Rhetoric in Law and Politics

Jacob Gersen & Adrian Vermeule

  • Jacob Gersen

Course Requirements (1) Seminar participation will be a significant component of the final grade. (2) Students will also be required to write three response papers, between 1,000 and 2,500 words, on any of the readings. Papers should be submitted through Canvas by 5 pm two (2) days before the session in which those readings will be discussed, except that response papers on the first session may be submitted at any time. Papers need not conduct a close textual parsing of the readings; the idea is to address an important puzzle, problem or theme at issue in the readings, in order to generate class discussion.

2 Ethos & Masks 2 Ethos & Masks

2.1. Goffman, Presentation of Self in Everyday Life

Goffman, Presentation of Self in Everyday Life

2.2. Cass Sunstein, Constitutional Personae (excerpts)

Cass Sunstein, Constitutional Personae (excerpts)

2.3. Demosthenes, Against Conon

Demosthenes, Against Conon
H2O

Rhetoric in Law and Politics

Jacob Gersen

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Table of contents

  1. 1

    Role and Rhetoric

  2. 2

    Ethos & Masks

    1. 2.1

      Goffman, Presentation of Self in Everyday Life

    2. 2.2

      Cass Sunstein, Constitutional Personae (excerpts)

    3. 2.3

      Demosthenes, Against Conon

  3. 3

    Norm and Exception

  4. 4

    Fig Leaves and (False?) Modesty

  5. 5

    Pretext

  6. 6

    Political Eulogies

  7. 7

    Legal Eulogies

  8. 8

    Avoidance

  9. 9

    Speech Acts

  10. 10

    Ridicule & Insults

  11. 11

    Rhetoric & Administration

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