclusion.

Course Grading Information:

Activity/Performance Measure	Percentage/Points
In class assignments	30 points
Class project	35 points
Exams	35 points

Attendance/Participation:

You are only allowed to miss 4 classes for the semester. On your fifth absence, you will receive an automatic zero for the class.

Course Materials Purchased by the Students:

All materials will be given to students in hard copy on the previous class period.