n connection with the 10th Nordic Conference for Rhetorical Research, the Department of Linguistics and Scandinavian Studies and the research group Voicing Democracy will organize a two-day PhD course on the democratic value of rhetorical encounters.
Time and place: June 8, 2026 9:00 AM – June 9, 2026 4:00 PM, Blindern campus
Rhetoric as political communication – which we recognize most readily in forms such as campaigning, political debate, and public clashes of opinion – is arguably the lifeblood of democracy. If such forms of communication are not alive and well, one can hardly claim to have a democracy. At the same time, we must acknowledge that democracy is conceived, shaped, and upheld by a myriad of actors in different ways and in a multiplicity of sites.
Such a broad view of democracy presents scholars of rhetoric and communication with new demands. If we, with John Dewey, understand democracy as a «way of life», prospects open up for studying rhetorical practices embedded in all areas of life, and exploring the contribution they make to the working of democracy – both as an idea and a practice.
To accommodate this undertaking, this course investigates the rhetorical work that goes into making and maintaining democracy in various sites that are not necessarily part of the political system as such, but which are political nonetheless – and which often play a central role in bringing democratic institutions to life.
The course thus urges a broadened scope of what counts as a rhetorical object of study. It also invites reflections on the democratic aspects of rhetorical studies. In a democracy, are all rhetorical studies also studies of democracy?
To this end, the course explores how democracy has been understood in the rhetorical tradition, and how democratic ideals in turn have shaped visions of what rhetoric could and should be.
This course focuses on the rhetorical work that makes and maintains democracy and democratic participation in areas such as popular culture, local communities and grassroots organizations, the family, the workplace, archives, public administration, education, and more.
Activities
Activities at this two-day course will include:
• A series of lectures connected to the course theme by Ekaterina Haskins (Penn State University), Kristine Marie Berg (Copenhagen University) and Eirik Vatnøy (University of Oslo)
• Discussion sessions focusing on the topics of the course lectures
• Project presentations by all participants
The course is held in collaboration with the Nordic Conference on Rhetoric Research, held at the University of Oslo, Faculty of Humanities, June 10th – June 12th, 2025. All participants are encouraged to attend the conference.
Admission and application
The course is primarily designed for PhD candidates in rhetoric and communication but also welcomes candidates from disciplines like media studies, cultural studies, sociology, anthropology, politics, law, and more. The course committee will review applications from any candidate currently enrolled in a PhD program.
To apply, send a short bio and a one-page text about your PhD project and how it relates to the theme of the course to eirik.vatnoy@iln.uio.no, no later than March 1st 2026. Applicants will be notified about admission shortly thereafter.
Time: June 8th – June 9th 2025
Location: University of Oslo, Faculty of Humanities
Lecturers: Ekaterina Haskins (Penn State University), Kristine Marie Berg (University of Copenhagen), Eirik Vatnøy (University of Oslo)
Course Language: English
Number of Participants: approx. 10-12
Credits: 2 ECTS / 5 ECTS