HVLC.01.071 Rhetoric and Composition

This is the companion website for Rhetoric and Composition at the University of Tartu with Djuddah Leijen and Francesca Arnavas

Photo by Matheus Bertelli: https://www.pexels.com/photo/group-of-diverse-people-gathering-around-speaker-on-mat-3856019/

Course Schedule

Weekly schedule

1. Week 01 [[February 09th, 2023]]: Introduction to the course

2. Week 02 [[February 16th, 2023]]: What is Rhetoric? - historical perspectives

3. Week 03 [[February 23rd, 2023]]: Reading and group discussions + written reflection

4. Week 04 [[March 2nd, 2023]]: What is Composition?

5. Week 05 [[March 9th, 2023]]: Reading and group discussions + written reflection

6. Week 06 [[March 16th, 2023]]: Audience Analysis

7. Week 07 [[March 23rd, 2023]]: Reading and group discussions + written reflection

8. Week 08 [[March 30th, 2023]]: Oral Arguments and Debate

9. Week 09 [[April 6th, 2023]]: Reading and group discussions + written reflection

10. Week 10 [[April 13th, 2023]]: Rhetoric and composition in fictionality

11. Week 11 [[April 20th, 2023]]: Reading and group discussions + written reflection

12. Week 12 [[April 27th, 2023]]: Language and Meaning

13. Week 13 [[May 4th, 2023]]: Reading and group discussions + written reflection

14. Week 14 [[May 11th, 2023]]: Ethical Rhetoric

15. Week 15 [[May 18th, 2023]]: Reading and group discussions + written reflection

16. Week 16 [[May 25th, 2023]]: Final Project and Presentation

Course Evaluation

Which tasks in the course will be evaluated

• ESSAY: Write an essay after each reading you have done for the course. The main goal of the essay is primarily to:

  • teach us all something about rhetoric and composition

  • demonstrate your understanding of the subtleties of the texts we have read

  • demonstrate your ability to use the introduced concepts to analyze these texts explicitly

  • to convince us (your readers) that your analysis, interpretation, and argument are valid.

  • Your essays should show novelty in analysis and persuasion.

  • they should show insight and should provide a clear, nuanced discussion.

  • always your goal should be to create new knowledge.

• Performance Speech:

  • 1 Minute speech - using one of the storytelling techniques on a topic of your choosing (may be recorded)

• Questions about the reading:

  • Raise at least three questions about the text you're asked to read for class discussion

• Active participation

  • Read each other's essays during class for comments and feedback, and discussion.

• Demonstrate curiosity and creativity

  • Go beyond the topic, and don't be afraid

• Personal Reflection

  • A final, personal reflection on your learning throughout the course (final assignment)

Grading scheme

Points	Grade
6	A
5	B
4	C
3	D
2	E
1	F
0

Assignment	Points
bi-weekly essays	1
Performance/speech	1
Questions about reading	1
Active participation discussions	1
Curiousity and creativity	1
Personal reflection	1