Course Website

http://www.digitalparlor.org/fa07/blakesley1/

Reading List

• Blakesley, David. The Elements of Dramatism. New York: Longman, 2002.
• Burke, Kenneth. Counter-Statement. 1931. Berkeley: U of California P, 1968.
• ---. Permanence and Change: An Anatomy of Purpose. 1935. 3rd edition. Berkeley: U of California P, 1984.
• ---. Attitudes Toward History. 1937. Berkeley: U of California P, 1984.
• ---. A Grammar of Motives. 1945. Berkeley: U of California P, 1969.
• ---. A Rhetoric of Motives. 1950. Berkeley: U of California P, 1969.
• ---. Language as Symbolic Action: Essays on Life, Literature, and Method. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1966.
• Digital Coursepack: This will be distributed on CD and won't cost you anything. Your CD will include some of Burke’s uncollected essays, poetry, and Essays Toward a Symbolic of Motives, 1950-1955.

Description

This course will take Kenneth Burke as an exemplary figure in the genesis of rhetoric, composition, communication, cultural studies, and literary theory in the twentieth century. The focus will be on Burke’s continuing relevance for our understanding of key rhetorical principles (identification, context, terministic screens), of emergent subjects in the field (visual rhetoric, complexity theory, cultural studies), and of the relationships between rhetoric, composition, new media, and literary theory. Course readings will include primary Burkeian texts (some of which are newly published) and secondary work by contemporary rhetoricians and theorists. Coursework will include regular responses to the readings and a major print or multimedia project.

Coursework

1. Online Course Discussion: Each week, I'll ask you to respond to questions or readings listed on the calendar with one short (200- 300-word) semi-formal response. These responses will need to be posted by class time every Tuesday. I will also give you 10-15 minutes at the start of every class meeting to write comments on the posts of others and to compose new responses of your own. Some topics will be open. I plan to ask one question each week. I would also like you to write a minimum of 5 comments and replies each week. These can be shorter posts that ask questions, comment, elaborate, or link. These follow-up comments and replies should normally be no more than 200 words, but length ultimately depends on the nature of your response. Some responses to articles in KB Journal or that correct or create new entries in Wikipedia (see http://www.wikipedia.com) may substitute for in-class responses, TBA.
2. Short Essay or Conference Paper: By week 9, you’ll be asked to submit a short essay or conference paper and give a 5-10 minute presentation to the class on the topic.
3. Major Print or Multimedia Project: At the end of the semester, submit a research essay, hypertext, or other multimedia project that draws on course readings and any other work relevant to your subject matter and advances a position on a topic of potential interest to others in your field of study. You’ll be provided with detailed guidelines for this project in Week 6 and be required to submit work-in-progress on a regular schedule in a project log. A list of suggested topics will be provided. Length: 4,000 – 8,000 words or the equivalent.

Resources

KB Discussion List . In existence now for 9 years, this list includes approximately 240 members from many different fields of study. I would like each of you to join the list and “lurk” or participate (as you choose). List traffic is usually light but will pick-up now and then as people ask questions or introduce topics. To learn about how to join the list, visit http://kbjournal.org/mailing. I am the list moderator.

Bibliography and Archival Project. http://www.cla.purdue.edu/dblakesley/burke/index.html
This site includes a repository of past conference papers, searchable bibliographies, hypertext essays, and more.

KB Journal http://www.kbjournal.org
In addition to newly published articles on Burke, the journal features discussion forums, bibliographies, information about the Kenneth Burke Society, announcements, and more. KB Journal is hosted at Purdue.

Grading

Attendance

Attendance is required at all scheduled meetings. More than three unexcused absences may result in a lower grade for the course. Excused absences may be granted for religious holidays or university-sponsored events, provided you make a written request to me no less than one week in advance and that you complete any required work before the due date. Being excessively or regularly late for class meetings can be counted as an absence.

In Case of a Campus Emergency

In the event of a major campus emergency, course requirements, deadlines and grading percentages are subject to changes that may be necessitated by a revised semester calendar or other circumstances. You can acquire updated information from the course website, by emailing me, or by contacting me through the English Department at 765-494-3740.