rhetoric & ethics

WRT 413: rhetoric & ethicsFall 2014, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2:00-3:20 p.m., Marshall Square Mall 205B

Patrick W. Berry, [email protected], office: HBC 235office phone: 315-443-1912

office hours: Fridays, 1:00-3:00 p.m. and by appointmenthttp://patrickberry.com/rhetoricethicsfall14

In such a moment, we require an expanded ethical vocabulary, one that can express not only the values of contingency, difference, and critique, but beyond these can speak to the values of connections, reciprocities, and interdependencies among peoples of diverse and often conflicting ideologies. John Duffy

Course Overview and GoalsWhat does rhetoric have to do with ethics? You have likely encountered political commentators and others using rhetoric in deceptive and unethical ways. Yet rhetoric has more constructive uses as well. Its potential to create and support ethical communication is significant to writers and researchers in our globalized, digitally mediated world.

In Rhetoric and Ethics, we will explore competing definitions of rhetoric and ethics, identifying how these definitions shape our understanding. Beyond simply looking at the texts themselves, we will examine reading, writing, and listening as contextual, rhetorical practices with ethical potential. We will examine historical conversations concerning rhetorics ethical responsibilities and identify complications that emerge as assumed historical connections between language and truth, justice, community, and personal character are deployed in various social, political, cultural, national, and transnational contexts.

Moving from classical rhetoric to journalism to remix culture to theories of composing in a digital world, the course will ask students to:

investigate historical and contemporary arguments about the relationship between rhetoric, language, and ethics consider how perceptions of rhetorics ethical function shape and respond to specific historical and cultural circumstances explore how different contexts and technologies pose ethical challenges for speakers, writers, and audiences analyze strategies speakers and writers use to build credibility with their audiences demonstrate an ability to take ethical considerations into account in producing arguments

Encrucijada/Crossway by Flickr user pasotraspaso, CC BY 2.0.

Participation and AttendanceRegular attendance and participation in class are critical to your success. You will often be asked to write and share writing during class sessions. Please bring to class a copy (print or digital) of the assigned reading(s) as well as a paper copy of any assigned writing. If you miss a class, you are expected to stay current by contacting me and/or speaking with a classmate. Coming to class more than 20 minutes late will be considered an absence. If you miss more than four classes, you will receive a reduced or failing grade.

GradesFinal grades for the course will be based on the following percentages. Weekly at-home and in-class writing (15%)You will receive short essay assignments, in-class writing assignments, and multimedia writing assignments on a weekly basis.

Lead discussion for one class with a partner (10%)

Project #1: Rethinking Rhetoric and Ethics (25%; 7-page paper)Project #2: Ethics Remix: A Multimedia Exploration of Ethics (25%; multimedia project and 3- to 5-page response)Project #3: The Ethics of Controversy: An Analysis (25%; 7- to 10-page paper and 5-minute presentation)As a general rule, late work will not be accepted.

ReadingsCourse readings are available on Blackboard.

Student WritingTexts written in this course are generally public. You may be asked to share them with a peer, the class, or me during classroom activities or for homework. You will also be asked to sign a consent form allowing the use of your writing for professional development, teacher training, and classroom instruction within the Syracuse University Writing Program.The Writing CenterIf you need any help with your writing, the Writing Center (http://wc.syr.edu) is an excellent resource. Workshop consultants can help you learn how to improve your writing by offering assistance with planning, drafting, and revising. This resource is free, and I highly recommend it. You are also always welcome to utilize my office hours for help with assignments.Special Needs and SituationsIf you believe that you need accommodations for a disability, please contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS), http://disabilityservices.syr.edu, located in Room 309 of 804 University Avenue, or call (315) 443-4498 for an appointment to discuss your needs and the process for requesting accommodations. ODS is responsible for coordinating disability-related accommodations and will issue students with documented disabilities Accommodation Authorization Letters as appropriate. Since accommodations may require early planning and generally are not provided retroactively, please contact ODS as soon as possible.

Syracuse University and I are committed to your success and to supporting Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This means that in general no individual who is otherwise qualified shall be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity solely by reason of having a disability. You are also welcome to contact me privately to discuss your academic needs, although I cannot arrange for disability-related accommodations.

