Class Days: TTH
Class Times: 0930-1045
Class Location: CSQ 204
Rhetoric and Writing Studies 200
Fall, 2012
COURSE INFORMATION
Professor: Borgen
Contact Information: lcborg@aol.com
Office Hours Days: TTH
Office Hours Times (and by appointment): 0815-0915
Office Hours Location: AH3128
Course Overview
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RWS 200 is a course in academic writing and reading, emphasizing the rhetorical analysis of arguments in context.
Building on RWS 100, this course asks students to continue the work of articulating what argument a text is making
and describing elements of the argument. In particular, considered are the contexts of arguments to more completely
understand them as a response to historical and contemporary issues and values, and as they were written for a
specific audience in a particular place and time. RWS 200 students also examine the ways in which writers use sources
to investigate questions while seeking to understand both experiences and texts through critical reading and writing.
This class explores a variety of classical and contemporary texts learn more about the rhetorical elements of
arguments in their contemporary and historical contexts.
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The ultimate goal of RWS 200 is to equip students with skills vital to succeeding in their university education
endeavors. Practiced skills will include demonstrating courtesy and respect when discussing opinions and beliefs that
conflict with their own; working cooperatively with others to achieve common goals; and using critical thinking
strategies to evaluate public and private written, oral, and visual texts.
This course advances general education by helping students understand the general function of writing,
speaking, visual texts, and thinking within the context of the university at large, rather than within specific
disciplines. In addition to featuring the basic rules and conventions governing composition and
presentation, RWS 200 establishes intellectual frameworks and analytical tools that help students explore,
construct, critique, and integrate sophisticated texts. These goals focus on:
1) crafting well-reasoned arguments for specific audiences; 2) analyzing a variety of texts commonly encountered in the academic setting;
3) situating discourse within social, generic, cultural, and historic contexts; and
4) assessing the relative strengths of arguments and supporting evidence.

Enrollment Information
Please include information about enrollment for the course including, but not limited to:

Prerequisites: computerized placement or successful completion of RWS100.

Contact instructor in person for add code.
Course Materials
Please provide information about the materials for the course including, but not limited to:

Required Materials: Course Reading Packet and Keys for Writers by Ann Raimes (any edition).

Additional Course Materials are available in Course Reserves at the SDSU Library.
Course Structure and Conduct
Please provide information about the structure of the course including, but not limited to:

Style of the Course: Lecture-Discussion, Activity, on-line work.

Individual and group activities and tasks are required.

Technology Utilized in the Course: Blackboard.
Course Assessment and Grading
Please explain how the course will be assessed and graded by including, but not limited to:

Due dates for major writing projects are approximately every 4 weeks.

Assignments/in-class work (50); Reading quizzes (50); Writing Projects (25-50 each); Workshops (30); Mid-term and
final journal (40).

Excused absence make-ups treated on a case-by-case basis.
Other Course Policies

Submit some work to Blackboard and other work in class as assigned. No late work is accepted. Regular attendance is
highly recommended because work is done in class and as part of interactive learning. Working in groups is also
required but not mandatory. Students should be respectful and courteous at all time. Students with disabilities are
fully accommodated.