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Rhet 1101
Critical Thinking and Oral Communication
Syllabus
Section: 13 - MW in CBW 1.101
Instructor: Thomasina Hickmann First Year Leader: Jimmy Liao
Office Hours & Location: 9-10am, CN 1.126
Email: hickmann@utdallas.edu Email: chl062000@utdallas.edu
Required Materials:
• Cohen, Harlan, (2009). The Naked Roommate, 3e. Sourcebooks, Inc. Naperville.
• DiTiberio, John, K. & Hammer, Allen, L. (1993). Introduction to Type in College, CPP,
Inc. Palo Alto.
• UTD student email account
Recommended Materials:
• Cohen, Harlan, The Naked Roommate 2009 – 2010 Planner Sourcebooks, Inc.
Naperville
Course Objectives:
• To connect you with the UTD campus community through department presentations,
campus involvement, community service, and interactions with peers.
• To help you discover your personal learning style and ways to use that knowledge to
achieve greater success and enjoyment in your classes.
• To present tips, tactics, and techniques for more effective learning, emphasizing time
management strategies, critical thinking, and the use of campus resources.
• To enhance your communication skills through opportunities for both oral and written
expression.
Coursework & Grading Philosophy
• Rhet 1101 is a required course for all incoming freshmen as it has been effective in
raising GPA’s, retention from the freshman to sophomore year, and overall student
satisfaction and success.
• UTD is a selective admissions institution with one of the highest average Freshman
class SAT scores in the state, therefore performance and participation in Rhet 1101 is
expected to reflect the caliber of students and academic standards of the university as a
whole.
• The course objectives for Rhet 1101 represent goals which are fundamental to student
success both inside and outside of the college classroom.
*Rhet 1101 is a requirement for graduation. If you drop the course or fail it, you must
take Study Skills (DRDG 194) in the Spring. It will be recoded as Rhet 1101 in order to
give you credit for the course and enable you to replace your low grade or W.
Class Policies
• Cell phones must be turned off or to vibrate and are not to be answered or used for text
messaging during class time.
• Unless otherwise noted, laptops are NOT necessary for taking notes in class and should not
be opened at any time.
• Food and drink should be kept to a minimum and put away once class begins.
• Arriving late is disruptive to class activities and may affect your attendance and
participation grade. If you have a legitimate reason for being late, please inform your
instructor ahead of time or immediately after class.
This is a discussion-based class that involves collaborative learning and interactive exercises in
order to explore a variety of topics relative to your transition to college life and The University
of Texas at Dallas. Therefore, it is critical that you come to class to take part in the activities
and contribute to the class dynamics.
• Any anticipated absence arranged through Disability Services must be shared with the
instructor at least 2 weeks prior to the absence. If this does not occur, it is at the
instructor’s discretion to excuse or not excuse the absence.
• Students observing a holy day must inform the instructor before the class day to be missed
You will write a minimum 5 page paper about your life as a student thus far and considering
where you want to go with your major and career, examining your experiences in the context
of your learning style, based on your score on The Paragon Learning Style Inventory (PLSI).
You will prepare a 2 – 2½ minute talk about something familiar to you and that you would like
to share with the class.
Group Project & Presentation (150 points)
You will work with a group of your classmates to explore issues related to making a successful
transition to college life through The Naked Roommate and other sources. Your findings will
form the basis of a minimum 8 minute oral presentation to the class.
You will attend a variety of four on-campus events in order to discover what UTD has to offer
in the way of student services, personal resources, social opportunities, and entertainment.
You will participate in at least one campus-sponsored service project event. Community
service is a strong initiative for the University of Texas at Dallas and it offers a wonderful way
to develop skills related to your future career, make connections with the community, socialize
with fellow Comets, and give back to your local community.
You will identify ways in which getting out of your comfort zone will help you grow as a
person and enable you to successfully achieve your goals. You’ll take a risk, then write about
the thoughts and experiences leading up to it and your conclusions about the experience
afterwards in a minimum 4 page paper.
Final Exam
This will be your opportunity to demonstrate what you have gained over the course of the
semester.
All assignments are due on the specified due date – NO LATE WORK WILL BE
ACCEPTED!! Also, unless otherwise stated, all work must exhibit the following format:
• Typed, double spaced, 12 point Times New Roman font with one-inch margins.
• Students should include their name, section number, and date on all work.
• Vocabulary should reflect that of a college student, and writing style should be mature and
cognizant of the instructor as audience.
• If submitted via email, papers must be sent as an attachment, from your UTD email
account, following the above format and submitted on or before the specified due date.
The University of Texas at Dallas is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter
of federal equal opportunity legislation; reference Public Law 92-112 - The Rehabilitation Act
of 1973 as amended. With the passage of new federal legislation entitled Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA), pursuant to section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, there is renewed
focus on providing this population with the same opportunities enjoyed by all citizens.
Begin by stating your learning style according to the PLSI and give a brief summary of the
elements of this style.
• What has been your best academic experience thus far? How has it affected your
approach to school over the years?
• Who are the teachers that influenced you the most, and in what ways?
• What has been the biggest challenge with regard to your education thus far?
• What made it such a challenge?
• Did it change your perception of yourself as a student?
• Did it affect your attitude toward school and learning?
• How did you get through it?
• In what ways do you limit yourself, or hold yourself back in some way?
• When did you first sense the particular ways in which you prefer to learn?
• How did you discover your learning style?
• If you don’t know what direction you would like to go, what majors/careers might
you look into based on your learning style?
• Explain why these have good potential.
