Rhetoric and Composition Course Descriptions

RHET - 099. Introduction to Composition (4)

Introduction to Composition helps students gain competence in civic and academic discourse by helping them write persuasively to a variety of audiences. To help students write persuasively, the course emphasizes how writers can achieve focus and coherence; support their claims with evidence, including evidence drawn from outside sources; adapt appeals to emotion to particular audiences and purposes; and use syntax, grammar, punctuation, and spelling to establish their credibility as writers. To achieve these goals, students write a minimum of 6,000 words of revised prose in essays of increasing length and complexity. They develop these essays by writing drafts, revisions, or shorter pre-assignments every week; by assessing their own and other students' writing in small-group and whole class workshops; and by drafting with an emphasis on revision, editing, and proofreading.

RHET - 100. Editing and Proofreading Skills (1)

This one-credit course is open to any student who is not concurrently enrolled in Writing Studio. It emphasizes recognizing and correcting errors in grammar, usage, and syntax and strengthens revision practices.

RHET - 102. Writing Center for Credit (1)

This self-paced one-credit C/NC course allows students to work regularly with a Writing Center preceptor to revise papers done for other courses. In order to gain credit, the students must successfully complete a contract agreed upon by the student and instructor.

RHET - 110. Written Communication I (4)

In order to prepare students for the kinds of writing typically required in college-level courses and in civic discourse, RC 110 teaches the composition of thesis-driven argumentative essays that respond to important social and academic issues. Presented with elements of rhetorical theory, students gain practice in composing brief to medium-length arguments that are focused, clearly organized, well supported and based on accurate critical reading of a moderate number of readings assigned by the instructor. Students also develop skills in summary, paraphrase, and quotation, as well as in incorporating multiple sources in the service of a unified argument and in addressing multiple, often conflicting points of view. Also, students are introduced to library research as a tool of academic inquiry. Finally, students gain practice revising for whole-text coherence, as well as for clarity and correct usage. The minimum passing grade for this course is C-.

RHET - 120. Written Communication II (4)

Prerequisite: RC 110 with a minimum grade of C-. With a firm basis in the elements of rhetoric, critical reading, written argumentation, and library research established in RC 110, students in RC 120 learn to compose more ambitious arguments responding to and incorporating sources of greater number, length, complexity, and variety. In order to meet the demands of advanced academic discourse, students also (a) develop skills in critical analysis of challenging non-fiction prose texts from a range of disciplinary perspectives and subjects, with a particular focus on the linguistic and rhetorical strategies employed in these texts, and (b) conduct extensive library research in the process of planning and composing sophisticated academic papers. Students will also gain practice editing for stylistic fluency in accordance with conventions of advanced academic prose. Finally, students develop greater independence in formulating strategies for revision and expansion of written arguments. The minimum passing grade for this course is C-. This course fulfills Core A2, the University writing requirement.

RHET - 125/126. Writing and Speaking in the Community (Martín Baró) (8)

Prerequisite: Enrolled in the Martín Baró Scholars Program. This course is especially designated for those in the Martín Baró Scholars Program. It meets the learning outcomes of 0102-130/131, Written and Oral Communication, with service learning and cultural diversity designations. This course is a McCarthy Center Certified course.

RHET - 130/131. Written and Oral Communication (8)

Written and Oral Communication (130/131) is an accelerated two-semester course (4 credit hours per semester) that, when completed with a grade of C- or better, meets the university requirement for writing and public speaking (Core A1 and A2). Some sections may be built around a designated theme such as Great Ideas, Persuasion in the Public Sphere, or Exploring Our Community. In the first semester, students learn the basic practices of oral and written argument by writing a minimum of 7000 works of revised prose in essays of increasing length and complexity, including one research paper, and by giving two prepared speeches. Students claim a voice in public writing, connecting intention to audience, and draft, revise, and edit to achieve focus and coherency. Students learn to use textual support for argument, to read critically, to use transitions and documentation, and to organize appeals in support of a claim. They learn methods of development, practice and delivery for a variety of speeches, including topic selection, speech outlines, audience analysis, and visual aids. In the second semester, students expand their skills of argumentation and style, writing a minimum of 9000 words of revised prose and giving a minimum of two speeches: written and oral arguments of fact, value and policy, including research. They briefly review the history of rhetoric, identify ethical issues and logical fallacies in public address, learn to use rhetorical analysis, to structure argument with induction and deduction, to raise and respond to opposition, and to adapt arguments to audience and occasion.

