Course Information:Title: Writing and TechnologyNumber: ENG 314-002 Location: MO 204 Time: TR 12:30–1:45 Instructor: Dr. Jeremy Tirrell Office: MO 161 Office Hours: TR 2:00–4:00 (and by appointment) Overview:Students in this course will explore how digital technology shapes composition practices through critical engagement with new media formats. Students will have the opportunity to use a variety of network services such as Facebook, Twitter, and Google Drive to analyze and produce multimedia works including interactive maps and online advocacy networks. Much course interaction will take place through a companion website that supplements class meetings with interactive features. This course includes both individual and group projects, and some student work will take place in public online formats. All class members are expected to treat each other with appropriate courtesy and decorum, and all coursework is expected to be completed in a thorough, timely fashion. All students must read and understand the policies articulated in this syllabus and sign the course contract in order to remain in the class. Required Text:
Course Policies:Technology Expectations:
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. Personal Technology Devices in the Classroom:Students may use laptops, cell phones, and other digital devices during class, provided that they do not disrupt other students' learning. This is not a trick. This course provides an opportunity for students to practice prioritizing their attention in an increasingly connected, multidata environment. Each student is responsible for his or her own engagement with class meetings, and thus his or her resultant success or failure. Availability of Online Material:Because of the nature of the course, some material posted to this website may be publicly accessible through the Web. (A student's grades and personal information will not be shared publicly, but students may opt to have their grades accessible privately online.) 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. When a group project is assigned, students will participate in activities that foster successful collaboration. Student groups will be mostly autonomous, but groups will inform the instructor about meeting times and fill out meeting attendance sheets. (This ensures that all group members meet as scheduled; any student who misses a scheduled group meeting will have points deducted from his or her project grade.) After the conclusion of group projects, individuals will complete forms to assess the contributions of group members and the global performance of the team. Attendance and Punctuality:Because this is a workshop and discussion-driven class, class attendance is crucial. Role is taken shortly after class begins. There is no attendance component of the course grade, but any in-class or out-of-class work missed because of an absence cannot be made up. If there are extraordinary circumstances that will cause a student to miss class, the student should notify the instructor before the affected class period. 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. Statement on Academic Integrity:All UNCW community members are expected to adhere to the guidelines set forth in the UNCW Student 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 purpose of all classes is to educate, not punish. Nevertheless, the consequences of honor code violations are appropriately dire. Please consult the UNCW Code of Student Life for more information. Statement on Services for Students with Disabilities:I and the university will make every effort to accommodate students with disabilities. If you require accommodations, please make certain to go through the Disability Resource Center, as I can take no action without their guidance. Please make contact as soon as possible, as accommodations cannot be made retroactively. Statement Regarding Violence and Harassment:UNCW practices a zero tolerance policy for any kind of violent or harassing behavior. If you are experiencing an emergency of this type contact the police at 911 or UNCW CARE at 962-2273. Resources for individuals concerned with a violent or harassing situation can be located at the UNCW Crisis Resources page. Statement on Religious Observance PolicyIn accordance with NC SL 2010-211, students are entitled to two excused absences for religious observances per academic year. Students must inform the instructor in writing the first week of class if they will miss any classes due to religious observance. Additionally, students should inform the Registrar the first week of class who will then coordinate with the corresponding course instructors. Any absence for religious purposes will be considered unexcused unless a student submits the request in writing the first week to the instructor or Registrar. Grading:Grade Distribution:Each student will have secure, anonymous access to his or her grades online. Unless otherwise notified, students will receive all grades through this channel. Grade ComponentsResponses = 20% All projects will go through a drafting and revision process before they are turned in for a grade. I will provide extensive feedback on project drafts, but comparatively little feedback 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. Final Grades:This courses uses the plus/minus grading system. The scoring breakdown is as follows:
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