Outline

Overview

This unit will introduce students to contemporary theories and practices of rhetoric, examining the work of Kenneth Burke and Chaï¿½Perelman, among others. It will trace the development of contemporary rhetoric from the classical era, comparing these approaches through examples of social, political, and popular rhetoric across a range of genres. Students will develop a better understanding of the relationship between rhetoric and writing and how to apply rhetorical principles to the analysis, interpretation and production of a range of texts.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	12 credit points at 1000 level in Writing Studies
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Benjamin Miller, benjamin.miller@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Adam Gall, adam.gall@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Analysis An analysis of a topic using the theory of rhetorical ecologies.	25%	Week 06 Due date: 28 Sep 2020 at 23:59	1125 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Essay A proposal essay providing strategies for a rhetorical intervention	25%	Week 09 Due date: 30 Oct 2020 at 23:59	1125 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Comparison A written or filmed description of your rhetorical intervention on a topic	25%	Week 10 Due date: 06 Nov 2020 at 23:59	1125 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Reflection A reflection applying Burkean theory to a rhetorical intervention.	25%	Week 12 Due date: 20 Nov 2020 at 23:59	1125 words
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Assessment details will be available on Canvas

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

INTERPRETATION OF GRADES

This Guide indicates broadly the qualitative judgments implied by the various grades which may be awarded. These should be read in conjunction with the instructions and criteria for each task.

85%+ (High Distinction)

a deep understanding of material; nuanced analysis of focal texts or issues;
clearly presents a novel, critically supported argument;
indicates awareness of complexities and qualifications in argumentation;
demonstrates careful thought about an argument’s critical or historical context;
provides evidence of wide-ranging scholarly reading;
is properly referenced and well-presented.

The writing is characterized by creativity, clarity, and independent insight. A HD is distinguished from a D by an awareness of subtleties, nuances, and qualifications.

75-84% (Distinction)

an intelligent understanding of material; analyses issues appositely;
presents a well-argued, coherent case;
careful thought about an argument’s critical or historical context;
provides evidence of reading beyond what is strictly required for the task;
is properly referenced and well presented.

The writing is characterized by clarity and independent insight. A D is distinguished from a C by theoretical understanding and a range of intellectual enquiry.

65-74% (Credit)

evidence of independent reading and thinking about issues and their contexts;
clear understanding of relevant critical considerations and conceptual issues raised by a unit of study;
quotes and summarises to support analysis;
attempts a critical or theoretical argument;
is clearly and effectively written and adequately referenced.

A C is distinguished from a P by independent discussion, clarity of writing and an attempt at critical argument.

50-64% (Pass)

evidence of having read and thought about relevant texts or issues;
there may be errors, tangents, or a lack of clarity about the argument;
some critical analysis, often overshadowed by summary or paraphrase;
quotation for illustrative purposes only;
may present simplistic comment or unsubstantiated assertions;
is adequately expressed though there may be some weaknesses in this area;
may contain some referencing errors.

Below 50% (Fail)

Work may fail for any of the following reasons:

no evidence of having read course material or assessment instruction closely;
sloppy, inconsistent presentation; quotation without analysis; overuse of summary and paraphrase; excessive generality in answering a question;
inappropriate expression; writing style that is difficult to understand; incoherent general structure; inadequate referencing;
late submission of work without extension.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

The Assessment Procedures 2011 provide that any written work submitted after 11:59pm on the due date will be penalised by 5% of the maximum awardable mark for each calendar day after the due date. If the assessment is submitted more than ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Lecture 1: What is contemporary rhetoric?	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 01	Seminar 1: Journeys to Sydney	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 02	Lecture 2: Classical rhetoric	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 02	Seminar 2: Defining contemporary rhetoric	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 03	Lecture 3: New rhetoric (Perelman)	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 03	Seminar 3: How has rhetoric changed over time?	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 04	Lecture 4: Rhetorical situations and ecologies (Edbauer)	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 04	Seminar 4: Reading Edbauer	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 05	Lecture 5: Alternative rhetorics (Royster)	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 05	Seminar 5: Rhetorical analysis	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 06	Lecture 6: Environmental rhetorics	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 06	Seminar 6: Rhetorical strategies (learning from environmental rhetorics)	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 07	Lecture 7: Alternative Shakespearean rhetorics	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 07	Seminar 7: Rhetorical strategies (learning from Shakespeare)	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 08	Lecture 8: Alternative rhetorics of the Australian dream	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 08	Seminar 8: Rhetorical strategies (learning from A.B. Original)	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 09	Lecture 9: Problems with Education (Burke)	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 09	Seminar 9: Proposing an intervention	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 10	Lecture 10: Reading the news	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 10	Seminar 10: Delivering your intervention	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 11	Lecture 11: Reflecting on Rhodes Must Fall	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 11	Seminar 11: Burkean analysis	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 12	Lecture 12: Reflecting on Student Rhetorics	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 12	Seminar 12: Burkean critical reflection	Seminar (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance/Participation: For the purposes of WRIT2000, attendance refers to participation in online discussions and activities. According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to participate in 90% of their classes. If you participate in less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold. If you need to vary your attendance/participation during the unit, contact your tutor or coordinator – we will do our best to find a fleible solution to help you complete the unit.
Lecture recording: All lectures will be made available to students on the LMS via audio/powerpoint/video recordings on the relevant week’s page. You should set aside an hour each week to listen to or watch the lecture recording in order to prepare for your seminar discussions and assignments.
Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately one hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction. The best preparation for WRIT2000 is reading the set texts and conducting independent research into the relevant rhetorical concepts that are mentioned in the set readings.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings will be made available online vie the Library’s e-reserve system and will be accessible via a link in the LMS/Canvas site.

There are two essential theoretical readings – by Edbauer and Burke – that many students (and lecturers!) need to read several times to develop a close understanding of the ideas. There are also a range of secondary readings that will help you prepare for seminar discussions and assignments.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. understand and apply a range of rhetorical theories for constructing meaning in written, spoken, and nonverbal communication
LO2. trace the development of contemporary rhetoric by analysis of speeches, literature, and popular media
LO3. demonstrate improved critical writing and interpretation abilities through an understanding of how rhetoric is constructed in various textual practices and discourse communities
LO4. understand the role of rhetoric in meaning-making .

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Students commented that they enjoyed the rich, detailed discussion of readings in seminars, but they were sometimes frustrated when peers showed up to seminars without completing the readings. For online delivery in semester 2 2020, the unit activities have been designed to prompt students to complete readings before participating in seminar activities. Some readings have been culled to provide more time for students to complete the most essential readings in the unit. Lectures have also been redesigned to more directly address the key readings/ideas in the unit.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

WRIT2000: Contemporary Rhetoric

Semester 2, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links