• Now that you know your learning style, what can you do to get more out of your
classes and reach your academic goals?
• What are you most looking forward to during your college experience at UTD?
Excellent Average Weak
The paper focuses on The paper focuses on The paper
the assigned topic, the assigned topic insufficiently focuses
establishing clear and, for the most part, on the assigned topic.
connections among establishes clear Connections among
Focus the writer’s academic connections among the writer’s academic
experience, personal the writer’s academic experience, personal
learning style, and experience, personal learning style, and
college/career goals. learning style, and college/career goals
college/career goals. are often missing
and/or unclear.
Presentation The overall For the most part, the The overall
presentation is overall presentation is presentation
polished, indicating polished but would generally lacks polish
careful revision. have been improved and would have been
by some further improved by
revision. considerable revision.
Guidelines
Focus: To give you the opportunity to reflect on your life as a student and incorporate
your understanding of your learning style.
Narrative Elements:
What has been your best academic experience thus far? How has it affected your
approach to school over the years?
Who are the teachers that influenced you the most, and in what ways?
What has been the biggest challenge with regard to your education thus far?
What made it such a challenge?
Did it change your perception of yourself as a student?
Did it affect your attitude toward school and learning?
How did you get through it?
In what ways do you limit yourself, or hold yourself back in some way?
When did you first sense the particular ways in which you prefer to learn?
How did you discover your learning style?
What are you most looking forward to during your college experience at UTD?
Analysis:
If you don’t know what direction you would like to go: What majors/careers might
youlook into based on your learning style? Explain why these have good potential.
If you have selected a major/career path:
What is appealing about it to you?
How do the job possibilities mesh with your learning style?
Are there any particular challenges to this major/career path that may result from your
learning style? Explain.
Now that you know your learning style, what can you do to get more out of your
classes and reach your academic goals?
UTD Campus Exploration & Community Service Project
Goals – To show you the variety of things UTD has to offer in the way of
• Sports
• Entertainment
• Cultural & multicultural experiences
• Academic support & enrichment beyond the classroom
• Personal wellness & development
• Extracurricular clubs and organizations
• Social opportunities
• Community Service & Volunteerism
Course Requirements
• You will attend 4 on-campus events/experiences over the course of the semester, one from
each of the designated categories. Each event/experience is worth 100 points, for a total
possible of 400 points.
• You will participate in 1 UTD-sponsored community service event worth 200 points.
Event Cards
• For each event you attend, complete one Event Card and attach some form of official proof
of your attendance. Proof can either be something distributed by staff at the event, a paper
punch or ink stamp on your card, a program agenda or program, or other event materials.
Instructors have information as to legitimate proof for each event. Any questionable
submissions may result in no credit being awarded for attendance.
• For your community service project, you will receive an OSV card as proof of
participation.
Campus Event Cards and your OSV card may be turned in at any time following your
campus/service experience, within the following parameters:
Personal Wellness
Women’s Center Seminars/Speakers
Counseling Center Seminars
Health Education/Health Center Seminar or Event
Disability Awareness Week
Office of Student Volunteerism
Academic Enhancement
Career Center Seminar
McDermott Library Tour
Learning Resource Center (calculus study session, use of writing lab, etc.)
Office of International Education Seminar
Office of Judicial Affairs Seminar & Academic Integrity Week
Academic Department Brown Bag or Speaker
Cultural Awareness
Multicultural Center Event
International Student Services Event
Musical Concerts and Theater Productions
Theater Productions
Art Barn Exhibit
Oral Presentation:
Expert Testimony
Goal: To enable you to become more comfortable with public speaking and develop
your communication skills in a small, familiar environment.
Assignment:
1. Prepare a 2 - 2½ minute presentation on a topic you know very well. This could
be a hobby, a particular academic subject, your home town, a favorite book, etc.
No research should be necessary.
2. Practice your presentation so that you are prepared and comfortable with what
you are going to say. You will not be allowed to use note cards, prompts or
PowerPoint.
4. This assignment is worth 100 points. Check your syllabus for presentation
date.
Rhet 1101 Weekly Class Blog
Extra Credit Option
If you would like to share your thoughts and experiences with your Instructor, First Year
Leader and classmates, and earn some extra points as well, consider joining the class Facebook
group and checking out the weekly blog posts.
You will need to have a basic Facebook account and “friend” your instructor/First Year Leader
in order to participate. It is not required that you post personal information or pictures of
yourself.
Blog postings that are appropriate, relevant, and substantial will receive 2 points, for a total
possible of 20 – 30 extra credit points depending on the number of questions posted.
Appropriate – While you should feel comfortable expressing your true thoughts and
feelings through this medium, please recognize that you are communicating with university
staff as well as a diverse group of classmates. Please refrain from using profanity or
expressions that might be offensive. Express your views appropriately for a class assignment.
Relevant – The prompts posted by your instructor have a purpose related to the course
content. Your responses should reflect your thoughts, ideas, experiences, etc. related to that
topic. You are welcome to expand and add your own prompt for classmates on other issues, but
in order to receive credit for your response, it must address the issue(s) put forth by the
instructor.
Substantial – In order to receive credit for your response, you must contribute a distinct
thought, or share a unique experience or example to illustrate your point. It is not acceptable to
simply say “I agree with X on this point.” Read through other people’s posts and consider their
responses when giving your input. Make a contribution that other’s can gain from – either
through a new perspective, interesting story highlighting the issue, or a useful strategy.
It is the instructor’s decisions as to whether or not your blog post meets these requirements and
receives the possible extra credit points.