Rhetoric of Science OpenCourseWare: MIT's Free Undergraduate Rhetoric Class

Published Apr 03, 2009

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'Rhetoric: Rhetoric of Science' provides students with information about the art of discourse as it relates to the realm of science. This free OpenCourseWare from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) contains links to articles and other online study resources on the use of language to persuade. This material can be useful to students seeking a Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in Rhetoric and Writing.

Rhetoric (Rhetoric of Science): Course Specifics

Degree Level Free Audio Video Downloads
Undergraduate Yes No No Yes

Lectures/Notes Study Materials Tests/Quizzes
No Yes No

Rhetoric (Rhetoric of Science): Course Description

Convincing others that an idea is valid is a necessary part of advancing a scientific theory. Therefore, the proper use of rhetoric is an important skill in science. This OpenCourseWare from MIT provides resources that can help students learn more about the art of persuasion and its application in scientific debate. The readings feature an article about how rhetorical choices influence the effect of a scientific paper. The course includes links to the websites of several major associations for scientific rhetoric, as well as a bibliography and notes. The course also links to a guide on logical fallacies for help with debates. This material can benefit students working on a Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in Rhetoric and Writing.

Readings, a list of suggested additional readings and links to related study material, are included with this course. To find out more about making a persuasive scientific argument, visit the scientific rhetoric course page.

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