Academic HonestyThe academic community requires ethical behavior from all of its participants. For writers, this means that the work we claim as ours must truly be ours. At the same time, we are not always expected to come up with new ideas; we often build our thinking on the ideas of others. We are expected, however, to credit others with their contributions and to clearly indicate the boundaries of our own thinking. In cases where academic dishonesty is detected (the fraudulent submission of anothers work, in whole or part, as your own), you may be subject to a failing grade for the project or the course, and in the worst case to academic probation or expulsion. For a more detailed description of the guidelines for adhering to academic honesty in the College of Arts and Sciences, go to: http://academicintegrity.syr.edu.

Religious ObservanceSUs religious observances policy, found at http://supolicies.syr.edu/emp_ben/religious_observance.htm, recognizes the diversity of faiths represented among the campus community and protects the rights of students, faculty, and staff to observe religious holy days according to their tradition.Under the policy, students are provided an opportunity to make up any examination, study, or work requirements that may be missed due to a religious observance provided they notify their instructors before the end of the second week of classes. For fall and spring semesters, an online notification process is available through MySlice/Student Services/Enrollment/My Religious Observances from the first day of class until the end of the second week of class.

Course Schedule (subject to change)

DateIn classAt home (due the following class)

WEEK 1Tuesday, Aug. 26Course Introduction:What Is Rhetoric? What Is Ethics?

In-class discussion of Chuck Klostermans Can I Use the Same Paper for Multiple College Courses? (New York Times, 31 May 2013); Cory Turners Turnitin And The Debate Over Anti-Plagiarism Software (NPR, 25 August 2014); John Duffys The Ethics of Metaphor (Chronicle of Higher Education: The Conversation. 2 December 2013).

Read Plato, Gorgias (1-60).

Complete survey on Blackboard to lead discussion.

Thurs., Aug. 28Rhetoric, Truth, and Ethics

Introduction to Platos Gorgias.

Read Plato, Gorgias (61-114).

Find a video clip on the Web that illustrates good rhetoric but that you believe is unethical. Post your video link to Blackboard along with a paragraph that explains your thinking. This response is due by the end of the day Monday, September 1.

WEEK 2Tuesday, Sept. 2

Rhetoric, Truth, and Ethics

Identify central themes in Platos Gorgias.

Discuss video postings.

Read Wayne Booth, Judging Rhetoric (39-54).

Thurs., Sept. 4

Judging Rhetoric

Review Booths taxonomy and discuss real-world examples. Discuss the value of listening as a rhetorical strategy.

Set up an account with Pixton, the comic-making website (pixton.com). Create a 5-panel comic that playfully engages with the theme of rhetoric and ethics. Put yourself in dialogue with Socrates and/or Booth to get at a central theme of the readings. Post your link to Blackboard before the next class.


Judging Rhetoric

Review comics and discuss emerging ideas/themes.

Consider representations of Syracuse University as a top party school.

Read Charles Larmore,The Ethics of Reading (49-54) and Responses (55-66) and John Duffy, Virtuous Arguments. Post a paragraph to Blackboard that describes how you will focus your talk and the strategies you will use to reach your audience.

Thurs., Sept. 11

Judging Rhetoric

Continue working on your talk


Ethics and ExposWatch part of the 2014 documentary Fed Up.

Draft for Project #1 due: Post draft to Blackboard before class; bring a hard copy to class.

Thurs., Sept. 18

WorkshopRead Charles M. Ess, Global Media Ethics? Issues, Requirements, Challenges, Resolutions (253-71).

WEEK 5Tuesday,Sept. 23

Global Media EthicsProject #1 due. Post to Blackboard. (no hard copy necessary).

Thurs., Sept. 25

Ethics and ExposThe producers of Fed Up say that we are facing the greatest public health crisis of our time. For next class, you need to write a 600-word analysis of how the issue is represented in the movie and on the site: http://fedupmovie.com/#/page/fedupchallenge

Pay particular attention to the language used and how the argument is presented.

Is this an ethical argument? How do you know?

Your response should be approximately 600 words. Post to Blackboard and bring a print or digital copy to class.

