Friday, September 28

TO DO List for the day:

1. Complete Where do the parties stand on the issues?

(There are some hard copies on the desk for those that wanted them)

2. Catch up all starters and journals from this week

3. Project Topic brainstorm

• Brainstorm Part 1 (see project description, page 2).
• Here is the brainstorm from the board the other day, for your reference.  Feel free to add to it in constructive ways.

4. Write Jessica an email addressing two main themes:

• How are things going for you right now in my class?  Is there anything you would like to express that you didn’t get to express yesterday?
• What ideas do you have for your project topics? 

OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS (Weekend homework? Could be fun to learn some more?):

Do more background research on liberal and conservative thought.  

Look at the historical evolution of the parties:

Republican Party

Democratic Party

Look at the modern party platforms:

Republican Party Platform

Democratic Party Platform

Libertarian Party Platform

Green Party Platform

Switch back and forth between MSNBC, CNN and Fox to notice the difference in their coverage

Thursday, September 27

Starter 9.27:  Like yesterday, do a T-chart brainstorm. This time, brainstorm stereotypes that the other side has of liberals and conservatives.

The Moral Roots of Liberals and Conservatives

During the talk, jot down 3-5 interesting insights, quotes, questions, or new ideas that make you think.

GROUP WORK

Work in groups to complete the following.  Be prepared to share your group’s thoughts with the whole class.

1. What are the main ideas of this TED talk?
2. What questions/confusions did you have?
3. What is the advice that Haidt gives us at the end of his talk that is applicable to the project?
4. How do we see Haidt’s ideas about the moral values manifest on both sides of the issues? Use the frameworks (harm/care, fairness/reciprocity, in-group/loyalty, authority/respect, purity/sanctity) and any other ideas from the talk to explain the issue through the lens of moral psychology.  

• Group 1:  Immigration
• Group 2:  Same-Sex Marriage (and/or religious liberty)
• Group 3:  Criminal Justice
• Group 4:  Gun control/Gun rights
• Group 5:  Foreign policy/National Security

Journal 9.27:  How can this knowledge help us better understand people who are ideologically different than we are?  How could it help us find compromise in US politics?

Wednesday, September 26

Starter (in pairs, on the whiteboards):   What does it mean to be liberal in America?  What does it mean to be conservative? Establish some basic definitions or draw a T-chart describing the ideology of each.  (Don’t get bogged down in specific issues, but rather try to DEFINE each to the best of your ability.)

MINI-LESSON:  The Political Compass

ACTIVITY:  Political Compass Quiz:  As you work through the quiz, ask me clarifying questions!!!

Journal 9.26:  How did adding the four quadrants add to your understanding of your own political ideology? Did you find anything surprising or did it confirm what you already knew about your political identity?  Explain.

–OR—

How did the quiz add to your understanding of American politics?  Explain.

Tuesday, September 25

Let’s revisit the bigger picture:  PROJECT DESCRIPTION

• Exhibition:  The vision can belong to all of us?
• What questions do we have?

Brainstorm in pairs:

What are some topics/political issues that you could study for this project?  (REVIEW “Topic Choice: Framing the Binary, Choosing Sides” on your project description)  The https://www.procon.org/ website might be helpful to check out at this point.  You don’t have to choose your topic just yet, but let’s get a good list started!  (Does someone want to scribe our brainstorm and send it to me?)

Today's Question: Where do you stand ideologically?  

“I Side With” Political Quiz

Take the quiz and explore the "I Side With" website.

Click on “Other Stances” for more nuanced results

Journal 9.25:
What were your results? Did you learn anything new about your own ideology? Where do you believe you are on the American political spectrum?  Where do you think your political ideology comes from? What values is it rooted in?

Where do the parties stand on the issues?

Make a copy of this document, or ask for a hard copy.  Try to fill out the T-chart to the best of your ability.  Work in groups if you like, but keep your own notes. Due Monday, October 1.  

WORK TIME

Work on Where do the parties stand on the issues?

Monday, September 24

This Week’s Questions

What do liberals believe/value?

What do conservatives believe/value?

What do we agree on?

Starter 9.24:  America loves Satire!!! Watch this video and respond:  What liberal and conservative perspectives are being spoofed in this video?  Give at least one example of each and explain the perspective that is being satirized.

Today’s Question:

What are the American values and principles of democracy that transcend party?  What do we agree on?

Circle Up

Group Read: John McCain’s Final Letter to America

Watch: Barack Obama’s eulogy for John McCain

Journal 9.24:  What are the American values and principles of democracy that transcend party?  What might most Americans agree on despite their political affiliation?

