Spring 2023
RHETOR 103B 001 - LEC 001
Formerly 101
Approaches and Paradigms in the History of Rhetorical Theory II
Human Origins
David W Bates
Class #:10024
Units: 4
Instruction Mode:
In-Person Instruction
Offered through
Rhetoric
Current Enrollment
Total Open Seats:
41
Enrolled: 59
Waitlisted: 0
Capacity: 100
Waitlist Max: 25
No Reserved Seats
Hours & Workload
8 hours of outside work hours per week, 1 hours of the exchange of opinions or questions on course material per week, and 3 hours of instructor presentation of course materials per week.
Final Exam
FRI, MAY 12TH
11:30 am - 02:30 pm
Cory 277
Other classes by David W Bates
Course Catalog Description
A broad consideration of the historical relationship between philosophy, literature, and rhetoric, with special emphasis on selected themes within the early modern and modern periods.
Class Description
The “human” has often been defined by its inherently rhetorical capacity, namely the ability to speak and to reason. Thinkers in the Western tradition have offered a variety of origin stories that explain the exceptional “nature” of the human. In this course, we will explore theories of reason and language through a close textual analysis of works that offer philosophical and anthropological accounts of the origin of the human. We will begin with Thomas Hobbes and read figures such as Rousseau, Marx, and Darwin, before turning to more modern authors including Leroi-Gourhan, Donna Haraway, and Bernard Stiegler.
Rules & Requirements
Repeat Rules
Course is not repeatable for credit.
Requirements class fulfills
Meets Arts & Literature, L&S Breadth
Meets Philosophy & Values, L&S Breadth
Reserved Seats
Current Enrollment
No Reserved Seats
Textbooks & Materials
See class syllabus or https://calstudentstore.berkeley.edu/textbooks for the most current information.
Guide to Open, Free, & Affordable Course Materials