The Rhetoric and Writing Program consists of the first year writing classes, which fulfill part of the general education requirement's communication goal (I) that states students should be able to effectively send and receive written and oral messages in English and in different situations for a variety of audiences, purposes, and subjects.

"We should teach our children to ask questions; go beyond the superficial to the substance; take positions on issues and explain and defend those positions; be aware of multiple perspectives on important issues and the importance of knowing all sides of an issue before taking a position; and assess information carefully and fairly.  Then they will increase their awareness of their own biases, heighten their openness to re-thinking their positions in the face of conflicting evidence, and take time to reflect rather than merely react." (credit to Debbie Walsh, School Safety, 1991)