On Civic Learning: Rhetoric, Public Address, Political Division

In times of global and domestic strife, the study of public address assumes more importance than ever. What makes for productive, civically useful knowledge of political controversy? How can we tap this knowledge in order to approach differences more wisely and argue with each other more eloquently?

In September 2012, over thirty national leaders in the study of rhetoric and public address will convene in Memphis to discuss how we might chart ways to improve the quality of our shared civic life.

Keynote Address
Gerard A. Hauser, University of Colorado, “Parrhesia at the University of Resistance: Reforming Robben Island from the Inside.”

Public Lecture
Karlyn Kohrs Campbell, University of Minnesota, “Civic Learning, the Presidency, and Partisanship.”

Honoree
Thomas W. Benson, Edwin Erle Sparks Professor of Rhetoric and Head and Professor of Communication Arts and Sciences at the Pennsylvania State University.