Political Rhetorics and Speech Writing

Master 2020/2021

Category 'Best Course for Broadening Horizons and Diversity of Knowledge and Skills'

Type: Compulsory course (Political Linguistics)

Area of studies: Fundamental and Applied Linguistics

Delivered by: School of Literature and Intercultural Communication

Where: Faculty of Humanities (Nizhny Novgorod)

When: 2 year, 2 module

Mode of studies: distance learning

Instructors: Dmitry V. Bosnak

Master’s programme: Политическая лингвистика

Language: English

ECTS credits: 8

Contact hours: 20

Full Syllabus

Abstract

In this course we will look at how political discourse is created using logical, psychological and linguistic methods of persuasion. We will also explore the priciples of effective debating. The course combines reading and discussing theory with practice in speech-making and debating.

Learning Objectives

understanding the role of logic and logical thinking in political discourse
analyzing the role of the audience and the role of the speaker
understanding the importance of style in political communication
learning the methods of polemic in political sphere
understanding the genres of political speech acts

Expected Learning Outcomes

understanding basic concepts
analyzing political speech acts from the point of view of logical argumentation
analyzing political speech acts from the point of view of the speaker's identity
analyzing political speech acts from the point of view of the structure of the audience
analyzing political speech acts from the point of view of emotional impact
analyzing the stylistic properties of political speech acts
identifying the distinctive features of the main genres of political communication
ability to argue one's point effectively
ability to maintain a political debate
ability to dispute the opponent's position

Course Contents

Basic concepts of political communication
The political sphere; political discourse; the rhetorical situation; speech act; critical analysis
Argument (Logos)
The role of logical proofs. Conceptual analysis. Logical fallacies
Ethos / Identity
The identity of the speaker and structure of the audience
Pathos
The emotional impact in political communication. The role of allusions and quotations. Elements of non-verbal communication
Genres of political communication
Inauguration speech, convention address, debate speech, blogs, parliamentary address, rally speeches (student presentations)
Polemic and political dialogue
Rhetorical attacks and ways to counter them
Final debate
Two debates on topical issues

Assessment Elements

Class activity
Debate
Will take place online, in Zoom
Presentation on genres of political communication
Terminology test
Will be given in the LMS.
Exam 1
Exam 2
Class activity
Debate
Presentation on genres of political communication
Terminology test
Exam 1
Exam 2
Online, no proctoring will be used
Speech (online course skills)

Interim Assessment

Interim assessment (2 module)
0.2 * Class activity + 0.3 * Debate + 0.3 * Exam 2 + 0.2 * Speech (online course skills)

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

Aristotle, Yunis, H., Waterfield, R., & Aristotle. (2018). The Art of Rhetoric. Oxford, United Kingdom: OUP Oxford. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=2096818

Recommended Additional Bibliography

Atkins, J. (2010). Moral Argument and the Justification of Policy: New Labour’s Case for Welfare Reform. British Journal of Politics & International Relations, 12(3), 408–424. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-856X.2010.00415.x
Beard, A. (2000). The Language of Politics. London: Taylor & Francis Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=60933
Cap, P., & Okulska, U. (2013). Analyzing Genres in Political Communication : Theory and Practice. Amsterdam: John Benjamins Publishing Company. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=605122
Charteris-Black, J. (2014). Analysing Political Speeches : Rhetoric, Discourse and Metaphor. Basingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1453945
Edelman, M. (1998). Language, Myths and Rhetoric. Society, 35(2), 131–139. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02838136
Feldman, O., & Landtsheer, C. de. (1998). Politically Speaking : A Worldwide Examination of Language Used in the Public Sphere. Westport, Conn: Greenwood Publishing Group. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=182543
Finlayson, A. (2007). From Beliefs to Arguments: Interpretive Methodology and Rhetorical Political Analysis. British Journal of Politics & International Relations, 9(4), 545–563. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-856X.2007.00269.x
Hopkins, N., & Kahani-Hopkins, V. (2004). The antecedents of identification: A rhetorical analysis of British Muslim activists’ constructions of community and identity. British Journal of Social Psychology, 43(1), 41–57. https://doi.org/10.1348/014466604322915971
Jerit, J. (2004). Survival of the Fittest: Rhetoric During the Course of an Election Campaign. Political Psychology, 25(4), 563–575. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9221.2004.00387.x
Martin, J. (2015). Situating Speech: A Rhetorical Approach to Political Strategy. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.9ADDDE3B
Reicher, S., & Hopkins, N. (1996). Self-category constructions in political rhetoric; an analysis of Thatcher’s and Kinnock’s speeches concerning the British miners’ strike (1984-5). European Journal of Social Psychology, 26(3), 353–371. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-0992(199605)26:3<353::AID-EJSP757>3.0.CO;2-O
Schäffner, C., & Chilton, P. A. (2002). Politics As Text and Talk : Analytic Approaches to Political Discourse. Amsterdam: John Benjamins Publishing Co. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=253276

Course Syllabus