Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Fndn in Rhet& Argumentation (Online)

ENGL 6020-70I

Course: ENGL 6020-70I
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: ENGL
CRN: 32286

Course Description

This course explores the history, theory, and practice of rhetoric with a focus on argumentation from antiquity to the present. Students will emerge from this course with an understanding of the history of rhetoric, as well as skills and strategies for the practice and application of argumentation. (As Needed) [Graded (Standard Letter)]

Required Texts

Bizzell, P., Herzberg, B., & Reams, R. (2020). The Rhetorical Tradition: Readings from Classical Times to the Present, 3rd Edition. Bedford/St. Martin's. ISBN: 9781319279271 

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate disciplined processes of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action.
  2. Systematically explore issues, objects or works through the collection and analysis of evidence that results in informed conclusions or judgments; students break complex topics or issues into parts to gain a better understanding of them.
  3. Recall key texts and concepts in the history of rhetoric and argumentation.
  4. Identify approaches to rhetoric and argumentation and apply those approaches to your own production and/or interpretation of texts.
  5. Demonstrate skill in the practice of rhetoric—in the words of Quintilian, a good person speaking and writing well.

Course Requirements

Discussions (30%)


For each class where readings are assigned you are expected to contribute to class discussion.

Persuasive Project (10%)


Over the course of the semester we will engage with the history and theories of persuasive/argumentative language use. This project asks you to apply your learning to an actual persuasive project in your life. Parameters for this assignment will be negotiated with the instructor to allow for work tailored to your future goals and plans.

Exams (30%)


Content knowledge will be assessed via three non-comprehesive exams, each of which will address 4-5 weeks worth of course material.

Workshops (30%)


In addition to required class discussions, each set of readings will also be accompanied by a workshop designed to give students practice applying the argumentative theories and techniques discussed in class. There will be three workshops you will be working on. You should be consistently working on each of them throughout the course.

Course Outline


UNIT 1: ANCIENT RHETORIC

Week 1/Module 1
Corax/Tisias, The Sophists, Isocrates

Week 2/Module 2
Plato, Aristotle, Aspasia

Week 3/Module 3
Cicero & Egyptian Rhetoric

Week 4/Module 4
Longinus & Quintilian

UNIT 2: MEDIEVAL & RENAISSANCE RHETORIC

Week 5/Module 5
Augustine, Ars Poetriae, Ars Dictaminis, Ars Praedicandi

Week 6/Module 6
Boethis & al-Farabi

Week 7/Module 7
Margery Kempe, Julian of Norwich, Islamic Mysticism

Week 8/Module 8
Castiglione & Erasmus

Week 9/Module 9
Bacon & Margaret Fell

UNIT 3: MODERN RHETORIC

Week 10/Module 10
Locke, Hume & Campbell

Week 11/Module 11
Blair, Bain & Sherman Hill

Week 12/Module 12
Burke, Perlman, Anzaldua

Week 13/Module 13
Contemporary Rhetoric & Writing studies (Pedagogy & Composition)

Week 14/Module 14
Contemporary Rhetoric & Writing Studies (Curriculum & Consequences)


Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work


This course and its due dates are paced to help you manage your time through a large, sustained amount of graduate-level reading over 14 weeks (while being as humane as possible). If you find yourself falling substantially behind the due dates in Canvas you should make an appointment to talk to me so we can strategize. I don't penalize late work, but it also will not receive written feedback.

However, if you fall more than three modules behind, you have to meet with me via phone or Zoom before continuing. This is (1) so I can check in and offer help, and (2) so we can develop a clear plan to get you caught up OR a clear plan to get you withdrawn and in the best situation possible to try again.

Attendance Policy

As this is an asynchronous online class, there is not a formal attendance requirement. However, please note that the course discussions (which replicate the in-class discussion portion of a face-to-face graduate seminar) are mandatory, due weekly, and cannot be made up if missed.

Course Fees

N/A

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.