Speech 302: Communication and Social Process

Text: Bowers, Ochs and Jensen, The Rhetoric of Agitation and Control, Waveland Press, 1993: 2nd edition. Available In Bookstore.

      Purpose of Course: The purpose of this course is to examine the rhetorical issues surrounding the growth, expansion and change experienced in prominent Social Movements in the second half of the 20th century. The basic direction of the course is to examine rhetorical theories about leadership, issues and the counter- rhetoric generated by social movements.

     Format of Course: Most of the class is taught in lecture-discussion format. Seven episcides from the PBS series "Eyes on the Prize," are used as a case study of a contemporary social movement. other lecture units may include readings, films and discussion on Vietnam, Anti-War Movement, Tienenmen Square, Berkeley and the Student Movement, and the farm labor movement in California. Every once in a while we will listen to a few Bob Dylan tunes just to keep ourselves well grounded.

    Graded Work: You will be responsible for 3-5 short (2-3 pages) reaction papers to the readings and the lectures, and a final exam at the end of the semester. Attendence is required, you are allowed two absences, each subsequent absence will be one point (each) deducted from your final semester total.

    Core Area Objectives: The Department of Speech and Communications studies, during the Fall 1997 semester, established "Core Area Objectives" for every course which is used to satisfy Core Area requirements in the Speech and Communication major. The objectives for the core area in Rhetorical Theory and Criticism read as follows:

Objectives: Upon completion of the Rhetorical Theory requirement, the student will be able to know, understand, analyze and evaluate"

a) the historical origins of the study and practice of rhetoric.

b) contemporary theoretical perspectives involved in the communication of persuasive messages:

c) the ways communcation functions to bring about changes in personal, political and social settings;

d) how social and political settings invite the construction and expression of ideas; and

e) the ethical implications of rhetorical theory, research and practice.