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PWR 194NCR: Introduction to Cultural Rhetorics

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[This course is open to all students but also serves as the required gateway courses for students in the Notation in Cultural Rhetorics]

All cultures have their own ways of communicating and making meaning through a range of situated rhetorical practices. In this course, you’ll explore the diverse rhetorical contexts in which such practices are made; learn methodologies for examining their rhetorical production across media and modality; and engage in the rhetorical study of situated cultural practices and their historical developments.

As the Notation emphasizes the study of the rhetorical histories and traditions of communities that have not always been foregrounded in classical rhetorical study, the gateway course introduces you to foundational theoretical frameworks and epistemological approaches for undertaking ethical, responsible research of diverse communities and rhetorical traditions with which you may have varying degrees of familiarity and affiliation. Additionally, the course invites you to examine the ways that race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, citizenship, ability, and other cultural locations bear on the production of rhetorical practices that maintain or resist social differences among people. We invite you to expand your facility with real-world cross-cultural and intercultural communications that you will likely encounter in both professional and public spheres. The theories, methodologies, practices, and research skills gained in this course will also prepare you for more sustained study of cultural rhetorics in the Notation.

Major Assignments

Undergrad:

Language and Culture Autobiography (1000-1500 words) A literacy narrative that charts your journey as a writer and speaker, reflecting upon the ways that language and rhetorical practices have shaped your identity.

DJ of the Week Playlist and Discussion Questions Take a turn raising and exploring questions inspired by the readings or even challenging authors’ positions.

Intellectual Mixtape Mini Anthology + Introduction A chance for you to create your own mini-anthology of rhetorical texts or media based on a topic explored in class.

PechaKucha Slideshow  A specific genre of PowerPoint presentation (20 slides/20 seconds per slide) in which you will gather quotes from the materials we have read and arrange them to represent your own journey through the ideas, discussions, and readings of the course.

Grad:

Language and Culture Autobiography (1500-2000 words)  A literacy narrative that charts your journey as a writer and speaker, reflecting upon the ways that language and rhetorical practices have shaped your identity.

Weekly Reading Responses (500 words) Capture your ongoing internal dialogue with the authors you read and broader course themes.

Discussion Leading Take a turn leading in-class discussion as inspired by the important ideas and questions that you glean from the readings and other course materials.

Annotated Bibliography + Introduction A curated list of selected annotations with an explanatory introduction.

PechaKucha Slideshow A specific genre of PowerPoint presentation (20 slides/20 seconds per slide) in which you will gather quotes from the materials we have read and arrange them to represent your own journey through the ideas, discussions, and readings of the course.

Learn more about the Notation in Cultural Rhetorics

Catalog Number: PWR 194NCR/CSRE 194NCR

Units: 4

Prerequisite: WR-1 requirement or the permission of instructor

Grade option: Letter (ABCD/NP)

Course Feature: Cultural Rhetorics Track. This course does not fulfill the WR-1 or WR-2 Requirement

WAYS: A-II & EDP