CMS 390R: Basic Rhetorical Criticism

CMS 390R: Basic Rhetorical Criticism
Fall 2008
Thursday 3:30-6:30 p.m.
CMA 5.156
Office hours:
Thursday 2:30-3:30; after class;
or by appointment
Rhetorical Criticism Syllabus 1
Joshua Gunn
7.126 CMA
471-3933
slewfoot@mail.utexas.edu
This course surveys and investigates rhetorical criticism contrapuntally. The first "voice" we
will hear is a survey of the theories and practices of rhetorical criticism, largely within the
field of speech communication/communication studies, from the 1920s to present. The
second "voice" we will sound consists of a number of independent research projects that
engage the various components of the critical quest. Together, the survey and research
projects should inform one another, leading to lively class discussions and a publishable,
article-length harmonic at course's end.
RECOMMENDED TEXTS
REQUIRED TEXTS
Karlyn Kohrs Campbell and Thomas A.
Burkholder, Critiques of Contemporary
Rhetoric. New York: Wadsworth, 1996.
Carl R. Burgchardt, Readings in Rhetorical
Criticism, 3rd. ed. State College, PA: Strata,
2005.
J. Nimi, Murmur (33 1/3 series). New York:
Continuum, 2005.
Angela G. Ray. The Lyceum and Public
Culture in the Nineteenth Century United
States (Michigan State University Press,
2005).
---and a Reading Packet from Jenn's
If you can find a used copy, you should get Black's text for your library. The other books are
especially useful as a resource to students who have never been introduced to rhetorical criticism
before this class.
Edwin Black, Rhetorical Criticism: A Study in Method. Madison: University of Wisconsin Press, 1978.
Sonja K. Foss, Rhetorical Criticism: Exploration and Practice. Long Grove, IL: Waveland, 2004.
Roderick P. Hart and Suzanne M. Daughton, Modern Rhetorical Criticism, 3rd. ed. New York: Allyn &
Bacon, 2004.
John L. Lucaites, Celeste M. Condit, and Sally Caudill (Eds.), Contemporary Rhetorical Theory: A
Reader. New York: Guilford Press, 1998.

ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING
Grades will be determined on the basis of written assignments and participation in class (namely
working with a peer evaluator). Please note: all seminars in rhetorical criticism will kick your
proverbial ass. They always do, no matter where and with whom you take them. Although
when I took this seminar with Karlyn Kohrs Campbell my butt was most definitely kicked,
understand my motive with this course is not to perpetuate some twisted cycle of abuse. The
difficulty is due to the one-two punch of reading theory about criticism and then trying to
produce a critical reading yourself. In other words, you're trying to do two related things at
once, and that creates a tough workload. I'm afraid there's just no way around the intensity of
the course. You have been warned!
This said, here's the graded stuff:
Project Proposal (required but not graded; due September 4): This short, 2-3 page proposal
identifies and describes the critical object that you will analyze during the course. In the proposal
you will also describe the reasons for selecting the object. Please choose an object you are very
interested in; objects that contribute to a larger project outside of class (e.g., a thesis or
dissertation) are strongly encouraged. If you are new to rhetorical criticism, I strongly suggest
you choose a speech, political or otherwise, that interests you.
Intrinsic Analysis (200 points; due October 9th): This 10-12 page paper is a detailed, "close
reading" of the object you have chosen. You are looking for structures, patterns, and other
elements of the object that are not immediately obvious. Use the second chapter of Campbell
and Burkholder as a guide. Peer evaluated.
Extrinsic Analysis (200 points; due October 23rd): This 10-12 page paper is a contextual
analysis of your object. The contexts for your object can vary widely depending on your interests
or focus. Use the third chapter of Campbell and Burkholder as a guide. Peer evaluated.
