ENG 6939 Spring 2022 Graban

This course examines primarily nonwestern rhetorical traditions, exploring foundational and contemporary phases in rhetorics associated with India, China, Greece, Rome, and the Islamic world, calling into question the viability of a single, static “rhetorical tradition.” The premise underlying this course is that we look to the rhetorical practices of the past—including the ways that cultural traditions argue, teach, debate, and historicize their concepts, myths, and philosophies—in order to formulate more robust theories about global rhetorical practices of the present. Moreover, we will be formulating histories and theories of “global/intercultural” rhetoric that students can use as tools for further exploration into an ethnic rhetorical or textual tradition of their choosing. Finally, we will pay attention to the questions and dilemmas that are raised when we attempt to study any tradition or community “interculturally.” Much of our work will be conceptual or methodological, rather than purely historical. That is, while we will read some historical scholarship to help us interact with these “nonwestern traditions,” we will spend more of our time learning to read, interpret, and diffuse more recent recirculations of these traditions without falling into representational traps (as best we can, anyway).

Please note: Given the unique scheduling of this section, there will be a short reading assignment posted in advance of the first class day for students to complete and bring to our first meeting. Interested and/or enrolled students should contact tgraban@fsu.edu in advance for the first-day readings.