Course Objectives: |
Written and spoken English-language texts will serve as a foundation for exploration into the elements that determine meaning, tone, rhetoric and strength of expression. Students, too, will produce original spoken and written texts that highlight their understanding of these topics. A variety of readings will expose students to various genres and registers. In addition, the course will draw students’ attention to the use of language in advertising, media, politics to engender specific outcomes and shape cultural values. |
Course Content: |
The course will focus on various genres and rhetorical styles of written and spoken language. Language will be explored vis-à-vis its role in politics, media, advertising, and cultural contrast. Students will demonstrate their understanding of the specified topics through presentations, papers, and projects. |
Week |
Subject |
Related Preparation |
1) |
Course Introduction;
Critical Reading |
Escholz, Rosa, Clark pp. 116-123: The Prescriptive Tradition by David Crystal |
2) |
Writing for an audience |
Escholz, Rosa, Clark pp. 139-143: Linda Flower |
3) |
Contrastive Rhetoric and Language Teaching |
Kaplan, Robert B. (1966). Cultural thought patterns in inter-cultural education. Language Learning, 18, 1-20.
Contrastive Rhetoric in Applied Linguistics (Conner & Long Chapter 2)
|
4) |
Discourse analysis through the Discourse Matrix |
Mackie, A. & Bullock, C. (1990). Discourse matrix: A practical tool for ESL writing teachers. TESL Canada Journal/Revue TESL du Canada 8, 1, 67-76. |
5) |
Contrastive Rhetoric through the years: from Kaplan to the present day |
Historical Evaluation of Contrastive Rhetoric (Conner & Long Chapter 3) |
6) |
Contrastive Rhetoric and the Field of Rhetoric and Composition |
Conner & Long Chapter 4
|
7) |
Writing: the Transaction |
Escholz, Rosa, Clark pp. 144-154 |
8) |
Language and culture |
The Language-Culture Connection (Escholz, Rosa, Clark pp. 309-337);
A Mosaic of Cultures in Language (Escholz, Rosa, Clark pp. 338-396) |
9) |
Personal Names: Making Family Connections |
Escholz, Rosa, Clark pp. 179-214 |
10) |
The Nature of Prejudicial Language |
Escholz, Rosa, Clark pp. 243-271 |
11) |
Language, Race, and Gender |
Escholz, Rosa, Clark pp. 272-308 |
12) |
The Language of Politics |
Escholz, Rosa, Clark pp. 525-553 |
13) |
Jargon, Political Correctness, Doublespeak and Euphemism |
Escholz, Rosa, Clark pp. 465-524 |
14) |
The Language of Advertising |
Escholz, Rosa, Clark pp. 565-608 |