Hallman Martini, Rebecca
W 9:10 AM
Park Hall 0067
In this course, we will investigate the uses of rhetorical theory as it relates to literary criticism and English composition. After a brief historical introduction to the field of rhetorical studies, our course will focus on three contemporary clusters: (1) cultural rhetorics; (2) activist rhetorics; and (3) rhetoric of health and medicine. Within these areas, we will explore how rhetorical theory impacts (ethical) representations of the subject, methodological approaches, and pedagogical implications. This is an interdisciplinary course in the sense that we will sometimes draw on texts outside of rhetoric and composition, and students will be invited to bring their areas of focus (literature, creative writing, pedagogy, etc.) into their chosen writing and research projects.
Possible texts include selections from the following:
Blankenship, L. (2019). Changing the Subject: A Theory of Rhetorical Empathy
Baker-Bell, A. (2020). Linguistic Justice: Black Language, Literacy, Identity, and Pedagogy.
Wilson, S. (2008). Research is Ceremony: Indigenous Research Methods
Maraj, L. (2020) Black or Right: Anti/Racist Campus Rhetorics
Glenn, C. (2018) Rhetorical Feminism and This Thing Called Hope
Alexander, J. (2023). Writing and Desire: Queer Ways of Composing
Ames, M. & McDuffie, K. (2023). Hashtag Activism Interrogated and Embodied: Case Studies on Social Justice Movements
Alexander, J., Jarrett, S., and Welch, N. (2018). Unruly Rhetoric: Protest, Persuasion, and Publics
Phillips, L., Warren-Riley, S. & Bates, J. (2024). Grassroots Activisms: Public Rhetorics in Localized Contexts
Yergeau, M. (2017). Authoring Autism: On Rhetoric and Neurological Queerness.
Jutel, A. (2014). Putting a Name to it: Diagnosis in Contemporary Society.
Price, M. (2011). Mad at School: Rhetorics of Mental Disability and Academic Life
Hitt, A. (2021). Rhetorics of Overcoming: Rewriting Narratives of Disability and Accessibility in Writing Studies
Clare, E. (2017). Brilliant Imperfection: Grappling with Care.
Kafer, A. (2013). Feminist, Queer, Crip.
Melonçon, L., Graham, S., Johnson, J., and Ryan, C. (2020). Rhetoric of Health and Medicine As/Is