Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2024 - ENGL 114W D100

Language and Purpose (3)

Class Number: 4526

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2024: Mon, Wed, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Oct 15, 2024: Tue, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Introduces students to the relationships between writing and purpose, between the features of texts and their meaning and effects. May focus on one or more literary or non-literary genres, including (but not limited to) essays, oratory, autobiography, poetry, and journalism. Includes attention to writing skills. Students with credit for ENGL 104W may not take this course for further credit. Writing/Breadth-Humanities.

COURSE DETAILS:

Political rhetoric and the US election

When people think about the word “rhetoric”—if they think about it at all—they will likely associate it with lying and manipulation, or cheap talk as opposed to decisive action. This is a shame, because rhetoric is both an academic subject with 2500 years of research and a practical art of communication that we use on a daily basis. (There’s also a 2500-year tradition of condemning rhetoric, and we will read some of that as well.) Aristotle defines rhetoric as “the faculty of discovering the available means of persuasion in any situation.” Contemporary rhetorician Thomas Farrell defines it nicely as “the fine and useful art of making things matter.” In this course, you will learn selected concepts from the rhetorical approach to analyzing and using langauge, and we will consider as our primary example the 2024 US election, which will be dominating the news during the Fall semester. We will no doubt see plenty of examples of lying and manipulation, but these too are worth analyzing so we can guard against them. Hopefully we will witness some of the good stuff too: well-crafted writings and speeches uttered with sincerity and sound judgment, in the interest of trying to make things matter. If not, we’ll look at some historical examples.

As for your own writing, a goal of this course is to guide you through the practice of trying to make the subjects and opinions that matter to you matter as well to your reader.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Learning some important concepts from the history of rhetoric

Becoming a shrewd critic of political discourse

Understanding not only what a text means, but how it works

Applying this understanding to your own writing, asking yourself not only “What do I want this paper to say?” but also “What do I want it to do?”

Grading

  • essay, first draft 10%
  • essay revision and development throughout the semester 10%
  • essay, final version 35%
  • reading quiz 10%
  • final exam 25%
  • participation in tutorial 10%

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

All readings and videos will be available free of charge on-line or on Canvas

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

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:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/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

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.