Syllabus and Course Goals

Contact Information

Office: HBC 008 | E-mail: keeganbe09[at]gmail.com or bekeegan[at]syr.edu

Submit work: WritingWork[at]protonmail.com

Office Hours: Tuesday in Marshall Mall 1:30-3:30 (before class) and Wednesday in Marshall Square Mall 12:30-2:00.

Description

From the Catalogue: This course builds on the skills and practices of WRT 109 by doing critical research and emphasizing composing in conversation with sources from the library and online as well as from interviews and experience. Students do individual and collaborative researched writing projects, and they use writing and research to explore the world, make claims, and persuade audiences. Pre-requisite: WRT 105 or WRT 109

This Particular Course: As the capstone to the writing requirement at SU, this course focuses on research-based writing across different contexts, genres, and audiences. In particular, our unit of inquiry will center on Writing and Civic Discourse, with a particular emphasis on medial literacy, source evaluation, and identity and civic-based discourse. The course will emphasize the learning outcomes below and take a more process- and reflection-focused approach, culminating in a final “inquiry project” and a reflective portfolio that builds from your writing and process work.

Course Objectives:

Research Writing as Situated Process: Students will recognize and act upon the ways research varies according to the situation.
Researching and Evaluating Sources Rhetorically: Students will develop reading strategies for invention, rhetorical engagement with sources, and critical dialogue.
Research Writing Within and Across Genres: Students will recognize the role genre plays in determining research forms and practices.
Research and Writing as Rhetorical Action: Students will understand research as itself a rhetorical action.
Research Writing as Social Practice: Students will analyze, reflect on, and respond to the social nature and consequences of research beyond the classroom.

Required Materials:

Texts: There are no assigned textbooks for the class, and the readings will largely be electronic.

Other materials: I recommend a digital and analogue note app. We will discuss these early on and revisit them through the semester. As such, a notebook and folder may be good to get early on for in-class activities. Be sure to have a copy of readings to reference in class, either paper or digital.

Assignments and Activities:

You will encounter four main kinds of work: readings/videos, invention work, projects, a research notebook, and portfolios, and classroom activities.

For readings/videos, I will often assign readings to spur classroom activities or provide material for you to work with for projects. You will not be expected to “master” the readings, but should be prepared to engage with them in class or online discussions. This may involve annotating, summarizing, or taking notes.

These ongoing readings align with “invention work.” These will often be smaller assignments, like summaries, online discussions, proposals, etc., that will help build toward larger unit projects and the course goals on a more ongoing basis.

Each unit will have a larger project or pair of projects and accompanied portfolio. Each project tends to focus on particular unit goals, involve multiple drafts, and incorporate invention work. The portfolio that accompanies each assignment collects the work that informs the final draft and offers a brief reflection.

Starting in unit two, you will need to keep a research notebook or system. We will discuss this later on, and I will check in with it from time to time, largely in class.

Last, class may involve discussions, presentations, freewrites, etc. As with your writing, I expect engagement with these activities. As a “studio” class, we may often write in class, so always come prepared to work.

Feedback:

Some feedback will come from fellow students and some will come from me. Both tell you in various ways how your readers are responding to your writing and how you can reflect on your own work. Some will be written and some will be in person. Most of this feedback is designed to be forward thinking, making note of what patterns seem most effective in your writing and what patterns may present larger issues.

If, at any point, you have questions regarding feedback, feel free to e-mail me or see me in person. Also, feel free to use your classmates at large for thoughts and suggestions, being mindful that each assignment is your original work and should reflect this fact both in the product and the process.

Grading:

Grading breaks down into four main categories: participation, blogs, projects, and invention work. The percentage points are as follows:

Unit 1 Project A: 15%
Unit 1 Project B: 15%
Unit 2 Project: 20%
Unit 3 Project: 20%
Research Notebook: 10%
Attendance and Class Participation (measured through in-class assignments and online participation): 20%

You will have the option to edit and re-submit any assignment at anytime for a new grade and are required to submit a final portfolio of your work.

Regarding late work, for each assignment, you have 24 hours to get it in without a penalty. After this, you have four days to turn in the assignment, with a letter-based reduction in grade each day; after this, beyond special circumstances, I will not accept the assignment.

If you have further questions or concerns regarding the contract or your grade, let me know. I know that life happens, and since my ultimate concern is for you to succeed, I am flexible to your needs and circumstances.

Course Policies:

Initiative and Responsibility: This course may differ from the other writing studios for the individual responsibility and agency you must take over your work. I will respond to inquiries and requests for assistance, offer whatever help I can, and suggest alternatives when I don’t think I can offer substantial help–but I will not be telling you what you should be doing. That is your responsibility.

Attendance and Participation: We expect you to show up and participate in all class sessions, peer reviews, presentations, and out-of-class meetings. Absences and lack of class preparation will affect your classmates work as well as your own. The work you do in class and the work you do to prepare for each class is as important as any polished assignment you turn in for a grade. In addition, each unit calendar is only a projection and may be subject to occasional changes and revisions, another vital reason for attendance. These policies also mirror the expectations of your future employer.

If you must miss a class, you are responsible for work assigned. Please realize, however, that class time cannot be reconstructed or made up, and that your performance, your work, and your final course grade will be affected by absences. For participation, I will not only consider raw attendance, but in-class activities.

If you miss the equivalent of three weeks of classes (six days of class) or more without any official documented excuse you will not pass the course. If you must miss class for significant sports or medical issues, let me know in advance.