Critical/Theoretical Perspective (150 points; due October 30th): This shorter, 3-5 page paper
identifies, explains, and justifies the theoretical or methodological frame, perspective, or
approach you are planning to use to analyze and evaluate your object. In general, there should
be some seemingly "natural" fit between object and approach. For example, a Jungian/mythical
approach to The Da Vinci Code seems to fit alright, while cluster-agon analysis of the same does
not. Let your object help you determine what perspective helps you to see what you otherwise
wouldn't ordinarily see about your object. Use the fourth chapter of Campbell and Burkholder as
a guide. Peer evaluated.
Final Paper Submission (150 points; due November 13th): This is a full-blown, 25-30 page
rhetorical criticism. This paper is due at the beginning of class promptly at 3:30 p.m. You cannot
turn in your paper late; do not arrive to class late with your paper; do not wait until 2:30 p.m. the
day of class to print-out your paper, as your printer cartridge will surely run out of ink. This paper
draws on the previous analyses, but SHOULD NOT be a quilt of them. Rather, you should only
utilize those parts of previous papers that make sense in your analysis. Use the fifth chapter of
Campbell and Burkholder to get you thinking about the final stage of criticism, however, you
needn't follow their "criteria of evaluation" for your own paper.
Peer Reviews (50 points; due November 26th): Drawing on your own experience writing this
semester, provide one to two pages of helpful feedback to your mystery author on how to
improve his or her essay (single spaced). Begin by summarizing the argument as you understand
it, and then follow with a succinct and easy to follow series of suggestions. Indicate in your
review whether you would reject the essay for publication; suggest a revision and resubmission;
or accept as is. See Josh's website for examples of good and bad peer reviews. Unnecessary
meanness or cruelty will result in no credit.
Paper Revision and Resubmission Letter (250 points; due December 12th): Using the
suggestions of the editor and blind reviewers as your guide, revise your initial submission. Use
your own judgment as to what suggestions you should follow and which you should ignore
(paying special attention to the editor's summary). As you revise your essay, compose a
"response letter" in which you detail the changes you made to your manuscript. Use Josh's
Rhetorical Criticism Syllabus 2

website and examples in your course packet as a guide for writing your response letter. Please
understand the letter is AS important as the revised essay.
Attendance policy: Attendance is a precondition of satisfactory participation in this course—
including those who are only auditing. For every 3 days missed, 10% will be subtracted from your
total possible points earned.
A Note on Peer Evaluations and Grading: Ideally this course would have a small, 5-7 person
enrollment. Unfortunately, the number of students admitted to our program every year makes this
ideal just that: ideal, but not real. Consequently, you will be required to work throughout the course
with an assigned "partner" who will provide you feedback on all assignments except the proposal,
initial paper submission, and then the resubmission. For the intrinsic, extrinsic, and
critical/theoretical perspective papers you will need to bring two copies: one for your peer evaluator
and one for Josh. You will receive full credit/points for the assignment as long as you follow
directions and turn the project in on time. You will also receive full credit for your peer evaluation of
the initial submission and final paper submission as long as you follow directions. To put this bluntly:
by following directions and turning in your work on time, you can earn a "C" in the class. Bs and As
will be determined solely by your performance on the final submission letter and paper. This said,
lazy or half-baked submissions on the "credit-only" assignments will not receive full credit. The point
I'm trying to make here is that you have no reason to worry about your grade as long as you are
doing your best work!
On the Quarterly Journal of Bleach
Over the past decade it has become increasingly important for graduate students to pursue
publication prior to completing their degrees. This expectation did not exist for past generations;
today, however, the difference between getting a tenure-track job at an academic institution and
lesser-paying visiting or adjunct position is often determined by a publication record. Insofar as the
Communication Studies program at the University of Texas at Austin is focused on research, this
course is designed specifically to help you produce and publish rhetorical criticism.
