comments

contents

preface

the authors

 

 

isbn:
9781891136283
2012
304 pages
paperback
photographs

IM:
9781891136290

suggested list price: $70.00
price to college bookstores:
$56.00

 

New!

Rhetoric in Civic Life

Catherine Helen Palczewski
University of Northern Iowa

Richard Ice
Saint John's University | College of Saint Benedict

John Fritch
University of Northern Iowa

Rhetoric in Civic Life provides a richly textured introduction to rhetorical theory and concepts. Sophisticated yet accessible, it guides students in exploring rhetorical action in a democratic society.

Interweaving classical and contemporary concepts in a topical structure, the book shows how people in a diverse society shape ideas, make decisions about common concerns, and create social realities through symbolic action.

A rich array of historical and contemporary examples shows how words, images, arguments, and narratives create social and cultural identities and have consequences to civic life, public discourse and dissent, and social policies.

FEATURES

• topical organization interweaves classical and contemporary theories, illuminating rhetorical concepts through the interplay of various perspectives
• substantive, clear, engaging explanations make complex ideas accessible and pertinent to students
• abundant historical and contemporary examples illustrate the role of rhetoric in political, cultural, and social contexts, as well as in students’ own lives.
• emphasis on civic discourse focuses rhetorical concepts in terms of cultural issues and public controversies

PEDAGOGY

• key concepts listed at the beginning of each chapter
• discussion questions at the end of each chapter
• recommended readings for each chapter
• instructor’s manual

COMMENTS FROM PROFESSORS

"My hearty thanks and congratulations to the authors. This is a fantastic work and I sincerely look forward to using it in my classes."
Pat J. Gehrke, University of South Carolina

“The book provides an extremely well rounded look at rhetorical studies, including its history and its vocabulary.”
John Sloop, Vanderbilt University

"The book will make an outstanding contribution to the discipline.... It is engagingly written and sophisticated. The material was handled deftly and with a keen eye toward the construction of an overarching understanding of rhetoric as a process informed by significant classical and contemporary concerns."
Emily Plec, Western Oregon University

"This book is very effective in covering a wide range of rhetorical theories. The presentation is easy to understand and very well organized by themes that are relevant in contemporary rhetorical scholarship."
Stacey Sowards, University of Texas at El Paso

"This book offers a broad range of contemporary theorists while still giving the students a good introduction to the classics. One of the things I appreciate the most about this book is the wide range of topics and theorists that are included. I believe that students would get a well-rounded, thorough introduction to the study of rhetoric as well as many useful tools for the critical analysis of rhetoric."
Judith Hendry, University of New Mexico

"Though it focuses on contemporary approaches to rhetoric, it is very thoroughly grounded in the rhetorical tradition. The text makes clear that rhetoric plays as important a role in the lives of citizens today as it did in the Athenian polis of the 5th and 4th centuries BCE, and highlights the unity and coherence of rhetorical study."
Matthew J. Sobnosky, Hofstra University

"The humanistic emphasis is very welcome. It is a good introduction to many common concepts in rhetorical studies. It is readable, and the examples are diverse."
Nathan Stormer, University of Maine

"The authors utilize the work of a dazzling variety of scholars, often putting them in 'a conversation' with each other, particularly when these scholars have differing (sometimes conflicting) perspectives on a concept/topic. They do this in a way that would allow me, as the teacher, to broaden students’ critical thinking about rhetoric and theory in general. The quality and quantity of rhetorical thinking that is presented in this book is a definite strength."
Linda Czuba Brigance, SUNY Fredonia

"I want to commend the authors for approaching rhetorical theory from a conceptual standpoint."
Ron Greene, University of Minnesota

"This is a much needed and expertly written book that ranges across the many cultural, theoretical, and practical contexts in which rhetoric and symbolic action function as vital forces in public life. It offers an ideal combination of breadth and depth, bringing together accessible explanations of important concepts with appropriate and engaging examples."
Bonnie Dow, Vanderbilt University

"strong focus on civic/public rhetoric, clear writing that seems to me appropriate to an undergraduate audience, and a philosophically informed approach to rhetorical theory."
Lenore Langsdorf, Southern Illinois University

"The authors’ treatment of the public and of persona is both strong and indicative of the most important factors in the historical and future direction of communication research."
Lin Allen, University of Northern Colorado

