THE WORLD OF LEARNING

Sept. 24

Lecture Topic

Humanism and the Revival of Classical Rhetoric

Assignment

Please find at least three reference books that define and describe "rhetoric" and come to class prepared to discuss the different meanings, both denotative and connotative, of this rich word. Which meanings make "rhetoric" a site fraught with contradiction?

See The World of Learning Links for resources on rhetoric.

Sept. 29

Lecture Topic

Renaissance Rhetoric in the Classroom: Teaching Youths

Readings

Selections from Ersamus's Adages and De Copia, and the Progymnasmata

Assignment

Rhetoric Exercise

Discussion Topics and Questions

1. Describe one of Eramus's adages in terms of the principles outlined in De Copia.
2. Do you think the Progymnasmata is an effective text book for teaching composition?

Oct. 1

Lecture Topic

The Rhetoric of Counsel: Teaching Princes

Readings

The Prince

Discussion Topics and Questions

1. Compare Machiavelli's persona in The Prince with More's persona in Utopia.
2. What are the difficulties of giving counsel to a prince? How do power relations shape the conditions of communication? Do you think that Machiavelli is successful?

Oct. 6

Lecture Topic

Statecraft as Rhetoric I

Assignment

Close reading of a poem

Readings

The Prince

Discussion Topics and Questions

1. Like Erasmus's Adages and De Copia, Machiavelli's The Prince is a storehouse of commonplaces, maxims, and arguments. Please find three such rhetorical devices and discuss how Machiavelli uses them in his text.
2. Compare the overall, philosophical purposes of Erasmus's rhetoric with Machiavelli's.

Oct. 8

Lecture Topic

Statecraft as Rhetoric II

Readings

The Prince and Bacon's "Of Simulation and Dissimulation"

Discussion Topics and Questions

1. How is Bacon using Machiavellian rhetoric in his essay "Of Simulation and Dissimulation"?
2. How do you think the persona of More in Utopia would react to Bacon's advice for politicians?