WEEK 6Tuesday,Sept. 30

Ethics and ExposRead James Baldwin, If Black English Isnt a Language, Then Tell Me, What Is? and Mei-Yu Lu, English-Only Movement: Its Consequences on the Education of Language Minority Children

Thurs.,Oct. 2

Ethics, Language, and Representation

Discussion leaders: Michaela and TevionRead Lois Agnew, Teaching Propriety: Unlocking the Mysteries of Political Correctness (746-64).

Write a 600-word response to Agnew. Post to Blackboard and bring a hard copy to class.

WEEK 7Tuesday,Oct. 7

Ethics, Language, and Representation

Special guest: Lois AgnewDiscussion leaders: John and Hanna

Read Aristotle, selection from Nicomachean Ethics. Write a 600-words response that summarizes the central ideas expressed in this reading. Post to Blackboard and bring a print copy to class.

Thurs.,Oct. 9Aristotle and Nicomachean Ethics

Discussion leaders: Olivia and KelseyWatch two short films at the Political Remix Video site: 1) The Usual Suspects: Black Men in Black Hoodies;2) Wouldnt It Be Great if Everybody Had a Gun?

Write a 600-word response that analyzes what techniques are used to make these arguments. Consider what topic you might focus on as you make your own remix for Project #2. Include at least four video links. Post your response to Blackboard by the end of the day on Sunday, October 19.

WEEK 8Tuesday,Oct. 14No class

Thurs.,Oct. 16No class


Ethics, Rhetoric, and Remix

Meet in computer lab: HBC 227.Read Wheeler, excerpt from Phototruth or Photofiction? (27-66).

Thurs.,Oct. 23

Ethics, Rhetoric, and RemixDiscussion leaders: Renata and Emily

Draft for Project #2 due (both video and response).


Workshop

Meet in computer lab: HBC 009. Read Patricia J. Williams, The Raw and the Half-Cooked (75-82) and listen to NPR piece Documenting Tragedy: The Ethics of Photojournalism. Write a 600-word response to this question: Why does Williams title her essay The Raw and the Half-Cooked? What is she trying to say about ethics? Post your response to Blackboard.

Thurs.,Oct. 30

Ethics, Visual Representation, and Multimodality

Discussion leaders: Timothy and Tori

Read David M. Sheridan, Jim Ridolfo, and Anthony J. Michel, A Fabricated Confession: Multimodality, Ethics, and Pedagogy (123-43). Post 600-word response to Blackboard

WEEK 11Tuesday,Nov. 4


Discussion leaders: Akili and Padraic

Project #2 due. Post video and written response to Blackboard.

Thurs.,Nov. 6


Read Plato, Crito (24-37) and Lee Anne Peck, Socrates in Jail: The Importance of Independence and Responsibility (61-68). Post 600-word response to Blackboard.

WEEK 12Tuesday,Nov. 11Socrates in Jail: Ethics and Responsibility

Read Heidi A. McKee and James E. Porter, Researching Blogs, Chats, Discussion Forums, and Social Networking Sites (75-112). Post 600-word response to Blackboard that addresses this prompt: Pick at least two case studies and compare the ethical issues of each one.

Thurs.,Nov. 13

Ethics, Responsibility, and Research

Discussion leaders: Ivy and Jack

Read Elizabeth Fakazis, How Close Is Too Close? When Journalists Become Their Stories (45-59). Post 600-word response to Blackboard.


Ethics, Responsibility, and ResearchIntroduction to final project.

Discussion leaders: Taskina and Rania

Read G. Thomas Couser, Making, Taking, and Faking Lives in Collaborative Life Writing (35-55). Post 600-word response to Blackboard. Post 600-word response to Blackboard.

Thurs.,Nov. 20

Ethics, Responsibility, and Research

Submit draft of final paper by Monday, December 1.


No classThanksgiving break

Thurs.,Nov. 27

No classThanksgiving break

WEEK 15Tuesday,Dec. 2

Presentations Ivy, Emily, Akili, Taskina, Tevion, Padraic, Rania, and Renata

Prepare presentations.

Thurs.,Dec. 4

PresentationsKelsey, Timothy, Tori, Hanna, John, Olivia, Michaela, and Jack

Final projects are due by end of day Thursday, December 11. Post to Blackboard.

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rhetoric & ethics

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