Contemporary Public Address

Catalog description

Special topics in recent history of American public address, including speeches, debates, persuasive campaigns, and social movements in America 1900-pesent. CAS 504 CAS 504 Contemporary Public Address (3 per semester/maximum of 9) This course is a graduate seminar focusing on special topics in the history of American public address since 1900. Through intensive study of great speeches and other rhetorical texts, important national debates and controversies, and significant persuasive campaigns and social movements, it cultivates specialized understanding of the distinctively American tradition of public advocacy and deliberation and illuminates how that tradition has evolved in response to political and social developments and new communication technologies. Special topics reflecting the research interests of current faculty who might be expected to teach the course include: "The Rhetoric of the Progressive Era," "The Rhetoric of the New Deal," "The Manifesto in Contemporary Social Movements," "The Rhetoric of Contemporary Political Campaigns," and "The Rhetorical Presidency." Students should consult with the instructor prior to enrolling to ascertain that the course topic is not the same as in prior enrollments.