Course Information:

Title: Rhetoric and Culture
Number: ENG 552-001
Location: MO 204
Time: T 6:30-9:15
Instructor: Dr. Jeremy Tirrell
Office: MO 161
Office Hours: TR 12:00-2:00 (and by appointment)

Overview:

This course offers a guided overview of Western rhetoric from antiquity to modernity, with particular emphasis on the ways rhetoric and culture interact. The course's basic premise is that language underpins all human interaction, making it the fundamental means of social production, and thus the principle subject of cultural examination.

Course Learning Outcomes:
After completing this course successfully, students should be able to:

• discuss fluently significant works, figures, and trends in rhetoric theory from antiquity to modernity
• draw from a vocabulary of rhetorical terminology and apply those terms to a variety of texts
• construct and present evidence to support a clear and logical argument

Required Texts:

• The Rhetorical Tradition, Bizzell and Herzberg

Course Policies:

Attendance and Punctuality:

As a graduate seminar driven by student discussion, attendance and participation in all facets of the course are essential. Given the vital importance of student participation, all students are expected to attend every class. If an absence is unavoidable, students are asked to notify their instructor beforehand so that alternative arrangements can be made.

Late Work:

Late work is not accepted.

Technology Expectations:

• ability to interact with the course website
• competence with writing software
• a suitable email account checked regularly for course-related business
• a flash drive or other means to backup coursework

Students need not be technological experts to succeed in this course, but digital technology interaction is an aspect of contemporary society, and computer problems are not valid excuses for incomplete work. Practice the core principle of digital data work: redundant backup. Digital technology will fail you; be prepared for that eventuality.

Students may use laptops, cell phones, and other digital devices during class, provided that they do not disrupt other students’ learning. This is not a trick. This course is situated in an increasingly connected multimedia environment. Each student is responsible for his or how own engagement with class meetings, and thus his or her resultant success or failure.

Grading:

Grade Disbursement:
Each student will have secure, anonymous access to his or her grades online. Unless otherwise notified, students will receive all grades through this channel.

Grade Components:

Final Course Grades:
This courses uses the plus/minus grading system on final grade reports. The breakdown is as follows:

• 92-100 = A
• 90-91 = A-
• 88-89 = B+
• 82-87 = B
• 80-81 = B-
• 78-79 = C+
• 72-77 = C
• 70-71 = C-
• 68-69 = D+
• 62-67 = D
• 60-61 = D-
• 0-59 = F

Statement on Academic Integrity:

All UNCW community members are expected to adhere to the guidelines set forth in the UNCW Student Academic Honor Code. Students are expected to produce original work in this course. Collaboration and incorporation of external material and ideas into original work is of course acceptable and necessary, but all writers are ethically obliged to document external sources through appropriate citation practices. If you are uncertain if some element of your work constitutes plagiarism or another honor code violation, please speak with me. The point of any class is to educate, not to punish. Nevertheless, the consequences of honor code violations are appropriately dire. Please consult the UNCW Code of Student Life for more information.

Statement on Services for Students with Disabilities:

I and the university will make every effort to accommodate students with disabilities. If you require accommodations, please make certain to go through the Office of Disability Services, as I can take no action without their guidance. Please make contact as soon as possible, as accommodations cannot be made retroactively.

Statement Regarding Violence and Harassment:

UNCW practices a zero tolerance policy for any kind of violent or harassing behavior. If you are experiencing an emergency of this type contact the police at 911 or UNCW CARE at 962-2273. Resources for individuals concerned with a violent or harassing situation can be located at the UNCW Crisis Resources page.

Statement on Religious Observance Policy

In accordance with NC SL 2010-211, students are entitled to two excused absences for religious observances per academic year. Students must inform the instructor in writing the first week of class if they will miss any classes due to religious observance. Additionally, students should inform the Registrar the first week of class who will then coordinate with the corresponding course instructors. Any absence for religious purposes will be considered unexcused unless a student submits the request in writing the first week to the instructor or Registrar.