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Rhetoric 1302-082 TR
Class Room: JO 4.306
Office: JO 4.114
Course Description
The course presents an integrated approach to writing, reading, and critical thinking by
developing the grammatical, logical, and rhetorical skills necessary for university writing.
All classes work in a computerized learning environment. Students are taught basic
computer literacy and submit all work electronically and on paper.
Course Requirements
Students will be expected to complete three essays, one final project, and other, weekly
writing assignments. Your final project does not have to be an essay, but it should consist
of an analytical component, where students explain and support their arguments. Students
may choose to do a fourth essay, but for your final project you will be encouraged to
choose other mediums (using, for instance, language, music, visual art, etc.), which
allows you to best communicate your opinions on the subject chosen. In all cases,
students should choose topics that relate to material within the textbook or class
discussion. Remember, read ahead, organize your thoughts, and be creative. Choose
topics that are of interest to you.
Late papers and projects will not be accepted. Broad topics to consider are found in
chapters 23-28. Subject matters and course content will cover a gamut of issues
concerning race, politics, gender, image and reality, homosexuality, advertising,
literature, and film. I encourage you to explore other essays in the book, for additional
issues you may want to address in a project. Your essays and final project should deal
with four different topics. DO NOT REPEAT TOPICS. Choose a topic of real interest to
you!!
Student work will be collected in a portfolio throughout the semester. The portfolio is
your most important argument in the course as it shows the sum evidence of your
learning, including your own observations and analysis of your learning. You will belong
to a work group for various collaborative activities (i.e., discussion of readings, peer
critiques), and you will participate in mid-term and semester-end moderation readings of
your portfolio for feedback from your peers. Because learning to read critically and write
responsively entails mastery of a process, your work will undergo extensive revisions in
response to peer readings and collaboration as well as conferencing with your instructor.
You are required to keep backup copies of your work either by electronic means or in
print. Your portfolio should consist of your final drafts and may contain previous
revisions to show your learning development.
Required Text
Lunsford, Andrea A., John J. Ruszkiewicz, and Keith Walters. Everything’s an
Argument with Readings. Third Edition. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2004.
Recommended Text
Troyka, Lynn Quitman. Quick Access: Reference for Writers. 4th ed. Upper Saddle
River: Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2004.
Also bring a floppy disk (PC-formatted if you use a PC, Mac-formatted if you use a
Mac). The Rhetoric classroom uses Macintosh computers that can read either format.
Most documents will be produced in Microsoft Word. Whether you use MS Word outside
of the classroom or not, it is best to save your files as rich text format (RTF) to insure
compatibility between the word processing program you use and the one in your
classroom. http://www.utdallas.edu/ir/microsoft/software.html
Attendance Policy
Attendance is mandatory and vital to class progress and individual improvement in the
subject of rhetoric and reasoning. More than one absence is considered excessive and
may result in a lowered grade. If you must miss a class, please consult both your
classmates and the instructor in order to see that you are up-to-date in all of your
assignments. In-class assignments cannot be made up, and late papers or projects are not
accepted. 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 the computers or
other personal electronic devices for personal messaging, research, or entertainment.
Please turn off cellular/mobile phones, pagers, and other personal electronic devices
during class. Class participation and preparedness is required.
Drop Policy
See here for details on deadlines and procedures for dropping:
http://www.utdallas.edu/student/class/current/newpolicywpwf.htm (Please check website
for any deadline changes or for more information.) If you drop my class, please do it
formally with the university.
Plagiarism Policy
Plagiarism is the representation of another person’s work as your own, whether you mean
to or not. For example, copying or paraphrasing passages from another writer’s work
without acknowledging that you’ve done so is plagiarism. Allowing another writer to
write any part of your essay is plagiarism. Copying or purchasing a paper from any
source is plagiarism. Plagiarism is a serious offense. The possible consequences range
from failing the assignment to failing the course, or worse. Each incident of plagiarism at
UTD must be reported to the administration. If you are not sure how to properly cite a
quoted or paraphrased source, or if you need help with the format of a citation, check
with the Handbook and/or with your teacher. Although you can (and, in fact, should) seek
help and advice from friends, classmates, tutors, and others, be sure that your written and
creative work is your own. See the Undergraduate Catalog for information about the
consequences of Scholastic Dishonesty, or view the policy here (which is also a link on
the Rhetoric Program website): http://www.utdallas.edu/student/slife/dishonesty.html.
