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Deconstruction of historical oratory or a history of persuasion

Having flourished during the classical period, the art of speechmaking was reinvented by humanists, who made increasing use of their oratory skills. Forums such as the parliament, the Imperial Diet, synods, conventions and the justice system, some of which had been newly created, required and provided the perfect setting for debate and public speaking. We will look into historical oratory, considering the changing European public and representation as well as in the context of political and cultural conflicts in North and South America.

Preparatory phase, brief presentations incl. discussion, group work incl. reading of (source) texts

Continuous participation, presentation and written paper

P. Bizzell/B. Herzberg (eds.), The Rhetorical Tradition: Readings, 2nd edition 2001; M. Kaufhold, Große Reden der Weltgeschichte, 2007; J. Feuchter/J. Helmrath (eds.), Die Oratorik europäischer Parlamente, 2008; G. Ueding (ed.), Historisches Wörterbuch der Rhetorik, 10 vols., 1992-2012.

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