Communications Studies (COMS) 461 - Lecture 02
History & Applications of Rhetoric
Fall 2007
Tu Th 9:30 - 10:20

 

 

Instructor:	Dr. Tania S. Smith
Office Location:	SS 326
Office Phone:	220-7774
E-Mail:	smit@ucalgary.ca
Web Page:	http://www.ucalgary.ca
Office Hours:	TR 10:30-11:30

Additional Information

Recommended: home Internet access, and skills with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, email, and internet searches.

This course will likely host an undergraduate Peer Mentor whose service is a practicum in GNST 501.35. Her role is to support your active and collaborative learning both in and outside of class time for a couple of hours per week. She is not a Teaching Assistant and will not grade you. Please see the Peer Mentor Q&A document at http://www.ucalgary.ca/~smit/GNST501Q&A.htm to understand the general benefits and limitations of your peer mentor.

 

Course Description

A study of key rhetorical theories from their roots in the classical period to the modern age, with an emphasis on the development of theories in response to changes in social, political and philosophical climate. Theories will be applied to the production of both spoken and written discourse.

Objectives of the Course

To help students gain some knowledge of the history of rhetoric, to develop in them an ability to apply the methods of rhetoric to contemporary uses of discourse and to give them practice in both speaking and writing.

Textbooks and Readings:

 

- Faber, B. D. (2002). Community Action and Organizational Change: Image, Narrative, Identity. Carbondale, IL: Southern Illinois University Press.

- Readings package (Student's Union Bound & Copied)

- Online readings to print out & bring to class to discuss

Assignments and Evaluation

• 40 % October 25, December 13 -- Portfolios - Instead of exams. A collection of short reading reflections, online discussion, and peer reviews during term (for each deadline see schedule), and your revisions and replies in response to feedback. You'll hand in a well-organized electronic portfolio for grading at midterm and end of term; each portfolio is of equal value.
• 10% Persuasive Presentation (as scheduled)
• 10% History of Rhetoric Presentation (as scheduled)
• 5% Team-Led Class Activity (as scheduled)
• November 27 - Required Term Project Draft (at least 2/3 length of final with no appendices or bibliography. Late or insufficient drafts will result in penalties applied to the term project grade.)
• 25 % -- December 7 -- Final Term Paper
• 10 % Class Participation (Discussion & activities in class, responsible communication and consultation with the Instructor.)

It is the student's responsibility to keep a copy of each submitted assignment.
Note: Please hand in your essays directly to your tutor or instructor if possible. If it is not possible to do so, a daytime drop box is available in SS110; a date stamp is provided for your use. A night drop box is also available for after-hours submission. Assignments will be removed the following morning, stamped with the previous day's date, and placed in the instructor's mailbox.

Registrar-scheduled Final Examination:  No

Policy for Late Assignments

Assignments submitted after the deadline may be penalized with the loss of a grade (e.g.: A- to B+) for each day late.

Writing Skills Statement

Faculty policy directs that all written assignments (including, although to a lesser extent, written exam responses) will be assessed at least partly on writing skills. For details see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/info. Writing skills include not only surface correctness (grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, etc) but also general clarity and organization. Research papers must be properly documented.

If you need help with your writing, you may use the Writing Centre.  Visit the website for more details: www.efwr.ucalgary.ca

Grading System

The following grading system is used in the Faculty of Communication and Culture:

A+/A (4.0); A- (3.7); B+ (3.3); B (3.0); B- (2.7); C+ (2.3);
C (2.0); C- (1.7); D+ (1.3); D (1.0); F (0)

Plagiarism

Using any source whatsoever without clearly documenting it is a serious academic offense. Consequences include failure on the assignment, failure in the course and possibly suspension or expulsion from the university.

You must document not only direct quotations but also paraphrases and ideas where they appear in your text. A reference list at the end is insufficient by itself. Readers must be able to tell exactly where your words and ideas end and other people's words and ideas begin. This includes assignments submitted in non-traditional formats such as Web pages or visual media, and material taken from such sources.

Please consult your instructor or the Writing Centre (SS 106, efwr.ucalgary.ca) if you have any questions regarding how to document sources.

Students with Disabilities

If you are a student with a disability who may require academic accommodation, it is your responsibility to register with the Disability Resource Centre (220-8237) and discuss your needs with your instructor no later than fourteen (14) days after the start of the course.

Students' Union

For details about the current Students' Union contacts for the Faculty of Communication and Culture see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/su

"SAFEWALK" Program -- 220-5333

Campus Security will escort individuals day or night -- call 220-5333 for assistance. Use any campus phone, emergency phone or the yellow phone located at most parking lot booths.

Ethics

Whenever you perform research with human participants (i.e. surveys, interviews, observation) as part of your university studies, you are responsible for following university research ethics guidelines.  Your instructor must review and approve of your research plans and supervise your research.  For more information about your research ethics responsibilities, see the U of C Research Ethics "Information for Applicants," sections 3.0 to 9.0, inclusive: http://www.ucalgary.ca/UofC/research/html/ethics/info_undergrad.html

Schedule of Lectures and Readings

To be posted online on the course website at http://www.ucalgary.ca/~smit/COMS461/ScheduleL02.htm, and subject to revision (revisions will be announced in class, on Blackboard, and will be flagged on the schedule).