Syllabus

Course Information:

Title: Introduction to Professional Writing
Number: ENG 204-001
Location: MO 204
Time: MWF 10:00-10:50
Instructor: Jeremy Tirrell
Office: MO 150
Office Hours: MWF 2:00-4:00 (and by appointment)


Overview:

Students in this course will engage core concepts in professional writing, including audience analysis, research methods, visual thinking, usability, and ethical composing practices. Students will produce works including technical instructions, usability tests, and public relations documents in both printed and online formats. Individual and group projects are a feature of this course, as is directed service-learning interaction with community partners.

This course attempts to uphold the standards and expectations of a professional environment. All class members are expected to treat each other with appropriate courtesy and respect, and all coursework is expected to be completed in a professional, timely fashion. All students must read and understand the policies articulated in this syllabus and sign the course contract in oder to remain in the class.


Required Texts:

  • Online readings provided on the course website



Course Policies:

Technology Expectations:

  • ability to interact with the course website
  • access to word processing, visual design, and web design software
  • a suitable email account checked regularly for course-related business
  • a Flash drive or other means to backup coursework

Routine work with technology is a component of this class. Students need not be technological experts to succeed in this course, but digital technology interaction is integral, and computer problems are not valid excuses for incomplete work. Practice the core principle of digital data work: redundant backup. Digital technology will fail you; be prepared for that eventuality.

Laptops may be used in the classroom, but please do not answer cell phone calls in class or send/receive texts. Phones should have their ringers turned off, and if a student must take a call, he or she should exit the classroom before doing so. All students are expected to participate in current class activities, and should not become distracted by unrelated computer usage. This course takes place in a computer classroom, but because we live in a technology-rich culture, we all must learn to focus on priority tasks.

Availability of Online Material:

Because of the nature of the course, some material posted to this website will be publicly accessible through the Web. (A student's grades and personal information will never be shared.) Additionally, any material posted to the course website may be used anonymously for teaching or published research purposes. For these reasons, students are encouraged to select usernames that are different from their real names.

Collaborative Work:

Teamwork and group projects are required elements of the course. Student teammates are responsible for updating each another and me about project development and progress. In addition, student teams also are responsible for negotiating all aspects of their work, including planning, drafting, revising, file managing, scheduling, and leading workshops and presentations. When a group project is assigned, students will complete activities that foster successful collaboration. After conclusion of group projects, individuals will complete forms to assess the contributions of group members and the global performance of the team.

Service Learning:

This course requires a service learning component. This means that students will be creating documents in collaboration with community partners. Students function as representatives of UNCW in this capacity, and should act accordingly. Community partners will have input in student grade assessment for service learning projects.

Attendance and Punctuality:

Because this is a workshop and discussion-driven class, class attendance is crucial. Role is taken shortly after class begins. If a student is not present when role is taken, he or she will be counted absent. If there are extraordinary circumstances that will prevent a student from attending class, he or she must contact the instructor beforehand. There is no separate attendance component of the course grade, but any work missed because of an absence cannot be made up. This includes project assignments. The class abides by the maxim that all members of the class should show respect to one another by meeting at designated times and places prepared to work.

Late Work:

Late work is not accepted.

Grading:

The scoring breakdown is as follows:

  • 90-100 = A
  • 80-89 = B
  • 70-79 = C
  • 60-69 = D
  • 0-59 = F

Grade Components:
Instructions Project = 25%
Corporate Communication Project = 25%
Service Learning Project = 25%
Engagement Assignments = 25%

All projects will go through a drafting and revision process before they are turned in for a grade. In order to reflect the conditions of a professional environment, projects have hard deadlines, and no make-up or second chance opportunities are available. I will provide extensive comments on project drafts, but comparatively few comments on final versions. This is because the primary purpose of feedback is to improve student work rather than to explain why it earned a particular grade. Students are always welcome to visit office hours to discuss work at any stage, including after it has been graded.

Academic Honor Code:

UNCW students and instructors are expected to adhere to guidelines set forth in the University Academic Honor Code. Students are expected to produce original work in this course. Collaboration and incorporation of external material and ideas into original work is of course acceptable and necessary, but all writers are ethically obliged to document external sources through appropriate citation practices. If you are uncertain if some element of your work constitutes plagiarism or another honor code violation, please speak with me. The point of any class is to educate, not to punish. Nevertheless, the consequences of honor code violations are appropriately dire. Please consult the "Academic Honor Code" information in the Undergraduate Catalogue and Code of Student Life for more details.

Accommodation for Students with Disabilities

I and the university will make every effort to accommodate students with disabilities. If you require special accommodations, please feel free to see me privately during office hours to make arrangements or contact Disability Services directly. According to university policy, students must consult with Disability Services before classroom accommodations can be provided. Please make contact as soon as possible, as accommodations cannot be made retroactively.