Oral Communication and Critical Thinking

RHET 1101 Syllabus Outline – Summer 2009

Instructor: Yolandé Porter

Office: SU 1.610
Phone: 972-883-6204
E-mail: yolande@utdallas.edu
Office Hours: By Appointment
► E-mail and voicemail will be checked daily, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
► Placing a call or e-mail without talking with ME does not alleviate any
responsibilities towards course deadlines.
Class Meetings: Mondays and Wednesdays at 1:00 PM in JO 4.614

About the Course

Welcome to college! Never again will you take a course so specifically designed for your
benefit. This class will work with you to help prepare you to take on one of the most exciting,
yet challenging periods of your life. College consists of a great deal more than just a higher
level of demanding course work. It’s new-found independence, freedom, a variety of people
to deal with, roommates, romance, love lives, laundry, and homework. There are a lot of
skills required to effectively balance all of the above and we’re here to help you grow into
your new life with ease. Succeeding in college paves the way for success in life, but dealing
with life successfully is also necessary for succeeding in college. Through the use of
personal insight, goal-setting, campus-oriented activities, and interactions, you’ll get off to a
great start!

Learning Outcomes
1. To assess student’s academic abilities and determine strengths and areas to develop.
2. To enhance personal motivation, competency, and self-discipline.
3. To understand student’s personal learning style and how to maximize academic
efforts.
4. To define short-term and long-term goals for professional, personal, academic lives.
5. To demonstrate ability to apply basic time management techniques, conflict
management, study skills, problem solving, critical thinking and writing skills.
6. To become familiar with wellness issues to enhance peak performance both
academically and personally.
7. To identify the attitudes and competencies that employers are looking for in
employees.
8. To provide access and knowledge about program opportunities and resources at the
University of Texas at Dallas.
9. To enhance the student’s ability to effectively communicate in all aspects of daily life.
(written, oral, and non-verbal, etc).

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Grading
This course has been designed to provide you the opportunity to do well. The assignments
are primarily personal in their focus, most are not tremendously time consuming, and they
give you the chance to actively improve your skills. They should not be a source of pressure
or anxiety.

Attendance and Class Participation 240 Points

Assignments 160 Points
*******************************************************************
100% 400 Points

Grading Overview: Total Points

Class Attendance/Participation 240

Personal Introduction Speech 10
UTD Website Search 10
Campus Resources Presentation 10
Persuasive Speech 10
Expert Testimony Speech 10
Campus Event Papers (Each is worth 5 points) 15
Quizzes (Each is worth 5 points) 15
Group Presentation 50
Final Paper: Your Summer Experience 30
TOTAL 400

Point Distribution:

400 - 360 =A
359 – 340 =B
339 – 320 =B
319 – 300 = C+
229 – 280 =C
279 - 260 = D+
259 – 240 =D
239 – 0 =F

Class Policies
► Attendance is mandatory and will be taken each class. If there are extenuating
circumstances and you will need to be absent, please let me know beforehand. Excuses
after the fact will not be accepted.
►All work must be typed and in proper format.
►All assignments are due on the specified date on this syllabus. Late or incomplete
assignments will not be accepted.
► Use of beepers and cell phones is prohibited in class. Both items must be turned off
or on vibrate during class.
► Neither food nor beverages are allowed in class.

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 ASSIGNMENTS

Personal Introduction Speech:

This is the first speech that you will give. The speech should be approximately 2 -3 minutes in
length. The speech should serve as a type of introduction to the individual that you are. In
one or two pages, write about yourself. This can be as personal or informal as you like.
This assignment is worth 10 points is due June 15.

UTD Website Search:

This assignment will help you become familiar with the university’s website.
This assignment is worth 10 points and is due June 17.

Campus Resource Presentations:

During your first semester it is important for you to locate and familiarize yourself with various
campus resources such as the women’s center, the learning resource center, the career or
counseling center. You are to visit a resource center. Find out what services they provide,
the hours of operation and if there are any costs. You are to make a 5 minute presentation to
the class related to the campus resource that you visited. Please also provide each RHET
1101 class member with a brochure, handout or other information that you obtained from
visiting this resource. Include in your presentation, why other students may want to visit this
resource.
This assignment is worth 10 points is due June 24.

Campus Events Papers:

All RHET 1101 students are required to attend 3 on-campus events. There are many
activities happening at UTD all the time and we would like you to see how much is available
to you right here! You can attend theater presentations, concerts, art exhibits, invited
speakers, club meetings, rallies, sporting events, etc. (The one exception is that attending a
movie does not count). After attending the event of your choice, simply turn in proof that you
attended, such as a ticket stub, playbill, etc. You must also complete a one page, typewritten
report of your experience. Each report is worth 5 points. The 1ST report is due June 22.
The 2ND report is due July 8. The 3RD report is due July 20.

Oral Presentations:
Another important skill is to be able to speak in front of your peers. You will be required to
give 2 oral presentations; a Persuasive Speech and an Expert Testimony Speech. Each

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presentation will be 3 to 5 minutes in length. Please let me know beforehand if you will need
an overhead projector or any other material. Each presentation is worth 10 points.

• (1) Persuasive Speech: You will be required to give a persuasive speech that is to
address a social issue. Your topic should take one side of an issue and you should
support your position by presenting evidence. You may choose from the list provided
at the back of your syllabus. This assignment is due July 1.

• (2) Expert Testimony: You will prepare a 2-21/2 minute presentation on a topic you
know very well. This could be a hobby, a particular subject, your home town, a
favorite book, etc. No research should be necessary. You are required to use at least
one visual aid. Example: Poster boards, handouts, slides, PowerPoint presentation or
any object that will support your topic. (Be Creative!) This assignment is due July
13.

Group Presentation:
No matter what career you pursue, you will undoubtedly find yourself working with others.
The ability to function effectively in a diverse group of people who are responsible for
developing a successful end project is critical. You will be placed in groups to explore issues
related to making a successful transition to college life. Your findings will form the basis of an
oral presentation to the class.
This assignment is worth 50 points and will be presented on July 27th.

Final Paper “Your Summer Experience”:

This paper is for the purpose of expressing your integration into the campus community
through the freshman experience course, as well as, to develop your writing skills. Tell us
about your overall summer experience. This paper will count as the final for the course. The
final paper is worth 30 points and is due on the last day of class, July 29.

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 Class Schedule: June 10 – July 29, 2009

Attendance is Mandatory

Class Session Agenda

1. June 10th Introduction: What to Expect

• Review Syllabi

2. June 15th Oral Presentation: Personal Introduction Speech

3. June 17th Public Speaking Importance; Grading Rubric

• DUE: UTD Website Search

4. June 22nd Library Presentation

• DUE: 1st Campus Event

5. June 24th Quiz: Library

Oral Presentation: Campus Resources

6. June 29th Class Activity: Making an Impression, Know Your Instructor Quiz, Email

7. July 1st Oral Presentation – Persuasive Speech

8. July 6th Class Activity: Handling Awkward Situations

9. July 8th Counseling Center Presentation

• DUE: 2nd Campus Event

10. July 13th Quiz: Counseling Center

Oral Presentation – Expert Testimony Speech

11. July 15th Class Activity: The Baroness and the Drawbridge

12. July 20th Career Center Presentation

• DUE: 3rd Campus Event

13. July 22nd Quiz: Career Center

Class Activity: Critical Thinking and Group Dynamics: Farmer’s Dilemma

14. July 27th DUE: Group Presentations

15. July 29th DUE: FINAL EXAM PAPER

This schedule is subject to change to accommodate opportunities to host guest speakers and to pursue lines of inquiry that emerge during the
course of the class.

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