Course Syllabus

Course Information

Title: Research Methods in Professional Writing
Number: ENG 417-001
Time & Location: T & R 12:30–1:45 (MO 104)
Instructor: Dr. Jeremy Tirrell
Office: MO 161
Office Hours: T & R 2:00–4:00 and by email or appointment

Course Overview

This course prepares students to conduct applied research projects in professional and technical writing. Students will engage works that map the discipline's contents, questions, orientations, and practices. They will use this experience to form their own research questions and address them using appropriate qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods. Students will exit the course with an understanding of the methodological tools available to approach problems in professional and technical writing in both academic and professional contexts.

All class members are expected to treat each other with appropriate courtesy and decorum, and all coursework should 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.

Catalogue Description:

ENG 417 - Research Methods in Professional Writing
Credits: 3
Preparation and practice for applied research projects in the field of professional writing. Focus on both qualitative and quantitative methodologies including rhetorical approaches, ethnomethodologies, discourse analysis, network analysis, and usability. Satisfies University Studies VI: Common Requirements/Critical Reasoning.

 

Course Learning Outcomes:

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

  • understand the applied field of professional writing and its relationship to related fields of technical writing and technical communication (CR1, CR2, WI1)
  • critically consider texts designed to communicate technical information in terms of those texts’ target audiences (WI1)
  • understand multiple methodological approaches to designing, critiquing, and testing the effectiveness of technical texts in terms of their audiences (CR1, CR2, WI1, WR2)
  • understand the purposes of such research in both academic and professional contexts and the inherent differences in these purposes (CR1, CR2, WR1)
  • design and implement a method to explore a research question in professional writing (either academic or professional) (CR3, WR1, WR2)
  • report on the research process in a formal academic document (CR3, CR4, WI1, WR2)
  • review and constructively critique peers’ method design and reporting (CR3, WI2)

 

Required Materials:

  • Solving Problems in Technical Communication, Johnson-Eilola and Selber (eds.)

This book may be obtained from:

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
  • an email account checked regularly for course-related business
  • a flash drive or other means to backup coursework

Students need not be technological experts to succeed in this course, but digital technology interaction is an aspect of contemporary society, 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.

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 is situated in an increasingly connected multimedia environment. Each student is responsible for his or her own engagement with class meetings, and thus his or her resultant success or failure. Research such as this and this suggests that students will be better served by not using such devices in class.

 

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. Students who do not wish to attend class in person can participate synchronously online through Zoom; students should not attend in person if they are feeling ill or are concerned about a possible COVID-19 exposure. If there are circumstances that will prevent a students from attending class either in person or synchronously online, he or she should contact the instructor beforehand. 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 scholarly 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 order to monitor the impact of COVID-19 on UNCW, all university members must report illness. Students who experience COVID-19 symptoms should immediately contact the Abrons Student Health Center at (910) 962-3280.

 

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 students 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 online through this Canvas site.

 

Grade Components:

Reading Responses = 20 points
Drafts & Peer Reviews = 10 points
Preliminary Research = 5 points
Annotated Bibliography = 20 points
Method Design = 20 points
Research Paper = 50 points
Reflection = 10 points
Presentation = 10 points
Poster = 10 points
-----------------------
Total = 155 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