Christopher Eisenhart

The study and contemporary application of ancient Greek and Roman rhetorical theory. Students will apply rhetorical theory in ongoing analyses of a wide range of communication media (written, spoken, visual) and in their own writing.

An examination of language's pivotal role in shaping a culture's values, beliefs, biases, and world view. By reading a broad range of essays, excerpts, and articles, students will learn how language shapes thought, molds perceptions, and determines how we think about and react to various people, groups, and cultures. Students will write a series of articles for lay audiences based on what they learn during the course.

Intensive writing course emphasizing an advanced critical approach to a topic in writing, writing studies, communications or rhetoric. Through readings, class discussions, independent research, and writing assignments, students will practice refining analytic and persuasive content.

Rhetorical precepts and notions as developed since antiquity and applied to contemporary professional writing and communication. Students will learn to identify and analyze rhetoric across a variety of discursive situations and in turn establish sound rhetorical practices within their own communication.

Principles of research, writing the thesis/project proposal, and initial thesis/project drafting. The course explores primary and secondary research methods. Course content includes in-depth and formal interviewing techniques, principles of field observation, content analysis, literature reviews, electronic data searches, historical analysis, focus groups, case studies, questionnaire design, use and abuse of statistical inquiry, fundamentals of logic and causation, and philosophical inquiry into qualitative and quantitative research perspectives. The course places major emphasis on how to write a proposal and thesis/project aimed at eventual publication.

This practicum includes an eclectic survey of theories, tests, and strategies, the supervised teaching of an undergraduate course, and weekly colloquia to assess classroom practice and to share approaches. In addition, each student will complete a related research project (e.g., a comparative analysis of leading textbooks, course structures, or writing needs in local businesses).