State University of New York at Geneseo
Department of Communication
Protest, Persuasion & Public Opinion (COMN 288)
Spring 2014
“You say you want a revolution. Well, you know.
We all want to change the world.”
–The Beatles
INSTRUCTOR’S INFORMATION
Instructor:
Office:
Office Hours:
Phone:
Mailbox:
E-mail:
Ms. Roseann Pluretti, M.A.
Blake B 107
Monday: 11:30am-12:30pm
Wednesday: 2:30pm-3:30pm
*other times by appointment
585-245-5229
Blake B, Department of Communication Office
pluretti@geneseo.edu
CLASS MEETINGS AND TIMES
• Newton 213
• M/W, 1:00pm-2:15pm
REQUIRED READINGS
• Bowers, J. W., Ochs, D. J., & Jensen, R. J. (2010). The rhetoric of agitation and
control (3rd ed.). Prospect Height, IL: Waveland Press, Inc. (BOJ)
• Stewart, C. J., Smith, C. A., & Denton, R. E. (2012). Persuasion and social
movements (6th ed.). Prospect Height, IL: Waveland Press, Inc.
• Selected readings. Many of these will be distributed electronically. (SSD)
*PLEASE READ THE SYLLABUS CAREFULLY—It is your road
map/instruction manual/self-help guide to this course. You are responsible for its
contents.*
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Welcome! This course examines the rhetorical use of symbols and the pervasive tactics
used by marginalized groups in society. Students will analyze the discourse between
dominant and alternate ideologies in the realm of public opinion. Students will also gain
knowledge about social movements and their rhetorical struggles with empowered groups
COURSE GOALS/STUDENT OBJECTIVES
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To become acquainted with the study of rhetoric by examining verbal and nonverbal symbols.
To enhance one's understanding of the strategic uses of symbols by both
empowered and marginalized groups.
To acquire an appreciation of noteworthy public protests in American history.
To understand the rhetorical process by which public opinion is created,
sustained, and transformed.
To provide you the tools to change public opinion or to protest if you choose to do
so.
To gain an appreciation for the role of protest rhetoric in a democratic society.
myCourses
Use of the myCourses is required. To access it, go to Geneseo's homepage at
<www.geneseo.edu> and click on “myGeneseo” in the top right corner. Log in and click
on “myCourses” found under the “Sites” bar. From there, navigate to the course site with
the directions provided. If you encounter any difficulties, please ask me for help.
** Your use of the class website, which is an extension of this syllabus, is essential. With
it, keep track of your grades, find detailed information about assignments, access course
readings and receive e-mails from me. I will use myCourses for all course
communication.**
GRADE APPORTIONMENT AND SCALE
Examination #1: ____/100 points
Reflection Papers: ____/100 points (4 x 25pts)
Examination #2: ____/100 points
Social Movement Project: ____/125 points
Examination #3:____/100 points
Protest Song Poster:_____/150 points
Participation: ____/100 points
Final Group Project ____/225 points
Final grade: ____/1000 points
A = 1,000-940 points
B = 869-840 points
C = 769-740 points
E = 599 and below
A- = 939-900 points
B- = 839-800 points
C- = 739-700 points
B+ = 899-870 points
C+ = 799-770 points
D+ = 699-600 points
Grade Definitions
A = 100-94 percent
B = 86-84 percent
C = 76-74 percent
E = 59 percent and below
A- = 93-90 percent
B- = 83-80 percent
C- = 73-70 percent
B+ = 89-87 percent
C+ = 79-77 percent
D = 69-60 percent
NOTES ABOUT GRADES
• You are responsible for keeping track of their scores and are encouraged to use
the chart above.
• Grade appeals concerning specific assignments must be made within one week of
a project's return to students. After that, grade appeals are not considered.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF ASSIGNMENTS
I. Exams.
These include multiple-choice questions, short answer, and possibly essay.
