English 305-01: Contemporary Rhetoric

8:00-9:15 TR; MHRA 1207

Instructor: Dr. Shana Scudder

Email Address: s_scudde@uncg.edu
Office: MHRA 3326
Office Hours: T, R 11-12
Mailbox: MHRA 3114

Course Description:
In this course, you will learn what rhetoric is, and how to analyze a variety of
rhetorical situations and texts using both classical and modern rhetorical concepts,
lenses, and terminology. We will start with rhetorical foundations, and from there
we will look at how arguments are made using language, images, bodies, narrative
structure, and the role of and relationships between rhetors and audiences.

English 305 Student Learning Outcomes:

At the completion of this course, you will be able to:
Identify and use major rhetorical terms and ideas
Understand and apply a variety of rhetorical theories to specific cases
Analyze written and visual texts for their arguments and rhetorical
motives
Write and revise your own writing thoroughly and thoughtfully

UNCG Writing-Intensive Student Learning Outcomes:

WI SLO 1: Students will be able to recognize and write in genres appropriate to the
discipline(s) of the primary subject matter of the course.

WI SLO 2: Students will be able to use informal and formal approaches to writing
and multiple drafts to deepen their mastery of the subject.

UNCG Speaking-Intensive Student Learning Outcome:

Students will be able to speak in genres appropriate to the disciplines(s) of the

primary subject matter of the course.

Information Literacy

This course also has a partnership with the library, including the Digital Media
Commons; therefore, you will have the opportunity to work closely with our librarian
Jenny Dale as well as with Armondo Collins and the DMC/DACTS staff. We will have
several workshops in the library, and you will be meeting with Jenny Dale
individually towards the end of the semester, as you are working with your final
projects. This is a unique opportunity to take full advantage of the many resources
and wonderful staff and faculty members in our library, and together we will provide
you with every tool you need to succeed in this class, and gain a thorough
understanding of researching and writing in the field of Rhetoric and Composition.

English 305 Course Guidelines:

1. Writing
You will complete 22-25 pages of polished prose (draft, feedback, revision),
completed across five formal assignments, each of which engages with
outside sources (primary and/or secondary) beyond those provided as course
texts.

You may also complete in-class or other assignments that may not be
formally evaluated. These may include prewriting, brainstorming, journaling,
participation in asynchronous discussion threads, or other writing completed
individually or in small groups, in class, out of class, or online (e.g., on
Canvas).

2. Reading, Research, and Textual Analysis:

You will read the equivalent of 50-100 pages a week, some of which may be
in the form of watching videos in lieu of reading printed text.

You will also complete assignments focusing on research methods, including

but not limited to those involving the library and its databases, and
employing a responsible survey of relevant sources. You will produce written
work that illustrates the ability to collect, synthesize, and evaluate primary
and secondary sources which may include non-print and/or live sources (from
interviews or ethnographic research). This written work may also be
represented within electronic venues (blogs, web pages, wikis).

3. Tests and Quizzes

You will periodically be given reading and vocabulary quizzes and tests to
assess your knowledge of rhetorical terms, figures, and concepts.

4. Final Exam session:

We will be meeting during our final exam time for project presentations.
Even if you have already presented your project ATTENDANCE DURING THE
FINAL EXAM TIME IS MANDATORY. If you fail to attend the final exam session,
you will not receive credit for your final project.

5. Attendance Policy:
Not only is this a speaking-intensive class, but class participation counts for a
significant portion of your grade. If you are not in class, you cannot
participate, and you will therefore not pass this class.

Students are by state law allowed two excused absences due to religious
holidays. These absences do not count toward the total maximums allowed
above. If a student plans to miss class due to a religious holiday, he or she
must notify the instructor in writing at least 48 hours prior to the absence.
 If you have extenuating circumstances such as a death in the family, chronic
illness/injury requiring prolonged medical treatment, prolonged psychological
issues, etc., then you should immediately contact the Dean of Students Office
for advocacy (http://sa.uncg.edu/dean/). You can use that department email,
(deanofstudents@uncg.edu) and provide your name, your UNCG ID number, a
telephone number that you can be reached, and a general description of why
you would like to meet with a staff member. If your situation is urgent, you
may opt for a walk-in appointment (Monday Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00
pm), and the staff will connect you with the appropriate person as soon as
possible. The Dean of Students office is located on the second floor of the
Elliott University Center (EUC).

6. Discussion Leaders
During the first week of class, I will pair you with one or two of your
classmates and you will work with that person to serve as discussion leaders
for one textbook chapter. When you are leading discussion, you and your
partner should have some sort of informal presentation to explain the course
reading, as well as thoughtful questions to present to your classmates to get
the discussion started. In other words, you and your partner will be teaching
class on that day. You may use any resources that will help you illustrate the
material you are teaching, such as PowerPoint slides, video examples that
illustrate rhetorical concepts, etc. You should turn in the notes you used to
prepare for class that day. You will be graded on the quality of your
preparation as well as your ability to lead discussion and explain rhetorical
concepts to your classmates.

Required Text:
Palczewski, Catherine Helen, Richard Ice, and John Fritch. Rhetoric in Civic Life,
Second Edition. State College, PA: Strata Publishing, 2016. ISBN 978-1-
891136-37-5.

