It truly amazes me of how much homework we all have at the beginning of the semester, it seems like once we all begin, the first month is a catch-up game followed quickly by midterms and then another round of catch-up as a lot of us stop caring....
But truly, I like my classes this semester, and the readings are enjoyable, which is probably why I'm actually doing them. For instance, I am taking a very unique class entitled Utopia: Temptation of Hope and is part of the ILS Department. Granted, it is the first ILS class that I've taken and on the first day, it was clear that a lot of other people in the class know a lot more than I do, but I am determined to keep at it. I mean what really is Utopia anyway? Isn't the direct translation "no place," meaning it doesn't exist? And if "Utopia" can never be found, even though we all yearn for it, then truly what is the point? Reality is that you'll only be as happy as you let yourself be anyways, and some sort of ideal commune where you only work 4 hours a day is not going to help your situation if you, yourself, are not already happy. But I guess that's only my opinion, and considering I've never taken a class on Utopia, it doesn't mean very much. Well, I can deal with that though....
On another note, I am also taking my first and only International Studies course, which is very interesting and just makes me wish I was anywhere but here. Mostly, we discuss current events of Latin America...the corruption, stereotypes, but also the good parts. I mean, if you take a survey on campus, you will find that a lot of people have studied or traveled abroad, most to Latin America. It makes me wonder what Latin America or these other places offer that we all can't seem to find here. Is it the sense of excitement or adventure? Maybe being on our own for the first time, having to make new friends and truly put yourself out there? The new living conditions? I often ponder what makes us leave the U.S., the land of opportunities....but moreso, I ponder why we always want to go back and discover more.
Besides that, my course are pretty standard (and I'm not giving a description of this course because I figure you guys already know the deal). I'm taking a history class...it's ok. Not sure if I like the style of the class, but whatever, I try to live on the edge. So, to sum it up, I'm looking forward to my classes this semester although I hate being behind, even though I feel that it will pass. For the most part though, I'm looking forward to the semester ending and to be on my way, utilizing what I learn and hopefully making some sort of difference in the world that I'm about to step into. We'll see...
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Rhetoric Is....?
I think that rhetoric is a very tricky subject, let alone word to define. For instance, rhetoric mean a lot of different things for many different people. For some, rhetoric takes on a negative connotation. For other people, they realize the use of rhetoric is not only unavoidable, but actually helpful and meaningful, whether giving a speech in front of an audience or simply having a discussing (over the phone or otherwise) with a best friend.
So how did I view rhetoric? I, probably like many of you, saw rhetoric as something negative. When asked what rhetoric is, I usually think of the statement that a kid in my class always used to say, "That's just empty rhetoric." To me, before reading any of articles discussing what rhetoric was, I thought it was simply the use of persuasion and words/speech to make other (maybe less intelligent or easily swayed members of the public) change their mind and join the bandwagon. Although I thought that rhetoric may, in fact, be useful (i.e. if you were a politician, lawyer, etc.) it is not, necessarily, good.
But after the readings, I realize that this is not the full story. Although rhetoric is very much involved in the use of persuasion, it can also be defined as the study of effective speaking and writing (Silva Rhetoricae). The same source also states that fundamentally, rhetoric not only involves perceiving how language is at work, but also how one becomes proficient in applying rhetoric (or effective speaking and writing) in their everyday functions.
Furthermore, to understand rhetoric, a point must be made to make a distinction between form and content or between what's said and how one says it. Yet, this difference between form and content is not always easy to distinguish between, because it is said to be "artificial and conditional." As Aristotle put it, it's the difference between logos or logical content of a speech and lexis or the style and delivery (Silva Rhetoricae). It's so important now to understand what rhetoric is, because the forms of communicating with each other are always changing.
