SSI1 141 | Architectures of Power

Using words as its building blocks instead of bricks or stones, writing has power to evoke or create socially-coded (and sometimes socially subversive) meanings for its readers. The title of this seminar, "Architectures of Power," suggests that there is some kind of mechanism, be it actual or theoretical, that structures power and one's ability to act effectively. Focusing on the power dynamics that structure writing, cultural interactions, and individual mindsets, this course is composed of a series of units that, building on one another, move students from the basic questions one asks of writing to more complex written assignments that require integration of a number of provided source materials. In analyzing a variety of texts (linguistic, visual, and even aural), students explore, develop, and analyze the kinds of social and communicative powers that writing can construct. Affiliate department: English.