COMM 453

"First we use language, and then it uses us." Kenneth Burke

The first part of this antithesis is surprising to no one. But the rejoinder violates some of our culture's basic beliefs about how language works. We see language as ephemeral: invented by a single, free and independent mind, in a moment, with the expectation of achieving a purpose that has soon passed, and the language with it. But we live constantly among evidence to the contrary: language is not ephemeral. A quick visit to any of our monuments in downtown Washington, even a visit to our favorite platitude-spouting aunt, uncle, or father, will tell us otherwise. So what happens when we take these small moments in our life and begin to study the life of a language form. Even the phrase "life of a language form" sounds strange to us. But it won't to you by the time this course is over, because this course seeks to sharpen your seeing the translucent – language.

The language with which we do everyday life extends beyond us, all around us, forming a context from which we choose and coordinate our behavior. Seeing language this way opens new perspectives on how we live our lives, in contexts of meaning, power, and action. Those who have contributed the most to our understanding of this dimension of language and action have clustered in a study known as contemporary rhetorical theory. In this class, we will begin with them, spending a few weeks seeing what they have established about the relationship between language and action. Then we will finish the semester looking all around us and seeing what the things they teach can reveal about life in our culture.

The power of the ideas we will study is such that you have been exposed to them by now. But their prominence is rather recent. Like your thinking about language, you may not have concentrated on these ideas. When they are associated with each other, they form a way of viewing human action that is different than our older ways of thinking. Indeed, the change is dramatic enough that for many of you this course may be a "conversion experience" -- a sudden realization that one former student has called "the click." I want to bring you to think about your experience of language in this certain way, to appreciate the insights provided by this way of thinking, and, I suppose, to understand why you have not thought of things that other way in the past. I want to help you "get over" to fully appreciating the power of language with which you interact every day.

Because the course is about acquiring a new perspective, before your "click" you will probably wonder where the ole' nut is coming from; after you will wonder why he is so repetitive. Such is the nature of the beast. So work hard to understand the first few weeks, and then use that understanding to see the way symbols work in the world around you.

Who is the course for?

A college curriculum is composed of many kinds of courses. Some are designed to provide you particular skills useful in a profession for which you are preparing. Another sort of course is designed to communicate information that will mark you as someone with "knowledge" even as it prepares you for Trivial Pursuit. A third sort of course is designed to challenge you to think about common knowledge in different ways. It seeks to acquaint you with the power of ideas to shape your experience. Although a well-rounded education should probably include all three of these sorts of courses, realistically different students may find themselves looking for particular types and avoiding others. If you are expecting the first sort of course above, drop this one fast. It will only frustrate you. If you are looking for the second type, you may be disappointed. This is a course of the third sort and expect it to develop with the strengths and weaknesses characteristic of such courses.

So who will find this course appropriate? It will be most exciting for students who like to be challenged to think about their experience differently, who are excited about working hard at new subject matter (but with a great deal of reward, past student evaluations say), who wish to have a richer, rather than just more, knowledge of human communication.

One other observation: this is primarily a lecture course. Some people believe that lecture courses are dull and boring and they cannot stand to sit through day after day of lecture. If that describes you, this is not the course for you. The objectives of this course demand that the instructor be the primary force in conveying the perspective. Practice or exercise will do little good until you get it and once you get it there will be opportunities to try it out. So, if you detest lecture courses, drop this one.

What knowledge should you have before you come into this course?

In one sense, the less the better. We will spend several weeks getting you to stop thinking about communication that old way. But that is an unfair answer. There is, in actuality, no material that you ought to have before you come here. Skills of synthesis will serve you well. Synthesis is important in your assimilation of the course material. The the final exam will be essay type, so will require that you be able to do more than rote repetition of material.

What will the course be like?

There will be three kinds of days in this course. The first will occur in the first four to six weeks and will be lectures about what we know about human symbolic behavior. There is really no way for you to do anything special to prepare for these lectures, just listen carefully and think about the concepts that are being discussed. I think that notes during this part of the course are important, but thinking about the things and asking questions about things you don't understand is more important.

After this section of the course, we will have the theory laid out and the second type of day will begin -- I will apply the perspective to a number of different phenomena. The more discussion from you the better, although the format will still be lecture. Notes are relatively unimportant in these sessions. In fact, my suggestion would be to write most of your notes after the lectures are over. Relax and enjoy these lectures. Ask questions where you don't understand something. Provide testimonial where you do understand and you see something that makes sense to you.

The final type of day will be days I turn the class over to you. These will be interspersed among the application lectures. You will have the opportunity to discuss some reading or some shared experience. But I want to do more than simply discuss the books on these days; I will respond to your thoughts on the broad range of the course. In mastering a perspective, your ability to articulate questions and comments in the language of the perspective is critical. Those who approach these days fully will find them essential to your learning. It is equally essential that I not dominate these days. I will react – say “you have it!” or “try it this way” – and discus whatever you wish. For a well-rounded course, however, expect these to be your opportunity. There may be lecture material you want to discuss some more. The success of these days is on your shoulders.

