Rhetoric: Rhetorical Argumentation

<p>The ability to argue well is a key competence in a democratic society—for citizens, decision-makers, professionals, and students alike. This course develops your ability to analyse, evaluate, and produce persuasive argumentation, with focus on how arguments function in public communication.</p><p>The course provides you with an analytical vocabulary and practical tools for understanding what constitutes strong and responsible argumentation. Rather than focusing on traditional formal logic, the course approaches real-life argumentation from the perspective of argumentation theory, often referred to as informal logic. A central theoretical framework is Pragma-Dialectical theory, complemented by rhetorical perspectives on how arguments work, persuade, and achieve impact in practice. </p><p>You will engage with key concepts and themes in argumentation theory, such as the elements of argumentation, enthymemes, fallacies, the evaluation of arguments, and the relationship between logical soundness and rhetorical effectiveness. The course addresses argumentation in mass media as well as in social media and is relevant for students from all faculties and disciplines. </p><p>The course is offered at advanced level (A1N) within the main field of Language and Linguistics. The language of instruction is English. By special agreement between the teacher and the students, the course may also be conducted in Swedish, provided that all participants are proficient in Swedish.</p>