To this end, the writing component of the class will be modeled on the "blind review" submission
process at a typical rhetorical studies journal. Our journal will be titled the Quarterly Journal of
Bleach, and each class member is sits on the editorial board. When you submit your first, complete
essay on November 13th, you shall submit two copies: one copy will be a "hard copy" and will have
your name on it, while the other copy will be via email and should be devoid of any self-reference
whatsoever. As editor, I will then match your "blind," electronic version up with TWO peer
reviewers. You will thus be required to read and respond to TWO of your classmate's papers and
write a response to each (1 single spaced page each, nothing exhaustive unless you are simply feeling
generous). On November 26th you will submit these reviews to me as email attachments (again,
without any self reference). I will then write a cover letter as the editor summarizing the reviews
and adding my own thoughts about each manuscript and return them to you on the last day of class.
Your final grade will thus be determined on two things: (1) how you revise your paper in light of the
reviews; and (2) how you formally address the concerns of the editor and reviewer in a resubmission
cover letter. These items are due on finals day, Friday, December 12th by noon.
You can find a detailed run-down of this process, as well as a number of example reviews and
resubmission letters, at the following website:
http://www.joshiejuice.com/psycho_publish/psycho_publishing.html
COURSE POLICIES
If you require any disability-related accommodations to participate in this class, please contact me as
soon as possible.
On Cursing: You can curse an idea or embellish an expression, but do not curse your fellow
classmates.
Rhetorical Criticism Syllabus 3

Late Papers: No late papers will be accepted. Acts of God/Goa/Nature/Alien Slave Masters may
find exception.
Incompletes: An incomplete will not be allowed; withdrawals are your best option.
Complaints and grade disputes: You should submit grade disputes in writing within one week
of receiving the contested grade. All other complaints are welcome during office hours or by email.
Academic misconduct: If you cheat you will receive an "F" for the course and royally piss me off.
Acknowledgements
This syllabus was created by raiding the ideas of the syllabi of a number of colleagues. My thanks to
Barbara Biesecker, Carole Blair, Karlyn Kohrs Campbell, Dana Cloud, Rod Hart, Marty Medhurst, John
Murphy, Angela Ray, Ed Schiappa, Rachel Smith, and Kirt Wilson.
COURSE SCHEDULE
This schedule is tentative. Departures will be announced in advance. All the readings listed below
the date and topic should be read for that date. The "focal reading" will function as an illustration of
the theoretical and methodological issues raised in the other readings, as well as a common object for
class discussion. The Readings are denoted with the following abbreviations: PR = packet reading;
RRC = Readings in Rhetorical Criticism; CCR = Critiques of Contemporary Rhetoric.
August 28th: What is Rhetorical Criticism?
Campbell, Karlyn Kohrs and Thomas A. Burkholder,"Rhetoric, Language, and Criticism," CCR 2-16.
Roderick P. Hart and Suzanne M. Daughton, "The Rhetorical Perspective." In Modern Rhetorical
Criticism, 3rd. ed. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 2005), 1-20. PR
Roderick P. Hart and Suzanne M. Daughton, "The Critical Perspective." In Modern Rhetorical
Criticism, 3rd. ed. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 2005), ----. PR
James Jasinski, "The Status of Theory and Method in Rhetorical Criticism." Western Journal of
Communication 65 (2001): 249-270.
Lloyd F. Bitzer, "The Rhetorical Situation." Philosophy and Rhetoric 1 (1968): 1-14. RRC
Richard E. Vatz, "The Myth of the Rhetorical Situation." Philosophy and Rhetoric 6 (1973): 154-161.
PR
Dilip Parameshwar Gaonkar, "Object and Method in Rhetorical Criticism: From Wichelns to Leff and
McGee." Western Journal of Communication 54 (1990): 290-316. PR
Focal Reading:
David A. Frank and Mark Lawrence McPhail, "Barack Obama's Address to the 2004 Democratic
National Convention: Trauma, Compromise, Consilience, and the (Im)possibility of Racial
Reconciliation." Rhetoric & Public Affairs 8 (2005): 571-594. PR
September 4th: The Values and Purposes of Rhetorical Criticism
PROJECT PROPOSAL IS DUE!
