Contemporary Politicians use some of Cicero's rhetorical techniques without being aware that they are doing so. Some are funny, and a blogger, Miss Khem has made a collection of them. I'm not sure that Cicero would approve of the uses to which Rhetoric was put in the last campaign, but you might enjoy reading some of the quotes. Click on the picture to the right.
I hope you all enjoy the long weekend. Do watch the video above to learn the reason behind why we have a Labor Day. It wasn't always about cookouts and that sort of thing. We may spend some time looking at the relationship between labor organizing and Democracy. We'll see.
I'd also like to have you look at the video "Creativity and Play" from the Ted Talks series. You may hear me say "play around with that idea" once in awhile during the semester (more than once in awhile, actually). The video will give you a reason why I use that phrase.
The Rest of this section of the syllabus for the day should look familiar to you. There's a reason for this. Trust me. Part of my "getting to know you" involves getting a sense of what you can do--what come easy to you, what you find difficult, how you analyze things, what kind of questions arise in your mind, how you resolve issues of agreement or dissagreement, and all that sort of thing. We're going to work on that this week and a little into next, as well. Cicero on the Lawsis nine pages long, single spaced. I would like to have you read it two times. Cicero is not an easy read. You might want to start on this early, if you have the time.
The first time I want you to just read it, and not "study" it. I want you to time yourself, and mark down the time at the end of the reading. This is NOT a race, and there is no prize. Read this at a speed which is comfortable for you.
The second time, I want you to study it, but in some some special ways.
I want you to identify the parts you are certain you understand, the parts you think you probably understand, the parts you have doubts you understand, and the parts you need help and discussion to better your understanding. Use whatever marking system is easiest for you. Do it in the margins of the pages. Use a bracket to show what the section is.
I want you to also indicate where you agree with his ideas, where you disagree with his ideas, and where you have not yet made up your mind.
Then I want you to indicate which TWO ideas are the most important acccording to your judgment and understanding. Paraphrase each of those ideas in your own words at the end of the document.
Finally, I want you to review your notes on Kant. Are there any topics of discussion which appear in both readings? If so, write a short paragaph about those topics at the end of the Cicero ocument.
Make sure you have your notebook with you on Wednesday. We're going to use your notes as the basis of the class.
For Friday, September 5
No New Readings.
Review both Kant and Cicero.
I want to see if we can create a mash-up from them. What's a mashup? Click the image below to find out.
I also want to give a brief demonstration of ways you can use the adobe reader to create journal entries and store them on Bridges. If you haven't yet installed the Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer do so, and your computer is easily portable, you might want to bring it with you to class.