RHET - 140. Seminar in Rhetoric and Composition (4)

This accelerated seminar in writing, appropriate for exceptionally talented freshmen, fulfills the Core A2 requirement when completed with a grade of C- or better. In order to meet the demands of advanced academic discourse, students develop skills in critical analysis of challenging non-fiction prose texts from a range of disciplinary perspectives and subjects, with a particular focus on the linguistic and rhetorical strategies employed in these texts. Students will conduct extensive library research in the process of planning and composing sophisticated academic papers. Students will also gain practice in editing for stylistic fluency in accordance with conventions of advanced academic prose. Finally, students develop greater independence in formulating strategies for revision and expansion of written arguments.

RHET - 195. Freshman Seminar (4)

An interesting introduction to a topic in the field of Rhetoric and Composition. Offered Fall to incoming Freshmen.

RHET - 201. Writing in APA Style (1-2)

Prerequisite: or corequisite. Completion of Core A2 requirement (0102-120, 0102-131, 0102-140, or 0102-250). Presents the fundamentals of APA style for Nursing, Communication, and Social Sciences. Students will work on reading, writing, and editing in APA. The 1-credit version will have in-class and homework assignments; the 2-credit version will have, in addition, a mid-term and final exam.

RHET - 202. Writing for Performing Arts (4)

Prerequisites: RHET - 110 or RHET - 130/131 or RHET - 195 with a grade of C- or higher.. This course emphasizes critical thinking and writing skills specifically as they relate to the discipline and theory of performing arts. In particular, this course will focus on the relationship between rhetoric and performance as two separate, but related fields of study and practice. The course introduces students to the concept of rhetoric as a practice and theory of communication, explores the concept of performance in theatre, anthropology, and politics, and considers how performances can be understood and analyzed as rhetorical acts. Open only to majors in Performing Arts and Social Justice.

RHET - 250. Academic Writing at USF (4)

This course is designed to provide transfer students with prior writing credits an introduction to the standards and research methods expected at the University of San Francisco. It is an intensive course that will fulfill the Core writing requirement and stress academic writing and research skills. A grade of C- or better is required to pass this course. Students may take 0102-251, Writing Studio, concurrently with this course.

RHET - 251. Writing Studio (2)

This optional course will give students enrolled in 0102-250 additional practice in developing the skills needed for excellence in academic writing. Emphasis will be on standard written English, sentence and paragraph development, and revision strategies to be applied to students' writing projects in 0102-250.

RHET - 301. Writing in Psychology (4)

Prerequisites: A grade of C- in RHET - 120 , RHET - 130/131 or RHET - 250. This course features argumentation and critical writing, reading, and thinking skills as applied to analysis or articles central to the field of Psychology. Required for and restricted to Psychology majors. This is a Writing Intensive Course.

RHET - 310. Business and Technical Writing (4)

Students will learn the practices of writing in business and technical fields and contexts. Students will produce several major documents (at least one of them collaboratively) typically used in business and technical environments (such as a proposal, a report, an instruction manual, a trade journal article or a web site; a portfolio of correspondence), and will complete a variety of minor assignments (e.g., a Power Point presentation, an oral presentation, or an instruction sheet). Students will also develop skills in editing for correctness, clarity, and appropriateness of style and tone. This is a Writing Intensive Course.

RHET - 320. How English Works (4)

Prerequisite: C- or better in 0102-120, 131, 140, or 250. This course provides students a foundation in linguistics, the study of human language, by focusing on the English language and its impact on society and societal institutions and issues, especially educational ones. In addition to examining the components and communicative function of languages (i.e., phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics,and pragmatics), topics of language variation, language change and history, and the connection between academic linguistics and the everyday use of the English language will be covered. This is a Writing Intensive course.

RHET - 322. Classical Rhetoric (4)

Prerequisite: A passing grade (C- or better) in Core A2: Rhetoric and Composition 120, 126, 131, 140 or 250. This course examines the creation and emergence of classical rhetorical theories and practices from early to late antiquity. Students will read, analyze and research the varying rhetorical traditions that helped shape educational practices and civic debate within different social contexts. This class is a Writing Intensive course. Passing this class with a B- or better counts toward the Certificate in Rhetoric and Writing. This class also counts as an elective toward the Interdisciplinary Minor in Classical Studies.