Classical Rhetoric

Description: An upper-level seminar course centered on Aristotle’s Rhetoric. This course is meant to provide a flexible platform for deep philosophical discussion on a wide variety of topics, but all with the intention of improving one’s ability to speak well and persuasively. As such, it involves a study of the fundamental principles of political philosophy, ethics, and traditional psychology. Students also study three model speeches as examples of the three branches of classical oratory, from Homer, Plato, and Abraham Lincoln. The grade is based upon participation, quizzes, and exams. This class is worth 1/2 a high school credit.

Grade Level: 11-12 (ages 16-18) (Strong 10th graders may take this)

Prerequisites: Traditional Logic I and II or the equivalent. Students may take Material Logic and Classical Rhetoric concurrently. Students must read Aristotle’s text well before class begins.

Required Texts: Classical Rhetoric, by Martin Cothran; Rhetoric; How to Read a Book, by Mortimer Adler; Figures of Speech, by Arthur Quinn. Students will also need a USB headset (built-in microphones also work).