“Reality” revisited: self-assessment of terministic screens through a political autobiography assignment

Abstract

Courses: Argumentation, Public Speaking, Political Communication

Objectives: After completing this unit activity, students should be able to (1) demonstrate comprehension of Burke’s (1941) concept of terministic screens; (2) apply the concept of terministic screens to write a brief political autobiography of themselves that analyzes the history of and framework for their own political beliefs; and (3) synthesize the concepts of terministic screens and informational diversity to frame readings and discussions of peers’ autobiographies, as well as future class discussions of controversial topics.