A boy giving a speech.
Rhetoric classes are often categorized based on the types of topics covered in the class and the level of familiarity that students entering the class should have. Introductory classes, for example, are what new students typically take to start learning about their history, as well as the basics that are often included in rhetorical discussions. Many colleges and universities offer more advanced classes to allow students to focus on a deeper understanding of rhetoric. Some schools also offer rhetoric classes that focus on a specific application or type of rhetoric, such as political rhetoric or an analysis of rhetoric in relation to modern technology.
Several schools teach rhetoric classes. The basic idea behind rhetoric generally refers to understanding how people communicate and the different ways that persuasive or effective arguments can be formed. Studies of rhetoric have changed over the millennia since it was first explored as a subject, with many modern rhetoric classes focusing on topics other than those considered in ancient Greece.
Many schools offer introductory rhetoric classes that help students learn the basics of rhetoric. Students often learn the different terms used in rhetorical discussion, such as “logos”, “ethos”, and “pathos”, as well as develop an understanding of the history behind it. These classes can apply this understanding to modern contexts and allow students to better understand how persuasive arguments are formed.
Many colleges and universities also offer more advanced rhetoric classes, allowing students to deepen their understanding of rhetorical concepts. These classes often focus on more advanced applications of rhetoric in modern communication and classic examples. Students in these classes may need to analyze speeches made by politicians or business leaders for the use of rhetorical devices and demonstrate an understanding of the various applications of rhetoric. While somewhat similar to topics covered in introductory classes, these activities are often more complex in nature.
There are also many schools that offer rhetoric classes in specific disciplines, applying rhetorical ideas to specific contexts. A school might offer courses in political rhetoric, for example, that allow students to focus more on understanding how politicians use different devices to create more persuasive arguments. These types of rhetoric classes can focus on a wide range of different topics, often depending on topics that are relevant and important in the modern world. These topics can include anything from rhetoric and technology to the use of rhetoric in scientific discussions and how it is used to alter language on a large scale.