Course Syllabus
Course Information
Title: Introduction to Professional Writing
Number: ENG 204-001
Time & Location: T & R 9:30–10:45 (BR 202)
Instructor: Dr. Jeremy Tirrell
Office: MO 161
Office Hours: T & R 11:00–12:00, 2:00–3:00, and by email or appointment
Course Overview
Summary:
Students in this course will engage core professional writing concepts such as audience analysis, document design, usability, and ethical composing practices. Students will produce material including public relations documents and technical instructions in both print and electronic formats. Individual and group projects are a feature of this course, as is directed service-learning with community partners.
This course affirms the Seahawk Respect Compact, which will guide class interactions. 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 abide by the policies articulated in this syllabus.
ENG 204 is the gateway course for the Professional Writing major track, which emphasizes conscientious intention, rhetorical composition, and explicit reflection. Professional Writing majors will complete a personal portfolio of work for the ENG 496 capstone course. This portfolio collects artifacts from throughout a student's academic career and asks the student to reflect on their educational experiences. To facilitate the production of this portfolio, Professional Writing majors should retain copies of their academic work and practice conscientious intention, rhetorical composition, and explicit reflection in their courses.
Catalogue Description:
ENG 204 - Reading and Writing Arguments
Credits: 3
An introductory survey of concepts in professional writing, including audience analysis, research methods, visual thinking, and composing processes. Includes a service-learning component. University Studies: Building Competencies/Writing Intensive, Building Competencies/Information Literacy, Explorations Beyond the Classroom
Course Learning Outcomes:
To complete this course successfully, students should demonstrate the ability to:
- develop strategies for analyzing the components of organizational contexts, including audiences, purposes for writing, and organizational cultures (WI 1, IL 1, IL 2)
- design documents, including memos, instructions, and reports, through an iterative process of drafting and revision that meet the needs of their audiences and accomplish their goals (WI 2, IL 3, IL 4)
- construct arguments that appeal to several audiences at once and are based upon multiple sources of evidence (WI 1, IL 3)
- conduct original, archival, textual, database, and/or internet research that can be used to support arguments (IL 1, IL 2)
- read and compose multimedia texts critically and learn strategies for critiquing the medium itself (WI 1, IL 4)
- work with others to improve their writing and produce texts and presentations (WI 2)
- understand ethical considerations involved in organizational communication (WI 1, IL 3)
- produce documents for an authentic third-party partner through an iterative design process and reflect critically on the experience (EBC 1, EBC 2, EBC 3)
- use computer technologies necessary to communicate, research, design, and publish texts
- conduct usability testing to support document/product design and revision
- design effective graphics for use in documents and presentations
Required Materials:
- The Essentials of Technical Communication, 5th ed., Elizabeth Tebeaux and Sam Dragga. This book may be obtained from:
- the UNCW Bookstore
- an online retailer such as Amazon
- a textbook rental service such as Chegg or VitalSource
- Online readings provided through the course Canvas site
Course Policies
Technology Expectations:
- ability to interact with the course website
- an email account checked regularly for course-related business
- a network 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 their own engagement with class meetings, and thus their resultant success or failure. Research such as this and this suggests that students will be better served by not using such devices in class.
Collaborative Work:
Teamwork and group projects are required elements of the course. When a group project is assigned, students will participate in activities that help foster successful collaboration. Student groups will be mostly autonomous and all members are expected to function professionally. After the conclusion of group activities, individuals will complete forms assessing the contributions and behavior of group members and the global performance of the team.
Attendance and Punctuality:
Because this class contains a strong workshop and discussion component, class attendance is crucial. Students who are not present when role is taken will be considered absent. If there are extraordinary circumstances that will prevent a student from attending class—including illness or concern about a possible COVID-19 exposure—the student should contact the instructor. There is no separate attendance component of the course grade, but any student who misses more than five in-class meetings without clearance from the instructor will fail the course automatically. Additionally, any work missed because of an absence cannot be made up without clearance from the instructor. 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:
If an emergency arises that will prevent a student from submitting coursework 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:
Engagement Assignments = 14 points (individual)
Reading Responses = 36 points (individual)
Corporate Communication Project = 100 points (individual)
Instructions Project = 100 points (individual)
Service Learning Project = 100 points (group)
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Total = 350 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