The Greek Goddess of Persuasion, Peitho
The principles of reasoning in argumentation. Examination of rhetorical principles and responsible rhetorical behavior. Application of these principles to written and oral communications. Effective use of research methods and sources. |
The Greek Goddess of Persuasion, Peitho
Issues of Sustainability |
Spring 2009 Schedule
| Week | Date | Topic | Class activity | Work due | |||||||||||||||||||||
| I | 3/30 | Rhetoric and argument Argument and sustainability |
Sustainability and the Food System
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| 4/1 | Logos
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Toulmin and other models of logical argument. Outlining in MS Word: creating a new outline and formatting an existing document as an outline
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Study: The Toulmin Model (I) and The Toulmin Model (II) Read: "An Open Letter to the Next Farmer in Chief"(NYTimes Magazine October 2008) |
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| II | 4/6 | Analyzing arguments
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Review Paper 1 Claims, support, warrants, rebuttals in "An Open Letter to the Next Farmer in Chief" |
Paper 1--Outlining "An Open Letter to the Next Farmer in Chief"
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| 4/8 | Pathos and Ethos
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Pollan's rhetoric. Supporters and critics. The writing process. |
Read: "An Eaters Manifesto," and critiques |
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| III | 4/13 | Critiquing arguments | Review Paper 2 Michael Pollan and Hugh Grant, Monsanto CEO, discuss the food system (video excerpts) |
Paper 2--Critiquing Arguments
[due 6:00 AM-- as Word attachment by email]
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| 4/15 | Controversy |
Exercise in revising for conciseness The Monsanto Controversy Argumentation and persuasion. How deep does one go. Scientific certainty and uncertainty. Belief and action.
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Watch: The World According to Monsanto (110 minutes)
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| IV | 4/20 | Fallacies
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Review Paper 2 revised Monsanto According to Monsanto (company blog)
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Paper 2 revised Study: Fallacies |
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| 4/22 | "Neutral Point of View"
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On Neutral Point of View (NPOV) |
Read: Wikipedia on Monsanto |
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| V | 4/27 | Entering controversy | Review Paper 3 | Paper 3 --The Monsanto Controversy--Arguing a Position |
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| 4/29 | Evaluating sources of information.
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Learning about Wikipedia; comparing sources, strengths and weaknesses Discuss Papers 2 and 3 |
New Yorker magazine article |
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| VI | 5/4 | Contributing to human knowledge | Discuss Papers 2 and 3 Creating a new entry to Wikipedia
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Study Guide to writing better articles
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| 5/6 | Collaborative research
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Wikipedia research workshop
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Guide to writing better articles |
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| 5/8 | Paper 3 revised due 6:00 p.m | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| VII | 5/11 | Developing Wikipedia article
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Wikipedia research workshop |
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| 5/13 | Definition: understanding concepts, defining terms | Sustainability
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Study "Sustainability" in
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| 5/15 | Paper 4-- Wikipedia entry [due online Friday 6:00 p.m.] |
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| VIII | 5/18 | Primary and secondary research |
Cal Poly documents and controversies Student guest lecturers:
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Study |
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| 5/20 | Generating topics on issues Discuss proposals |
Paper 5--Research proposal [due 6:00A.M as Word attachment by email] |
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| IX | 5/25 | holiday | Revision of Wikipedia articles due | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5/27 | Paper 6--Research essay first draft [due 6:00A.M as Word attachment by email] |
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| X | 6/1 | Final versions of Wikipedia. articles due for grading 6:00 AM | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6/3 | Conferences and peer feedback | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| XI Final Exam | 6/10 10:10AM-1PM |
Research Paper Presentations | Paper 7--Final draft due in electronic and hard copy | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Workload and Grading
Course Materials Course materials will be available online. Papers graded C+ or below must be revised by the dates indicated. Revised grades are averaged with the originals. For writing tips see Dr. Marx's Special Formula for Improved Grades on English Papers. For a complete guide to solving writing problems, see Our Own Online Rhetoric and Style Manual (OOO). Recommended for discussions and research on issues of Sustainability at Cal Poly is Cal Poly Land: A Field Guide, edited by Steven Marx. It's available for purchase online or at El Corral Bookstore. RulesLate papers are penalized one full grade for each class session's delay unless a postponement is granted by the instructor in advance. Attendance is not optional. Each unexcused absence beyond two lowers the grade by one half letter; seven or more unexcused absences result in no credit. Three unexcused latenesses count for one absence. Certified medical absences or job interviews are not counted in these totals and are the only reason for makeups . Deliberate plagiarism or other forms of cheating result in a failing grade and referral to the dean. Students are responsible for understanding the definition of plagiarism. Please consult the instructor if this linked page on the subject doesn't make it clear to you.
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