Course Syllabus

Course Information

Title: Histories, Cultures, and Theories of Rhetoric
Number: ENG 552-001
Time & Location: M 6:30–9:15 (MO 202)
Instructor: Dr. Jeremy Tirrell
Office: MO 161
Office Hours: (online) MWF 9:00–10:45 and by appointment

Course Overview

This course offers a guided overview of rhetoric's development 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. This course will provide opportunities for independent and collaborative study. Much course interaction will take place through a companion website.

Catalogue Description:

ENG 552—Histories, Cultures, and Theories of Rhetoric
Credits: 3
Theoretical analysis of significant developments in the history of rhetoric with emphasis on the influence of rhetoric on written composition.

Course Learning Outcomes:

To complete this course successfully, students should demonstrate the ability to:

conduct research and critically compare scholarly arguments
organize evidence to support a claim about texts and to argue persuasively for this claim
cite or otherwise document works accurately and construct a complete and properly formatted bibliography
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

Required Materials:

The Rhetorical Tradition, 2nd ed., Bizzell and Herzberg
Additional material provided on the course website

Course Policies

Attendance and Punctuality:

As a graduate seminar driven by student participation, attendance and engagement in all facets of the course are essential. Given the vital importance of student contribution, 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 ordinarily not accepted.

Technology Expectations:

ability to interact with the course website
an 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 her own engagement with class meetings, and thus his or her resultant success or failure. Research such as this and this suggests that students will be better served by not using such devices in class.

Pedagogy and Publication:

Student work completed as part of this course may be used anonymously for teaching and research purposes, and may be published in print and electronic journals and monographs. The instructor reserves the right to record and display in-class and online academic interactions for instruction or research purposes.

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 necessary and acceptable, but all students are ethically obliged to document external sources through appropriate citation practices. Students who are uncertain if some element of their work constitutes plagiarism or another honor code violation should speak with the instructor. 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:

The university will make every effort to accommodate students with disabilities. Students requiring accommodations should contact the Disability Resource Center, as the instructor can take no action without its guidance. Students should do this 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. Students experiencing an emergency of this type should 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. Students should be aware that all university employees, including instructors, are legally obligated to communicate any report of alleged sexual misconduct, on or off-campus, to the Dean of Students. Three university entities are confidential resources exempt from this obligation: CARE, the Counseling Center, and the Abrons Student Health Center.

Statement on Religious Observance

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.

Course Grading

Grade Disbursement:

Each student will have secure access to his or her grades online.

Grade Components:

Responses = 30 points
Supplement = 20 points
Exam = 50 points
Abstract = 10 points
Paper = 80 points
Presentation = 10 points
Total = 200 points

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