Megan Little's Instructor Page

In this class, we will read portions of John Stuart Mill's treatise On Liberty. While there are ample topics for us to discuss in this challenging work, our main goal will be to identify his theories about the purpose of public and personal deliberation and the importance of rhetorical critique. We will read this nuanced text carefully, and identify the key terms the Mill introduces to theorize the difference between active, critical inquiry and passive acceptance of "received wisdom." His philosophical ideas about liberty are important, but of equal importance is the model of argumentation he provides us: we'll study how Mill is relentlessly temperate in his examination of different potential objections to his ideas and claims. This guy really "practices what he preaches" when it comes to good critical thinking.

After we've spent some time with Mill, we will apply his theories to construct our own rhetorical critique of arguments. Next, we'll construct our own position on contemporary issues. No matter your stance on these issues, if you follow Mill's approach to critical inquiry and argument, you will come away with a better understanding of the nuances of the debate, a better ability to articulate your own stance, and a better ability to engage oppositional audiences in a respectful, generative manner.

In the course of these three units, we will spend time talking about rhetorical theory, the conventions of academic discourse, and library research skills.

Major Assignments

Unit 1 Paper: Analysis and interpretation of a key passage of JS Mill's On Liberty

Unit 2 Paper: Rhetorical analysis of an argument on hate crimes legislation

Unit 3 Paper: A researched argument on mandatory drug laws

Regular informal writings