RHET 1302.002 and .

005
Oral Communication and Critical Thinking

FALL 2007

INSTRUCTOR
Jamie Wheeler
University of Texas at Dallas
School of Arts and Humanities

DAYS/TIMES
MWF 9:30-10:20

Office Hours
JO 4.122
M-W 11:30-12:30
OR BY APPOINTMENT

Contact Information:

Phone: 214.405.7563 (No calls after 9pm…PREFER EMAIL)

Email: jwheel@utdallas.edu

Required Texts:

The Aims of Argument by Timothy W. Crusius and Carolyn E. Channel, 5th ed.

A Writer’s Resource by Elaine P. Maimon, et al, 2nd ed.

Recommended:

Merriam-Webster Dictionary and Merriam-Webster Thesaurus

Course Description:

Rhetoric 1302 is a one-semester course focusing on critical thinking

and teaches various rhetorical strategies for reading and constructing
arguments, both written and visual. Students learn to read texts
critically according to key components in argumentative discourse
(i.e., claims, grounds, explicit and implicit assumptions, fallacies,
etc.) and to recognize the different purposes of argument (i.e., to
inquire, to convince, to persuade, to negotiate). Students write and
revise three to four papers based on issues and controversies raised in
the various texts read during
the semester. The assignments provide extensive practice in reading
critically and writing according to the rhetorical conventions of an
argumentative essay. Course utilizes computer technology
extensively.

Course Goals:

To understand and demonstrate writing and speaking processes through invention,

organization, drafting, revision, editing, and presentation.

To understand the importance of specifying audiences and purpose and to select the
appropriate communication choices.

To understand and appropriately apply modes of expression in written, visual, and oral
communication.

To participate effectively in groups with emphasis on listening, critical and reflective

thinking and responding.

To understand and apply basic principles of critical thinking, problem solving, and
technical proficiency in the development and exposition of argument.

To develop the ability to research and write a documented paper and/or to give an oral
presentation.

Evaluation Procedures

Three Essays, First: 10 %, second 20%, third 30%; 60% total

Group Projects 20%
Hand-in Assignments (includes drafts, peer reviews, book exercises) 10%
Attendance and Participation 10%

Grades:

A+ 98-100 A 94-97 A- 93-90

B+ 88-89 B 84-87 B- 83-80
C+ 78-79 C 74-77 C- 73-70
D+ 68-69 D 64-67 D- 63-60
Below 60 F
Criteria I use for grading includes:
--fulfillment of the assignment
--clarity (does it “flow well”?)
--correct grammar and punctuation
--proper MLA format

Attendance Policy:

Because participation is vital to successful completion of Rhetoric 1302, you should

attend every class. If you must be absent, check with your classmates or with me for any
work you have missed that can be made up. I cannot “re-teach” missed classes for
individual students. If you miss more than three classes (unexcused absences) your grade
will be negatively affected and/or you may be encouraged to drop the class. Two tardies
count as one absence. Chronic tardiness is unacceptable, as are coming to class
unprepared, doing work that is not for this course during class, sleeping in class, or using
other personal electronic devices for personal messaging, research, or entertainment.
Please turn off cellular/mobile phones, pages, and other personal electronic devices
during class.

Additional Requirements/Policies:

Late Work:

ESSAYS: A late essay will be accepted the class period after it is due with a 10 POINT
GRADE REDUCTION. Essays submitted after this first late day may or may not be
accepted, depending on the individual situation.

Peer Review: Peer review is an essential part of this course. If you are absent on a peer
review day, or if you do not have a draft, FIVE POINTS will be deducted from your
final draft.

Library Orientation: All Rhetoric1302 students are required to attend the library
instruction class. Missing orientation will count as an absence unless medical or other
serious need is proven.

Where to go if you need additional help with your writing:

The Learning Center offers students free tutoring by appointment. The center is located
on the second floor, McDermott Library Building in Room MC 2.402, 972-883-6707.

Drop Policy

See here for details on deadlines and procedures for dropping:

http://www.utdallas.edu/student/class/current/newpolicywpwf.htm
LAST DAY TO DROP WITHOUT A “W”: Aug 31st
Plagiarism Policy

"To submit to your instructor a paper or comparable assignment that is not truly the
product of your own mind and skill is to commit plagiarism. To put it bluntly, plagiarism
is the act of stealing the ideas and/or expression of another and representing them as your
own. It is a form of cheating and a kind of scholastic dishonesty which can incur severe
penalties. It is important, therefore, that you understand what constitutes plagiarism, so
that you will not unwittingly jeopardize your college career."

If you are not sure how to properly cite a quoted or paraphrased source, of if you need
help with the format of a citation, check the “The Writer’s Resource” or with me.
Although you can, and in fact, should, seek help and advice from friends, classmates and
tutors, be sure that your written work is your own.

For information about the consequences of Scholastic Dishonesty, visit:

http://www.utdallas.edu/student/slife/dishonesty.html

Syllabus Itinerary

NOTE: ASSINGMENTS ARE DUE ON THE NEXT CLASS PERIOD UNLESS

OTHERWISE NOTED

Week One

F, 8/17: Intro to Course/Small Group Assignments

Assignment: Ch 1, “Follow Through” Exercise pg 10.

