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Institut für Amerikastudien Institut für Amerikastudien

Mag. Georg Engel Mag. Georg Engel

610009

"The Hidden (?) Persuaders": Political and Religious Rhetoric in the US

PS 2

wöch.

keine Angabe

Englisch

Understanding how the persuasive power of speeches is used in the political power game and in a socio-religious context.

This proseminar will deal with the rhetoric of a wide variety of political and religious speeches such as inaugural addresses (Kennedy, Clinton, George W. Bush), election campaign speeches, presidential war messages to Congress (Wilson, FDR, George W. Bush after 9/11), historical speeches about political and social issues and causes (slavery, civil rights, women’s rights, gay rights, Vietnam War etc.) and fictional speeches as well as sermons by televangelists. We also want to look at similarities and potential mutual influences of political and religious rhetoric. Thus the main focus of the proseminar will be twofold: on the one hand, an in-depth analysis of the rhetorical and persuasive means used by these speakers/preachers to captivate an audience, and, on the other hand, the contemporary and historical context of speeches which reflect and highlight important phases, developments or events in American History.

Short lecture inputs; analysis of political texts (written, oral, visuals, video); student presentations; discussion; final exam

Students must have passed the "Introduction to American Literature and Culture" to attend this course
Beginn: 10.10.2006