Filtering The Presidential Campaign Rhetoric

Recognizing campaign rhetoric and the role it played in the 2004 presidential campaign was the focus of a thought-provoking humanities course for Rose-Hulman students this fall.

The Presidential Election Rhetoric class, taught by English professor Anneliese Watt, sought to increase students’ awareness and understanding of the rhetoric of presidential campaigns, including debates, speeches, candidate Web sites, news coverage and advertising.

The course also gave students an understanding of how to use language effectively when they become engineers, scientists, plant managers or salespersons.

"I wanted the students to understand how they're being manipulated (by rhetoric) and appreciate when it is done skillfully," Watt stated.

During the class, students conducted their own mock debates, produced campaign literature and discussed presidential campaign issues on a special classroom blog Web site.  By doing this, Watt believes, the students became more aware of the political process, how politicians try to manipulate public opinion and the role of the news media in elections.

"I was surprised with the thoughtfulness of the classroom discussions and how seriously students examined the political platforms of both the Republican and Democratic presidential campaigns.  It has made me more involved in the political process this election year," stated freshman Jennifer Gordon, who was the course’s Libertarian Party’s vice presidential candidate.  “As a part of this class, I knew what the candidates and their political parties truly stood for.  It eventually shaped my final (voting) decision."

Freshman Christopher Deaton, the class’ Independent/Conservative Party’s presidential candidate, added, “There was more interest in the election here than I thought would be at an engineering- and science-oriented college.  Students felt that this election could shape their futures.  Frankly, it was good to see students engaged in the political process."

Junior Jenny Finkbiner waited more than a year to take the special rhetoric class, since it is offered during every presidential election.