Rhetorical Criticism Syllabus 4

Mike Allen, "Heavy Lies the Editor's Fingers on the Keyboard." Communication Studies 54 (2003):
354-358. PR
Sandra J. Berkowitz, "Originality, Conversation and Reviewing Rhetorical Criticism." Communication
Studies 54 (2003): 359-363. PR
Barry Brummett, "Double Binds in Publishing Rhetorical Studies." Communication Studies 54 (2003):
364-369. PR
Joshua Gunn, "Publishing Peccadilloes and Idioms of Disposition: Views From the Habitus of
Scholarly Adolescence." Communication Studies 54 (2003): 370-377. PR
Steven B. Hunt, "An Essay on Publishing Standards For Rhetorical Criticism." Communication Studies
54 (2003): 378-384. PR
Catherine Helen Palczewski, "What is 'Good Criticism'? A Conversation in Progress." Communication
Studies 54 (2003): 385-391. PR
John W. Jordan, Kathryn M. Olson, and Steven R. Goldzwig. "Continuing the Conversation on 'What
Constitutes Publishable Rhetorical Criticism?': A Response." Communication Studies 54
(2003): 392-402. PR
Focal Reading:
Forbes Hill, "Conventional Wisdom—Traditional Form—The President's Message of November 3,
1969." Quarterly Journal of Speech 58 (1972): 373-386. RRC 138-150.
Please Note: This essay initiated an important debate in rhetorical studies that continued in Karlyn
Kohrs Campbell, "'Conventional Wisdom—Traditional Form': A Rejoinder," Quarterly Journal
of Speech 58 (1972): 451-454; Forbes Hill, "Reply to Professor Campbell," Quarterly Journal of
Speech 58 (1972): 454-460; and Karlyn Kohrs Campbell, "Response to Forbes Hill," Central
States Speech Journal 34 (1983): 126-127. Also see Karlyn Kohrs Campbell, "The Rhetoric of
Mythical America Revisited," in CCR 202-212.
September 11th: The Origins of Speech/Rhetorical Criticism
GUEST SPEAKER: Roderick P. Hart, University of Texas at Austin
Herman Cohen, excerpts from The History of Speech Communication: The Emergence of a Discipline,
1914-1945 (Annandale, VA: Speech Communication Association, 1994), 29-42. PR
William M. Keith, "Origins of Speech Pedagogy." In his Democracy as Discussion: Civic Education and
the American Forum Movement (Lanham, MI: Lexington Books, 2007), 19-57. PR
William M. Keith, "Crafting a Usable History." Quarterly Journal of Speech 93 (2007): 345-348. PR
David Beard, "Out of the Aerie Realm of Intellectual Firmament." Quarterly Journal of Speech 93
(2007): 349-351. PR
Gerry Philipsen, "The Early Career Rise of "Speech" in Some Disciplinary Discourse, 1914-1946."
Quarterly Journal of Speech 93 (2007): 353-354. PR
Herbert A. Wichelns, "The Literary Criticism of Oratory," Studies in Rhetoric and Public Speaking in
Honor of James Albert Winans, edited by A. M. Drummond (New York: The Century Co.,
1925), RRC 3-28.
Ernest J. Wrage, "Public Address: A Study in Social and Intellectual History." Quarterly Journal of
Speech 33 (1947): 451-457. RRC 28-34.
Rhetorical Criticism Syllabus 5

Lester Thonssen and Craig Baird, excerpts from Speech Criticism: The Development of Standards for
Rhetorical Appraisal (Ronald Press Co., 1948). PR
Wayland Maxfield Parrish, "The Study of Speeches." American Speeches, edited by Wayland Maxfield
Parish and Marie Hochmuth Nichols (New York: Longmans, Green and Co., 1954), RRC 34-46
Focal Reading
Carroll C. Arnold, "Lord Thomas Erskine: Modern Advocate." Quarterly Journal of Speech 44 (1958):
17-30. RRC 148-161.
September 18th: Disciplinary Transitions in Rhetorical Studies
GUEST SPEAKER: James Darsey, Georgia State University
Martin J. Medhurst, "Celebrating the Life of Edwin Black: The Myth, the Man, and the Memory."
