Rhetoric: Social Movements & Change

Catalog description

Rhetoric of Social Movements and Change: Can rhetoric change the world? Maybe it’s the only thing that can. This course is designed to examine the rhetorical actions of groups and individuals in recent history who seek (or have sought) to enact social change. In considering how various groups use rhetoric, our study will examine issues of power, organization, audience, and aim. We will consider how rhetoric is used to constitute movements, attract participants, legitimize concerns, propose actions, and sustain movements. People from all walks of life seek to change the world, so our examples will be varied, from the Civil Rights Movement to the Alt-Right, from Women’s Rights and LGBTQ Rights, in addition to others. In our study of verbal and non-verbal strategies, we will examine various rhetorical techniques, performances, and genres, from songs, speeches, and social media to pictures, paintings, and protests. Prerequisite: ENG 204 or permission of the instructor. (Offered every odd fall term)