Communication 494EI - Rhetoric, Ethics, Good Life

This course focuses on the potential role of rhetoric in advancing an ethical and good life. It does so by examining several issues first drawn in ancient Greek rhetorical theory as they relate to contemporary concerns. This course also considers psychoanalysis and critiques of psycho-analysis as the descendant of the ancient debate between rhetoric and philosophy, especially concerning the role of desire in the art of living. This course will consider whether the notion of a good life is even useful any longer, and it will ask students to consider whether one can--or should--live well in a world darkened by violence, inequality, and suffering. This course offers assignments to reflect upon the role of education in the art of living, and especially upon the student's previous work in General Education and Communication courses. Satisfies the Integrative Experience requirement for BA-Comm majors.

Open to Senior and Junior Communication majors only. PreReq: COMM 125 Students who have previously taken COMM 497AN should not enroll in this course. This course serves as an Integrative Experience (IE) requirement for BA-COMM majors.