INTD 100 03: College Writing Seminar
Covering Elections in a Postmodern Era
As we move into the election year, political rhetoric heats up across the vast and often cacophonous media spectrum. Everyone from the candidates to the chattering class of pundits to fringe bloggers to friends on your social networks starts weighing in on issues, candidates, debates, scandals and what’s right and wrong with the process and the country.
It’s the season for persuasion. But… what are these people really saying? Who are they speaking to? And what are they trying to accomplish? Are they speaking the truth… a truth? Or, are they just pushing an agenda? How persuasive are the arguments being made in an increasingly polarized and contentious political and media landscape? Is anyone even capable of being persuaded anymore, or do we seek out only that which confirms our predispositions (confirmation bias) while tuning out everything else, regardless of facts or “the truth”?
In this class, we’ll analyze the current campaign rhetoric and election coverage past and present with these questions in mind. We’ll practice the fine arts of skepticism, critical thinking and persuasion as you learn to identify veracity in the media and apply it to your own work. During this class, you will learn to write from an informed position that is free of cynicism, respectful of your audience and from which you will be able to make persuasive, well-supported arguments for your points of view.
Covering Elections in a Postmodern Era
As we move into the election year, political rhetoric heats up across the vast and often cacophonous media spectrum. Everyone from the candidates to the chattering class of pundits to fringe bloggers to friends on your social networks starts weighing in on issues, candidates, debates, scandals and what’s right and wrong with the process and the country.
It’s the season for persuasion. But… what are these people really saying? Who are they speaking to? And what are they trying to accomplish? Are they speaking the truth… a truth? Or, are they just pushing an agenda? How persuasive are the arguments being made in an increasingly polarized and contentious political and media landscape? Is anyone even capable of being persuaded anymore, or do we seek out only that which confirms our predispositions (confirmation bias) while tuning out everything else, regardless of facts or “the truth”?
In this class, we’ll analyze the current campaign rhetoric and election coverage past and present with these questions in mind. We’ll practice the fine arts of skepticism, critical thinking and persuasion as you learn to identify veracity in the media and apply it to your own work. During this class, you will learn to write from an informed position that is free of cynicism, respectful of your audience and from which you will be able to make persuasive, well-supported arguments for your points of view.
- Teacher: Joseph Donnelly
- Teacher: Angela Olivas