Course Description & Goals
Public discourse is pervasive, especially in a networked world. In this course, you will develop a nuanced understanding of how writers appreciate, value, and use language to communicate publicly for specific purposes and needs, on- and offline. I’ll ask you to think critically about how you participate – and how to participate – in public discourse across genres and mediums, especially when that discourse aims to make knowledge. Our vehicle for understanding will be discourse in three particular spheres: scientific and technical writing; political rhetoric and public policy; and “daily” persuasions. This isn’t a course about writing in different spheres, but about seeing the rhetorical principles underlying how writers write, read, revise, create, and edit in these spheres, including the often similar motivations they share. In other words, we’re committing ourselves to a critical understanding of this phenomenon called “public discourse” and of some particular concerns in composing it well across various media and for specific contexts. Here are our shared goals for the semester (in addition to any other goals you set for yourselves):
- learn principles and theories of composing rhetorically and intertextually in print and digital environments;
- understand public discourse as arguments that are backed by logically and stylistically arranged evidence to suit the needs of specific communities;
- recognize and distinguish between the rhetorical conventions and contexts of writing for these communities in various media;
- compose and edit your own effective public arguments, by engaging various audiences and developing your positions more fully;
- learn to analyze your own and other public genres for purpose, content, organization, language, elegance, and delivery, as well as to recognize how these concerns work in tandem in various media;
- produce a substantial final portfolio that demonstrates your expert attention to these concerns.
Required Materials
- Assorted articles and webtexts in Blackboard (BB) and (web link)
- When Words Collide, 7th edition by Kessler and McDonald (ISBN 9780495050254)
- Style, 4th Edition by Williams and Colomb (ISBN 9780205830787)
Due to the interactive nature of our in-class discussions and workshops, you must bring texts to class on the dates they are assigned without exception. Readings marked BB and web link should be brought to class in either digital (laptop, e-Reader, etc.) or print format. Bring Style and WWC to class every day so that we can use them quickly and as needed.
Required Access
- Laptop computer in class (for our discussions and workshops)
- Regular access to Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat Reader, and Blackboard
- Regular access to our course blog
- Regular access to the Oxford English Dictionary Online (OED Online) via FSU Libraries
- Portable media (USB/thumb drive, CD-RW, etc.) for submission of portfolio elements
- Printing capability (for those readings or class handouts you want to have in hard copy, or for the occasional assignment I will collect in hard copy) (see <http://FSUCard.fsu.edu/print_faq.htm>)
Limited class time will be provided for computer literacy and skills instruction. If you require more instruction, I will either provide additional help outside of class or recommend other support for you.
Assignments & Evaluation
Each assignment has specific evaluation criteria that we will review in class. You should always feel free to meet with me if an assignment is unclear, if you get stuck, or if my first response on an assignment is unhelpful. You may also meet with me at any time if you are unsure of where you stand in the course.
Each assignment has specific evaluation criteria that we will review in class. You should always feel free to meet with me if an assignment is unclear, if you get stuck, or if my first response on an assignment is unhelpful. You may also meet with me at any time if you are unsure of where you stand in the course.
Grade Scale
Final grades are calculated using the 4-point system described in the <Academic Regulations and Procedures> for FSU, including +/- grading. Please keep in the mind that at The Florida State University, an “A” indicates exemplary work and means you have mastered the concepts of the assignment or made expert improvement as a result of careful revision. A “B” indicates very good work in which you have not only met all of the assignment requirements, but you have also met them at a level above expectations. A “C” indicates that you have sufficiently completed the assignment, have improved, and are moving positively towards mastering the concepts. A “D” indicates that you have struggled to execute some portion of the assignment properly and may need help. An “F” indicates that you either did not understand or did not follow through with the assignment.
Final grades are calculated using the 4-point system described in the <Academic Regulations and Procedures> for FSU, including +/- grading. Please keep in the mind that at The Florida State University, an “A” indicates exemplary work and means you have mastered the concepts of the assignment or made expert improvement as a result of careful revision. A “B” indicates very good work in which you have not only met all of the assignment requirements, but you have also met them at a level above expectations. A “C” indicates that you have sufficiently completed the assignment, have improved, and are moving positively towards mastering the concepts. A “D” indicates that you have struggled to execute some portion of the assignment properly and may need help. An “F” indicates that you either did not understand or did not follow through with the assignment.
Course Policies & Resources
Attendance
This is a highly interactive class, and it is most successful when we build community and navigate course concepts as a group. Missing a workshop or discussion may put you further behind than you realize, for the simple fact that you cannot always get “notes” and make up what you missed. Attendance is required at all class meetings, and once the semester is underway, you will want to come to class. Although I prefer that you not miss any class, I understand the legitimate reasons for doing so. My attendance policy is as follows:
On-Time Submission of Work
Attendance
This is a highly interactive class, and it is most successful when we build community and navigate course concepts as a group. Missing a workshop or discussion may put you further behind than you realize, for the simple fact that you cannot always get “notes” and make up what you missed. Attendance is required at all class meetings, and once the semester is underway, you will want to come to class. Although I prefer that you not miss any class, I understand the legitimate reasons for doing so. My attendance policy is as follows:
- Excused absences only. In accordance with FSU policy, excused absences may include documented illnesses, emergencies, jury duty, religious holy days, military duty, childcare, and required university business.
- You can be absent 3 class periods without receiving any reduction of participation grade.
- At 4 absences, your participation grade is reduced 10% for each additional absence.
- At 9 absences, you are unable to pass the course.