Week Two

M, 8/20: Understanding Argument

Assignment: Ch 2

W, 8/22: Reading an Argument

Assignment: Ch 3

F, 8/24: Toulmin Method

Assignment: Ch 4; Do a Toulmin Analysis of Amber Young’s “Capital Punishment” pg
54-58.

Week Three

M, 8/27: Reading and Writing about Visual Arguments

Assignment: Selection of Visual Argument
W 8/29: Visual Arguments Continued
Assignment: Toys and Gender (TBA)

F, 8/31: Visual Argument Paper Due

Week Four

M, 9/3 Labor Day. No Class

Assignment: Ch 5

W, 9/5: Toys and Gender Presentations

Assignment: Ch 6, pgs 145-163; “Following Through” Exercises pg 148-149

F, 9/7: Library Orientation

Week Five

M, 9/10: Arguing to Inquire

Assignment: Ch 6, pgs. 163-182; “Clones, Gays, and the Elderly,” pg. 686-687; “Making
Babies?” pg. 696-697

W, 9/12: Arguing to Inquire Continues

Assignment: Ch 7 189-204; “Confessions of a Heterosexual” pg. 635-630; “On the Uses
of Liberal Education” pgs. 721-730; “Follow Through” exercise pg 204

F, 9/14: Arguing to Convince

Assignment: Ch 7 204-225; “Grown Up Love,” pg. 563; “A Day Without Feminism”
pg. 582-586; “White Poverty” pg. 772-777

Week Six

M, 9/17: Brain-Storming Session. What are we trying to be “convinced” of in 2007?

Assignment: Find a topic in a paper or magazine that is trying to convince its audience.

W, 9/18: Discussion of student findings.

**Selection of Topics handed out. Student must select from approved list or get approval
of alternate topics before proceeding**

F, 9/21: Writing Workshop; Grammar Brush-up

Week Seven

M, 9/24: Writing Workshop: Grammar Brush-Up.

Assignment: Toulmin Analysis of your paper; due end of class TODAY
W, 9/19: In-Class Work on Papers; Consultations

F, 9/21: First Draft Due; Peer Reviews

Week Seven

M, 9/24: Teacher Conferences

W 9/26: Teacher Conferences

Assignment: Paper Due

F, 9/28: Introduction to Arguing to Persuade; In-class close reading and analysis of

King’s Letter From Birmingham Jail
Assignments: “The Beauty Myth” pg 612-620; “Mission No Longer Impossible” pg.
589-591;

Week Eight

M, 10/1: Discussion of articles.

Assignment: Ch 8, pgs. 249-266

W, 10/3: Group Work: Persuasion Issue. Topics TBA or approved

F, 10/5: Group Work: Persuasion Issue.

Assignment: Group must present a thesis and outline (toulmin) of their position

Week Nine

M, 10/8: Groups Present 10 minute Persuasive Topic. Class ranks on effectiveness.

Assignment: Ch 9, 267-283

W, 10/10: Groups Present 10 minute Persuasive Topic. Class ranks on effectiveness.

F, 10/12: “Supersize Me”

Assignment: Was the documentary persuasive? What techniques did Sporlock use to try
to persuade change?

Week Ten

M, 10/15: Resolving Conflict

Assignment: Ch 9, 284-290; “Follow Through” pg 290

W, 10/17: Resolving Conflict Continues

Assignment: Ch 9, pg 291-303
F, 10/19: Stem Cells; Small Group Work
Assignment: Ch 9, 291-303; “Collegiate Life: An Obituary” 710-718

Week Eleven

M, 10/22: Presenting Stem Cell Debate

Assignment: How would you offer an acceptable compromise? (1-2 pgs); Casebook
Intro: “After 9/11”

W, 10/24: Casebook discussion, “After 9/11”

Assignment: “Homophobic?” pg. 642-645; “Degrees of Discomfort” 646-649

F, 10/26: Speaker from GLAAD

Assignment: Short response to speaker’s position

Week Twelve

M, 10/29: “Hotel Rwanda” (Part One)

Assignment: Find an article in print or on the internet about the conflict

W 10/31: “Hotel Rwanda” (Part Two)

Assignment: Response to the film as a meditative argument

F, 11/2: Discussion of film; Small groups choose casebook selections.

Week Thirteen

M, 11/5: Small Group Work on Casebook Presentation

Assignment: Small groups hand in outline of discussion goals

W, 11/7: Small Groups Present Casebook Arguments; Class evaluates arguments

F, 11/9: Small Groups Present Casebook Arguments; Class evaluates arguments

Assignment: Select topic for final paper. Must be either a persuasive or mediating
argument.

Week Fourteen

M, 11/12: Writing Workshop. Review MLA format, citing sources

Assignment: Thesis Statement due

W 11/14 In-class work on papers; consultations

Assignment: Toulmin due by end of class TODAY!; First draft due Friday

F, 11/16: Peer Review; Course Evaluations

Week Fourteen

M, 11/19: Teacher Conferences

W, 11/21: Teacher Conferences

F, 11/22: No Class, Thanksgiving

Week Fifteen

M, 11/26: FINAL PAPER DUE