"Changing Neural Pathways Every Class Period"

"The ability to persuade and argue lies at the very heart of the democratic ideal."

Persuasion and Argumentation

Tentative Schedule

2012

Week	Date	Topic	Assignment
1	1.24	Course Introduction Audience Analysis	W 1,2,3*
2	1.31	Toulmin Model	W 4,5,6
3	2.7	Claims/Evidence	W 7,8,9
4	2.14	Building a Case Refutation	W 10, Appendix
5	2.21	Mid-Term Exam
6	2.28	Groups 1, 2, 3, 4^
7	3.6	Groups 5, 6, 7^ Intro. to Persuasion
		Spring Break ☺	GS 1, 2, 3, 4*
8	3.20	Learning Theories Consistency Theories	GS 5, 6, 7, 8
9	3.27	Social Judgment Attribution Theory	GS 9, 10, 11
10	4.3	Yale Group	GS 12, 13, 14
11	4.10	Fishbein’s Approach Persuasive Campaigns	GS 15, 16
12	4.17	Groups 1, 2, 3 & 4^
13	4.24	Groups 5, 6, 7 & 8^
14	5.1	Final Exam

^ Written reports are due 1 week after the oral presentation.

* W = Weston book, GS = Gass & Seiter

So what What will I learn?

1) How to develop effective arguments for designated audiences.

2) How to apply the major theories of persuasion to real-world situations.

What will I do?

1) Work in a team to analyze and critique contemporary debate issues.

2) Work in a team to create a persuasive campaign.

3) Take two major tests.

7 Questions to guide your thinking...
Can you prove it?

So what?

What are your assumptions?

What is effectiveness?

What is the pattern?

What can you do about it?

Is it ethical?

"You're not right because others agree with you, but because your facts are right."
- Warren Buffett (Fortune, 04.21.2005, p. 92)