Rhetoric 115

 

Dr. Christina Fisanick
219 Hinkle Hall
Xavier University
clfisanick@aol.com
Office hours: Wed 3-5
 
 

“[The function of rhetoric] is not to persuade but to see the available means of persuasion in each case.” -- Aristotle, Rhetoric (c. 350 BCE)         

         

 

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Welcome to the website for Dr. Fisanick's Rhetoric 115 course at Xavier University.  Here you will find all of the information you need to understand what is expected of you and what we will be doing over the course of the semester.  Read on to find out more about the philosophies behind the course or follow the links to the left to take the tour. 

According to the XU course description booklet, the purpose of English 115: Rhetoric is to provide the student with an “intensive theoretical and practical study of discourse.”  Throughout the course of the semester, you, we, will attempt to accomplish both of those goals by studying the theory and application of rhetoric.  You will do so by critically reading, thinking and writing about the topic of your choice both within a group and individually.  The result of this course will be a completed online group portfolio due during final’s week.

 Course Goals:

  • To better understand rhetoric: its theory, application, and terminology
  • To improve your critical thinking, reading, and writing skills
  • To enhance your ability to communicate in a variety of different modes and genres, including creating documents using Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, FrontPage, and other technologies
  • To understand the rhetoric of online spaces
  • To develop and accomplish long-term writing project goals
  • To learn how to work with others to meet those writing projects goals
  • To better understand your own writing process
  • To gain confidence in approaching many future writing projects by learning how to read and to interpret the rhetorical situation and where to turn for assistance
  • To improve your ability to search for and interpret multiple texts for use in your writing projects



 



 

The figure above  is inspired by Janus, the two-faced or two-headed Roman god whose figure was often found carved above Roman doorways. 

In Rhetoric 115 I will encourage you to see both sides of the arguments that you will read and write.  It is important to be able to understand both sides, not only to make a better argument, but to expand your view of the world and the diverse issues and opinions that create it. 
 

Course Syllabus (in PDF)