English 309C
Contemporary Rhetorical Theory
Winter Term 2022
Professor: Dr. Gordon Slethaug
Class time: T/R 1:00-2:20
Classroom: QNC 1506 or Online
Office: HH 262, ext. 33398
Office hours: 11:30-12:30 T/R Online
E-mail: slethaug@uwaterloo.ca
Course Description
In Contemporary Rhetorical Theory, we will survey the key concepts, issues, authors, and debates of contemporary rhetoric and place them in a practical context. The course will be organized around six pillars that have contributed to contemporary rhetoric: 1) Semiotics, Language, and Discourse; 2) Feminist Rhetorical Theories; 3) Traditional Rhetorics and Argumentation; 4) Cultural Rhetoric, Critical Rhetoric, and Power; 5) Postmodern Theory; and 6) Mass Media, Communications Theories, Technology, and Propaganda. Hence, following an introduction to semiotic theories (de Saussure, Peirce, Barthes, and Derrida) and feminist theories, the first half of the course will focus on three of the most important contemporary rhetoricians (Weaver, Burke, and Toulmin). The second part will concentrate on contemporary rhetoric at work in culture through cultural rhetoric, postmodernism, and media, including power relations, discourse, race, advertising, and technology. Recognizing with Kenneth Burke “how overwhelmingly much of what we mean by ‘reality’ has been built up for us through nothing but our symbol systems,” we will examine theories of rhetoric to better understand the pervasiveness of rhetoric in our ways of knowing and saying. The class will consist of lectures, presentations, discussion, and workshop exercises.
Texts
Timothy Borchers and Heather Hundley, Rhetorical Theory: An Introduction, Second Edition
Karen A. Foss et al, Readings in Contemporary Rhetoric.
Various articles on PDF/LEARN as required
Assignments
Participation/Discussion 16%
Reflections 16%
Group PowerPoint Presentation 20%
Essay (submitted electronically by midnight) 20% Apr. 4
Final Examination 28%
Assignments are due as noted. Unless we make prior arrangements, assignments will lose 5% per late day.
Discussions
Discussions will be an important part of your learning, and that is reflected in the mark distribution. Online you should create one post on each due date and then post at least two responses when others comment on your post. This is the bare minimum and better marks will be earned by carrying the discussion forward and making sure that every person has a chance to contribute.
Discussion 1 due on Monday of Module 2—Jan. 10
Discussion 1 due on Monday of Module 4—Jan. 24
Discussion 1 due on Monday of Module 6—Feb. 7
Discussion 1 due on Monday of Module 8—Feb. 28
Reflections
Four reflections of at least 300 words each are due during the term. In each case, a topic is posted online, and you should respond to that question.
Reflection 1 due on Monday of Module 3—Jan. 17
Reflection 1 due on Monday of Module 5—Jan. 31
Reflection 1 due on Monday of Module 7—Feb. 14
Reflection 1 due on Monday of Module 9—Mar. 7
Presentation Groups
In groups of 3 (depending on enrolment), students should make an oral PPT presentation of no more than 30 minutes applying some aspect of the day’s rhetorical theory to specific communication and media issues, cases, advertisements, aspects of popular culture, etc. Each student in a group should take an equal share in the presentation.
The Essay
The essay itself should be about 10 pages and should apply premises of one or more rhetorical figures/theories to some part of the University of Waterloo culture. This could be advertising, program descriptions, bulletins, announcements, newspapers, websites, etc. The paper should be clear about governing theories and methodology, which should be stated upfront and then integrated throughout.
Final Examination
The Final Examination will cover all material in the course and will consist of essay questions that compare the views of rhetoricians in the course.
Schedule of Classes and Readings
|
Date |
Topic |
Readings |
|
Jan. 6
|
Introduction to course: Six Pillars of Modern Rhetoric |
|
|
Jan. 11 13 |
Defining Rhetoric Semiotics, Language, and Discourse: Saussure and Peirce |
Borchers & Hundley, 3-26 Chandler, 13-35 (PDF); Borchers & Hundley, 126-129, 153 Choose Presentation Groups |
|
Jan. 18
20 |
Rhetoric and Media Barthes Derrida |
Borchers & Hundley, 129-136; Barthes, “Myth Today” 217-249 (PDF); “Rhetoric of the Image” from Image Music Text (PDF) Derrida, “Structure, Sign, and Play” (PDF) |
|
Jan. 25 27
|
Feminist Rhetorical Theories Workshop |
Borchers & Hundley, 201-244; Mehlenbacher and Harris, “Figurative Mind,” 75-109 (PDF); Women in the History of Rhetoric (PDF). Guest presenter, Dr. Ashley Mehlenbacher Dr. Mehlenbacher and Dr. Slethaug |
|
Feb. 1
3 |
Traditional Rhetorics: Weaver as Anti-epistemic Traditional Meaning and Values |
Borchers & Hundley, 162-169; “The Phaedrus and the Nature of Rhetoric” (Foss et al) Fish, “Rhetoric” (PDF) |
|
Feb. 8
10 |
Burke Burke (cont.) |
Borchers & Hundley, 171-197; “Terministic Screens” (PDF); “Definition of Man” (PDF) (Foss et al) “Dramatism” (Foss et al) Group Presentation 1: |
|
Feb. 13 15 |
Toulmin: Argumentation Workshop |
Borchers & Hundley, 96-110; “The Tyranny of Principles,” “Theory and Practice” (Foss et al) |
|
Feb. 22- Feb. 24 Mar. 1
3 |
READING WEEK Critical Rhetoric and Power: Marx and Cultural/Critical Rhetoric |
Borchers & Hundley, 263-290 |
|
Mar. 8 10 |
Cultural Rhetoric: Foucault Postmodernism: hooks |
Borchers & Hundley, 291-316; Foucault, “History, Discourse and Discontinuity”; “The History of Sexuality” (Foss et al) Presentation 2: Borchers & Hundley, 317-339; “Reflections on Race and Sex,” “Teaching Resistance” (Foss et al) Presentation 3:
|
|
Mar. 15
17 |
Baudrillard Eco |
Borchers & Hundley, 317-339; Baudrillard, “A Marginal System: Collecting” (Foss et al) Presentation 4: Eco, “Travels in Hyperreality” (PDF) Presentation 5: |
|
Mar. 22
24 |
Media and Technology Propaganda |
Borchers & Hundley, 113-137; McLuhan, “The Medium Is the Message” and “Media Hot and Cold” from Understanding Media (PDF) Loebs, “Hitler's Rhetorical Theory,” Relevant Rhetoric Vol 1, 2010*; Ellul, Propaganda (3-32 PDF) Presentation 6: |
|
Mar. 29
Mar. 31 |
Advertising: Politics Workshop |
Borchers & Hundley 331-333; McNair, “Party Political Communication 1: Advertising” (PDF) |
|
Apr. 5 |
Essay Due |
The essay must be submitted by midnight on April 4. |
* available online:
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