Courses in Rhetoric
Lower-Division Courses
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RHE 306 - Rhetoric and Writing
An introductory writing course that includes instruction in practical reasoning and the principles of rhetoric.
This course is grounded in the rhetorical analysis of "controversies," broadly defined. It is divided into four units, each one requiring some sort of outside research. The first two units are devoted to rhetorical analysis; they are mostly descriptive and allow students to become familiar with what is being said and how. The third and fourth units are devoted to advocacy; having become familiar with the controversy, students now take a position within it and produce an informed argument for that position.
RHE 306 carries the 010 Core Communication code and is required as part of the Texas Core Curriculum.
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309J - Topics in Writing
Study and practice methods of rhetorical analysis within the contexts of disputed issues of academic, political, or cultural significance.
Recent topics include:
- Rhetoric of AI
- Rhetoric of Fandom
- Rhetoric of True Crime
- Rhetoric of Comic Books
- Rhetoric of Horror
Note: As of Fall 2022, RHE 309K is retired. RHE 309J will be offered in its place, but is the same course as RHE 309K.
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309S - Critical Reading and Persuasive Writing
A writing course designed to teach advanced rhetorical analysis and advocacy on public issues.
RHE 309S focuses on communication that occurs outside the academy and outside of academic writing, emphasizing how to communicate complex ideas clearly and persuasively to non-expert audiences.
Handcrafted marbled paper from a 1735 edition of Horace' poems (Public Domain)
Other Lower-Division Courses
- 310 - Intermediate Expository Writing (formerly RHE 309L)
- Intensive writing workshop, focusing on style and readability.
- 312 - Writing in Digital Environments (formerly RHE 309M)
- A writing course focusing on using, interpreting, and analyzing traditional and emerging technologies. Taught using networked computers.
- 315 - Introduction to Visual Rhetoric
- A writing course designed to teach students to analyze and produce visual and non-verbal forms of rhetoric.
Upper-Division Courses
Laurent de La Hyre's "Allegory of Rhetoric," 1650 (Public Domain)
321 - Principles of Rhetoric
Examine major terms, issues, and approaches in the discipline of rhetoric and writing. Practice analysis and application.
A diagram of the opening sentence of George Orwell's "1984."
325M - Advanced Writing
An advanced course designed to improve and refine writing.
Students in RHE 325M will work on clarity, force, elegance, and ornament, becomming more critically aware of grammar and style.
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328 - Professional and Technical Writing for Liberal Arts Majors
Topics course. Examine genres, processes, contexts, and practices of technical and professional communication.
Topics may include:
- Magazine Writing and Publishing
- Writing for Nonprofits
- Writing for Entrepreneurs
- Nature, Travel, and Environmental Writing
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330C - Advanced Studies in Digital Rhetoric
Topics course. Examine the role of information technologies in communication and culture.
Topics may include:
- Designing Text Ecologies
- Digital Storytelling
- Access Designed
- Rhetoric and Data Visualization
- Information Design
Cesare Maccari's "Cicero Denounces Catiline," 1889 (Public Domain)
330D - History of Rhetoric
Topics course. Geographically and/or historically situates and examines figures, movements, traditions, and/or productions in rhetoric and public argument.
Topics may include:
- Cicero, Rhetoric, and Ancient Rome
- Women's Rhetorical Traditions
- Feminist Rhetoric
- Classical to Modern Rhetoric
- Arguing with Scientists
Ryoanji Temple Zen Garden, Kyoto, Japan. Photo via 663highland (Creative Commons)
330E - Rhetorical Theory and Analysis
Topics course. Critically explore contemporary rhetorical theories and their analytical applications.
Topics may include:
- Comparative Rhetoric
- Nonargumentative Rhetoric in Zen
- Rhetoric and the Law
- Pathos
- Peacemaking Rhetoric
- Film as Rhetoric
- Animal Rhetorics
- Disability Rhetorics
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360M - Rhetoric and Writing for Teachers of English
An advanced course that examines theories of writing and writing pedagogy.
Although this course is designed for students seeking a secondary school teaching certificate or those in the UTeach-Liberal Arts program, students who meet the prerequisites are welcome to enroll.
In RHE 368C, students will get hands-on experience working in the University Writing Center (pictured above).
368C - Writing Center Internship
Intensive reading, writing, and discussion in writing center theory and philosophy, tutoring methods, and writing pedagogy. Includes an introduction to sociolinguistics and a review of Standard American English usage and mechanics. Followed by a supervised apprenticeship as a peer consultant in the University Writing Center.
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679HA & 679HB - Honors Tutorial Course
Research and development of a thesis/project topic and proposal followed by the writing and defense of an honors thesis or development and defense of an honors project. The equivalent of three lecture hours a week for two semesters.
To enroll in this course, students must be admitted to the DRW Honors Program
Herrad of Landsberg's "Hortus deliciarum," 1185 (Public Domian)
More Upper-Division RHE Courses
366 - Internship in Rhetoric and Writing
Research and staff experience working in an appropriate non-profit, public-, or private-sector entity.
367R - Conference Course in Rhetoric and Writing
Supervised work on specific projects in rhetoric and writing.
368E - Editing for Publication
Topics course. Advanced instruction in revising and editing for publication.
379C - Advanced Topics in Rhetoric and Writing
An advanced course focused on specific theories or practices of rhetoric and writing.