II Rhetoric

New Course – Foundations of Rhetoric

Starts March 5

Late Registration Extended Till April 1!

For inquiries contact: alex.rosenthal@petrarch-institute.com

Description:

From where does the art of Rhetoric come, and what is its significance?The Ancient Athenian statesman Pericles in his famous Funeral Oration said that “we alone regard the man who takes no interest in public affairs not as a harmless; but as a useless character…” Unlike other ancient civilizations, the Athenian citizen was not a mere obedient subject; he was expected to take on responsibility for actively helping to frame the very laws and policies which bound him. Hence rhetoric – the ability to use and understand argument and to speak persuasively – was an essential part of the classical ideal of education. The Greeks and Romans therefore devoted a great deal of thought to the how language can be used in the most effective and persuasive way possible.\r\n\r\nIn our time effective communication is at least as essential a skill if not more so—in business, politics, law, or research. The person who is able to influence others through language and ideas is well situated to achieve success in whatever walk of life he or she chooses. While the historical context has changed dramatically since ancient times, the principles of rhetoric discussed by great thinkers of the past remain timeless. In this course we shall study the best classical authors on rhetoric and endeavor to understand and apply their teachings to our contemporary context. By the end of the course students should be far more educated, eloquent and effective speakers!

 

 

“Where else is virtue praised with such passion and vice condemned with such ferocity? It is the orators who teach us how to praise the good deed and to hate the bad; it is they who teach us how to soothe, encourage, stimulate, or deter…Then, too, those figures of speech and thought, which like stars or torches illuminate our diction and give it distinction are the proper tools of the orator which we will borrow from them when we speak or write, and turn to our use as the occasion demands.In sum all the richness, power, and polish in our expression, its lifeblood as it were. we will derive from the orators.”-Leonardo Bruni, The Study of Literature

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4f/The_Young_Cicero_Reading.jpg

Foppa. The Young Cicero Reading (in public domain from wikimedia commons.)

 

Fee Information:

Audit: £25

Full Student:£150

Note -Full students will have permanent access to their chosen course whenever it is offered.

How it Works: 

1) Our Courses are Hosted by Coursesites – a Project of Blackboard – a leading company  in education technology.

2) Paid and Enrolled Students will receive an invite from the site enabling them access to the course materials.

3) Additional instructions will be contained in the welcome announcement on the site itself.

4) Any other questions? -just ask!

 

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