Communication Studies 461- Lecture 01

History and Applications of Rhetoric

Winter 2008

Tuesday/Thursday 14:00 - 15:50

 

 

Instructor:	Geoff Cragg
Office Location:	SS 300
Office Phone:	220-4843
E-Mail:	cragg@ucalgary.ca
Web Page:
Office Hours:	TBA

 

Course Description

This course will examine rhetorical theories from ancient to modern times, with particular emphasis on the development of theories to meet the changing docial and philosophical requirements of each age. In addition to studying and analysis this body of rhetorical knowledge, you will also develop and exercise your skills in public speaking and academic writing.

Objectives of the Course

This course has three major objectives:

• 1. To examine the origins and evolution of rhetoric, with particular attention to classical and contemporary perspectives;
• 2. To provide you with opportunities to improve your performance in academic writing and presentations;
• 3. To introduce you to rhetoric as a field of scholarship.

Textbooks and Readings:

We will use "The Rhetorical Tradition" edited by Bizzell and Hersberg, St. Martin's Press. This text has been used a number of times and used copies should be available.

Assignments and Evaluation

First Essay                              January 31                     15%

 

First Speech                           February 12-14               15%

 

Proposal for Termpaper         February 28                  10%

 

Second Speech                      March 11-18                  20%

 

Termpaper                             April 8                            25%

 

Oral Final Exam                    To be scheduled              15%

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. If you are unable to submit an assignment on time, please contact as quickly as possible so that we may resolve the problem.

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+(4.4); 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 Faculty of Communication and Culture Research Ethics site: http://www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/ethics

or the University of Calgary Research Ethics site: http://www.ucalgary.ca/research/compliance/ethics/info/undergrad/

Schedule of Lectures and Readings

 

This will be handed out in class.