Grading Policy
This class offers you an approach to learning that may be different from your past
experiences. Because the course is concerned with your development as a critical reader
and writer, the grading strategy will track and monitor that development. Your work will
be collected in a portfolio. Your assignments will not receive individual grades, but will
receive individual attention from your classmates and me. Your mid-term and final
grades will be based on your portfolio of written observations and your work samples,
including collaborative work and your three major essays and final project, as well as
completion of weekly assignments. In the final step to completing your portfolio, you
will argue for your grade by summarizing your learning and estimating the grade that the
evidence of your learning supports. In other words, you will directly apply what you learn
in this course, argumentative writing, by arguing for your own grade. However, each
component of the portfolio is vital to a quality body of work: your attendance,
participation, promptness, level of writing, effective arguments, creativity, collaboration,
sound rhetorical skills, competent use of technology and all of these things and more
contribute to an outstanding portfolio. Your goal is to demonstrate your development
toward mastery of five course strands (rhetoric, research, technology, collaboration, and
critical thinking) and development across five dimensions of learning (confidence and
independence, skills and strategies, knowledge and understanding, use of prior and
emerging experience, and reflectiveness). These goals will be discussed throughout the
course. Keep in mind that although we do give + and - grades at UTD, the general criteria
for grading your portfolio is still based on the A-F scale. The following grade criteria
describe very general indicators that both you and your instructor may take into
consideration when assessing your work and progress in the course. Your estimation of
your mid-term and final grades should be more detailed and specific and may include a +
or - if your work tilts above or below the central grade for which you argue. But the final
interpretation and assessment of your grade remains the responsibility of your teacher.
C: Represents good (but average) participation in all course activities; all assigned work
completed, with generally good quality overall in course work. Evidence of some
development across the five dimensions of learning and five course strands.
Students with Disabilities should make sure they are registered with the university.
Please contact Kerry Tate, Coordinator Disability Services at 972.883.2098. It is the
student’s responsibility to notify the instructor and make sure all paper work is properly
completed.
Second Essay: An integrated textual and visual essay that examines and analyzes the
argument of a visual image (or images) using the criteria in chapter 15 of Everything’s an
Argument. Your image may come from the visuals in Everything’s an Argument, other
publications, Internet, or other media. Essays should be a minimum of 5 full pages.
First Completed Draft: 29 June 2006
Final Completed Draft Due: To be turned in on the last day of class with your portfolio
and final project
Third Essay: This essay must present a casual or proposal argument using the principles
and criteria in Everything’s an Argument (Chapters 11-12). Essays should be a minimum
of 6 full pages.
First Completed Draft: 11 July 2006 (in class)
Final Draft: To be turned in on the last day of class with your portfolio and final project
Final Project: Your final project does not have to be an essay, but it should consist of an
analytical component, where you explain and support your arguments. Students may
choose to do a fourth essay, but, for your final project, you will be encouraged to choose
other mediums (using, for instance, creative writing, music, visual art, Photoshop, etc.).
You should have your final project proposed in writing no later than 27 June 2006.
Final Project should be turned in with your portfolio of essays (final drafts only) on the
last day of class, 18 July 2006.
Midterm: TBA
Final: 18 July 2006
Assigned Observations must be completed by the date(s) given on the syllabus or in class
as assigned. Observations can be your opinion, but they should demonstrate an educated
thesis and reason(s). Lengths may vary for each observation, but the writing needs to
communicate your thoughts in an organized, articulate, and well-edited manner. Your
argument needs to be complete and well supported and explained. I reserve the right to
add observations as needed to further class discussion and development.
Course Itinerary subject to change as instructor deems necessary. Notice of Changes to
Syllabus will be given to the class either in writing or verbally. If you miss a class, please
get notes from your peers. It is your responsibility to keep up with assignments and
changes to the syllabus. Day to day readings will be announced in class, so it is important
you take notes for yourself and your peers.
Week Five through Week Six 27 June 2006 through 6 July 2006
Chapters 11 & 12, with sample essays
No School on 4 July 2006
First Completed Draft for Essay 2 Due 29 June 2006
Final Project Proposal Due 27 June 2006
The following is a tentative listing for course readings. Readings should be read before
the date they appear here, since we will discuss them in class on these dates. I reserve the
right to add or change readings as the class progresses or needs.
