LS1464 Rhetoric - the Art of Persuasion 7.5 credits
The course is intended for students with a native or near-native knowledge of Swedish. It will improve participants’ knowledge and skills in rhetoric and rhetorical presentation. In the course students will practice a variety of spoken and written text-types. They will also develop their ability to assess and edit their own and others’ spoken and written texts and to give appropriate responses.
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Application
For course offering
Autumn 2024 Start 26 Aug 2024 programme students
Application code
50545
Content and learning outcomes
Course contents
The course deals with:
* some important theoretical approaches, such as rhetorical situation, modes of persuasion, argumentation strategies and argumentation topics
* practical tools for preparing, structuring, formulating, memorising and presenting different kinds of speeches and presentations
* rhetorical strategies for verbal and non-verbal communication, argumentation and for coping with nervousness
Oral tasks include various types of speeches and presentations, both individually and in groups, as well as a debate. Written tasks include a written reflection of the student's own performance as well as an analysis of a rhetorical object (e.g., a speech, a lecture, or an image).
Intended learning outcomes
After completion of the course, students should be able to:
-
speak before an audience in a well-formulated, structured and persuasive way, as well as have the ability to adapt, present, and vary their message according to the rhetorical situation
- be familiar with the most common classical rhetorical strategies, and be able to use these to interpret, analyse, compare and critically examine various rhetorical objects
- reflect on their own and others´ use of different means of persuasion and the consequences this may have for the individual, for society, and for democracy
- understand the value and importance of changes of perspective in communication with regard to the situation and the audience´s understanding, which also includes the ability to communicate their own field of expertise to laymen.
- work with speaking and writing as processes, which also includes the ability to give and take constructive criticism and use this when revising their own speeches and texts.
Literature and preparations
Specific prerequisites
General admission requirements
Recommended prerequisites
Equipment
Literature
The reading list will be announced before the beginning of the course.
The recommended reference literature and electronic resources will be announced in the course information.
Examination and completion
If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.
Grading scale
Examination
- LEXA - Continuous Assessment, 7.5 credits, grading scale: P, F
Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.
The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.
Other requirements for final grade
All graded assignments passed. 75% attendance requirement
Opportunity to complete the requirements via supplementary examination
Opportunity to raise an approved grade via renewed examination
Examiner
Ethical approach
- All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
- In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
- In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.