Let's start simple ...1.) Come to class.
2.) Write early; revise often.
3.) Don't cheat.
4.) Make something cool.
Sounds easy, right? We can make it work, but you must make that choice. I provide detailed information on how to make that choice via our schedule, our sequence of assignments, helpful resources, course documents, and ongoing activities.
You should follow up reading this post by reading "the legal" (aka "syllabus"), @ right. Pay special attention to course policies. Read carefully, and if you think you can work within the structure of my course policies, stay. Alternatively, you might consider another section. If you decide to stay, begin to get familiar with how it works, mostly via this blog and through Blackboard (Bb) announcements.
What's This?
This is the course blog, a portal for assignments, tips, encouragement, community-building, and generally helpful resources. Because I can link everything here, you will not need to purchase a textbook for this course (you're welcome!). I will also use Bb only to coordinate class information (@announcements), but for the most part, this is the place.
Your work will be featured at this blog. You will post reflective writing and drafts at a blog you will create that will be linked at a blogroll, @ right. We will create blogs in class, and you will be using your design skills and emerging design sensitivities as we compose. The idea is that we are sharing our thoughts and bringing them to a community for consideration. Most writers share in this way. Most knowledge evolves in this way, and it's not always pretty, so make an effort to be polite and respectful of your peers, supporting one another as you grow more skilled and confident. Write with care, in all venues. All writing is a kind of performance, public writing, especially so. With this in mind, I'd like to encourage you to avoid rants or attacks. Most of all, I want to use the course blog and your individual blogs to help each and every student to feel a part of our writing community.
Essential Concepts
The work of this course should be relatively easy for you because you already know a lot of what I am going to teach you. You know it from your life experience and immersion in literate culture(s), and this could mean that this knowledge is very general and maybe something you don't think about very conscientiously. We're going to bring it into the light for contemplation and practice. Essentially, I am going to reanimate three key concepts, about which you may already have some deep knowledge. They are:
- Claims require evidence.
- Meaning has context.
- Writing is revision.
With the evolving skills you develop, you will develop productively flexible strategies for making wise rhetorical choices in staging and performing well. This class focuses particularly upon a range of skills routinely used by academic writers, but these skills apply in any rhetorical situation.
You need to be diligent about keeping up, do thoughtful work, and not allow yourself to be lazy about your writing. We will work in class, but you should count on doing at least 3 hours of writing outside of class, each week. The Lewis University Catalog suggests that "You are expected to do at least 2 hours outside of class for every hour in class," so as you can see, asking for 3 is generous and perhaps more realistic. Time it out carefully; break it up over time, always do thoughtful work. No problem.
You need to be diligent about keeping up, do thoughtful work, and not allow yourself to be lazy about your writing. We will work in class, but you should count on doing at least 3 hours of writing outside of class, each week. The Lewis University Catalog suggests that "You are expected to do at least 2 hours outside of class for every hour in class," so as you can see, asking for 3 is generous and perhaps more realistic. Time it out carefully; break it up over time, always do thoughtful work. No problem.
Course Requirements
(w/ policies)
- Attendance = mandatory. 5 absences allowed (for contingencies, not "freebies" + no explanation is required/desired; simply rejoin when you're ready, but keep up as best you can).
- If you miss class, contact a peer, check @announcements, or the calendar.
- Attention (ideally, cell phones off).
- Preparation (all homework, revised drafts ready @ start of each class period, readings completed, blog entries made, and so on).
- Respectful participation (a general willingness to be present with the class, with your peers; demonstrate a clear understanding of the course structure and content).
- Completion of each major Writing Project and homework assignment.
- Passing grade of C- or better on each major Writing Project.
- Observation of all course policies.
