ENG 240

ENG 240-Historical Rhetoric

By the end of the course, students will be able to analyze how historical power has been disguised through the use of grammar, vocabulary use, and context. Language has forever been the tool to influence the masses and still continues to be. By looking through many different presidential terms and legislature that were put into effect, we can see how people in power have gained the approval of the public and media to further their agenda. This will help students become better writes and be able to create their own thesis and to effectively portray it to others.

Syllabus

• Some of the texts we will look at:
  • Citizen-Consumers Wanted: Revitalizing the American Dream in the Face of Economic Recessions
    • This text tells of how the government plays a strong role in defining the old and new cultures and essentially writing the narrative. It is shown through the different presidential terms, how each incumbent would use consumerism as an answer to social inequality to change the perception of the people.
  • How the American Dream Has Changed Over Time

This text will teach students how an example idea such as “The American Dream” has changed through governmental influence. This looks at specific administrations and their role through their time in office to shape their policies to be accepted by American citizens.

Projects/Assignments

• Articles will be assigned for reading twice a week
• There will be 3 papers that will look at specific administrations and laws and you will analyze and explain multiple ways they phrase and appeal to pathos.
• Midterm will be picking a law or president of your own and explaining why that administration was so influential and how.
• Final paper will be you creating your own law for part 1 and then for part 2, explaining how this law is persuasive and will minimize the criticism set against it.