Rhetoric & Public Affairs 10 (2007) 476-480. PR
James Darsey, "Edwin Black and the First Persona," Rhetoric and Public Affairs 10 (2007): 501-507.
PR
Stephen E. Lucas, "The Legacy of Edwin Black," Rhetoric and Public Affairs 10 (2007): 509-519. PR
Edwin Black, excerpts from Rhetorical Criticism: A Study in Method (Madison: University of
Wisconsin Press, 1978 [1965]), RRC 46-58.
Edwin Black, "The Second Persona." Quarterly Journal of Speech 56 (1970): 109-169. RRC 87-96.
Lawrence W. Rosenfield, "The Anatomy of Critical Discourse." Speech Monographs 35 (1968): 50-69.
RRC 67-86.
Stephen E. Lucas. "The Schism in Rhetorical Scholarship." Quarterly Journal of Speech (1981): 1-20.
RRC 87-106.
Focal Reading
James Darsey, excerpts from The Prophetic Tradition and Radical Rhetoric in America (New York:
New York University Press, 1997), PR
October 2nd: Fighting for the "Text": Close Textual Criticism (as Analysis)
Sigmund Freud, excerpts from The Interpretation of Dreams, trans. Joyce Crick (New York: Oxford
University Press, 1999 [1900]), PR
Rene Welleck and Austin Warren, excerpts from Theory of Literature, 3rd ed. (San Diego, CA:
Harcourt Brace & Co., 1956), PR
Hans-Georg Gadamer, "Rhetoric and Hermeneutics," trans. Joel Weinsheimer. Rhetoric and
Hermeneutics in Our Time, edited by Walter Jost and Michael Hyde (New Haven: Yale
University Press, 1997): 45-59. PR
Michael C. Leff and Gerald P. Mohrmann. "Lincoln at Cooper Union: A Rhetorical Analysis of the
Text." Quarterly Journal of Speech 60 (1974): 346-358. RRC 174-186.
Michael C. Leff. "Lincoln at Cooper Union: Neo-Classical Criticism Revisited." Western Journal of
Communication 65 (2001): 323-248. PR
Rhetorical Criticism Syllabus 6

Michael Leff. "Dimensions of Temporality in Lincoln's Second Inaugural." Communication Reports 1
(1988): 26-31. RRC 646-469.
Angela G. Ray, excerpt from The Lyceum and Public Culture in The Nineteenth Century United States
(East Lansing: Michigan State University Press, 2005), TBA
Amy R. Slagell, "Anatomy of a Masterpiece: A Close Textual Analysis of Arbraham Lincoln's Second
Inaugural Address." Communication Studies 42 (1991): 155-171.
Karlyn Kohrs Campbell and Thomas R. Burkholder, "Descriptive Analysis" CCR 17-31.
Focal Reading
J. Nimi, Murmur (33 1/3 series). New York: Continuum, 2005.
October 9th: Burke-O-Rama: Dramatism Makes a Splash
INTRINSIC/DESCRIPTIVE ANALYSIS DUE
GUEST SPEAKER: Barry Brummett, University of Texas at Austin
Joseph R. Gusfield, "Introduction." Kenneth Burke on Symbols and Society, edited by Joseph R.
Gusfield (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1989), 1-49. PR
Kenneth Burke, "The Rhetoric of Hitler's Battle," in The Philosophy of Literary Form: Studies in
Symbolic Action, 3rd ed. (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1973), 191-220. RRC 188-
202. PR
Kenneth Burke, "Dramatistic Method" and "Ways of Placement." Kenneth Burke on Symbols and
Society, edited by Joseph R. Gusfield (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1989), 135-157. PR
Brian L. Ott and Eric Aoki, "The Politics of Negotiating Public Tragedy: Media Framing of the
Matthew Shepard Murder." Rhetoric & Public Affairs 5 (2002): 483–505. RRC 220-237.
