Reference no: EM133580588
The overall goal of the assignment is to demonstrate understanding and utilize the concepts of rhetoric, audience, representation, etc., in the actual analysis of an artifact.
In this assignment, identify one aspect of the FAU campus or experience that exhibits rhetorical force and significance to some or all of the University community and A) explain why it appears to have this rhetorical impact, B) articulate the set of values or work that has gone into giving it some significance to part/all of the community and C) consider the ease (or lack thereof) of altering its symbology and message.
Free to select ANY symbol, text, structure, artwork, location, department, function, or avenue of the university and of "university life." In the selection, remember that "rhetoric" is associated with "communication". This is NOT an assignment that is meant to find some aspect of university life and convince that it is (or should be) important. Rather, it is an effort to study the communicative force of a "message." It is important to understand whether this "communicates" and whether that communication attempts to influence audiences. The mere existence - for example - of a university swim team is not, by itself, rhetorical. Flyers promoting the swim team and asking you to join or to attend a meet, by contrast, do exhibit rhetorical elements. A statue, a flag, or an artwork, however, are often intended to communicate.
Mechanics
Please include a two-three page paper that identifies two elements of the Florida Atlantic University campus that exhibit rhetorical force. Provide an analysis of the artifact/text.
Composition and grammar will be assessed, so take special care to make sure the essay is polished and meets all standard practices for academic work. Use any style format (MLA or Chicago are traditionally predominant for Communication Studies work). Remember to remain consistent in the use of the format, and all citation/bibliographic information must follow that style guide.
Organization
Structure essay, in any preferred, must include the following elements:
Identification of the item/structure/artifact and consideration of its "value(s)" (as you understand it)
Consideration of the audience(s) impacted by this text and the context, usage, and history that give the item its rhetorical force [in short, why does it have the value it seems to have]
An argument (with reasons and explanation) that the item should have MORE or LESS value than it is currently given. This should show an understanding of what it would take to achieve raising (or lowering) the item's rhetorical force. In other words, after showing an understanding of the item and the audience, consider what it would take for the rhetorical value of the object to be moved/altered.