Persuasion and Rhetoric – Theory

studia pierwszego stopnia

English in Public Communication

semestr 1

Studia stacjonarne

profil akademicki

obowiązkowe

Realizowany w sali

ECTS points in relation to student’s duties

Number of ECTS points: 3

1 ECTS – 30 hours: participation in classes

2 ECTS – 60 hours: preparation (reading) with direct participation of the teacher

Course description

The course is of an introductory character. The students are familiarised with basic categories and procedures of the Western rhetorical tradition, its persuasive possibilities, and its newest versions: visual and digital. However, the practical dimension of rhetoric is preferred throughout the course so that the students could communicate in such a way that their target audiences (fellow students, teachers, a specific target audience) felt persuaded or convinced into doing something or at least thinking about something that has been suggested in or by their talk or presentation.

Course objectives:

The main aim of the course is to familiarise the students with the leading notions in the theory of persuasion and rhetoric.

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Course content:

The main issues discussed during the course:

Persuasion in Public Communication

Target Audience

Ethos, Logos, Pathos

Five Canons of Rhetoric

Visual Rhetoric

Digital Rhetoric

Non-ethical Use of Rhetoric and Persuasion

Fallacious Arguments

Body Language and Non-verbal Persuasion

Persuasive Repertoire

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Methods of instruction/ forms of classroom activity:

multimedia presentation, discussion, ICT tools/Moodle & Teams, report writing, pair work, group work.

Reading list:

D. Eyman (2015). Digital Rhetoric: Theory, Method, Practice. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press.

W. Keith and C. Lundberg (2008/2018). The Essential Guide to Rhetoric. Boston-New York: Bedford/St. Martin's.

A. Luscombe and H. Nonnenberg (2015). Practicing the Five Canons of Rhetoric. University College Roosevelt

All basic and obligatory Materials can be accessed on K. P. Skowroński's University of Opole's Moodle website on Persuasion and Rhetoric - Theory

Learning outcomes acc to PQR 2019

Knowledge

1 The student knows basic terminology and theories of linguistic, media studies and cultural studies (k_W02/P6S_WG)

2. The student understands the role of English as a cognitive means and a tool used for public communication including persuasion (k_W03/P6S_WG)

Skills

The student is able to

3. use different source materials (the Internet, library) and prepare their own reports, presentations (k_U04/P6S_UK)

4. perform group work activities to develop their own study skills (k_U08/P65_UO)

5. use the terminology and take theoretical standpoints in reference to theoretical models derived from research in communication, media and language studies (k_U01/P6S_UW)

Social competences

6. The student is able to prioritise learning tasks (k_K01/P6S_KK)

Forms of evaluation of learning outcomes:

1. Active participation in classes - 40% of the final grade (outcome 1,2,4,5)

2. Video presentation/online presentation/in class presentation on a specific topic - 30% of the final grade (outcome 1,2,3,4,5)

3. Other advanced forms possible (e.g. recording a video clip based on academic material) in the case of willingness to achieve a higher grade - 30% of the final grade (outcome 1,2,3,4,5,6)

Pass at 60% of the final grade