1. FROM CLASSICAL RHETORIC TO MODERN COMMUNICATION DR. CAROLINE PETIT
RHETORICS
FROM CLASSICAL RHETORIC TO MODERN COMMUNICATION
DR. CAROLINE PETIT

2. WHAT DOES ‘RHETORIC’ MEAN?

3. Uses of ‘rhetoric’ in modern media outlets
Today’s news? Speech gone wrong…

4. Rhetoric in scholarship ISHR

5. Rhetoric in the classical world:
An ‘art’ (technè)
Theory + technical training
Controversial: competing with philosophy?
Professional discipline
Follows grammar and precedes any other training in school

6. The role of rhetoric in ancient societies
Public speaking training
Where? Assemblies, courts, army, debating places, private space
When? Lifelong practice
Literature in a broad sense (composition)
World of knowledge
For us: a crucial interpretive tool for understanding ancient texts, mentalities, social activities…

7. Classical rhetoric: new research
Third Sophistic?
New texts by e.g. Hyperides
Editions of fragments/testimonies (Caecilius of Calè-Actè, Hermagoras…)
Christians & classical rhetoric (Eusebius, Origen…)
Ancient rhetorical theory (Hermogenes) and literary criticism (Longinus)
Spaces of rhetoric: reconstructing the physical conditions of ancient speeches
Archaeology/architecture: Temple of Peace (Rome)

8. This module Rhetoric in ancient society Rhetoric in ancient texts
Rhetoric in question
Beyond classical rhetoric

9. Syllabus (autumn) Week 1: Introduction to ancient rhetoric
(Weeks 2-5: theme 1: Rhetoric & Society)
Week 2: Rhetoric, education and public life
Week 3: Rhetoric in the classroom: how to write a speech (and why it matters)
Week 4: Rhetoric & politics: Saving democracy
Week 5: Rhetoric and the Empire (new forms of public speaking)
Week 6: Reading week, no class.
(Weeks 7-10 : theme 2: Praxis: Rhetoric in texts)
Week 7: Professional Speeches: Athens and Rome
Week 8: Rhetoric & Poetics (Homer, tragedy...)
Week 9: Rhetoric & Historiography
Week 10: Rhetoric and technical literature

10. Syllabus (winter)
Week 1: Introduction : Men, theories and debates in the history of rhetoric
(Weeks 2-5: Theme 3: Rhetoric in question)
Week 2: Rhetoric, Philosophy and Sophistry in classical Athens
Week 3: Rhetoric, pro et contra: from Aristotle to Sextus Empiricus
Week 4: Pagans vs Christians (the enduring power of rhetoric)
Week 5: The evolution of argumentation theory and persuasion strategies
Week 6: Reading week, no class
(Weeks 7-10: Theme 4: Rhetorics, beyond the Classical)
Week 7: Biblical and semitic rhetoric
Week 8: Islamic rhetoric: Aristotle in Baghdad
Week 9: Rhetoric and modern approaches to argumentation and literary criticism (20th c.)
Week 10: Rhetoric & Politics (2): words, images, media in the 20th/ 21st c.

11. Lectures & Seminar work
Weekly effort (reading/question/task)
Individual or small group prep
Group work on questions/texts in second hour of class (weekly)
Mind the emphasis on ancient TEXTS!
Essential virtues of the student of rhetoric: congeniality & dialogue!

12. Essays 1 essay each term Ca. 2,500 words
Regulations/style guide/ marking criteria : see UG handbook
Mind the *new* university proofreading policy
New 20 point-marking scale
Deadlines: week 8 in term 1 and week 8 in term 2
Essay questions + mini-biblio on the module page
Special hour dedicated to essay-writing in Week 5

13. Personal project Not assessed (no mark!)
Identify a personal (or small group) project in which you can use/question the tools of rhetoric
Key points:
Use the tools of rhetoric (ancient and modern)
Any topic/support : write speech? Educational project? campaign? advertisement?
Use social media?...
Schedule:
Term 2/Easter break (no particular deadline)
To be presented after Easter (term 3)

14. URSS ideas?
Book under contract: Affreux, sales et antiques. Les méchants dans l’Antiquité Les Belles Lettres
Help me find more bad guys? Companion visual project around ancient scoundrels/rascals
edit/publish translation of the Progymnasmata of Pseudo-Hermogenes
I need help with the English and ideas for accessible publication