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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PH 299B"
COURSE NAME: "Special Topics in Philosophy: The Rhetoric of Power: Philosophical Aspects of Political Language"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring Semester 2012
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Antomarini Brunella
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MW 16:00-17:15
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS: on appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The course exposes the students to the issue of the rhetorical language used in political power, from a philosophical perspective.  Philosophers and sociologists have elaborated theories on the persuasive power of political communication, showing the complex relationship between political choices and social or individual behaviours. In political rhetoric universal ethical values are inextricably intertwined with contingent needs and desires. To a certain extent, rhetorical strategies create what they describe, as was expressed by famous phrase by McLuhan: the medium is the message. This implies a specific philosophy of language.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

Classes will consist of

1. Introductory lectures and analysis of excerpts from the following books:

H.Arendt, The Origins of Totalitarianism, World Pub. Co. 1958.

J. L.Austin, How to do things with words, Harvard University Press 1975.

E. Cassirer, Language and Myth, Dover, 1953.

J. Baudrillard: The Gulf war did not occur (from Selected Writings, Stanford University Press, 2001). 

M. Foucault, Power/Knowledge, Pantheon Books 1980.

T. Golway, ed., Words that ring through time: from Moses and Pericles to Obama : fifty-one of the most important speeches in history and how they changed our world. Overlook, 2009.

I. Kant, Political writings, Cambridge Un. Press, Cambridge 1991.

Longinus On the Sublime (online)

N. Luhmann, The reality of the mass media, Stanford University Press 2000.

K.Marx, 18th Brumair of Louis Bonaparte online

C.S.Peirce, Selected writings, Dover 1966.

G. Simmel, The Sociology of Georg Simmel, Free Press 1950.

I. Wallerstein, European Universalism: the Rhetoric of Power, New Press New York 2006.

L. Wittgenstein, Philosophical Investigations, Blackwell 1986.

    

             

2. Seminars on analysed topics. Each seminar will be recorded by written minutes, which will be examined collectively.

3. Analysing speeches in Golway and screening and examining of the following films:

The Mattei Affair, 1972, by F. Rosi

Der Tod des Flohzirkusdirektors by T. Koerfer, 1973 youtube?

Il divo by P. Sorrentino, 2008

4. Reading newspapers and political leaders’ speeches.

5. Written homework, consisting of two papers. In-class exams, consisting of elaborations of analyzed topics.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of the semester, students will be able to master philosophical argumentative discussions about political information, and to single out rhetorical strategies of political discourse, without falling into logical or cognitive fallacies or emotional judgements. They will be also enabled to produce their own perspectives and virtual political choices, becoming aware of the complexity of political decisions.  

TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
NONE

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:

Assessment Guidelines for assigning main letter grades: A, B, C,D, and F.

A:  Work of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensiveknowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.

B:  This is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.

There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.

C:  This is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.

D:  This level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.

Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.

F: This work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.


-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Students should plan to regularly attend the class, since we will often broaden the topics contained in the texts to contemporary issues, and since this course is mainly intended to the rousing of students’ personal thoughts and ideas

Please refer to the University catalog for the attendance and absence policy.

ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE