Projects

FALL 2020: Rhetoric, Ideology and the Democratic Experiment



PROJECT DESCRIPTION BELOW

Deconstructing America:  Rhetoric, Ideology, and the Democratic Experiment

“America is so vast that almost everything said about it is likely to be true, and the opposite is probably equally true.”  -James T. Farrell

America, in addition to being a geographic location and a political entity, can be thought of as a set of ideas, or ideologies, that are always evolving.  Ideologies are the frameworks through which human beings interpret their world; our perspectives, choices, and experiences are largely shaped by our own ideological identities.  In this project,  we will examine our ideological experience as Americans and how we arrive at our political views.  We will look closely at political discourse in an effort to deconstruct the ideas upon which American society is based.  A necessary part of this process will be examining our own ideas about America and being willing to have those ideas challenged by perspectives that differ from our own.  The United States of America is—and has always been—an ideologically diverse nation. Can we ever come to an absolute truth about  what America is meant to be, with her beautifully multifaceted nature?  She contains so many meanings for so many people.  Is hers a story of pain and oppression, or is it the success story of the most persevering people in the history of humankind?  Could both be true?  

Ideology is primarily transmitted by language, and as such, by the exchange of ideas that is constantly occurring in our lives through interpersonal communication and consumption of media. Throughout the project, we will study the art of Rhetoric, one of the pillars of the humanities throughout the history of Western education.  Rhetoric, although its meaning is complex, can be roughly defined as symbolic expression designed to modify the perspective of its audience, ie. language and images that seek to persuade, animate, motivate, etc.  It is often taught in college composition classes as argumentative writing and expression.  In order to craft effective arguments, you must first understand issues in complex and nuanced ways; therefore, we will dig into a diversity of opinions on American politics before originating your own rhetorical discourse that reflects your perspective on an issue important to you as a young American.  In order for democracy to work, we must learn how to disagree civilly, argue effectively, and compromise when necessary.   You will seek to convince your audience through the use of Rogerian argumentation, a rhetorical strategy that requires you to explore the value system behind opposing views. The goal of this project is not merely that you learn to defend your positions with solid argumentation, but that you show the complexity of your understanding by building common ground with your audience. 

Essential Questions

• What does it mean to be an "American"?
• What ideologies are central to the American experience and how do Americans divide up politically?
• What is the relationship between ideology and rhetoric?
• What do I believe about America, and how has my political ideology been formed by my value systems, my experiences, and my encounters with rhetorical discourse?
• What do people who disagree with me believe about America and how has their ideology been influenced by these forces?
• What important rhetorical contributions can I make to the conversation that is playing out in our democracy?  

The Project:  Deconstruct to Reconstruct

"As long as the differences and diversities of mankind exist, democracy must allow for compromise, for accommodation, and for the recognition of differences." -Eugene McCarthy

Topic Choice:  Framing the Binary, Choosing Sides

In the spirit of deconstruction, we will work with two-sided issues that appear to be in binary opposition; (in order to find shades of gray, you must first start with black and white).  You may choose one of the yes/no controversial questions from the procon.org website, from Intelligence Squared debates, or you may choose your own “left v. right” issue--with my approval--that you glean from the political climate. Your main issue must be framed as a binary (yes/no question) and involve a clash of ideology or value systems (ie. differing assumptions about what America means and/or what is best for her).

Part 1 – Your connection to the topic. (PERSONAL ESSAY: 750ish Words)

Thesis Generator: How have you come to hold your opinion on your topic? What people have you known or life experiences have you had that have shaped your perspective on your topic? What values and American ideals underlie your perspective on the topic?

• You do not need outside sources for this section unless you have already been personally shaped by one.  Your evidence should come from your personal experience.
• Be creative and narrative with this part!

Part 2 – Research BOTH sides:  What ideology is contained in the rhetoric?

• Overall, where is the “pro” side coming from?  What is driving this side of the argument?
• Look at the best arguments for the “pro” side.  Look at the ideological and factual arguments (logos). Analyze the quality and character of the sources (ethos). Look at how the rhetoric boils down to foundational American ideals and/or values (pathos).  
• Overall, where is the “con” side coming from?  What is driving this side of the argument?
• Look at the best arguments for the “con” side.  Look at the ideological and factual arguments (logos). Analyze the quality and character of the sources (ethos). Look at how the rhetoric boils down to foundational American ideals and/or values (pathos).
• REMEMBER! Most of these issues will not be absolute binaries, not black and white, but rather varied shades of gray.  Let your research dig into those shades while recognizing that most perspectives fall closer to one side or the other.
• EMPATHY INTERVIEWS!  One of your research sources must be a personal interview with a human being that holds a different view than you do (from the “other” side of the ideological spectrum).  Perhaps you sit down with a family member, a classmate, or another community in order to discover where their thinking on the topic comes from.

Part 3 – Rogerian Rhetoric: Building Common Ground

Rogerian argumentation urges the cultivation of multiple perspectives based on nuanced thinking.  It identifies common goals and shared values while acknowledging opposing views in a non-confrontational way.

It is focused on mutually-beneficial compromise, not merely on winning the argument.

You will craft an argument that seeks to communicate your perspective to your audience, while establishing common ground and/or offering a spirit-of-compromise solution and/or with an audience that might disagree with you.  The idea here is to demonstrate our learning about the complexity of political issues, while staying true to our own political identities and expressing ourselves with rhetorical artistry.

Project Options

• Open Letter
• Op-Ed
• Spoken Word Poem
• Speech or TED Talk
• Video
• Other?

***Your project will have a TEXTUAL ARGUMENT as well as a piece of VISUAL RHETORIC to engage your audience.  Note that for some of the suggested project genres, the visual component is not obvious.  It will be up to you to decide how you will use visual rhetoric to engage your audience.

****Your project should….

• make a significant contribution to the conversation surrounding your issue, successfully employing the Four A’s of rhetoric:  Argument, Appeals, Arrangement, and Aesthetics.

• make connections to the underlying American values that impact perspectives on your issue.
• demonstrate that thorough research was done and that you understand opposing viewpoints.
• build common ground AND/OR offer a solution that considers both sides of the argument.
• demonstrate skillful use of ethos, pathos and logos.
• avoid logical fallacies.
• exemplify beautiful work.

Part 4 – Engaging Audience:  The Exhibition

A dialogue-based evening where you exhibit your projects and have conversations of substance with community members on your topics.  As a class, we will design this experience together.

Socratic Seminar?  Last year, we had a seminar on politics with community members, using “Willing to be Disturbed” as a core text.  We can decide together if this is the direction we want to take our exhibition.

Part 5: Reflection-  Use any or all of the following questions to guide you, or run another idea by me. (750 Words Min., First Person)

• Now that you have looked at both sides more deeply, how and why has your perspective shifted?  
• What do you now understand about your own values that you didn’t before?
• What do you understand about the “other side’s” values that you didn’t before?
• What have you learned about democracy after completing this project?
• How have your political views changed as a result of this project?