PAMLA 2020

“Rhetorical Theory”
Las Vegas, 11/12-15, 2020

Chair: Dr. Ryan Leack, USC

“Rhetoric is a coproductive function of circulation in excess of human intention, which collapses rhetoric and persuasion into the rhetorical, a process of world making that extends relationality into future publics.” 

—Byron Hawk, Resounding the Rhetorical (2018)

This panel will explore recent movements in rhetorical theory writ large, either in connection with or apart from composition theory and practice. Special attention will be given to proposals that engage with the conference's theme. 

Rhetoric, although productively imbricated with composition theory and practice, also intersects and resonates with numerous fields in sometimes unexpected yet critical ways. This panel welcomes proposals that delve deep into rhetorical theory itself (sophistic rhetoric, ambient rhetoric, new materialist rhetoric, and so forth). Proposals that engage rhetoric’s materiality are particularly welcome. However, the panel also welcomes proposals that braid rhetoric together with philosophy (Western and beyond), poetry, science (and physics and quantum mechanics in particular), psychology, language, literature, and the like.

In addition to expanding rhetoric’s disciplinary relations, this panel hopes to push rhetoric beyond persuasion—beyond rhetoric as purposeful action toward some given end, but also as reception, responsivity, relationality, resonance, aurality, and the like. In this way, the panel hopes to push rhetoric’s boundaries and find kinship in new frontiers beyond its disciplinary and historically sanctioned borders.

Abstract Deadline: July 15th, 2020 [Extended Deadline]

Please Submit Abstract through PAMLA Website:

https://pamla.ballastacademic.com/Home/S/18091

 *      This panel has been approved by PAMLA, yet is contingent upon reception of 3-4 quality papers/presentations in the field of Rhetorical Theory.