Rhetoric and Law

Catalog description

A survey of the literature on the role of rhetoric in law, including trial advocacy, appellate argument, and judicial reasoning. Rhetoric and Law explains how knowledge of rhetorical principles enhances the understanding of legal documents, reasoning, and performance. This course surveys classical to contemporary rhetorical literature demonstrating its utility to the study of law. Students will examine the role rhetoric plays in jury deliberation, trial advocacy, appellate argument and judicial reasoning. Students will demonstrate their understanding of rhetorical theory by participating in a mock trial. In this exercise, students will deliver opening statements, closing arguments as well as conduct direct and cross-examination of witnesses. Finally, the class will examine United States Supreme Court majority and dissenting opinions as rhetorical documents.