"The strength of the book is its provision of some basic rhetorical concepts that are usefully translated to twentieth century examples."
Janis Edwards, University of Alabama

"By combining intriguing examples, both historical and contemporary, with solid articulations of rhetorical theory, this book teaches that rhetoric can be a functional tool for critically analyzing ourselves and the world in which we live. The depth and sophistication of this text challenges students to think and deploy rhetorical theories in a way that is both practical and meaningful to all of our lives."
Pat J. Gehrke, University of South Carolina

"I love that the authors have included a great many examples related to gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, class, environment, and other areas that are often overlooked in rhetorical scholarship."
Stacey Sowards, University of Texas at El Paso

"The writing is fluid with many contemporary and historical examples that serve to clarify and add interest to the book."
Judith Hendry, University of New Mexico

"The authors provide rich detailed examples and do so in a voice that I admire greatly. It seems to talk to the students as if the reader is bright and competent."
John Sloop, Vanderbilt University

"Detailed discussion of rhetorical terms with insightful examples is a strength."
Jerry Miller, Ohio University

“Another strength is the array of issues and critical perspectives, allowing educators to pull from other courses on rhetoric and assist students to create a more rounded view on rhetorical functions of discourse.”
Noemi Marin, Florida Atlantic University

"The great strength of this book is the combination of its wide-ranging content with excellent, helpful examples. I found that most of the topics I would include in a rhetorical theory book were present, along with additional material that more often than not I would have previously thought too difficult for undergraduates."
Dylan Wolfe, Clemson University

"The authors’ knowledge and genuine love of the topic come through clearly."
Michael McFarland, Stetson University

"Rhetoric in Civic Life explains why rhetoric matters."
Jennifer Asenas, California State University, Long Beach

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Catherine Helen Palczewski is professor of communication studies, former director of debate, and an affiliate faculty member in Women’s and Gender Studies at the University of Northern Iowa. She received her BS, MA, and PhD from Northwestern University. She teaches courses in rhetorical theory, the rhetoric of social protest, rhetorical criticism, argumentation, gender in communication, and political communication. She coedits Argumentation and Advocacy. She has published essays in that journal, as well as in the Quarterly Journal of Speech, Communication Studies, NWSA Journal, and the Southern Communication Journal. She has also published numerous book chapters. She has served on the editorial boards of the Quarterly Journal of Speech, Argumentation and Advocacy, Women’s Studies in Communication, Communication Studies, Controversia, Communication Monographs, and the Southern Communication Journal. She has received the Francine Merritt Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Lives of Women in Communication, the Iowa Regents Award for Faculty Excellence, the University of Northern Iowa College of Humanities and Fine Arts Faculty Excellence Award, the George Ziegelmueller Outstanding Debate Educator Award, and the Rohrer Award for the Outstanding Publication in Argumentation. In 2001, she was the keynote speaker at the AFA/NCA Summer Conference on Argumentation, a conference she will direct in 2013. 

Richard Ice is professor of communication and academic dean at the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University. He received his AB from Wabash College. He received his MA and PhD from the University of Iowa. He teaches courses in rhetorical analysis, classical rhetoric, freedom of speech, public address, group communication, and organizational communication. He has published essays in Management Communication Quarterly and Communication Quarterly, as well as several book chapters. He has received the St. John’s University Robert L. Spaeth Teacher of Distinction Award and the College of St. Benedict / St. John’s University Academic Advisor Award.

John Fritch is professor of communication studies and associate dean of the College of Humanities, Arts and Sciences at the University of Northern Iowa. He received his BA from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. His MA and PhD are from the University of Kansas. He teaches courses in rhetorical theory, language and communication, and ethics. He coedits Argumentation and Advocacy. He has published essays in that journal, as well as in the Southern Journal of Forensics, several editions of the published papers of the biannual NCA/AFA conference on argumentation, and A Century of Transformation: Studies in Honor of the 100th Anniversary of the Eastern Communication Association. Formerly, he was the director of forensics at Southwest Missouri State University. Currently, he is the director of the National Debate Tournament. He has received the Donn W. Parson Young Educator Award, the Outstanding Teaching Award from the College of Arts and Letters at Missouri State University, and the Outstanding Graduate Faculty Member in Communication Studies Award at Missouri State. He was recognized as a Centennial Scholar by the Eastern Communication Association.