COM 303 Rhetorical Perspectives in Organizational Communication Fall, 2017
Day Two:

Defining Rhetoric
http://interactivemedia.bradley.edu/ell/303/intro1.html

Hoffman/Ford Chapter 1
-the rhetoric, rhetorical discourse/artifact= the product of the strategic symbol use;
-rhetorical theory: the principles;
-rhetorical criticism (also called communication analysis): critical examination of the rhetorical complex;
-using a combination of critical methods and rhetorical theory.

-Organizations as structures that coordinate the action of members toward common goals.
-Communication provides the means for construction and display of the structures, actions, and goals.

-Organizational Rhetoric: organizations’ strategic use of symbols to influence thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in and outside the organization.

-Speaker/Situation/Message/Audience complex

-Goals for study: determine effectiveness (but not just as financial bottom line); understand and judge organizational presentation of identity; understand and judge organizational presentation of power; improve our organizational theories/explanations/behaviors.

-The process: Figure 1.2, page 20.

Plato
http://interactivemedia.bradley.edu/ell/303/plato.html

-eventually, we will compare and contrast Plato and Aristotle (and the approaches of others). Theirs present some key features and tensions.

-Plato sets the philosophical IDEAL for the West (including rhetoric): TRUTH.

-Rhetoric struggles with ideals as it is CONTINGENT.

-Plato presented the primary attacks and (perhaps) an important rehabilitation.
-In some ways, Plato wins in the West. In other ways, Aristotle will be shown to prevail.