In general, then, I recommend this pattern of preparation to get the most out of the course: reserve some time after class each day to work on your notes and to talk about the ideas discussed that day with others from the class; come in and talk with me during office hours or at your convenience if there is something you want me to go through again; and, after we start the applications, go through the lectures after class by going back over your notes on theory.

One final recommendation: don't panic if you do not understand the course at first. In fact, don't panic until about the tenth week. (I will warn you when to push the panic button.) It will not come to everyone quickly, but the material of the course is not additive as the semester progresses, so as long as you have it by the end you will be OK.

Readings and Other Learning Resources

This course does not have a textbook in the traditional sense. In the past, I have had some books for the class to read and discuss. Given the exotic prices of books these days, I have not yet found a book that I believe is worthy of your cherished book money. This may change because I am always reading. If so, I will announce in class. All reading will be after the mid-term.

In addition, this website will contain supplemental information important to your mastery of the course. For readings that request an ID and a password, find these at the top of the printed syllabus you received on the first day of class.

Participation and Attendance

Given the size of the class I may not take attendance this semester (and if I do, it will be a bookkeeping exercise so I can tell if you are giving yourself a chance to "get" the course). But don't let that discourage you from attending class. There is no textbook that covers the material that will be covered in class. The website will provide you "notes." But this is a course where "notes" are virtually worthless. Because the key to the course is not information but perspective, the information contained in notes will not have its full meaning unless you are in class to acquire the perspective. So, you probably will not master the course material.

After the first few weeks, there are not even notes. If your classmates are doing a good job in the course, they won't even have notes. They will be listening to the lectures, not capturing them in notes. So if you get notes, they are probably from someone who doesn't get it. So, good reason to be in class.

Finally, on those days when you have the opportunity to discuss your understandings, to discuss the books, you are preparing for the final essay exam. Miss those days and you simply will be less prepared.

So, my not taking attendance is not because attendance is unimportant. On the contrary, it is because the importance of attendance should be so obvious to you that reminders should be unnecessary.

Disabilities and Religious Observances

The University of Maryland accommodates students with disabilities and recognizes the rights of students to exercise their religious rites. I ask only that you notify me during the first week of classes if you have concerns in either of these areas and require that I accommodate your needs in any way including alteration in the due date or manner of completing assignments.

A Word on Classroom Etiquette

Since the opportunity to work in the classroom is so central to this course, I am concerned that everyone assume responsibility for enhancing the learning in the classroom. I prefer that you think of the necessary behavior as common courtesy -- behaving so that if others do the same, the classroom will be an environment for learning. Just in case, let me be more stern, however. Following are some basic rules:

No talking or whispering to other students. If you have something to say, say it aloud and we will talk about it.
Be on time for class. If you are late, sit in a chair as close to the door as possible and avoid disruptive behavior.
Do not plan to leave class early. If you must, sit close to the door and leave with minimum disruption. If you have problems with physiological needs, relieve them before class or hold them.
Keep your verbal and nonverbal comments about the ideas of other students considerate and be prepared to defend judgments that you make.

The University of Maryland subscribes to policies requiring respect for other students, including policies pertaining to nondiscrimination, sexual harassment and Code of Student Conduct. Those disrupting the classroom in any way will be asked to leave the classroom after a first offense and to drop the course after subsequent problems. Disruptive behavior is defined as any behavior that distracts students concentrating on the normal operation of the class. According to university rules, I am the final judge of disruptive behavior in my classroom.

Electronics in the Classroom

Please observe the following with regard to electronics:

Audial electronics (watches, cell phones, computers, etc.) should be turned off or silenced before all classes.
Cell phones and text messaging devices are potentially disruptive and certainly inappropriate in the classroom. Those engaging them during class time may be asked to leave the classroom. Similarly, no ear phones may be worn during class. Your attention is important to mastery of the subject matter.
No laptops or other computers will be permitted in class. The most successful students in this course are not the ones with the most complete notes, but students who feel they need notes and find this too restrictive typically reserve time after class to sit down at their computer and compose notes on class. I do not mind students taking longhand notes in class, but mastering facts and information is only the first dimension of the material you need to get from the class. So, do NOT let the taking of notes distract from a more basic understanding of the perspective of the course. It is for this reason that I prohibit computers in class: I do not wish for the things said in class to pass from your ear to your fingertips without your brain engaged.
No disruptive audio or video recording will be allowed, and any recording at all can occur only with my permission. That permission will be granted only for extraordinary circumstances. Recording is no substitute for attendance.
No electronic devices of any kind will be permitted on test days.

Course Copyright Restrictions

The lectures that I deliver in this class and course materials I create and distribute for your learning, including power point presentations, tests, outlines, content of this website, and similar materials, are protected by federal copyright law as my original works. You are permitted to take notes of lectures and to use course materials for your use in this course. You are not authorized to reproduce or distribute notes of lectures or my course materials or make any commercial use of them without my express written consent. persons who sell or distribute copies or modified copies of instructors' course materials or assist another person or entity in selling or distributing those materials may be considered in violation of the University Code of Student Conduct, Part 9(k).

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