The Rhetoric of COVID-19: Antiquity's Lessons in Policy Response Communication

Dr. Brandon Inabinet, associate professor in the communication studies department, will discuss how ancient rhetoric and the liberal arts tradition informs the discussion of the coronavirus today. We can map much of the conversation using 1st century legal theory of stasis, and Aristotle’s topoi of policy debate—something Furman’s liberal arts students and alumni will be well-prepared to see. Patrick Kerley (’04), Senior Vice President for Digital advocacy at the Washington DC firm Subject Matter, will discuss how industries and policy-makers are responding to the crisis. Together, they will examine how television pundits, President Trump, health experts, and policymakers all play off one another in the communicative environment. Bring your questions and find out guidelines for those in companies and organizations that have needed and will continue to need a response.