Poetics and Rhetoric
A.Y. 2022/2023
Learning objectives
This course aims to provide students with the core concepts of rhetoric—approached in its diverse linguistic, visual, and performative forms—as an art of the expression and the representation of different pathic states and cognitive processes, by way of a literature that allows the student to engage with different types of texts (primary sources, classical references in the field, critical essays, and current research perspectives). The proposed path will also consider rhetoric in its interdisciplinary relationship with political philosophy. The students will be able to employ the acquired notions particularly in the professional areas of editor of texts and images, operator in the field of education and popularization, operator of cultural projects in the public and private domain, and project management.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding:
Students will acquire a basic knowledge of the terminology and the reasoning used within the field of rhetoric, whose discussion falls within the realm of aesthetics, given the tendency for persuasive speech to be characterized as "sensible." Along the way, students will be introduced to the core literature and methodologies. Finally, they will learn the history of rhetoric, of its nature, and of its purpose within the framework of the human sciences, and aesthetics in particular.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
Students will acquire the skills necessary to apply the conceptual framework of rhetoric to the critical reading of verbal speeches, and of discursive and bodily performances, through recourse to an adequate specialized terminology. They will be able to apply this knowledge in commenting on the reference texts of the field. Students will be ale to orient themselves within the standard bibliographical apparatus. They will be able to distinguish a rhetorical speech from a propagandistic declaration and a communicative act, as well as to recognize its effects on the audience.
Students will acquire a basic knowledge of the terminology and the reasoning used within the field of rhetoric, whose discussion falls within the realm of aesthetics, given the tendency for persuasive speech to be characterized as "sensible." Along the way, students will be introduced to the core literature and methodologies. Finally, they will learn the history of rhetoric, of its nature, and of its purpose within the framework of the human sciences, and aesthetics in particular.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
Students will acquire the skills necessary to apply the conceptual framework of rhetoric to the critical reading of verbal speeches, and of discursive and bodily performances, through recourse to an adequate specialized terminology. They will be able to apply this knowledge in commenting on the reference texts of the field. Students will be ale to orient themselves within the standard bibliographical apparatus. They will be able to distinguish a rhetorical speech from a propagandistic declaration and a communicative act, as well as to recognize its effects on the audience.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Subjects and rhetorical discourse.
The course deals with the traditional subjects of rhetorical art (discourse, figures, evidence) used by ordinary language speakers. Classroom reading will be given of Paul Feyerabend's text, "Let's make more movies," in Id. The Owl of Minerva: Philosophers on Philosophy, Ch. J. Bontempo and S. J. Odell (eds.), McGraw-Hill, New York 1975, pp. 201-210. Reprinted in Knowledge, Science and Relativism: Philosophical Papers, Volume 3, John Preston (ed.), Cambridge University Press: Cambridge 1999, ch. 9 (pp. 192-199) to show the "physiognomy of an argument."
The role of the speaker and the audience will then be specifically discussed through the study of their social masks, with extensive reference to intersectionality theory.
The course deals with the traditional subjects of rhetorical art (discourse, figures, evidence) used by ordinary language speakers. Classroom reading will be given of Paul Feyerabend's text, "Let's make more movies," in Id. The Owl of Minerva: Philosophers on Philosophy, Ch. J. Bontempo and S. J. Odell (eds.), McGraw-Hill, New York 1975, pp. 201-210. Reprinted in Knowledge, Science and Relativism: Philosophical Papers, Volume 3, John Preston (ed.), Cambridge University Press: Cambridge 1999, ch. 9 (pp. 192-199) to show the "physiognomy of an argument."
The role of the speaker and the audience will then be specifically discussed through the study of their social masks, with extensive reference to intersectionality theory.
Prerequisites for admission
There are no prerequisites. Supplementary and optional readings will be provided at the request of students to facilitate understanding of the issues covered.
Teaching methods
Lectures
Lectures in co-presence with other faculty members
Discussions between the teacher and other scholars about specific texts
Discussions with students
Lectures in co-presence with other faculty members
Discussions between the teacher and other scholars about specific texts
Discussions with students
Teaching Resources
-Chaim Perelman, Lucies Olbrechts-Tyteca, Trattato argomentazione. La nuova retorica, Einaudi, student's choice of edition year.
-Hans Blumenberg, Paradigmi per una metaforologia. Tr. it. Cortina, Milano 2009.
-Erwin Goffman, La vita quotidiana come rappresentazione. Tr. it. Student choice edition.
Readings for non-attending students, in addition to readings for attending students:
-Chiara Cappelletto, In cattedra. Il docente universitario in 8 autoritratti, Cortina, Milano 2019.
-Hans Blumenberg, Paradigmi per una metaforologia. Tr. it. Cortina, Milano 2009.
-Erwin Goffman, La vita quotidiana come rappresentazione. Tr. it. Student choice edition.
Readings for non-attending students, in addition to readings for attending students:
-Chiara Cappelletto, In cattedra. Il docente universitario in 8 autoritratti, Cortina, Milano 2019.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam for attending students consists of an oral interview on the topics proposed in class and questions designed to verify knowledge and understanding of all the texts in the syllabus.
Each attending student will be questioned by the main teacher and one of the committee members.
For non-attending students, questions on the course will be replaced by questions on the additional text dedicated to them.
During the tests, the following will be assessed:
- the level of knowledge of theory (exposition);
- the ability to exemplify concepts (comprehension);
- communication skills in terms of the adequacy of language in explicating the skills acquired and related issues.
Normally, the roll call is completed on the scheduled day.
Each attending student will be questioned by the main teacher and one of the committee members.
For non-attending students, questions on the course will be replaced by questions on the additional text dedicated to them.
During the tests, the following will be assessed:
- the level of knowledge of theory (exposition);
- the ability to exemplify concepts (comprehension);
- communication skills in terms of the adequacy of language in explicating the skills acquired and related issues.
Normally, the roll call is completed on the scheduled day.
Unita' didattica A
M-FIL/04 - AESTHETICS - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
M-FIL/04 - AESTHETICS - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
M-FIL/04 - AESTHETICS - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)