Mari Boor Tonn, Valerie A. Endress, and John N. Diamond, "Hunting and Heritage on Trial in Maine:
A Dramatistic Debate Over Tragedy, Tradition, and Territory." Quarterly Journal of Speech 79
(1993): 165-181. RRC 203-219.
Barry Brummett. "Perfection and the Bomb: Nuclear Weapons, Teleology, and Motives." Journal of
Communication 39 (1989): 85-95. PR
Barry Brummett. "Electric Literature As Equipment For Living: Haunted House Films." Critical
Studies in Mass Communication 2 (1985): 247-261. PR
Focal Reading
Barry Brummett, "A Pentadic Analysis of Ideologies in Two Gay Rights Controversies." Central States
Speech Journal 30 (1979): 250-261. PR
October 16th: Contextualizing Rhetorical Objects
GUEST SPEAKER: Angela G. Ray, Northwestern University
Stephen Lucas, "The Renaissance of American Public Address: Text and Context in Rhetorical
Criticism." Quarterly Journal of Speech 74 (1988): 241-260. PR
Rhetorical Criticism Syllabus 7

Gerald Philipsen, "Mayor Daley's Council Speech: A Cultural Analysis." Quarterly Journal of Speech 72
(1986): 247-260. PR
Kirt H. Wilson. "The Paradox of Lincoln's Rhetorical Leadership." Rhetoric and Public Affairs 3 (2000):
15-32. PR
Susan Zaeske. "Signatures of Citizenship: The Rhetoric of Women's Antislavery Petitions. Quarterly
Journal of Speech 88 (2002): 147-168.
Karlyn Kohrs Campbell and Thomas R. Burkholder, "Historical-Contextual Analysis." CCR 49-72.
Focal Reading
Angela G. Ray, excerpts from The Lyceum and Public Culture in the Nineteenth Century United
States (Michigan State University Press, 2005), TBA
October 23rd: The Disciplined Compromise: Genre Criticism
EXTRINSIC ANALYSIS DUE!!!
Roderick P. Hart, "Theory-building and Rhetorical Criticism: An Informal Statement of Opinion."
Central States Speech Journal 27 (1976): 70-77.
Roderick P. Hart, "Contemporary Scholarship in Public Address: A Research Editorial." Western
Journal of Speech Communication 50 (1986): 283-295.
Adena Rosemarin, excerpts from The Power of Genre (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press,
1985), 3-51. PR
Karlyn Kohrs Campbell and Kathleen Hall Jamieson. "Form and Genre in Rhetorical Criticism: An
Introduction." Form and Genre: Shaping Rhetorical Action, eds. Karlyn Kohrs Campbell and
Kathleen Hall Jamieson (Falls Church, VA: Speech Communication Association, 1977), 9-32.
Reprinted in the second edition of Burgchardt, pp. 437-453; PR
Carolyn R. Miller, "Genre as Social Action." Quarterly Journal of Speech (1984): 1561-167. PR
Thomas Conley, "The Linnaean Blues: Thoughts on the Genre Approach." Form and Genre: Shaping
Rhetorical Action, eds. Karlyn Kohrs Campbell and Kathleen Hall Jamieson (Falls Church, VA:
Speech Communication Association, 1977), 59-78. PR
Karlyn Kohrs Campbell and Kathleen Hall Jamieson. "Inaugurating the Presidency." Form, Genre, and
the Study of Political Discourse, eds. Herbert W. Simons and Aram A. Aghazarian (University
of South Carolina Press, 1986), RRC
Joshua Gunn, "The Rhetoric of Exorcism: George W. Bush and the Return of Political Demonology."
Western Journal of Communication 68 (Winter 2004): 1-23. PR
Karlyn Kohrs Campbell and Thomas R. Burkholder, "Selecting or Inventing a Critical Perspective,"
CCR 73-108.
Focal Reading
Karlyn Kohrs Campbell, "Stanton's 'The Solitude of Self': A Rationale for Feminism." Quarterly Journal
of Speech 66 (1980): 304-312. RRC 480-488.
