course-details-portlet

ANT1003

Classical Rhetoric

Choose study year
Credits 15
Level Foundation courses, level I
Course start Autumn 2025
Duration 1 semester
Language of instruction Norwegian
Location Trondheim
Examination arrangement Aggregate score

About

About the course

Course content

Rhetoric is the art of discourse, the aim of which is to inform, persuade, or motivate particular audiences in specific situations. Rhetoric was originally cultivated as an intellectual discipline in Athens, where this art was the premise for the birth of democracy. The art of rhetoric was later developed by the Romans, both during the Republic and the Empire. A rhetorical perspective on public relations draws on the rich rhetorical heritage of Western civilization that originated with the writings of Greek and Roman orators. The traditional rhetorical tools are still used today in mass media, journals, radio, television and is especially present in modern publicity and politics.

Learning outcome

A candidate who has completed this course

  • has knowledge about the classical rhetorical system
  • has knowledge about the main works within classical rhetoric, which include theories and examples, from the rhetorician Gorgias (5th century BC) to Lucian (2nd century AD).
  • has knowledge about the place of the rehtorical system and the rhetorical main works in ancient civilizations in relation to poetry, law, paedagogy, philosophy, politics, and forms of governments such as democracy and tyranny.

  • has the skill of relating basic language knowledge of Greek and Latin to the classical rhetorical terminology.
  • has skills in practicing the rhetorical system and in transferring knowledge about classical rhetorical theory, the rhetorical terminology and rhetorical cases from antiquity to rhetorical situations in later times.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures and seminars.

3 mandatory learning activities (group presentations or individual essays).

A 3 days home exam with examination questions related to the syllabus will be given at the end of the semester.

Compulsory assignments

  • Assignment
  • Assignment
  • Assignment

Further on evaluation

The exam consists of a take home assignment and a school exam, weighted 20/80.

Required previous knowledge

None

Course materials

The curriculum consists of primary sources in translation and of secondary literature.

Subject areas

  • Comparative Literature
  • Classical Civilization
  • Philosophy
  • Greek
  • Classical Culture
  • Latin
  • Scandinavian Language and Literature
  • Political Science

Contact information

Course coordinator

Lecturers

Department with academic responsibility

Department of Historical and Classical Studies

Examination

Examination

Examination arrangement: Aggregate score
Grade: Letter grades

Ordinary examination - Autumn 2025

Home examination
Weighting 80/100 Duration 3 days
Assignment
Weighting 20/100

Ordinary examination - Spring 2026

Home examination
Weighting 80/100 Duration 3 days
Assignment
Weighting 20/100