As the previous post mentions, rhetoric used to be an absolutely standard part of the education of any individual of wealth or high class from the Greeks to the Romans to Europe and then to the United States.  It was considered essential, of course at those points mostly for men, to know how to express oneself and be familiar with the elements of argument.

These days it is something we talk about at length, but the study of it has generally fallen out of fashion.  People have some inkling of what is being talked about when you mention a president's rhetoric or the rhetoric of a certain something or other.  But the actual study of it is not a common part of many children's experience.

With the growing number of AP Language and composition classes, however, it is making something of a comeback as much of that class is based around a study of argumentation and rhetoric.  Of course, most English classes also include some part of the study of rhetoric as people learn to write essays proving or making a certain point, but the very specific study of it, particularly the oral aspect of it, has certainly fallen far out of favor with the general public.

What you propose is a major undertaking, so my first piece of advice to you would be to narrow it down some. The study of rhetoric can cover book-length works (PLURAL) and still not touch on all of the aspects that you have indicated an interest in.

However, you mention an interest in the importance of rhetoric and modern society. Integrating a little bit of history into the equation, the way that we have historically viewed language usage has been closely intertwined with social status. To put it simply, a lack of sold rhetorical skills has generally been associated with a lack of intellect or education meaning that the better able a person is to use language properly, the higher his or her educational level and social status is usually viewed to be. Of course, this is stereotyping, but it gives you a precedent and the precedent exists because generally, throughout history, education at the higher than minimal levels has been restricted to the wealthy. Open access to education for all is a relatively new development.

Turning to the modern global society, although educational opportunities may be broader, expectations have declined and along with them the importance of language and rhetoric. Freedom of expression took a higher position relative to the basic structure and form of language. Being creative became more important than being an effective rhetoritician. Now, as we move away from an oral communications dominated world into one in which the use of printed words is becoming more important (as international businesses communicate in text based electronic form daily) attention is truning back toward the importance of language and rhetoric skills. This is being reflected to a degree in the educational system, but often it is not until a student reaches...