Tag(s)
RA, PA
Admission Requirements
None.
Description
Why do we consider some politicians as great orators? Do we because of their ideas, or do other factors play a role in such a judgment as well? In this course we will study both ancient and modern theories on persuasion and manipulation and apply them on pieces of rhetorical discourse. First, we will deal with the history of classical rhetorical theory as articulated by, for example, Aristotle and Cicero, and as expressed in some handbooks from anonymous authors. These theories should provide us with complete picture of the classical rhetorical system. Second, we will address some modern approaches of rhetorical discourse, such as The New Rhetoric by Perelman & Olbrechts-Tyteca, the theory of strategic manoeuvring by Van Eemeren and Houtlosser and recent experimental research on persuasion. We will occupy ourselves with rhetorical practice not only by applying the theories we have dealt with on historical speeches, but also on more recent examples of oratory.
Course Objectives
Knowledge of the ancient background of rhetorical theory
Knowledge of the revival of rhetorical theory in the 20th century
Knowledge of rhetorical strategies used by great orators
The skill to apply this knowledge to rhetorical discourse
Mode of Instruction
In this course we will discuss parts of books and articles. Active participation is paramount. The reading work has to be prepared by uploading weekly web postings. During class, all students are expected to engage in discussions. Each week a number of students will be asked to prepare and lead the group discussion about the assigned literature.
Assessment
To be confirmed in course syllabus:
In-class participation: 10%
Weekly web-postings (500 words): 25%
Group presentations (2 per student): 25%
Final written exam:40%
Literature
The literature for each class will be placed on Blackboard, where you will find the majority of articles and chapters. Students are required to print the compulsory literature themselves, and bring to class. In the case that material cannot appear on Blackboard due to copyright restrictions, a web link will be placed. Again, students will then need to retrieve and print the compulsory literature themselves.
Crowley, S. & D. Hawhee (2012). Ancient Rhetorics for Contemporary Students, Chapters 4 + 5, pp. 88-145.
Eemeren, F.H. van and P. Houtlosser (2002). ‘Strategic maneuvering. Maintaining a delicate balance’. In: F.H. van Eemeren and P. Houtlosser (eds.), Dialectic and Rhetoric. Dordrecht: Kluwer, pp. 131-159.
Govier, T. & H. Jansen (2011). Anecdotes and arguments. In: F.H. van Eemeren, P. Houtlosser & M.A. Haft-van Rees (eds.) Considering Pragma-dialectics, pp. 75-88.
Hoeken, H. & L. Hustinx (2009). When is statistical evidence superior to anecdotal evidence in supporting probability claims? The role of argument type. Human Communication Research 35, pp. 491-510.
Holian, D. B. (2004). ‘He’s stealing my issues! Clinton’s crime rhetoric and the dynamics of issue ownership. In: Political Behavior, 26(2), pp. 95-124. (ONLY READ PAGES 95-108).
Kennedy, G.A. (1994). A New History of Classical Rhetoric. Princeton NJ: Princeton University Press. pp.1-35; 51-68; 128-158
Murphy & Katula (2003): Cicero, the First Speech against Lucius Sergius Cataline, pp. 284-295.
Sluiter, I. (2011). Deliberation, free speech and the marketplace of ideas. In T. van Haaften, H. Jansen, J. de Jong & W. Koetsenruijter (Eds.), Bending opinion. Essays on persuasion in the public domain. Leiden: Leiden University Press, pp. 25-47.
Tindale, C.W. (1999). Acts of Arguing. A Rhetorical Model of Argument. Albany: State University of New York Press, pp. 125-144.
Price, J.J. (1998). ‘The Failure of Cicero’s First Catilinarian.’ In: C. Deroux (Ed.), Studies in Latin Literature and Roman History (pp. 106-128). Bruxelles: Latomus.
Weinberger, J. & D. Westen (2008): ‘RATS, We Should Have Used Clinton: Subliminal Priming in Political Campaigns’. Political Psychology 29(5), pp. 631-651. Available at: http://www.psychsystems.net/Publications/2008/5.%20RATS,%20we%20should%20have%20used%20clinton_Weinberger_political%20psych%202008.pdf
Williams, J.D. (2009). An Introduction to Classical Rhetoric. Essential Readings, pp. 364-375.
Contact Information
Drs. Maarten van Leeuwen, m.van.leeuwen@hum.leidenuniv.nl
Weekly Overview
Week 1: The beginning: the Sophists and Attic speakers
Week 2: Aristotle
Week 3: Cicero
Week 4: Modern Rhetoric: argument types
Week 5: Rhetorical analyses of advertorials
Week 6: Rhetoric in politics / Platonian criticism on rhetoric
Week 7: Rhetoric and the free market place of ideas
Preparation for first session
Homework for the first session will be published on blackboard, a week before the course starts.