ECTS course syllabi
Faculty of Philology
Module 13
ECTS code
Persuasion and Rhetoric – Theory
Hours
30
1.2.2-D1-M13
ECTS points Final requirement
3
graded credit
Year
II
Semester
3
Organization
Full time
Profile
Academic
Form
obligatory
Language Prerequisites
English
Provider
University of Opole / Faculty of Philology
Studies
Subject
English in Public
Communication
Degree
BA
Major/Specialty
Courses in the module
Course name
ECTS code Form
Hours
ECTS points
Persuasion and Rhetoric –
Theory
1.2.2-D1PRT
30
3
class
Instructor
Forms of evaluation of effects (see below for types of effects)
Class participation (20%)- 1,2,3,6,7
Written tests (open-ended tests, quizzes, revision projects) (60%)- 1,2,3,4
Reporting on reading assignments (20%)-4,5
Methods of instruction/ forms of classroom activity
ECTS points in relation to student’s duties
In-class activities:
Lectures illustrated with multimedia presentations and
exemplars
Contributions to class discussion and debate (pair-work,
group-work): taking notes, listing keywords, formulating
definitions, comparing issues, responding to dilemmas
Reading responses shared with group
1 ECTS – 30 h of class participation
1 ECTS – 15h of consultations and 15 h of preparation for the
classes
1 ECTS – 30 h of reading assignments and revising for the tests
Course description
The course introduces students to the tradition of Western rhetoric, focusing on the main categories and procedures of
rhetorical analysis according to various schools. It gives students the theoretical underpinnings and terminological basis for
their own rhetorical training.
Course objectives
The course is designed as a theoretical introduction to persuasion and rhetoric and an overview of the main schools in Western
rhetoric. It gives students specific knowledge and understanding of the applications of rhetorical categories. It also aims to
problematize the notion of persuasion by means of rhetorical devices by highlighting ethical and aesthetic concerns and
dilemmas involved in the use of rhetoric in public communication
Course content
1. Defining rhetoric (logic, dialectic, eristic) and delimiting the properties of argumentation, persuasion and
manipulation
2. The classical origins of Western rhetoric: the Sophists
3. Landmark works: Aristotle’s Rhetoric
4. New Rhetoric: Perelman and Olbrechts-Tyteca
5. The Burkean system: Rhetoric as equipment for living
6. Cultural factors in rhetoric
7. Key categories in rhetorical criticism: ethos, pathos, logos; heuresis, taxis, lexis; invention, composition, style,
memory and delivery.
8. Rhetorical devices: Topoi and tropes.
Reading list
A. obligatory reading (to get a credit):
A.1. used in class
Aristotle (2010) Rhetoric. Translated by W. Rhys Roberts. Electronic Classics Series. Philadelphia: Pennsylvania University.
Burke, K. (1950). A rhetoric of motives. Berkeley: University of California Press.
Burke, K. (1966). Language as symbolic action. Berkeley: University of California Press.
Cicero (1969). Orator. Translated by H.M. Hubbel. London: Heinemman.
Cockcroft, R. and Cockcroft, S. (2005) Persuading People: An Introduction to Rhetoric. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Perelman, Ch.and Olbrechts-Tyteca, L. (1969) The New Rhetoric: A Treatise on Argumentation. Notre Dame: University of
Notre Dame.
Quintilian (1920-2). Institutio Oratoria. Translated by H.B. Butler. London: Heinemman.
A.2. used for self-study
Selected articles from such journals as Rhetoric, Communication Quarterly, Communication Studies, College Composition and
Communication
B. supplementary reading
Effects
Knowledge
Students:
1. have basic knowledge about the significance of the study of language and communication within the
discipline of philology, about their research subjects as well as their methodological specificity
(K_W02)
2. have a systematic detailed knowledge of the theory and practice of persuasion and rhetoric, of origins
and development of various traditions and categories of paradigms in public communication
(K_W10)
3. are acquainted with the ethical standards and codes of practice in public communication (K_W17)
Skills
Students can:
4. apply the terminology, theoretical frameworks, research paradigms and methodological approaches
of linguistics and discouse studies (including those of semiotics, sociolinguistics, pragmatics,
stylistics and rhetoric), as well as communication studies and media studies(K_U04)
5. comprehend spoken and written texts in English (relative to C1 level) to identify the general
point/attitude and to find specific information in authentic public communications (K_U14)
Social competences
Students:
6. shape their opinions in relation to the gained general and detailed knowledge gained in the
course(K_K03)
7. are aware of the significance of public communication for a democratic dialogue in the public sphere
(K_K13)
Contact
molekk@uni.opole.pl