Below you will find sample syllabi for several of the courses I have taught at Mount Saint Mary’s University. Click on the title of the course to view the syllabus as a PDF. Other instructors are welcome to borrow assignments or language from these, with proper credit. And please do let me know if you end up using anything in your own courses!
Rhetoric and Poetics
This course examines the historical relationship between rhetoric (the theory and study of persuasive language and symbol use) and poetics (the theory of literary expression and representation). Students will consider representative theories and literary works from the ancient and medieval periods; after doing so, they will then investigate the reception of some of these concepts by carefully studying 19th century material from the Mount St. Mary's University archives. While this class will not be comprehensive in its treatment of historical periods (properly covering this material even in a survey would take much longer), all students should gain a deeper understanding of how approaches to the teaching of rhetoric and poetics have influenced the production and interpretation of literature.
This course introduces students to major theories and perspectives in Argument, Argumentation, and Persuasion, with particular focus on rhetorical argument. Students become familiar with different types of reasoning, claim construction, value hierarchies, stasis theory, and other important concepts. The practical implications of these theories are explored through the application of course concepts to problems of demagoguery, political bullshit, and textual interpretation within the realms of law, religion, and public policy. Students will also practice presenting and responding to oral and written arguments.
Visual Rhetoric and Graphic Novels
This course focuses on the intersection of literature and rhetorical studies to help students discover the artistic and persuasive strategies of superhero and autobiographical graphic novels. Students will learn about the history of graphic novels and visual communication, will learn how to write about literature in different ways, and will respond to all sorts of texts—literary and non-literary, verbal and nonverbal.