Classical Rhetoric

This rigorous 1/2 high school credit online course, designed for Advanced Placement or equivalent level students (primarily 11-12 grade, but strong 10th graders may also take it), is a deep dive into Aristotle's Rhetoric. By exploring political philosophy, ethics, and traditional psychology, students aim to enhance their public speaking and persuasive skills. The course structure involves reading key texts, analyzing model speeches from figures like Homer, Plato, and Abraham Lincoln, and participating in lively discussions. It's intellectually demanding, as students must thoroughly grasp Aristotle's text before the course begins.

Key assessment criteria include active participation, completion of quizzes, and performance in exams. To ensure full engagement, students need access to specific textbooks ('Classical Rhetoric', 'Rhetoric - How to Read a Book', and 'Figures of Speech') and a USB headset or microphone for online discussions. The course prerequisites are Traditional Logic I and II, or equivalent, with an option to take Material Logic and Classical Rhetoric concurrently.