Rhetoric of Travel, Exploration and Discovery, Class Plan, January 24

The Rhetoric of Travel, Exploration and Discovery in Christopher Columbus: The Four Voyages,
J.M. Cohen (ed.)
Dr. Ramirez
Department of English

1) Begin class with 10 Minutes of writing about the account written by Columbus's son, Hernando Colon:

What credibility does his son have in writing about his father?
What authority do his father's words have in the reading?

2) Discussion of responses

3) Discussion of rhetoric and purpose in Life of the Admiral.
How does Hernando Colon construct his account?

     Examine the things he describes (people, plants, animals, terrain, food, clothing)

     Examine the dynamics of each encounter with natives (gifts, ge stures)

     Examine the idea of managing equipment

     Protocol of personnel.

     Examine the social hierarchies established by islanders and the Admiral's men

     What kinds of transactions take place between islanders and the Spanish?