Thursday, September 20

Teddy Roosevelt in the Commons


Debrief yesterday's speaker and Teddy Roosevelt (Rhetoric everywhere!)

Process Reflection (in a separate Google doc, or very neatly written)
1. Explain what you have learned so far about what makes rhetoric effective (or not).
2. Explain what you have learned so far about the function of rhetoric in our society.
3. How would you answer the essential question right now:  "What is the relationship between rhetoric and ideology?
4. What is one question that you have about rhetoric and/or ideology?

Turn in:
1. Reverse Outline (I will give this back next week)
2. Op-eds annotated for Aristotelian Appeals (put your name on them!)
3. 13th film analysis questions
4. Process Reflection 
Make sure your digital comp book is caught up!

Wednesday, September 19

Starter 9.19: Who Are We?
React to this piece of rhetorical discourse.
What is the message here?
Who is the audience?
How does the speaker appeal to his audience? What values and emotions does he play on?

Who is this speaker? Richard Spencer

REMEMBER: Rhetoric transmits ideology.

Aristotelian Appeals

WORK TIME
Apply these concepts to the discourse we have read this week!

1. Annotate the two Op-ed pieces for logos, pathos, and ethos (Alma's and the officer's). Label the reading!
Key Questions:

• LOGOS: Where/how does the author use evidence and logical argumentation?
• PATHOS: Where/how does the author appeal to the audience''s emotions and values?
• ETHOS: Where/how does the author establish credibility?

2. Finish the Digital Comp Book assignments associated with each reading. (Journals 9.13 and 9.18)

GUEST SPEAKER TODAY!  Notice how he uses appeals and consider what makes his rhetoric effective (or not).

Tuesday, September 18

Finish last ten minutes of the film.

Circle up for discussion.

Read/annotate  I’m a cop. If you don’t want to get hurt, don’t challenge me. (Wash Post Op-ed)

(in a circle?)

JOURNAL 9.18 Officer Op-Ed Questions:

1. What is his argument? What is the officer trying to convince us of?
2. Is this article credible?  How does it establish credibility?
3. Which values does the author appeal to?  Does he make any emotional appeals?
4. How might someone push back on the argument? What perspectives might be missing?
5. What makes this argument convincing? 

Monday, September 17

Dear students: I hope you all have an excellent Monday. Please view this film as a critical audience for rhetorical discourse. Think about how documentary film exemplifies the principles of "Rhetoric as an Art" that James Herrick lays out. Please complete the film analysis questions for class tomorrow.

SCREENING: 13th
(If you are reading this because you are absent, this film is on Netflix!)



13th Film Analysis Questions: Finish as homework!

Thursday, September 13

Starter: Four Corners

Kneeling during the national anthem is an appropriate way for NFL players to protest what they see as injustices in our society.

(Respect each other's views!)

RHETORIC AS AN ART

BE READY TO SHARE YOUR EXAMPLES

JOURNAL 9.13 Reading: Alma’s Op-ED

1. What is Alma trying to convince us of?
2. Is her argument effective for you?  Why or why not?
3. What does Alma do that we might consider effective argumentation?

Wednesday, September 12

Key question:  What function does rhetoric perform in a (democratic) society?

Starter (Pair share):  How would you answer the key question right now? What is the function of rhetoric in a democratic society?

Get out your Reverse Outline!

In your groups, work to clarify the RHETORIC AS AN ART section.

1. Did everyone in your group understand the gist of the section?

2. Share your examples of each principle.

THE SAGA CONTINUES….

Check out these two tweets from Sunday:

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1038799859128696833

https://twitter.com/Kaepernick7/status/1038856001758347264

Let’s Engage with Discourse!  Rhetoric is a Response and Invites a Response

JOURNAL 9.12  Respond to this rhetoric in Digital Comp Book. (Approx. 2 well-developed paragraphs)  

WATCH THESE CLIPS:  

Tomi Lahren Destroys Colin Kaepernick

Beto O’Rourke Responds to Question on NFL protests

Your response should have two parts

1) Relate these clips to any of the ideas/principles from the Herrick article

2) Respond to the message itself as an "audience member." What is your ideological reaction to this clip? Relate it to your own thoughts about America and things that you have noticed or believe to be true.  (Be rhetorical! That is to say: take an ideological perspective on these clips and try to be convincing.)