- If military duty, religious holidays, or extended hospitalization will call you away for a longer period of time, you may be advised to drop the course and take it at a more opportune time.
- If you do miss class, it is your responsibility to find out what you missed and to turn in what is due.
- Frequent or excessive lateness will be counted as an absence, as will leaving class early.
- In the event of weather-related cancellation of classes, please check your e-mail for Blackboard notifications of how we will conduct class online in lieu of the classroom.
Unless otherwise specified, all assignments must be submitted by the beginning of class on the date they are due. Blog posts must be completed by posted deadlines in order to receive credit. If you already know that you will have a conflict with mid-term or final exams, you must contact me in advance with written documentation to discuss your options. If you have a legitimate university-excused absence, a documented family emergency, or severe illness and cannot attend class when something is due, you must contact me in advance to request alternate arrangements for turning in your work. I will not accept it otherwise. Please double-check yourself when submitting assignments via Blackboard so that attachments do not get “lost.” If and when hard copies are due in class, please print them in advance so that “technological difficulties” do not affect your ability to hand them in on time. Beginning of class does not mean after class.
Academic Integrity
Academic Integrity
For this course, you are responsible for reading and abiding by the <FSU Academic Honor Policy>, and for living up to your pledge to “… be honest and truthful and … [to] strive for personal and institutional integrity” in all things. All of your work for this class should be authentic, original, and specific to the tasks I have assigned, rather than written for another class. Cheating and all forms of misrepresentation, including plagiarism and constructing assignments via paper mill, can result in automatic failure of the course. "Plagiarism" as we understand it this semester occurs when you represent someone else's work as your own in the following ways:
While it is reasonable to receive tutoring, help, or support for your writing and technology use, every aspect of the project (including visuals, design, audio, and written texts) must be original or cited appropriately. As you get into more advanced writing, it becomes important to annotate and incorporate sources productively and fairly, so that your process does not get mistaken for plagiarism. Feel free to ask me if you are unsure at any time about what constitutes “fair use."
Good Blogging and Discussion Practice
- having someone write your paper for you, or turning in someone else's work on a project
- simply copying, pasting, or "patchwriting" published information into your paper or project
- deliberately using sources (including images, music, and webtext) without attributing them.
While it is reasonable to receive tutoring, help, or support for your writing and technology use, every aspect of the project (including visuals, design, audio, and written texts) must be original or cited appropriately. As you get into more advanced writing, it becomes important to annotate and incorporate sources productively and fairly, so that your process does not get mistaken for plagiarism. Feel free to ask me if you are unsure at any time about what constitutes “fair use."
Good Blogging and Discussion Practice
This semester, we will look closely at how a variety of texts are composed and how certain points are argued or taken up, logically and stylistically in various media. At no time should you feel like you’re being evaluated on whether you take a position to the right or left of an issue or argument. You are being evaluated on how well you can articulate the different parts of an argument, and how effectively and empathetically you can read its rhetorical situation. I am not interested in having you change your beliefs as a result of what we read – nor should you pressure others to – but I am always interested in helping you to enhance or complicate the beliefs that you have. I am also interested in helping you become a more critically reflective writer, publicly and academically. The same goes for our course blog. The primary use for this blog is to inspire discussion of class-related topics, and to hone our abilities to respond clearly and confidently – to practice engaging a reader and keeping them engaged. Please remember that the blog is a space for public performance. While I want you to have great discussions on it, I need you to be committed to good communal practices, which means that the <Student Conduct Code> will be upheld.
Reading/Writing Center (RWC)
Reading/Writing Center (RWC)
We’ll be composing in a number of genres this semester, including blog posts, analytic reflections, and a formal essay that are expected to conform to certain academic conventions. If you decide that you would like more sustained feedback on your writing than I am already giving you at any point in the semester, please seek me out in conference or office hours. However, I also highly recommend that you visit the Reading/Writing Center in Williams, Johnston, or Strozier. I recommend RWC to any writer who is working through a difficult project, since talking with others is helpful at all stages of your writing, whether you are planning the project or editing the final draft. You will want to get into the habit of sharing your writing with others in a more public and high-stakes setting. You can make appointments by calling (850) 644-6495 or using the <online scheduler>.
Digital Studio
Digital Studio
I also recommend the Digital Studio for out-of-class work, especially when it comes time to set up your blog, plan your multimodal projects, or work on your portfolio. The Studio also provides support to students working individually or in groups on conducting online research for an essay, selecting images for visual projects, making podcasts, and just increasing your overall capacities in digital communication. They are located in Williams 222B or Johnston Ground G0062. You can make appointments by using the <online scheduler> for the Digital Studio.
Accommodations
The <Student DisabilityResource Center (SDRC)> can arrange for assistance, auxiliary aids, or related services if you think a temporary or permanent disability will prevent you from fully participating in class, or if you need our course materials in an alternative format. Contact them at (850) 644-9566 (voice), (850) 644-8504 (TDD), or with individual concerns. You must be registered with the SDRC before classroom accommodations can be provided, and you should bring a letter to me requesting accommodations in the first week of class.
Accommodations
The <Student DisabilityResource Center (SDRC)> can arrange for assistance, auxiliary aids, or related services if you think a temporary or permanent disability will prevent you from fully participating in class, or if you need our course materials in an alternative format. Contact them at (850) 644-9566 (voice), (850) 644-8504 (TDD), or with individual concerns. You must be registered with the SDRC before classroom accommodations can be provided, and you should bring a letter to me requesting accommodations in the first week of class.