Rhetorical Criticism Syllabus 8

October 3oth: Public Sphere and Social Movement Criticism
CRITICAL/THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVE DUE!!!
GUEST SPEAKER: Daniel Brouwer, Arizona State University
Leland M. Griffin, "The Rhetoric of Historical Movements." Quarterly Journal of Speech 38 (1952):
184-188. RRC
Leland M. Griffin, "The Rhetorical Structure of the Antimasonic Movement." The Rhetorical Idiom:
Essays in Rhetoric, Oratory, Language, and Drama (Cornell University Press, 1958). RRC
Herbert W. Simons, "Requirements, Problems, and Strategies: A Theory of Persuasion for Social
Movements." Quarterly Journal of Speech 56 (1970): 1-11. RRC
Thomas G. Goodnight, "The Personal, Technical, and Public Spheres of Argument: A Speculative
Inquiry Into the Art of Public Deliberation." Journal of American Forensic Association 18 (1982): 214-
227. PR
Michael C. McGee, "In Search of 'The People': A Rhetorical Alternative." Quarterly Journal of Speech
61 (1975): 235-249. PR
Charles E. Morris III and John M. Sloop, "What These Lips Have Kissed: Refiguring the Politics of
Queer Public Kissing," Communication and Critical/Cultural Studies 3 (2006): 1-26. PR
Dana Cloud, "Bringing Down Suharto: Globalization, the State, and Social Movement in Indonesia."
Counterpublics and the State, edited by Robert Asen and Daniel C. Brouwer (Albany: State University
of New York Press, 2001), 235-264. PR
Daniel C. Brouwer, "ACT-ing Up in Congressional Hearings." Counterpublics and the State, edited by
Robert Asen and Daniel C. Brouwer (Albany: State University of New York Press, 2001), 87-109. PR
Daniel C. Brouwer, "From San Francisco to Atlanta and Back Again: Ideologies of Mobility and the
Aids Quilts Search for a Homeland." Rhetoric and Public Affairs 10 (2007): 701-721. PR
Focal Reading
Daniel C. Brouwer, "Counterpublicity and Corporeality in HIV/AIDS Zines." Critical Studies in Media
Communication 22 (2005): 351-357.
November 6th: Narrative, Mythic, and Fantasy Theme Criticism
Walter R. Fisher, "Narration as Human Communication Paradigm: The Case of Public Moral
Argument." Communication Monographs 51 (1984): 1-22. RRC
William F. Lewis, "Telling America's Story: Narrative Form and the Reagan Presidency." Quarterly
Journal of Speech 73 (1987): 267-279. RRC
Bruce E. Gronbeck, "Rushing, Frentz, and the Matter of Psychological Rhetorical Criticism." Southern
Communication Journal 71 (2006): 159-163. PR
Thomas S. Frentz and Janice Hocker Rushing, "'Mother Isn't Quite Herself Today': Myth and
Spectacle in The Matrix." Critical Studies in Media Communication 19 (2002): 64-87. PR
Rhetorical Criticism Syllabus 9

Ernest G. Bormann, "Fantasy and Rhetorical Vision: The Rhetorical Criticism of Social Reality."
Quarterly Journal of Speech 58 (1972): 396-407. RRC
Ernest G. Bormann, "The Eagleton Affair: A Fantasy Theme Analysis." Quarterly Journal of Speech 59
(1973): 143-159. RRC
Joshua Gunn, "Refiguring Fantasy: Imagination and Its Decline in U.S. Rhetorical Studies." Quarterly
Journal of Speech 92 (2006): 379-412. PR (Note: this essay unwittingly ruffled the feathers of
fantasy theme devotees. See Ernest G. Bormann, John F. Cragan, and Donald C. Shields, "Defending
Symbolic Convergence Theory from an Imaginary Gunn," Quarterly Journal of Speech 89 (2003):
366-372; and Joshua Gunn, "Response," Quarterly Journal of Speech 89 (2003): 373.)
