Final answer:
The correct answer is option b. Campbell and Burkholder likely study epideictic rhetoric, which involves praising or blaming during special occasions, reflecting on societal values, and contributing to cultural understanding.
Step-by-step explanation:
Rhetoric, the art of persuasion through writing or speaking, is a subject that Campbell and Burkholder likely study. This academic discipline has a rich history dating back to ancient Greece and has developed significantly over time. There are different types of rhetoric that are employed in various contexts:
Deliberative rhetoric is used to persuade an audience about future actions, focusing on what should be done.
Epideictic rhetoric, also known as ceremonial or demonstrative rhetoric, is used to praise or blame during ceremonies or special occasions, often reflecting on values.
Forensic rhetoric is concerned with the truth or falsity of past events, often used within legal settings.
Ceremonial rhetoric could be seen as synonymous with epideictic rhetoric.
Considering the context provided by the question, it is likely that the rhetoric being referred to is epideictic rhetoric. This type of rhetoric is concerned with shaping and defining the cultural understanding of communities and is in line with the notion of contributing to a 'timeless conversation among thinkers and authors' as described by Kenneth Burke.