William Schraufnagel

Thank you for visiting my professional website. I am a scholar and teacher with an interest in Kenneth Burke and rhetorical education. For over ten years, I've taught undergraduate courses in rhetoric, including public speaking, first-year composition, and ethnographic writing. Since receiving my PhD in May 2017, I have taught Intro to Communication Studies, Rhetorical Theory, Criticism of Public Rhetoric, Political Communication in America, and Visual Communication.

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Rhetoric today is exceedingly rich, having passed through democratic Athens and imperial Rome, Abrahamic religious discourse and the rise of Western science. Today rhetorical scholars have extended its scope to cover all cultural discursive practices.

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To paraphrase Protagoras, there is always a better argument (kreitton logos). My goal is to design or adapt a curriculum which demands some blend of research and invention with a personal, reflective synthesis. Communication is much more than "giving the facts." Students must have a purpose, and teachers cannot always predict what it will be or where it will come from. You can learn more about my teaching on the Portfolio page.

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My doctoral dissertation in the field of Rhetorical Studies draws upon microfilm of Kenneth Burke's archive dating back to 1914. I apply Harold Bloom's theory of influence to some of the figures who influenced Burke, including those you see above: Fyodor Dostoevsky, Walter Pater, Andre Gide, Henri Bergson, Cicero, and Remy de Gourmont.

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You can learn more about my career by visiting the CV page. Check back for periodic updates on this and the Blog page. Please contact me by e-mail with any comments, suggestions, or inquiries.