Classroom Expectations:
I understand that cell phones can be excellent classroom tools for accessing course
documents and doing on-the-spot research. However, if your phone rings, or if you
are caught texting, you will automatically receive a 0 for your daily participation
grade. No exceptions. The same goes for laptops, tablets, and any other electronic
devices: they may be used for class-related activity but nothing else. If you violate
this policy then you will be relegated to paper, pen, and textbook only for the rest of
the semester.

Any inappropriate or disrespectful actions or speech towards any of your classmates

or myself will not be tolerated. If your behavior is disruptive or disrespectful you
will be given a warning before you are asked to leave the classroom. If the behavior
is repeated, you will be referred to another faculty member for further disciplinary
action, up to and including your removal from the course. I expect mutual respect
and tolerance of everyone regardless of race, gender expression, sexual orientation,
ethnicity, national origin, age, and physical ability. I hold both myself and you to
this standard, across the board. You are also required to bring the assigned
readings to class every day. If the reading is from your textbook, bring your book; if
the reading is from Canvas, either print the reading or have it accessible in a digital
format. If you fail to bring the assigned readings to class, you will receive a 0 as
your participation grade for the day.

Course Requirements and Grade Distribution:

Essays, Tests 40%
Quizzes, Informal Assignments 30%
Participation 30%

Evaluation:
You will be graded on a standard 10-point scale (90-100% A; 80-89% B; 70-79% C;
60-69% D; below 60% F); however you should be aware that in this class, work that
is considered average will receive a C grade. I consider Bs and As to be marks of
work that is good or excellent; in other words, work that goes beyond the basic
requirements of the assignment.

Late and Missed Work:

The penalty for late assignments is one letter grade per day. While I will of course
take extreme circumstances into account, exceptions to this policy will rarely be
granted.

Academic Integrity:
Academic integrity is founded upon and encompasses the following five values:
honesty, trust, fairness, respect, and responsibility. Violations include, for example,
cheating, plagiarism, misuse of academic resources, falsification, and facilitating
academic dishonesty. If knowledge is to be gained and properly evaluated, it must
be pursued under conditions free from dishonesty. Deceit and misrepresentations
are incompatible with the fundamental activity of this academic institution and shall
not be tolerated (from UNCGs Academic Integrity Policy). To ensure that you
understand the universitys policy on academic integrity, review the guidelines and
list of violations at <http://academicintegrity.uncg.edu>. I expect you to abide by
the Academic Integrity Policy.

Disability Accommodations:
Students with documentation of special needs should arrange to see me about
accommodations as soon as possible. If you believe you could benefit from such
accommodations, you must first register with the Office of Accessibility Resources
and Services on campus before such accommodations can be made. The office is
located on the second floor of the Elliott University Center (EUC) in Suite 215, and
the office is open 8am to 5pm, Monday - Friday. Telephone: 334-5440; e-mail:
oars@uncg.edu.

Course Schedule:
*I reserve the right to make changes to the daily schedule as needed.

Week One
Tuesday 1/17 Intro & Welcome, go over syllabus
Check-in: What is rhetoric?
Thursday 1/19 Canvas readings: An Introduction to Rhetoric and the Rhetorical
Triangle, Writing with the Appeals

Week Two
Tuesday 1/24 Canvas readings: The Canons of Rhetoric as Phases of
Composition & Reading for the Appeals
Thursday 1/26 test

Week Three
Tuesday 1/31 Rhetoric in Civic Life p. 3-16 Discussion Group 1
Thursday 2/2 class discussion: first half of Ch. 1

Week Four
Tuesday 2/7 Library Session: meet in CITI Lab of Jackson Library
Thursday 2/9 Class discussion: 2nd half of Ch. 1; assignment due: rhetorical
term application

Week Five
Tuesday 2/14 Ch. 2: Language; discuss first paper Discussion Group 3
Thursday 2/16 Class discussion: Chapter 2

Week Six
Tuesday 2/21 Ch. 3: Visual Rhetoric Discussion Group 4
Thursday 2/23 assignment due: precis

Week Seven
Tuesday 2/28 DMC workshop: easel.ly (Jackson Library, CITI lab)
Thursday 3/2 Ch. 4: Argument; Discussion Group 5

Week Eight
Tuesday 3/7 Discussion Group 6; Ch. 5: Narrative
Thursday 3/9 assignment due: visual rhetoric

Week Nine (March 11-20) SPRING BREAK

Week Ten
Tuesday 3/21 DMC/DACTS Workshop: CITI Lab, Jackson Library
Thursday 3/23 Ch 6: Rhetors, Discussion Group 7

Week Eleven
Tuesday 3/28 Ch. 7: Audiences; Discussion Group 8
Thursday 3/30 annotated bibliography assignment due

Week Twelve meet with Jenny Dale individually

Tuesday 4/4 Ch. 8: Rhetorical Situations; discuss final projects Discussion Group 9
Thursday 4/6 class discussion: Ch. 8

Week Thirteen meet with Jenny Dale individually

Tuesday 4/11 Ch. 9: Publics and Counterpublics, Discussion Group 10
Thursday 4/13

Week Fourteen
Tuesday 4/18 Presentations
Thursday 4/20 Presentations

Week Fifteen
Tuesday 4/25 Presentations
Thursday 4/27 Presentations

FINAL EXAM SESSION: TUESDAY MAY 9TH 8-11 A.M.; project presentations & final
papers due