Finally, today's readings have also changed my perception of the use of rhetoric-it's not just "empty talk." Rhetoric is used everyday, whether we know we are using it or not. Not only do we plan it, but we also adapt it to the audience that present it to. For instance, me writing in this blog to the members of the class. Furthermore, as stated by James A. Herrick in The History and Theory of Rhetoric: An Introduction, rhetoric can also reveal human motives (such as a professor's true feelings on an issue) and provokes response from an audience. Thus, rhetoric (as stated by Herrick) not only tests ideas, but also assists advocacy, addresses contingent issues, distributes power, discovers facts, shapes knowledge, and finally builds community. Thus, rhetoric can be a very useful tool to not only find the truth, but to allow the truth to be known and acted upon. Rhetoric, in fact, can be a good thing.
Thus, my definition of rhetoric, since the readings, has changed. Rhetoric is something that we, as individuals who communicate with one another in any way, use everyday. It is not necessarily negative or "empty speech" nor is it necessarily always good. Rhetoric is used in the formal as well as the informal settings and has a new-found importance today, simply because of all the new forms of communication that we have. Rhetoric is the use of certain symbols (language, writing, signs) to convey what one means effectively.
So how did I view rhetoric? I, probably like many of you, saw rhetoric as something negative. When asked what rhetoric is, I usually think of the statement that a kid in my class always used to say, "That's just empty rhetoric." To me, before reading any of articles discussing what rhetoric was, I thought it was simply the use of persuasion and words/speech to make other (maybe less intelligent or easily swayed members of the public) change their mind and join the bandwagon. Although I thought that rhetoric may, in fact, be useful (i.e. if you were a politician, lawyer, etc.) it is not, necessarily, good.
But after the readings, I realize that this is not the full story. Although rhetoric is very much involved in the use of persuasion, it can also be defined as the study of effective speaking and writing (Silva Rhetoricae). The same source also states that fundamentally, rhetoric not only involves perceiving how language is at work, but also how one becomes proficient in applying rhetoric (or effective speaking and writing) in their everyday functions.
Furthermore, to understand rhetoric, a point must be made to make a distinction between form and content or between what's said and how one says it. Yet, this difference between form and content is not always easy to distinguish between, because it is said to be "artificial and conditional." As Aristotle put it, it's the difference between logos or logical content of a speech and lexis or the style and delivery (Silva Rhetoricae). It's so important now to understand what rhetoric is, because the forms of communicating with each other are always changing.
Finally, today's readings have also changed my perception of the use of rhetoric-it's not just "empty talk." Rhetoric is used everyday, whether we know we are using it or not. Not only do we plan it, but we also adapt it to the audience that present it to. For instance, me writing in this blog to the members of the class. Furthermore, as stated by James A. Herrick in The History and Theory of Rhetoric: An Introduction, rhetoric can also reveal human motives (such as a professor's true feelings on an issue) and provokes response from an audience. Thus, rhetoric (as stated by Herrick) not only tests ideas, but also assists advocacy, addresses contingent issues, distributes power, discovers facts, shapes knowledge, and finally builds community. Thus, rhetoric can be a very useful tool to not only find the truth, but to allow the truth to be known and acted upon. Rhetoric, in fact, can be a good thing.
Thus, my definition of rhetoric, since the readings, has changed. Rhetoric is something that we, as individuals who communicate with one another in any way, use everyday. It is not necessarily negative or "empty speech" nor is it necessarily always good. Rhetoric is used in the formal as well as the informal settings and has a new-found importance today, simply because of all the new forms of communication that we have. Rhetoric is the use of certain symbols (language, writing, signs) to convey what one means effectively.
Myself.
Hello Everyone!
My name is Staci and I am a first time blog user. There's not too much to know about me except that I am pretty much a typical college student ready to graduate, leave this town, and see what I become. I have many interests, including everything from reading a good book to playing basketball. I recently got a cat name Jinx, who is my first real pet and ended up being a real handful. I recently (about a year ago) took a trip to Colombia, South America which truly expanded my horizons. I made many life-long friends and hope to return in the near future. The trip also opened my eyes to traveling, which I also enjoy, and hope to do more of. So basically, that's me! I will not only post little pieces of info about my life, but also some assignments for my 201 class. I'm hoping to have an excellent semester...
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