This is the first course in the persuasion sequence for PCHR majors. You probably had a week or so on persuasion in COMM 130, and had a little more if you have already taken COMM 241. We will, for the most part, take a theoretical approach to our subject, so that we can see general phenomena. Persuasion is one of the most practical of arts, something that we experience every day. We talk friends into going to movies, parents into sending money, strangers into giving us directions.
Political consultants try to persuade, but so do little kids.
We have two books, and they are very different in character. Both are already in the bookstore. The Cialdini book is written for the educated general public, to which you belong. It's a book that, to be perfectly frank about it, you can probably handle without me. You will form groups to deal with this book, and will make reports to your classmates on the various chapters.