Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2018 - ENGL 475W D100

Topics in Rhetoric (4)

Rhetoric of the Street

Class Number: 1379

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 3 – Apr 10, 2018: Wed, 1:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    45 units. Strongly recommended: ENGL 214 or 375. Reserved for English honors, major, joint major and minor students.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Seminar in a particular topic, approach, or author in the field of rhetoric and writing. The course may be repeated for credit if a different topic is taught. Students with credit for ENGL 475 may not take this course for further credit. Students who obtained credit for ENGL 475W prior to Summer 2015 may not take this course for further credit. Writing.

COURSE DETAILS:

Rhetoric of the Street

The arrival of cars on North American city streets in the early 20C gave rise to a rivalry between pedestrians and motorists and provoked fundamental questions about what constituted a legitimate use of the street and who constituted a legitimate user. These questions were settled through decades of public debate, industry lobbying, policymaking, city planning, and education, rhetorical action that helped redefine the street as a place where motor vehicles belong and make way for "hegemonic automobility." In the 21C, many cities have begun re-opening these questions. In this course we will ask how rhetorical action helps to shape the possibilities for the city street and how the city street shapes the possibilities for rhetorical action. We will discuss topics such as traffic safety, the street as public space, the terms of interaction in streets, mobility as a visceral experience, streetscape design, gender and transportation, driverless cars, and the future of automobility.

Grading

  • 40% Analysis 40%
  • 40% Essay 40%
  • 10% Drafts 10%
  • 10% Participation 10%

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Norton, Peter D. 2008. Fighting Traffic: The Dawn of the Motor Age in the American City. Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press. (Paperback) ISBN-13: 978-0262516129

REQUIRED READING:

Norton, Peter D. 2008. Fighting Traffic: The Dawn of the Motor Age in the American City. Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press. (Paperback) ISBN-13: 978-0262516129

Department Undergraduate Notes:

IMPORTANT NOTE Re 300 and 400 level courses: 75% of spaces in 300 level English courses, and 100% of spaces in 400 level English courses, are reserved for declared English Major, Minor, Extended Minor, Joint Major, and Honours students only, until open enrollment begins.

For all On-Campus Courses, please note the following:
- To receive credit for the course, students must complete all requirements.
- Tutorials/Seminars WILL be held the first week of classes.
- When choosing your schedule, remember to check "Show lab/tutorial sections" to see all Lecture/Seminar/Tutorial times required.

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS