University of Texas at El Paso Academic Catalog

Academic Catalog

Rhetoric and Writing Studies Courses

Courses

RWS 1301.  Rhetoric & Composition I.  

Rhetoric & Composition I: [TCCN ENGL 1301] is intended to help students develop and reflect on their rhetorical and writing knowledge including awareness of their language choices, based on the understanding that language is never neutral. RWS 1301 helps students reach their academic and professional goals as writers. Course assignments invite students to explore cultural, political, linguistic, racial, and social issues through topics that appeal to their interests and sense of civic responsibility as members of various communities.

Department: Rhetoric and Writing Studies

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Prerequisite(s): (ENGL 0311 w/C* or better ) OR (TAKE score of 1 AND TAKL score between 2200 and 3153 ) OR (S01 score between 500 and 800 AND S05 score between 1070 and 1600 ) OR (A01 score between 19 and 36 AND A05 score between 23 and 36 ) OR (TAKL score between 2200 and 3153 ) OR (SXAC score of 1 ) OR (SXDG score of 1 ) OR (SXMA score of 1 ) OR (SXMN score of 1 ) OR (SXOI score of 1 ) OR (SXSA score of 1 ) OR (SXTA score of 1 ) OR (SXTR score of 1 ) OR (TSIE score between 4 and 8 AND TSIW score between 340 and 390 ) OR (TABW score between 4 and 6 AND TSIE score between 5 and 8 AND TSIW score between 310 and 339 ) OR (BCPE score of 1 ) OR (S11 score between 480 and 800 ) OR (2TSE score between 5 and 8 AND 2TWR score between 945 and 990 ) OR (2TDW score between 5 and 6 AND 2TSE score between 5 and 8 AND 2TWR score between 910 and 944 ) OR (AEXE score of 40 ) OR (BCE2 score of 1)

RWS 1302.  Rhetoric & Composition 2.  

Rhetoric and Composition [TCCN ENGL 1302] is the second course in the first-year writing sequence. It aims to develop further students' rhetorical and critical thinking skills in order to facilitate effective written communication in educational, professional, and social contexts, and in conducting and writing about research. Effective communication is based on awareness of and appreciation for diverse language practices as well as knowledge specific to subject matter, genre, rhetorical strategy, identity, and writing processes.

Department: Rhetoric and Writing Studies

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Prerequisite(s): (ENGL 3101 w/C or better ) OR (ENGL 1611 w/C or better ) OR (COMM 1611 w/C or better ) OR (RWS 1301 w/C or better)

RWS 1601.  Rhetoric, Composition & Comm.  

(Common Course Numbers ENGL 1301 & COMM 1301). RWS 1601 develops students' critical thinking skills in order to facilitate effective communication in all contexts. This effective communication is based on an awareness of and appreciation for discourse communities as well as knowledge specific to subject matter, genre, rhetorical strategy, and writing process. In addition, the course provides the student with the opportunity to develop their oral communication skills and strategies. Students are offered the opportunity to develop complementary skills of reading and listening through extensive responses to others' written and spoken work. Equivalent courses: COMM 1611 and (RWS 1301 AND COMM 1301). Prerequisites: ENGL 0311 with a grade of C or better OR placement examination.

Department: Rhetoric and Writing Studies

6 Credit Hours
6 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
6 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Prerequisite(s): (ENGL 3110 w/C or better ) OR (ENGL 0311 w/C or better ) OR (TAKE score of 1 AND TAKL score between 2200 and 3153 ) OR (S01 score between 500 and 800 AND S05 score between 1070 and 1600 ) OR (A01 score between 19 and 36 AND A05 score between 23 and 36 ) OR (BCPE score of 1 ) OR (S11 score between 480 and 800)

RWS 3305.  Intro to Tec Wrt and User Exp.  

Introduction to Technical Writing and User Experience: This course introduces students to practices and theories in Technical Writing and User Experience that can be applied in industry, academic, and community settings. The course will emphasize the role of rhetoric, ethics, and collaboration in the activities and responsibilities of communicators in a variety of cultural and linguistic contexts. Junior standing recommended.

Department: Rhetoric and Writing Studies

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Prerequisite(s): (RWS 1302 w/C or better ) OR (ENGL 1313 w/C or better ) OR (ESOL 1312 w/C or better)

RWS 3345.  Editing.  

Editing: Intensive study and practice in rhetorically effective writing. Includes grammar, style, relationships between language and meaning, roles of editors, document design, graphics, online documentation, and editing for the web. Prerequisites: RWS 1302 or ENGL 1312 or ENGL 1313 or ESOL 1312 with a grade of "C" or better. Junior standing recommended.

Department: Rhetoric and Writing Studies

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Prerequisite(s): (ENGL 1313 w/C or better ) OR (ESOL 1312 w/C or better ) OR (RWS 1302 w/C or better)

RWS 3354.  Methods for Inquiry & Design.  

Methods of Inquiry and Design: This course emphasizes collaborative inquiry and analysis through a variety of qualitative methods, including participatory inquiry, user-centered design, and action-based research. Students will practice conducting research while gaining a sense of disciplinary and industry expectations for responsible and self-reflexive practices in different communities. Junior standing recommended.

Department: Rhetoric and Writing Studies

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Prerequisite(s): (RWS 1302 w/C or better ) OR (ENGL 1313 w/C or better ) OR (ESOL 1312 w/C or better)

RWS 3355.  Workplace Writing.  