30 May 2006 T Lecture on chapters 1-3 (Overture); Intro to evaluating sources (ch.21)
1 June 2006 R Chapters 9-10; Assigned essay readings on pages 167 & 197
8 June 2006 R “Letter from Birmingham Prison” MLK; in class writing on first paper
13 June 2006 T Selected readings from “Stereotypes in Media and Pop Culture” p.494;
in class exercise and writing
15 June 2006 R First completed Draft of First Essay (Bring two copies to class)
Class Assignment & Peer Critique
20 June 2006 T Poetry handouts and articles on film and visual rhetoric TBA; Ch. 14-15
22 June 2006 R Chapters 14 & 15 Conclusions and in-class writing and assignments for
Essay 2
27 June 2006 T TBA (Ch. 22); Final Project Proposals due today
29 June 2006 R First completed rough draft of essay 2 (Bring 2 copies to class) Class
Assignment and Peer Critique
11 July 2006 T First Completed Draft for Essay 3 due today! Bring two copies to class!
18 July 2006 T Portfolios and Final Projects are due in class! Attendance is mandatory!
The University of Texas at Dallas administers student discipline within the procedures of
recognized and established due process. Procedures are defined and described in the
Rules and Regulations, Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, Part 1,
Chapter VI, Section 3, and in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities of the
university's Handbook of Operating Procedures. Copies of these rules and regulations are
available to students in the Office of the Dean of Students, where staff members are
available to assist students in interpreting the rules and regulations (SU 1.602, 972/883-
6391).
A student at the university neither loses the rights nor escapes the responsibilities of
citizenship. He or she is expected to obey federal, state, and local laws as well as the
Regents' Rules, university regulations, and administrative rules. Students are subject to
discipline for violating the standards of conduct whether such conduct takes place on or
off campus, or whether civil or criminal penalties are also imposed for such conduct.
Academic Integrity
The faculty expects from its students a high level of responsibility and academic honesty.
Because the value of an academic degree depends upon the absolute integrity of the work
done by the student for that degree, it is imperative that a student demonstrate a high
standard of individual honor in his or her scholastic work.
Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, statements, acts or omissions related
to applications for enrollment or the award of a degree, and/or the submission as one's
own work or material that is not one's own. As a general rule, scholastic dishonesty
involves one of the following acts: cheating, plagiarism, collusion and/or falsifying
academic records. Students suspected of academic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary
proceedings.
Plagiarism, especially from the web, from portions of papers for other classes, and from
any other source is unacceptable and will be dealt with under the university's policy on
plagiarism (see general catalog for details). This course will use the resources of
turnitin.com, which searches the web for possible plagiarism and is over 90% effective.
Email Use
The University of Texas at Dallas recognizes the value and efficiency of communication
between faculty/staff and students through electronic mail. At the same time, email raises
some issues concerning security and the identity of each individual in an email exchange.
The university encourages all official student email correspondence be sent only to a
student's U.T. Dallas email address and that faculty and staff consider email from
students official only if it originates from a UTD student account. This allows the
university to maintain a high degree of confidence in the identity of all individual
corresponding and the security of the transmitted information. UTD furnishes each
student with a free email account that is to be used in all communication with university
personnel. The Department of Information Resources at U.T. Dallas provides a method
for students to have their U.T. Dallas mail forwarded to other accounts.
Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of
Students, where staff members are available to assist students in interpreting the rules and
regulations.
Disability Services
The goal of Disability Services is to provide students with disabilities educational
opportunities equal to those of their non-disabled peers. Disability Services is located in
room 1.610 in the Student Union. Office hours are Monday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to
6:30 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30
p.m.
Essentially, the law requires that colleges and universities make those reasonable
adjustments necessary to eliminate discrimination on the basis of disability. For example,
it may be necessary to remove classroom prohibitions against tape recorders or animals
(in the case of dog guides) for students who are blind. Occasionally an assignment
requirement may be substituted (for example, a research paper versus an oral presentation
for a student who is hearing impaired). Classes enrolled students with mobility
impairments may have to be rescheduled in accessible facilities. The college or university
may need to provide special services such as registration, note-taking, or mobility
assistance.
It is the student's responsibility to notify his or her professors of the need for such an
accommodation. Disability Services provides students with letters to present to faculty
members to verify that the student has a disability and needs accommodations.
Individuals requiring special accommodation should contact the professor after class or
during office hours.
Religious Holy Days
The University of Texas at Dallas will excuse a student from class or other required
activities for the travel to and observance of a religious holy day for a religion whose
places of worship are exempt from property tax under Section 11.20, Tax Code, Texas
Code Annotated.
The student is encouraged to notify the instructor or activity sponsor as soon as possible
regarding the absence, preferably in advance of the assignment. The student, so excused,
will be allowed to take the exam or complete the assignment within a reasonable time
after the absence: a period equal to the length of the absence, up to a maximum of one
week. A student who notifies the instructor and completes any missed exam or
assignment may not be penalized for the absence. A student who fails to complete the
exam or assignment within the prescribed period may receive a failing grade for that
exam or assignment.
If a student or an instructor disagrees about the nature of the absence [i.e., for the purpose
of observing a religious holy day] or if there is similar disagreement about whether the
student has been given a reasonable time to complete any missed assignments or
examinations, either the student or the instructor may request a ruling from the chief
executive officer of the institution, or his or her designee. The chief executive officer or
designee must take into account the legislative intent of TEC 51.911(b), and the student
and instructor will abide by the decision of the chief executive officer or designee.