Rhetoric and Religion: Persuasive Catholicism

Catalog description

Students study rhetorics of religion, particularly (though not exclusively) within the Roman Catholic tradition. The course introduces general rhetorical theory and practice along with explicitly religious rhetorical thinkers such as St. Augustine. The course requires students to read work from a range of disciplines, including rhetoric, theology, philosophy, and sociology, among others. Students also study contemporary religious messages, including encyclical letters and apostolic exhortations. Students also produce an original research and writing project using appropriate library databases and professional citation practices.