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Rhetoric

Code 16982
Year 2
Semester S2
ECTS Credits 6
Workload OT(10H)/T(15H)/TP(30H)
Scientific area Communication Sciences
Entry requirements Not applicable.
Mode of delivery Face to face.
Work placements Not applicable
Learning outcomes This course aims to equip students to:

- Understand the historical and conceptual foundations of classical rhetoric, as well as its dialogue with the Western philosophical tradition;

- Critically analyze the main figures and techniques of rhetoric — inventio, dispositio, elocutio, memoria, and actio — applying them to the reading and interpretation of literary, philosophical, and religious texts;

- Explore the relationship between rhetoric, poetics, and philosophy, reflecting on discourse as an exercise in interpretation and the formation of the critical subject;

- Apply rhetorical concepts and methods to textual analysis across diverse genres, fostering skills in critical interpretation and argumentation;

- Comprehend the persuasive and transformative dimension of language in its ethical, cognitive, and aesthetic effects;

- Develop practical competencies in rhetorical analysis and production, integrating theoretical reflection, interpretation, and oral and written expression.
Syllabus 1) Foundations of Classical Rhetoric
Study of the concepts and principles of the Aristotelian, Ciceronian, and Quintilian traditions, with a focus on inventio, dispositio, elocutio, memoria, and actio, and on rhetoric as both a persuasive technique and a means of forming the critical subject.

2) The Relationship between Rhetoric, Philosophy, and Poetics
Analysis of the dialogue between rhetoric, literary theory, and philosophy, considering the role of discourse in the constitution of thought, ethics, and aesthetics.

3) Rhetorical Figures and Literary Invention
Study of inventio, rhetorical figures, and the figurality of discourse, applied to the production and interpretation of literary, philosophical, political, and religious texts.

4) Rhetoric, the Unconscious, and Symbolic Language
Exploration of the psychological and symbolic dimensions of rhetoric, including the mechanisms of the unconscious and their role in meaning-making and persuasion.
Main Bibliography a) History of Rhetoric:

ARISTÓTELES. Retórica. 2005.
ARISTÓTELES. Poética. 2016.
CÍCERO. Do Orador. 2009.
PLATÃO, A República. 2000. [Livro I]
PLATÃO. Apologia de Sócrates e Críton. 2024. [Apologia de Sócrates]
QUINTILIAN. The Orator's Education. 2002.
RANCIÈRE, Jacques. O desentendimento.1996.

b) Rhetoric and Contemporary Literary Theory:

AUERBACH, Erich. Mimesis. 2001.
FERRARO, Gianfranco e CAEIRO, de Castro, António. Formas de conversão. 2025.
FREUD, Sigmund. Chistes e sua relação com o Inconsciente. 1996.
FREUD, Sigmund. A intepretação dos sonhos. 2009.
FOUCAULT, Michel. A Ordem do Discurso. 1997.
HADOT, Pierre. Exercícios espirituais e filosofia antiga. 2014. [“Conversão”, pp. 88-98]
GENETTE, Gérard. Figures. 1966–1972
GENETTE, Gérard. Discurso da Narrativa. 1996.
ORLANDO, Francesco. Per una teoria freudiana della letteratura. 2025.
TODOROV, Tzvetan. Poética. 1986.

c) Examples of literary, philosophical, political, and religious texts analyzed on the basis of inventio.
Teaching Methodologies and Assessment Criteria The final grade is based on:

a) a written examination (weight: 70%);

b) participation in classes and assignments (30%), assessed through direct observation.
Language Portuguese. Tutorial support is available in English.
Last updated on: 2026-03-05

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