College of Liberal Arts
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Undergraduate Studies

Analytical, Communicative, and Persuasive skills are in high demand in almost every profession, including law, education, politics, consulting, business, public relations, professional writing, advertising, and academia. The Rhetoric and Writing major aims to produce sophisticated communicators able to perform the sort of analyses and persuasive presentations that such careers require. It also is an excellent preparation for graduate-level study in law, business, media studies, literary and cultural studies, and other liberal-arts disciplines.

Specifically, students in the Rhetoric and Writing major learn to:

  • Critically analyze information, texts, and arguments.
  • Organize and communicate ideas clearly and effectively.
  • Engage thoughtfully in public debates.
  • Advocate a position effectively and ethically.

As a Rhetoric and Writing major, you will develop your ability to apply these practical skills in person, in print, and electronically, while studying the rhetorical and philosophical principles in which they are based.

Please note our departmental attendance policy which is reflected in all syllabi:  Students may miss 6 MWF classes, but will fail upon the 7th absence. In MW and TTH sections, students may miss 4 classes but will fail upon the 5th absence. 

Admission

  • Prospective UT Students

    All students interested in studying Rhetoric and Writing are encouraged to apply directly to the major on their initial UT Austin application.  For new student admission information, please visit the Office of Admissions website. 

  • Former UT Students

    Whether you've been away from UT for a semester or for 50 years, we welcome your return to complete your degree. Please see the Returning Student Admissions page for readmission information.  Please note the application deadlines on the right side of that page. A number of our returning students have suggested that the paper application available on that site is less cumbersome than ApplyTexas.

  • Internal Transfer Students

    Rhetoric and Writing is an "open" major, meaning that we welcome all current UT students to pursue it. The process for declaring the Rhetoric and Writing major will vary according to your current UT Austin College/School:

    Current Liberal Arts students may change to (or add) an Rhetoric and Writing major after meeting with our advisor. At this meeting, we’ll address your questions, review Rhetoric and Writing requirements and opportunities, and update your academic record. If you aren’t yet prepared to “declare” Rhetoric and Writing but would like to discuss the major with an advisor, please also feel free to reach out. In either case, please use this Bookings link to set up your appointment:

    David's Bookings Page

    Current UT students from other colleges (e.g., Natural Sciences, Education, etc.) must also apply for internal transfer to Rhetoric and Writing through the Office of Admissions. For information on that process and a link to the application portal, please visit the Internal Transfer for Current Students website.  Application deadlines are May 1 (to join the major the following fall) and December 1 (for spring admission). Once you have submitted your application, please make an appointment with an advisor using the Bookings link above.

    We meet with current UT students who are interested in the Rhetoric and Writing major throughout the year, excepting the first few days of each semester, the registration advising period (release of the Course Schedule through the end of registration), and New Student Orientation days.

     

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Degree Plan

College of Liberal Arts

RHE Longhorns pose for a picture during the 2024 back-to-school kickoff.

Major requirements for students following the 2024-2026, 2022-2024, 2020-2022, 2018-2020, and 2016-2018 Undergraduate Catalogs:

Major: Twenty-seven semester hours of coursework in Rhetoric and Writing, including at least eighteen hours of upper-division work.

Requirements:

  • Rhetoric and Writing 306, Rhetoric and Writing.
  • Rhetoric and Writing 321, Principles of Rhetoric.
  • Each of the following courses (any topic):
    a. Rhetoric and Writing 330C, Advanced Studies in Digital Rhetoric.
    b. Rhetoric and Writing 330D, History of Rhetoric.
    c. Rhetoric and Writing 330E, Rhetorical Theory and Analysis.
  • Three hours chosen from Rhetoric and Writing 310, 325M, 328 (any topic), 368C, and 368E.
  • Nine additional semester hours in Rhetoric and Writing, including six hours of upper-division coursework.

Transcript Recognized Minor

The Department of Rhetoric and Writing offers a transcript-recognized undergraduate academic minor (TRM) to be completed in conjunction with an undergraduate degree at UT Austin. 

To be eligible for the transcript-recognized minor, students must complete a minimum of 15 hours of coursework, but not more than 18 hours, and none of the specified coursework for the minor can include unnumbered topics. At least 50% of the coursework required for the minor must be completed in residence at UT Austin.

The Rhetoric & Writing minor is open to all UT-Austin students upon request.  To add the Rhetoric & Writing minor, go here.

Questions can be directed to the Parlin Advising Office at gulliver@austin.utexas.edu