These tests will be on the reading assigned each week, class work,
discussions, presentations, and lecture notes
II. Reflection Papers.
This class will improve your writing and help you discover your voice, if you
put in the time and effort! There will be 4 periodic papers (1-3 pages)
throughout the semester. I will assign chapters/weeks the papers are due to
each group of students (so all 50 of you are not reflecting on the same
chapters). *Papers will be handed in on Mondays at the beginning of class
(unless advised otherwise). In writing these papers you may want to consider
the following questions:
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What issues does the reading/issue raise for me?
What questions does the reading answer for me?
What is especially informative/interesting in the reading?
What did I find difficult to swallow and why?
What current issues/events relate to the readings?
AND include one question that may be used in class discussions.
III. Final Group Project.
To complete this group project, students will work together to each write one
mini-research paper (6-7 pages). Groups will be assigned at the beginning of
the semester. The purpose of this project is to develop and create your own
faction of a current/original social movement (applying course material) and
introducing this to the class. Students will present on their final group project.
We will discuss this fully when it is assigned.
IV. Protest Songs Poster.
Students will prepare a Protest Song Poster about a musical artist and song.
This gives students a chance to be creative and make claims through a more
visual means. We will discuss this fully when it is assigned.
V. Social Movement Group Project.
Groups will choose a social movement of their preference and present this social
movement to the class. They will provide a brief background on the movement
and explain how the social movement exemplifies the 6 attributes of a social
movement (SSD 1) and what agitation strategies it used (BOJ 2). We will discuss
this fully when it is assigned.
VI. Participation/Attendance.
Students are expected to engage in active learning. That is,
students should take ownership of their educational experiences by, for
example, reviewing assigned readings before class, discussing readings during
class, and posing questions during class. Students will have many
opportunities to participate in class activities and discussions. Participating
one day for one discussion is not enough to earn full credit. The attendance
policy is outlined below.
GENERAL POLICIES AND CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE
I. Dedication: Successfully completing a college course requires hard work.
Accordingly, for each hour spent in the classroom, it is expected that you spend at least
two hours outside of the classroom reading or preparing assignments. In advance of
taking COMN 288, know that it requires a great deal of effort and that the pace of the
course may be fast. If these conditions conflict with your present schedule, please
consider adjusting your schedule or taking COMN 288 at another time.
II. Discriminatory Language and Behaviors: Please demonstrate respect for others and
for others' ideas. Because a university is a place of growth and exploration, students
should express their thoughts and ask questions. At the same time, however, you may not
disparage, mock, or harass others because of their gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation,
religion, or group affiliation. Those who engage intentionally and maliciously in
discriminatory language or behaviors in class may be asked to leave. Further, they may
be asked by the college to attend counseling sessions.
III. Academic Integrity: Academic honesty is expected. You are required to observe all
college regulations concerning academic integrity. In particular, cheating on
examinations and plagiarism (incremental, patchwork, or global) are forbidden and strict
consequences will occur. This also includes turning in your same work for multiple classes
or assignments. Cheating also includes using resources to aid you in an exam, passing on
information to aid another person taking an exam or completing an assignment, or signing in
on another person’s behalf. Cheating/plagiarism on any assignment may result in at minimum
a penalty of a "0" for the assignment. Please see the discussion of plagiarism in the
undergraduate bulletin (available at http://bulletin.geneseo.edu/bulletin.pdf) for more
information.
IV. APA 6th edition – Students are required to prepare written assignments following the
standards of the 6th edition of the American Psychological Association (APA). APA
guidelines concern more than just citation style. If you are not familiar with this process, it is
your responsibility to secure access to the manual that details the guidelines. Caution: not all
websites that report on APA are up-to-date and/or accurate. I expect that you will use the
manual as your guide.
V. Special Needs - SUNY Geneseo will make reasonable accommodations for persons with
documented physical, emotional or cognitive disabilities. Students should contact the
Director in the Office of Disability Services (Tabitha Buggie-Hunt, 106A Erwin) and their
faculty to discuss needed accommodations as early as possible in the semester.
VI. Office Hours: I am here to help! Please don’t hesitate to come to me if you have any
questions or concerns regarding the course. Office hours are listed at the top of the
syllabus under the instructor information. I offer 2 office sessions each week. You are
strongly encouraged to take advantage of these hours. You can either schedule an
appointment with me in person or by email, or you can just walk in. I am always more
than happy to help.