Workplace Writing: A course that focuses on critical decision making in professional contexts. Principles of professional rhetoric are applied to the composing process; strategies for planning, organizing, drafting, and presenting written and oral communication for a workplace context are emphasized. Prerequisites: RWS 1302 or ENGL 1312 or ENGL 1313 or ESOL 1312 with a grade of "C" or better. Junior standing recommended.

Department: Rhetoric and Writing Studies

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Prerequisite(s): (ENGL 1313 w/C or better ) OR (ESOL 1312 w/C or better ) OR (RWS 1302 w/C or better)

RWS 3357.  Issues in Tech & Rhetoric.  

Issues in Technology and Rhetoric: A variable topic class focusing on current databases related to technology and rhetoric. Course may be repeated when topics change. Prerequisites: ENGL 1312 or RWS 1302 or ENGL 1313 or ESOL 1312 with a grade of "C" or better. Junior standing recommended.

Department: Rhetoric and Writing Studies

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Prerequisite(s): (ENGL 1313 w/C or better ) OR (ESOL 1312 w/C or better ) OR (RWS 1302 w/C or better)

RWS 3358.  Special Topics in Writing.  

Special Topics in Writing: An advanced writing course emphasizing topics in professional writing and rhetoric. Course may be repeated when the topic changes. Prerequisites: RWS 1302 or ENGL 1312 or ENGL 1313 or ESOL 1312 with a grade of "C" or better. Junior standing recommended.

Department: Rhetoric and Writing Studies

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Prerequisite(s): (ENGL 1313 w/C or better ) OR (ESOL 1312 w/C or better ) OR (RWS 1302 w/C or better)

RWS 3359.  Technical Writing.  

Technical Writing (3-0) A professionally-oriented communication course centered on assembling, organizing, drafting, and revising technical information for generating written documents and oral reports. Prerequisites: RWS 1302 or ENGL 1312 or ENGL 1313 or ESOL 1312 with a grade of "C" or better. Junior standing recommended.

Department: Rhetoric and Writing Studies

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Prerequisite(s): (ENGL 1313 w/C or better ) OR (ESOL 1312 w/C or better ) OR (RWS 1302 w/C or better)

RWS 3365.  Adv Composition:Rhet Theory.  

Advanced Composition:Rhethorical Theory. Study of classical and contemporary rhetorical theory with emphasis upon contemporary discourse; practice in techniques of invention, organization, and style as applied to written composition. Prerequisites: RWS 1302 or ENGL 1312 or ENGL 1313 or ESOL 1312 with a grade of "C" or better. Junior standing recommended.

Department: Rhetoric and Writing Studies

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Prerequisite(s): (ENGL 1313 w/C or better ) OR (ESOL 1312 w/C or better ) OR (RWS 1302 w/C or better)

RWS 3366.  Advanced Composition: Argument.  

Advanced Composition: Argument This course is concerned with the development of argumentative writing by examining contemporary issues and ethical questions. The course will be project-based, will include collaborative work, and will emphasize stylistics. Prerequisites: RWS 1302 or ENGL 1312 or ENGL 1313 or ESOL 1312 with a grade of "C" or better. Junior standing recommended.

Department: Rhetoric and Writing Studies

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Prerequisite(s): (ENGL 1313 w/C or better ) OR (ESOL 1312 w/C or better ) OR (RWS 1302 w/C or better)

RWS 3367.  Foundations of User Exp.  

Foundation of User Experience: This course will focus on researching products, services, and processes in digital environments in order to create positive user experiences in which formation is accessible, will constructed, and ethically designed. Junior standing recommended.

Department: Rhetoric and Writing Studies

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Prerequisite(s): (RWS 1302 w/C or better ) OR (ENGL 1313 w/C or better ) OR (ESOL 1312 w/C or better)

RWS 4300.  Senior Writing Practicum.  

Capstone: Digital Portfolio. In this course students will create a digital portfolio that showcases examples of their community and professional experiences and that includes reflections on the ethics and responsibilities of communicators in temporary life. Prerequisites: RWS 1302 or ENGL 1312 or ENGL 1313 or ESOL 1312 with a grade of "C" or better. Junior standing recommended.

Department: Rhetoric and Writing Studies

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
0 Lecture Hours
3 Other Hours

Prerequisite(s): (ENGL 1313 w/C or better ) OR (ESOL 1312 w/C or better ) OR (RWS 1302 w/C or better)

RWS 4320.  Web Authoring.  

This course introduces students to web design through a rhetorical perspective, focusing on how coding languages function and how code facilitates and constrains user- experiences. Students will gain hands-on training in content management and content strategy as they learn to design tools and technologies with various communities and stakeholders. Junior standing recommended.

Department: Rhetoric and Writing Studies

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Prerequisite(s): (RWS 1302 w/C or better ) OR (ENGL 1313 w/C or better ) OR (ESOL 1312 w/C or better)

RWS 4390.  Directed Study.  

Directed Study: Individual directed study on an approved topic, to be taught with the consent of the professor and with the approval of the department chairperson. Restricted to major of ENGL. Prerequisites: RWS 1302 or ENGL 1312 or ENGL 1313 or ESOL 1312 with a grade of "C" or better. Department approval also required. Junior standing recommended.

Department: Rhetoric and Writing Studies

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
0 Lecture Hours
3 Other Hours

Major Restrictions:
Restricted to majors of ENGL

Prerequisite(s): (ENGL 1313 w/C or better ) OR (ESOL 1312 w/C or better ) OR (RWS 1302 w/C or better)