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21W.015

Writing and Rhetoric: Communication and Sports

3-0-9 units. HASS-H; CI-HW · Undergraduate

Introduces students to core rhetorical concepts and frameworks through both academic and professional (authentic) genres of sports communication. Discussions are centered around current issues in sports, such as sports education and values; youth development; and athlete emotional and mental health, especially at the collegiate level. Particular emphasis is paid to the use of sources, visual rhetoric, and the process of feedback and revision. Limited to 15.

Fall 2013 · Writing and Rhetoric: Writing about Sports

"Sports, not religion, is the opiate of the people." So says David Remnick, editor of the New Yorker and a former sportswriter. Many of our heroes are sports heroes, and for many of us, sports were an important part of our childhood years. Sports are big business, even on college campuses, and they are the subject of many classic movies. In this introductory writing class we consider the role of sports in our own lives and explore the cultural meanings of sports in America. Sports have produced a large body of excellent descriptive and analytic writing; we'll read writers as diverse as Hank Aaron, John Updike, David Foster Wallace, and Malcolm Gladwell on the joys and conundrums of baseball, boxing, football, tennis, and running. The primary work of the class is improving students' communication skills. We'll write and revise 3 essays, including an investigative essay, and we'll also give one short oral report. Revision is an important part of the class; all essays will be revised at least once.

Readings

  • There are no required books for this class. However, I strongly urge you to purchase a good college dictionary—not a pocket dictionary—if you do not already own one. If English is not your first language, you will need two good dictionaries.
    Listed reading
  • Some readings will be handouts or available through web links. Print out all readings—preferably before you read them!—and bring them to class so that you can participate actively in class discussions.
    Listed reading

Prerequisites & course information

Prereq: None U (Spring) 3-0-9 units. HASS-H; CI-HW Credit cannot also be received for 21W.011 , 21W.012 , 21W.013 , 21W.014

Sources