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Course Information

TTH 1:30-2:45
BRNG B280
J. Tirrell
jtirrell@purdue.edu
office: HEAV 207
office hours:
TTH 3:00-4:00

Course Description

ENGL 419-0101 Multimedia Writing

Tuesdays and Thursdays 1:30-2:45
BRNG B280
J. Tirrell
contact: jtirrell@purdue.edu
office: HEAV 207
office hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:00-4:00

Course Overview

This course will help students understand the principles and practices of multimedia design and implementation, with emphasis on the function and practice of writing in multimedia contexts. Students will examine various multimedia products closely, doing oral and written analyses of a number of such pieces. Course readings will focus on how different media communicate meaning, shape our reactions, and interact with one another. Students will also create a number of individual multimedia projects for the Web, using Web authoring software, as well as propose, plan, and develop a group project relevant to their work in their major areas.

Course Goals

  • Understand the techniques, technologies, culture, and problems of multimedia writing in the digital age.
  • Use, adapt, and evaluate various writing technologies put to use for specific rhetorical purposes in multimedia contexts.
  • Learn to evaluate and apply effective principles of document design in print and digitally.
  • Develop multiple and flexible online work strategies to manage a Web-based portfolio.
  • Learn and apply strategies for collaborating successfully and equitably with peers on various activities and major projects using a variety of communication technologies.
  • Develop strategies for planning, researching, and developing documents which effectively respond to specific professional situations, problems, or research issues in the student's major area.

Course Readings

Readings will be provided online. Students are responsible for printing texts, reading them, and bringing them to class.

Required Technology

  • access and ability to interact with the course website
  • access to word processing, visual design, and web design software
  • an email address checked regularly for course-related business
  • Purdue student web space (web.ics.purdue.edu/~yourlogin)

Be aware that routine work with technology is a major component of this class. Students need not be technological experts to succeed in this class; the class's purpose is education and improvement. Nevertheless, be aware that digital technology exposure is integral to the class, and computer problems are not valid excuses for incomplete work. Learn and practice the core principle of digital data work: redundant backup. Digital technology will fail you; be prepared for that eventuality.

Grade Breakdown

project 1: 10%
project 2: 20%
midterm exam: 20%
project 3: 30%
portfolio: 10%
homework: 10%

Late Work

Late work is not accepted.

Collaborative Work

Collaborative work is a required component of the course. Your project team will be responsible for its own management and progress. Project logs will be kept by team members during collaborative projects. Additionally, a Collaborative Evaluation Form will be completed by all group members.

Wide Online Audience

Because of the nature of this course, student work may be accessible to a wide audience through the Web. A student's grades, of course, never will be shared. Students in this class must explicitly allow their work to be viewed by a wide audience by signing the Course Contract. If this is a problem for a student, the student should withdraw from the class.

Attendance and Punctuality

Because class meets only twice per week, attendance is vital and mandatory. Role is taken shortly after class begins. If a student is not present when role is taken, that student will be counted absent. Students may miss two class meetings without direct grade penalty. Every absence thereafter lowers a student's final grade by a full letter. If there are extraordinary circumstances that will prevent a student from attending class, he or she must contact the instructor beforehand. The maxim this class abides by is for all members of the class to show respect to one another by meeting at designated times and places prepared to work.

Academic Integrity

Purdue students and their instructors are expected to adhere to guidelines set forth by the Dean of Students in "Academic Integrity: A Guide for Students." If you are uncertain if some element of your work constitutes plagiarism, please speak with the course instructor. The point of any class is to educate, not to punish. Nevertheless, the consequences of plagiarism are appropriately dire. Plagiarism simply should never be an option for any student.

Special Needs Statement

I and the university will make every effort to accommodate special needs students. If you require special accommodations, please see me privately within the first week of class to make arrangements. According to university policy, students must register with Adaptive Programs in the Office of the Dean of Students before classroom accommodations can be provided.