RHETORIC AS AN ART

BE READY TO SHARE YOUR EXAMPLES

Tuesday, September 11

The Pathos of Patriotism

Watch this video. How does this video make you feel?  

By decree of the law, today is Patriot Day.

Remembering 9-11

Moment of Silence

Friday, September 7

Starter 9.7: Watch the new Nike ad "Dream Crazy." Relate this video to any of the concepts of rhetoric we have learned thus far.


Work Time on Group Analysis (Don't forget to share it with me!)

Discuss Rhetorical Analysis of Dr. King’s speech

Malcolm X: By Any Means Necessary

• How is Malcolm X’s message both similar and different from MLK’s?
• What exigency do they have in common?
• How are their appeals different?  What might this have to do with audience?
• Which rhetorical strategy do you think has been more effective at bringing about change?  Why?

JOURNAL 9.7 MLK Jr. /MALCOLM X

• How do both MLK’s and Malcolm X's rhetoric impact you personally as an "audience member," an American, as a student of rhetoric?
• Reflect on the ideological progress we have or haven’t made as Americans since the exigency of the Civil Rights Movement.

WORK TIME:

Finish Herrick and Reverse Outline for Tuesday

Be sure to come up with original examples in the section “Rhetoric as an Art.” (There is space for this in the outline.)

Thursday, September 6

Starter 9.6:  Storycorps episode from August 18, 2017: Francine Anderson

Would you classify this story as “rhetorical discourse”?  Why or why not?

Lesson:  RHETORIC AS A TYPE OF DISCOURSE

"I Have a Dream" Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

• Listen intently and annotate for the characteristics of rhetorical discourse that Herrick outlines in his article. (review Powerpoint)

What are the components of the Rhetorical Triangle?

1.  What is the message?

2.  Who is MLK Jr.?

3.  Who is the audience?

4.  What is the purpose?

5.  What is the historical context?

Group Work:  Rhetorical Analysis of “I Have a Dream”

WORK TIME on group analysis of Dr. King’s speech

If your group finishes early, use the extra time to keep reading Herrick and completing your reverse outline notes.

Wednesday, September 5

Key question:  What are the features of rhetoric that set it apart from other types of discourse?

Starter 9.5:  Freewrite on one of the following ethical questions surrounding rhetoric.

1.  Should persuasion only be used in the service of truth?

-OR-

2.  Is it ethical to use rhetoric to achieve power over people?

Lesson:  RHETORIC AS A TYPE OF DISCOURSE

"I Have a Dream" Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

• Listen intently and annotate for the characteristics of rhetorical discourse that Herrick outlines in his article. (review Powerpoint)

What are the components of the Rhetorical Triangle?

1.  What is the message?

2.  Who is MLK Jr.?

3.  Who is the audience?

4.  What is the purpose?

5.  What is the historical context?

Group Work:  Rhetorical Analysis of “I Have a Dream”

HOMEWORK

Complete Herrick article and Reverse Outline by Friday.

Tuesday, September 4

Starter (VERBAL PAIR SHARE) At this point in your thinking, how would you answer these questions:

• How is the study of history an ideological act? 
• How do our (ideological) perspectives on the present impact how we view history and vice versa?

BURY MY HEART QUESTIONS…
(Where should these questions be answered?)

(Where can I find out what I missed if I'm absent?)

(What am I missing from the Digital Comp Book?)

REVIEW “Re-examining the Revolution”
What is Ray Raphael trying to persuade us of? Is his argument convincing? Why or why not? How might your personal ideology impact whether or not you were convinced by his argument?


INTRO TO RHETORIC!
Today's goal: be able to define rhetoric and give examples

Examples of Persuasion: Two pep talks

Tyler Durden's Speech

1. What is his message?
2. Is it convincing? Why?
3. How does he appeal to his audience?



A Pep Talk from Kid President

1. What is his message?
2. Is it convincing? Why?
3. How does he appeal to his audience?

What is rhetoric?
1. Look up definitions (solo or partners) and then paraphrase in your own words.

• Definitions of "rhetoric": http://www.americanrhetoric.com/rhetoricdefinitions.htm

2. Begin reading "An Overview of Rhetoric" by James Herrick. Read through (including) page 7, the section called "Defining Rhetoric."


Mini-lesson: An Overview of Rhetoric

WORK TIME/HOMEWORK for tomorrow
1. Read Herrick article, an "An Overview of Rhetoric" through p 17, you may STOP at the header RHETORIC AS AN ART.

2. Reverse Outline Due Friday (Quiz on this content!)