ENC 3021 Spring 2024 - Hudnall - 02

In this course, we’ll begin by briefly surveying the 2500-year history of Western rhetorical theories and practices. We begin here because these notions have informed so much about how we communicate with each other and shape the world around us. After this survey, we’ll focus on analyzing and critiquing elements of classical rhetorical theory with a focus on how we might use rhetoric more democratically, inclusively, equitably, and justly. Rhetoric has always been a very interdisciplinary field, so to do this we’ll engage works from post-modern rhetoricians, biologists, teachers, philosophers, and many others. Ultimately, this course will encourage students to think about rhetoric as it permeates so many important aspects of social interaction, from identity, to power, to our notions of truth and knowledge, as we also consider how these things constantly shape us back.