ENGL115 - Argumentation and Rhetoric

Course Details

Course Code: ENGL115 Course ID: 5224 Credit Hours: 3 Level: Undergraduate

Presidents winning elections, countries declaring war, spouses saving a marriage, students earning scholarships—all of these have something in common: argumentation. Mountains have been moved by masters of this craft. Just think of what such people as Martin Luther King, Jr., Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln achieved with the power of their words. There is, as Horace says, harmony in discord. We will explore that harmony and why Fredrick Douglass said there can be no progress without struggle. In this class, we will examine argument strategies and structures, interrogate assumptions, explore moral arguments with complex empirical questions, and analyze a variety of texts—popular culture, websites, advertisements, etc. Be prepared to work with a variety of evidence and opinions, cultures, counterclaims, evidentiary quality, and more, as we study and practice the art of argumentation. (Pre-requisite: ENGL101 or ENGL110)

Course Schedule

Registration Dates Course Dates Start Month Session Weeks
05/29/2023 - 11/03/2023 11/06/2023 - 12/31/2023 November Fall 2023 Session I 8 Week session
06/26/2023 - 12/01/2023 12/04/2023 - 01/28/2024 December Fall 2023 Session D 8 Week session
07/31/2023 - 12/29/2023 01/01/2024 - 02/25/2024 January Winter 2024 Session B 8 Week session
08/28/2023 - 02/02/2024 02/05/2024 - 03/31/2024 February Winter 2024 Session I 8 Week session
09/25/2023 - 03/01/2024 03/04/2024 - 04/28/2024 March Winter 2024 Session D 8 Week session

Current Syllabi

General Concentration Objectives

  • Attain a wide breadth of knowledge in analyzing and synthesizing texts.
  • Compose texts that incorporate diverse perspectives through critical analysis and evaluation.

Writing and Communication Concentration Objectives

  • Examine effective and efficient written and oral communication across industries.
  • Interpret diverse viewpoints in written communication.
  • Create professional texts that conform to industry-specific expectations and facilitate communication.

Late Assignments

Students are expected to submit assignments by the due dates listed in the classroom. Late assignments, including but not limited to Assignments, Discussions, posts and responses, quizzes, and exams, may or may not be accepted after the course end date. Submitting an assignment after the due date may result in a penalty of up to 10% of the grade per day late, not to exceed a maximum 50% of the grade. The amount of the penalty is at the faculty member’s discretion. Faculty recognize that students have limited time and may be more flexible if potential delays are communicated ahead of time.*

*Doctoral and Programs with specialty accreditation may have different late policies.

**Students with DSA accommodations may have different late policies applied. For more information regarding our DSA services, please contact [email protected].

NameGrade %
Discussions 40.00%
Week 1 Discussion 8.00%
Week 2 Discussion 8.00%
Week 3 Discussion 0.00%
Week 4 Discussion 8.00%
Week 5 Discussion 0.00%
Week 6 Discussion 8.00%
Week 7 Discussion 0.00%
Week 8 Discussion 8.00%
Quizzes 10.00%
Quiz 1 2.50%
Quiz 2 2.50%
Quiz 3 2.50%
Quiz 4 2.50%
Assignments 50.00%
Project 1: Critical Evaluation 10.00%
Project 2: Toulmin Argument 20.00%
Project 3: Rogerian Argument 20.00%

Previous Syllabi

Not current for future courses.