ENGL 580: Writing and Rhetoric in a Post-Truth Society

This course examines the role of writing and rhetoric in a post-truth world. What does it mean to write and to study language at a time when fake news and “alternative facts” have become commonplace? How do we negotiate the need to amplify multiple voices and perspectives with the need to establish a stable truth? How does writing shared on social media shape both personal and public opinion?

As we engage these and related questions, we will examine foundational concepts, theories, and methodologies in Rhetoric and Composition as well as more recent work that addresses postcolonial and decolonial rhetorics, political discourse, and the evolution of public rhetoric in new media contexts. Our goal will be to better understand the historical roots of our current rhetorical moment, to determine how we can more fully participate in the discourses at work in a variety of media contexts, and devise perspectives and approaches for shaping our own and others’ rhetorical work in public spheres.

Please review the syllabus for full course information.

This is a Summer I course. Participants may register for one Full Semester course OR one course each in Summer I and Summer II.

Related Courses by Institution
ENGL 535 Multicultural Literature (Winter/Spring 2021)
ENGL 580 Rhetoric, Writing, and Social Change (Summer I 2021)
ENGL 580 Popular Literature (Summer II 2021)
ENGL 550 Literary Criticism (Fall 2021)
ENGL 523 Teaching College English (Winter/Spring 2022)
ENGL 580 Writing and Rhetoric in a Post-Truth Society (Summer I 2022)
ENGL 533 20th Century Literature and Culture (Summer II 2022)
ENGL 522 Issues in Literacy & Language (Fall 2022)
ENGL 551 Introduction to Creative Writing (Winter/Spring 2023)