Course Syllabus

Course Overview

Basic Information:

Number: ENG 314-002
Title: Digital Composing
Time & Location: 9:30–10:45, MO 102
Instructor: Dr. Jeremy Tirrell
Office: MO 161
Office Hours: T, R 3:30–5:00 (and by email or appointment)

Description:

Study of the intersection between writing and technology, including Web page creation, documentation, usability, desktop publishing, and the use of graphics with text.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisite Courses: ENG 204 or SEC 300.
Additional Restrictions/Requirements: Prerequisite courses or consent of instructor.
University Studies: Building Competencies/Writing Intensive
Course Repeatability: Course may not be repeated
Maximum Repeatable Hours: 3

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 design applications and network services to analyze and produce multimedia works including interactive maps and podcasts.

Learning Outcomes:

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

  • understand core principles of digital design and apply them to a variety of contexts and formats
  • discern and analyze the social and ethical contexts of design decisions, and to be able to make informed design decisions based upon those factors
  • comprehend the histories and theories behind effective design and visual rhetoric
  • write about design choices by situating production within thoughtfully defined situations

Required Materials:

No textbook purchase is required for this course; materials will be provided electronically. Students must obtain a Google Account and have access to the free, open source application Audacity and the Adobe Creative Cloud suite (which is available to all UNCW students without cost).

Course Policies

Technology Expectations:

  • ability to interact with the course website and other websites
  • a Google Account
  • a suitable 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 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 accord with the Seahawk Respect Compact, and all coursework should be completed in a thorough, timely fashion. All written materials should conform to the conventions of Edited American English. 

Attendance and Punctuality:

Clearly this semester's circumstances are unusual, but this class contains a strong workshop and discussion component, so class attendance is crucial. If there are circumstances that will prevent a students from attending class, he or she should contact the instructor beforehand. Students should not come to class if they are feeling ill 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—as much as is feasible—meeting safely at designated times and places prepared to work.

Late Work:

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

Statement on COVID-19:

Because of the unique challenges posed by COVID-19, this course seeks to be flexible while retaining 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. As of August 2, the university has required the use of face coverings indoors. Students will not be permitted to join an in-person class without a face covering. Failure to comply will result in referral to the Dean of Students. Any student who has a medical concern with wearing a face covering should contact the Disability Resource Center at (910) 962-7555. 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. Effective August 23, any student on campus who has not provided proof of vaccination will be required to participate in weekly surveillance testing.

Please do not come to class when you are not feeling well 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, which differ for vaccinated and non-vaccinated individuals, according to CDC guidance. Remember, keeping healthy is essential to keeping campus open.

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:

Student will have anonymous access to their grades through this Canvas site.

Grade Components:

Responses = 24 points
Local Mapping Project = 100 points
Podcast Project = 55 points
Reflective Online Portfolio  = 20 points

Subtotal = 199 points
Bonus Point = +1
--------------------------
Total = 200 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