FYS: From the Soapbox to the Streets: A History of Activist Rhetoric in NYC

Catalog description

This course is devoted to exploration of the rich history of political speech and activism in New York City. Drawing upon the study of rhetoric as a tool for production and criticism of civic discourse, it invites students to consider how key moments of public communication were shaped by their time, place, and cultural milieu. To that end, we will visit several such sites of rhetorical intervention in order to consider how context-specific conditions may have influenced their development and reception. This First-Year Seminar is designed to spark student interest in academic theory and criticism, encourage civic participation, and illuminate the city’s profound impact on national culture and politics.