VII. 24/7 Rule – I implement Dr. Harrigan’s 24/7 Rule. In the event that you receive a grade
about which you are concerned please wait 24 hours to raise your concerns. This time is for
you to review my comments. After this time but within seven days of receiving your grade,
please make an appointment with me to discuss your concerns and ways to improve your
work on future assignments.
VIII. Textbooks: You are encouraged to bring your textbook with you to each class
period so you have a point of reference to follow during lectures. Participation in class
relies on if you read the textbook and are up to date on your readings. Therefore, if you
are not utilizing your textbook, this can ultimately affect your participation as well as
your midterm/final grades.
IX. Electronic Use: Being on your cell phone during class is strictly prohibited. That
means absolutely NO texting, answering calls, checking Facebook, Playing Candy Crush,
tweeting, or any other thing you can do on your phone. I understand emergencies can
come up, if this is the case, I ask you to please leave the classroom and take the phone
call or text message out in the hallway. The first time you are caught using your phone in
class, I will give you a warning. The second time I will deduct 10 points from your
participation grade.
Computers and tablets (IPads, NOOKs, Kindles) are also strictly prohibited in class.
Although it can be a good form of note taking, computers ultimately can distract you
from important class lectures. Computers are gladly allowed if they enhance learning. To
avoid misunderstandings, students who wish to use computers for note taking please
notify me as soon as possible.
ATTENDANCE POLICIES
Attendance is crucial in this course. Missing classes or coming to classes late will have a
negative effect on your assignments and success in the course. Students are expected to
arrive to class on time and to stay for the entire session. Those who leave class early and
without the instructor’s permission will be counted absent. At the beginning of each
class, I will call roll. Students not present for roll call are considered tardy.
*Tardiness is strongly discouraged Arriving to class after lectures begin is disrespectful
to your classmates, to your instructor, and to yourself. Sleeping late or not finding a
parking space is not a valid excuse for tardiness.*
I. Excessive Tardiness: You are expected to always be on time for class. 3 tardies will
be counted as an unexcused absence.
II. Excessive Absences: You have a limited number of unexcused absences. You are
permitted two unexcused absences during the semester. For each absence past the
limit, 30 points are deducted from your final participation grade.
III. Excused Absences: Please see the discussion of “Absences from Class Due to Illness or
Emergency” in the undergraduate bulletin (available at
http://bulletin.geneseo.edu/bulletin.pdf) for additional information about what constitutes an
excused absence.
POLICIES REGARDING ASSIGNMENTS
I. Keep back-up copies. Students are responsible for retaining copies of all written work
submitted for this class.
II. Late Assignments: One will be permitted to take a Missed Exam or deliver a Missed
Presentation with official documentation of an excused absence. Please see the discussion of
“Absences from Class Due to Illness or Emergency” in the undergraduate bulletin (available
at http://bulletin.geneseo.edu/bulletin.pdf) for additional information. If you are late for an
exam you still must finish within the allotted time period. If you arrive for an exam once
other students have left, it will be left to the instructor’s discretion whether you may take the
exam. Without proof of an excused absence, the individual who misses the exam or
presentation will receive a “0” for the assignment. In the event a late assignment is accepted,
which is infrequent, it will be recorded as submitted and then assessed either an “E” (failing)
grade, or evaluated with a grade reduction (normally one-half letter grade for every calendar
day late). Note: the late period begins 1:01pm the day an assignment is due.
III. Conducting scholarship. For research projects in this class, sources of the highest
quality should be used. Therefore, students are required to forgo citing the banal, like
general dictionaries, leisurely periodicals (e.g., Men's Health), and ordinary websites that
are not reviewed by experts (e.g., <www.wikipedia.org>). Instead, use only academic,
peer-reviewed books and journals found by searching library databases. Poor research is
strongly penalized.
