This writing seminar examines what Coca-Cola’s profound footprint in Africa teaches us about both African agency and the ways in which multinational capitalism intersects with social and cultural forces. More than that, the class explores both the rhetorical boundaries established by the company that enabled its spread and effective rhetorical strategies for talking about the very problems this spread engenders, including environmental degradation and waste; the consumption of sin products like sodas; and more. Students will identify a contemporary problem that emerges from our case study, which may include sustainability around water, plastic, and energy; women’s empowerment; youth empowerment; and politics across the global north and south. We will work at honing effective, civil ways to discuss these problems by focusing on shared premises, clear reasoning, and authentic genres. As with any writing seminar, this course will center on drafting, peer review, and revision in our quest to become adaptable writers.
This is an SNF Paideia-designated writing seminar, designed to examine and encourage dialogue across differences. Students and faculty participating in the Paideia writing seminar cluster will have an opportunity to meet once a month for dinner, dialogue, and a keynote speaker or facilitator, as well as engage in other cross seminar community building activities. SNF Paideia-designated courses are noted on student transcripts. This seminar fulfills the writing requirement, follows the same curriculum, and has the same workload, assessment process, and standards as all other critical writing seminars at Penn. Seminar topics vary in academic discipline but each relates back to the SNF Paideia program’s core values of informed civil discourse and deliberation.
Only first-year students are eligible to enroll in SNF Paideia-designated writing seminars.