Karlyn Kohrs Campbell and Thomas R. Burkholder, "Evaluation." CCR 109-131.
Focal Reading
Mark West and Chris Casey, "(Re)Enacting Frontier Justice: The Bush Administration's Tactical
Narration of the Old West Fantasy After September 11." Quarterly Journal of Speech 92 (2006): 379-
412.
November 13th: Materialism and Ideology Critique
Submission Draft of Final Paper is DUE!!!
GUEST SPEAKER: James Arnt Aune, Texas A&M University
Philip Wander. "The Ideological Turn in Modern Criticism." Central States Speech Journal 34 (1983): 1-
18.
Philip Wander. "The Third Persona: An Ideological Turn in Rhetorical Theory." Central States Speech
Journal #% (1984): 197-216.
Maurice Charland. "Constitutive Rhetoric: The Case of Peuple Quebecois." Quarterly Journal of
Speech 73 (1987): 133-150.
Michael Calvin McGee. "The 'Ideograph': A Link Between Rhetoric and Ideology." Quarterly Journal
of Speech 66 (1980): 1-16.
Dana Cloud, "'To Veil the Threat of Terror': Afghan Women and the in the
Imagery of the U.S. War on Terrorism." Quarterly Journal of Speech 90 (2004): 285-306.
Bryan J. McCann, "Therapeutic and Material hood: Ideology and the Struggle for Meaning
in the Illinois Death Penalty Controversy." Communication and Critical/Cultural Studies 4 (2007):
382-401.
Biesecker, Barbara A. "Remembering World War II: The Rhetoric and Politics of National
Commemoration at the Turn of the 21st Century." Quarterly Journal of Speech 88 (2002): 393-410.
PR
James Arnt Aune, "A Historical Materialist Theory of Rhetoric." American Communication Journal 6
(2003): available http://acjournal.org/holdings/vol6/iss4/mcmcgee/aune.htm
Focal Reading
James Arnt Aune, excerpts from Selling the Free Market: The Rhetoric of Economic Correctness (New
York: Guilford, 2002) TBA
Rhetorical Criticism Syllabus 10

Wednesday, November 26: NO CLASS!
Peer Reviews of Mystery Author are DUE via email by NOON!!!
December 4th: The Last Day Kitchen Sink, or, Rhetorical Criticism Goes
Critical/Cultural
Raymie E. McKerrow, "Critical Rhetoric: Theory and Praxis." Communication Monographs 56 (1989):
91-111. PR
Carole Blair, Marsha S. Jeppeson, and Enrico Pucci, Jr. "Public Memorializing in Postmodernity: The
Vietnam Veterans Memorial as Prototype." Quarterly Journal of Speech 77 (1991): 289-308. RRC
Dana L. Cloud. "The Materiality of Discourse as Oxymoron: A Challenge to Critical Rhetoric." Western
Journal of Communication 58 (1994): 141-163. PR
Kent A. Ono and John M. Sloop, "The Critique of Vernacular Discourse." Communication Monographs
62 (1995): 19-46. PR
Ronald Walter Greene. "Another Materialist Rhetoric." Critical Studies in Mass Communication 15
(1998): 21-41. PR
Sloop, John M. "Disciplining the Transgendered: Brandon Teena, Public Representation, and
Normativity." Western Journal of Communication 64 (2005): 165-189. PR
Kyra Pearson, "The Trouble with Aileen Wuornos, Feminism's 'First Serial Killer,'" Communication and
Critical/Cultural Studies 4 (2007): 256-275. PR
Focal Reading
Barbara A. Biesecker, "No Time For Mourning: The Rhetorical Production of the Melancholic Citizen-
Subject in the War on Terror." Philosophy and Rhetoric 40 (2007): 147-169. PR
Friday December 12th: Exam Period
Revised Essays and Letters of Resubmission are due in Josh's CMA mailbox by NOON!
Rhetorical Criticism Syllabus 11