Influence: the Art and Practice

The art of influence constituted one of the original liberal arts. Its central precept is trust: the sense that the speaker is genuine, speaks the truth, and shares the audience’s values. Beginning with the principles of classical rhetoric and leading up through modern decision theory and the use of influencers in social media, this course will cover established rhetorical techniques that build trust. In addition, we will practice the skills of Cicero’s five canons of oration in traditional, rich, and digital media. The class will culminate in a final project -- oration, video, persuasive essay, social-media campaign, or research paper.