Spring 2026
Stimulating Public Discourse: Persuasive Writing for Mass Audiences
Dates: January 26, 2026 - May 13, 2026Day/Time: Monday; Wednesday 8:30 AM - 9:50 AM EDT
Level: 400-Level
Certificate: Civic Engagement
Instructor: Daniel Calingaert, Bard College
This course explores the concepts and practices of persuasive writing to shape public discourse. Students will analyze a range of pieces written for mass audiences and examine the roles, strategies, and considerations of public writing, as opposed to academic or technical writing. They will deepen their conceptual understanding and build practical skills in dialogue with experienced practitioners and their classmates. They will learn by doing—by producing articles for broad audiences—and develop their capacity to receive and give constructive feedback. For each piece they write, students will delve into key questions: Who is my audience? What is my purpose and motivation? What reactions might I anticipate? This practice-based course aims to empower students to write persuasive articles for a general audience that merit publication. These articles may address a range of social, cultural, economic, or political issues of public concern, in line with each student’s interests. Students will learn from prominent public intellectuals and from opinion editors of reputable publications and will draft articles, workshop them with classmates, refine them, and submit them for publication in traditional outlets or online platforms. This course requires on-camera participation. Interested students need to submit a writing sample and a statement of interest to apply for entry into this course.
Credits: 4 US / 8 ECTS