Course Syllabus

Course Overview

Basic Information:

Number: ENG 496-001
Title: Visualizing Information (Senior Seminar in Writing/Rhetoric)
Time & Location: 9:30–10:45 (MO 204)
Instructor: Dr. Jeremy Tirrell (he/him/his)
Office: MO 161
Office Hours: T&R 3:30–5:00 and by email or appointment

Description:

Intensive study of a theme, issue, or genre in writing/rhetoric. Provides significant student engagement. Required of English majors in Professional Writing Option; fulfills seminar requirement for Teacher Licensure.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisite Courses: ENG 204 or ENG 205
Additional Restrictions/Requirements: Prerequisite course, junior or senior standing, or consent of instructor.
University Studies: Building Competencies/Writing Intensive
Course Repeatability: Course may not be repeated
Maximum Repeatable Hours: 6

Students in this course will practice telling effective stories through information. We will examine the theory and practice of data collection and presentation in the service of advancing effective arguments. Students will have the opportunity to engage multiple software applications.

Learning Outcomes:

To complete this course successfully, students should demonstrate the ability to:

adapt information to the needs of specific audiences
construct and present evidence to support a clear and logical argument
create usable texts in a variety of genres and forms and employing multiple media
describe and assess their own development as producers and consumers of texts
select and choose textual sources to generalize, explain, and interpret media, historical, and cultural contexts and figures
practice and master discipline-appropriate citation methods and understand issues related to the ethical treatment of others' ideas in their written work
demonstrate their writing skills and abilities by generating, supporting, and developing media projects and formal papers
develop composed products through an iterative process of drafting and revision in response to instructor feedback and peer review

Required Materials:

Better Data Visualizations, Schwabish

This book may be obtained from:

the UNCW Bookstore
an online retailer such as Amazon
a textbook rental service such as eCampus

Be aware that electronic/loose-leaf/ring-bound/rental versions are perfectly usable, but they do not have any resale value.

Course Policies

Technology Expectations:

ability to interact with the course website and other websites
a Google Account
a UNCW email account checked regularly for course-related business
a networked drive, flash drive, or other means to backup coursework

Routine interaction with educational technology is a component of this class, and computer problems are not valid excuses for incomplete coursework. Students should practice the core principle of digital data hygiene: redundant backup. Digital technology will fail; students should be prepared for that eventuality. If Canvas experiences outages or other issues, the instructor will make the necessary curricular exceptions.

Personal 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 or the instructor's classroom management (however, research such as this and this suggests that students will be better served by not using such devices in class). Students are responsible for their own engagement with class meetings and their corresponding success or failure in the course.

Professionalism:

All class members are expected to treat each other with appropriate courtesy and decorum in keeping with the Seahawk Respect Compact. Our culture has become conscious of the rhetorical implications of language used to name and describe beings, objects, and concepts. If students encounter challenging language in this course, they are encouraged to discuss it with the instructor either inside or outside of class. This is a rhetoric course, predicated on examining language's grounding and effects. It is a forum for such conversations.

All coursework should be completed in a thorough, timely fashion. Written material should conform to the conventions of Edited American English. Students must read and understand the policies articulated in this syllabus and submit a course contract in order to remain in the class.

Attendance and Punctuality:

Because this class contains a strong workshop and discussion component, class participation is crucial. If circumstances will prevent a student from attending class, they should contact the instructor beforehand. Students should not come to class if they are feeling unwell or are concerned about a possible COVID-19 exposure. There is no separate attendance component of the course grade, and the instructor will work with students regarding absences while maintaining the course's academic integrity. The class abides by the maxim that all members of the class should show respect to one another by meeting safely at designated times and places prepared to work as much as is feasible.

Late Work:

If an emergency arises that will prevent a student from submitting coursework on time, they should contact the instructor.

Statement on COVID-19:

Because of the challenges posed by COVID-19, this course seeks to be flexible while maintaining academic integrity. Students who are impacted by COVID-19 either directly through infection or indirectly through care-giving responsibilities or changes in life circumstances are encouraged to contact the instructor. In accordance with university guidance, students who are not vaccinated should consult with their healthcare providers and consider getting vaccinated if possible. Vaccines are available through the UNCW Student Health Center.

Please do not come to class when you are feeling ill or are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms. If you have been exposed to COVID-19 or are concerned about exposure, please contact the Student Health Center at (910) 962-3280 for specific information about testing, contact tracing and quarantine/isolation requirements.

If the instructor is unable to attend class due to COVID-19 symptoms or a positive test, the course modality will temporarily shift to synchronous online delivery, in accordance with university policies.

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 necessary and acceptable, but all designers are ethically obliged to document external sources through appropriate citation practices. Students who are uncertain if some element of their work constitutes plagiarism or another honor code violation should speak with the instructor. The point of any class is to educate, not to 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:

The university will make every effort to accommodate students with disabilities. Students requiring accommodations should contact the Disability Resource Center, as the instructor can take no action without its guidance. Students should do this 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. Students experiencing an emergency of this type should 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. Students should be aware that all university employees, including instructors, are legally obligated to communicate any report of alleged sexual misconduct, on or off-campus, to the Dean of Students. Three university entities are confidential resources exempt from this obligation: CARE, the Counseling Center, and the Abrons Student Health Center.

Statement on Religious Observance:

In 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.

Course Grading

Grade Disbursement:

Students will have private, secure access to their grades through this Canvas site.

Grade Components:

Design Challenges = 20 points
Text Visualization Project = 25 points
Quantitative Visualization Project = 25 points
Geospatial Visualization Project = 25 points
Online Portfolio = 5 points

Total = 100 points

Final Course Grades:

This courses uses the plus/minus grading system on final grade reports. The breakdown is as follows:

92-100 = A
90-91 = A-
88-89 = B+
82-87 = B
80-81 = B-
78-79 = C+
72-77 = C
70-71 = C-
68-69 = D+
62-67 = D
60-61 = D-
0-59 = F