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What is Rhetoric 1101?
Critical Thinking and Oral Communication, or as it is fondly referred to, Rhet 1101, is a degree requirement for all new, first-time freshmen at UT Dallas.

The class emphasizes connecting with campus and local communities and helps students transition from high school to college. The small class format encourages students to meet others, develop relationships with UT Dallas staff members and learn the skills essential to becoming a successful college student.

What is the class like?

• Classes are small, usually no more than 19 students.
  
• Most classes have both an instructor and a First-Year Leader — a junior or senior role model and mentor.
  
• Classes meet twice per week and involve discussion, collaborative learning exercises and small group interaction among students, instructors and First-Year Leaders.
  
• Students deliver two oral presentations during the semester.
  
• Students work together to explore important issues related to college success, using examples from their own experiences.
  
• Students visit or attend six on-campus events of their choosing, which may include:
  • Learning Resource Center
    
  • Career Center
    
  • Academic department brown bag lectures
    
  • Workshops on time management or test-taking strategies
    
  • Freshman Convocation
    
  • NCAA sporting events
    
  • Homecoming festivities
  • Meetings of any of the more than 120 student organizations on campus
    
  • Concert or theatre events sponsored by the School of Arts and Humanities
    
  • Multicultural events featuring cross-cultural foods, entertainment or art
    
  • Gym facilities or intramural sports teams
    
  • Stress management workshops
    
  • Programs sponsored by the Women’s Center

Why is Rhet 1101 required?
Colleges and universities around the world offer college success courses similar to UT Dallas’ Rhetoric 1101. Annual research studies conducted by The National Resource Center for the First Year Experience and Students in Transition at the University of South Carolina have consistently found that students who take such a course:

• Become more connected with other students
  
• Are more satisfied with the institution they attend
  
• Use campus services more often
  
• Interact with faculty outside of class
  
• Participate in campus activities
  
• Make better grades
  
• Are more likely to graduate

What will a student gain from Rhet 1101?
Participating in Rhetoric 1101 will provide your child with resources and opportunities, including:

• Familiarity with UT Dallas campus resources and student services
  
• Enhanced public speaking skills
  
• Identification of his or her learning style and how to apply it to greater academic success
  
• Connections with classmates and UT Dallas faculty or staff members
  
• Knowledge about essential elements of college success
  
• How to impress and relate to instructors
  
• Strategies for managing time and money
  
• Tips for working effectively in a group
  
• An understanding of how college develops skills that employers seek

Who teaches the class?
Rhet 1101 is taught by staff from various departments campus-wide, including:

• Academic advisors
  
• Librarians
  
• The registrar
  
• The coordinator of the University’s Multicultural Center
• The director and assistant directors of undergraduate advising
  
• Career counselors
  
• Residential life directors
  
• Service Learning coordinators
  
• The director of the Learning Resource Center
  
• The director of the Academic Excellence and Terry Scholars programs

Do students receive credit for this course?
Students receive one hour of course credit toward their undergraduate degree. The class also is a requirement for graduation.

Are students graded?
Students in Rhet 1101 receive letter grades that are counted in the overall grade point average just as they would in other academic courses.