IV. Scheduled Examinations: You are expected to take examinations on time.
During the regular semester, if you must be away from school for a university-sanctioned
event or for a foreseeable personal reason, you must volunteer to take the test before the
rest of the class. If you cannot predict an absence, you may make up missed work only if
you can provide the instructor with documentation that excuses the absence.
During finals week, your final examination in this course will not be rescheduled for
personal travel plans. You must take the examination at the time dictated by the college's
final examination schedule. Otherwise, you forfeit the points associated with the test.
However, if you have three or more finals on one day, you may ask to reschedule the
examination for COMN 288.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
MEETING
WEEK 1
(1/22)
WEEK 2
(1/27 & 1/29)
WEEK 3
(2/3 & 2/5)
WEEK 4
(2/10 & 2/12)
WEEK 5
(2/17 & 2/19)
WEEK 6
(2/24 & 2/26)
WEEK 7
(3/3 & 3/5)
WEEK 8
(3/10 & 3/12)
TOPICS AND READINGS
Introduction to the course
• Distribute syllabus and discuss the
course
• Icebreaker
Social movements & rhetoric
• Why study social movements?
• Read SSD Chapter 1 (M)
• Rhetoric and democracy
• Read BOJ 1-2 (W)
"Nuts and bolts" of social movements
• Systems theory
• Persuasive functions
• Read SSD 2-4
Leadership in movements
• Leadership functions
• Read SSD 5-6;
NO CLASS MONDAY 2/17 (tentative)
Leadership in movements (cont’d)
Read: Benson's essay about Malcolm X;
Darsey's essay about Eugene Debs. Available
on myCourses.
Persuasive strategies
Read SSD 7
Social Movement Group Project Due
Women's Rights & Liberation Movement
Read: Women Right’s additional readings
Stanton & Anthony) available on myCourses
Monday 3/10: Case Study/Exam Review
(Please have reviewed chapters: SSD 1-4, BOJ
1-2)
SPECIAL NOTES
Develop Groups
Groups 1-3 Reflection
Papers Due
(Wednesday 1/29*)
Groups 4-6 Reflection
Papers Due (Monday)
Groups 1-3 Reflection
Papers Due
Social Movement Group
Project Outline Due via
Email 2/17
Due Wednesday 2/26
Presentations on 2/26
Groups 4-6 Reflection
Papers Due.
Guest Speaker TBA
Examination #1 (3/12)
Exam 1: Wednesday 3/12
(Covers weeks 2-3)
WEEK 9
(3/17 & 3/19)
SPRING BREAK J
NO CLASS.
WEEK 10
(3/24 & 3/26)
WEEK 11
(3/31 & 4/2)
Present Protest Song Posters
WEEK 12
(4/7 & 4/9)
WEEK 13
(4/14 & 4/16)
WEEK 14
(4/21 & 4/23)
WEEK 15
(4/28 & 4/30)
Political argument, cont.
Narrative visions in movements
• Rhetorical visions
• Read SSD 9
Argument by transcendence
• Read SSD 10; & Jimmy Carter Reading
available on Angel
Exam 2: Wednesday 4/9
Nonviolent resistance
• The lure of nonviolence
• Case study: Civil rights
BOJ 4; Additional readings handed out in class.
The use of violence
• Force as persuasion
• Read SSD 12 & SSD 13
FINAL GROUP PROJECTS DUE
Groups 1-3 Reflection
Papers due.
Examination #2 (4/9)
(Covers weeks 4-7)
Groups 4-6 Reflection
Papers Due
Guest Speaker TBA
ALL Groups (1-6)
Reflection Papers Due
Presentations 4/28 &
4/30
Papers due 4/30 on
myCourses
WEEK 16
(5/5 & 5/7)
Monday 5/5: Final Exam Review
NO CLASS WEDS. 5/7: STUDY DAY
WEEK 17
(5/12)
FINAL EXAM
Good luck on your
exams! J
Examination #3
(Covers weeks 11-14)
Monday 5/12
12:00pm-3:00pm
Newton 213
*When special and extenuating circumstances arise, minor adjustments may be made to
the syllabus. When those changes are made, students will be given ample forewarning
and in print. It is the student’s responsibility to stay up to date.*