Communication Studies 631
Course Overview
This course surveys the historical development of Western rhetorical
theory from the emergence of philosophical discourse in Presocratic
Greece (c. 600 BC) to the refinement of literacy rhetoric in the
Flavian dynasty (c. 100 AD). Although this survey is organized
historically, our emphasis will be on enduring rhetorical themes and
concepts, including: the tension between opral and written
systems of communication, the nature and merits of narrative and
propositional modes of communication, the possible and proper roles of
reason in communication, the tendency of rhetorical practice to move
from persuasive to stylistic realizations, and, of course, the
conceptual systems of the classical rhetorical theorists, especially
those of Plato, Aristotle, and Cicero. Each of those themes and
concepts continues to inform and influence the material of this corse
derives from the classical period, the course is designed as a course
in rhetorical theory per se.
8/27 Introduction to classical thoery.
Listen here
9/10 Homeric rhetoric
Before Break After Break
9/17 The Presocratics
Lecture 2 Lecture 2.1
9/24 The Sophists
My apologies . . . did not have the recorder for today.
10/1 Plato I: Gorgias
Lecture 4 Lecture 4.1
10/8 Plato II: Phaedrus (§§ 227-257)
Lecture 5 Lecture 5.1
10/15 Plato III: Phaedrus (§§ 257-297)
Lecture 6 Lecture 6.1
10/22 PAPER I PRESENTATIONS
Paper 1 Paper 2 Paper 3
Paper 4 Paper 5
10/29 Aristotle I: Rhetoric (Bk. I).
Lecture 7 Lecture 7.1 Marstonisms
11/5 Aristotle II: Rhetoric (Bks. II-III).
My apologies . . . did not have the recorder today.
11/19 Cicero
Lecture 9 Lecture 9.1
11/26 Quintilian
Lecture 10
12/3 Longinus
Lecture 11 Lecture 11.1
12/10 PAPER II PRESENTATIONS
12/17 FINAL EXAM (8:00 p.m.)