Collaboration: You may be working in groups in the course. This work will include drafting documents, organizing team roles, preparing for class, and collaborating on actual texts. Relying on others and negotiating differences in working styles and tastes can be frustrating, but it is also part of the working world. Therefore, you will be expected to conduct yourself as a professional, to complete jobs on time, and to contribute to the success of the team and the class.

Professionalism and Respect: You are expected to behave professionally in your contributions to discussions, feedback given to your peers, interactions with the instructor, and in the work you do on class assignments. Respect works both ways. I do my best to be courteous and fair in all situations and at all costs. If you ever feel that you’ve been treated otherwise, come and talk to me.

Writing for Class on Varied Media: Any composing you do for the course, regardless of media type, falls under the Code of Student Conduct. If, for instance, you are writing on Blackboard or on a website or blog you have created for the course, the guidelines concerning harassment, threats, academic dishonesty, etc., still apply.

Blackboard and URL: Our course is loaded on Blackboard. I will expect you to be able to locate, download, and link to a range of course materials with some regularity throughout the semester. I will also contact you regularly via the Blackboard course listserv, so please check your Syracuse account at least once daily. The url for blackboard is: http://blackboard.syr.edu.

However, we will mostly use the url MediaLit209.wordpress.com. Let me know if you have technology or access issues.

Technology: Computers and networked applications are a part of writing culture. Obviously, we will be using computers as a means of communication as well as a means of production. You may also use other technology when appropriate, but be professional and productive. Do not distract yourself or your peers.

All texts produced must be cross platform compatible. In most cases, saving text files in Microsoft Word format (.doc or .docx) is preferred, with Google Drive and PDF also acceptable. Specific guidelines will apply to each assignment, but assume that all work submissions will happen in digital formats. Much of class business will be conducted via email, and you will be expected to check your e-mail daily and to respond promptly.

You will e-mail most work to WritingWork@protonmail.com

The Writing Center: Experienced writing consultants at the Writing Center (101 HB Crouse Hall, on the Quad) may work one-on-one with you at any stage of your process and with any kind of writing you’re attempting while attending SU. Whether you need help understanding an assignment, brainstorming ideas, revising subsequent drafts, or developing editing strategies, face-to-face and online appointments are available for 25- or 50-minute sessions throughout the semester and can be reserved up to seven days in advance via their online scheduling program, WCOnline. In addition, drop-in appointments are welcome Monday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and brief concerns or questions can be emailed to consultants via the eWC–though scheduling is preferred. For more information on hours, location and services, please visit http://wc.syr.edu. This is a free resource to all students and highly recommended for every assignment you work on in this class.

Special Needs and Accommodations: If you believe that you need accommodations for a disability, please contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS), http://disabilityservices.syr.edu, located in Room 309 of 804 University Avenue, or call (315) 443-4498 for an appointment to discuss your needs and the process for requesting accommodations. ODS is responsible for coordinating disability-related accommodations and will issue students with documented disabilities Accommodation Authorization Letters, as appropriate. Since accommodations may require early planning and generally are not provided retroactively, please contact ODS as soon as possible.

Syracuse University and I are committed to your success and to supporting Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This means that in general no individual who is otherwise qualified shall be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity, solely by reason of having a disability. You are also welcome to contact me privately to discuss your academic needs, although I cannot arrange for disability-related accommodations.

Religious Observances: SU’s religious observances policy, found at http://supolicies.syr.edu/emp_ben/religious_observance.htm, recognizes the diversity of faiths represented among the campus community and protects the rights of students, faculty, and staff to observe religious holy days according to their tradition. Under the policy, students are provided an opportunity to make up any examination, study, or work requirements that may be missed due to a religious observance provided they notify their instructors before the end of the second week of classes. For fall and spring semesters, an online notification process is available through MySlice/Student Services/Enrollment/My Religious Observances from the first day of class until the end of the second week of class.

Student Writing: Your work may be used for educational purposes during the current semester. For example, you may be asked to share your work with a peer, the class, or with me during classroom activities or homework. Your work may also be used in program assessment and in subsequent semesters for educational purposes. Your registration and continued enrollment constitute your permission. Before using your work, I will either get your written permission or render it anonymous.

Academic Honesty: The academic community requires ethical behavior from all of its participants. For writers, this means that the work we claim as ours must truly be ours. At the same time, we are not always expected to come up with new ideas; we often build our thinking on the ideas of others. We are expected, however, to credit others with their contributions and to clearly indicate the boundaries of our own thinking. In cases where academic dishonesty is detected (the fraudulent submission of another’s work, in whole or part, as your own), you may be subject to a failing grade for the project or the course, and in the worst case, to academic probation or expulsion. For a more detailed description of the guidelines for adhering to academic honesty in the College of Arts and Sciences, go to: http://academicintegrity.syr.edu

Orange SUccess: This class will participate in Orange SUccess, which promotes student success through coordination and communication among students, instructors, advisors, and campus support service departments. If I observe that you are experiencing difficulties in the course (attendance concerns, low test scores or participation, in danger of failing, etc.), I may send an email to your syr.edu email account through the Orange SUccess system. My message will tell you about my concerns and ask you to meet with me or an academic advisor. Your advisor, TA, and/or I will work with you to create success strategies to address any difficulties you are having. In addition, if I observe that you are doing well in my course, you may also receive “kudos” from me acknowledging your efforts. Orange SUccess provides essential notices by email and/or text. Please check your syr.edu account frequently and respond quickly if you receive an email from Orange SUccess.

Language: If any of my language or the language of your peers, like the used of gendered pronouns or ableist terms, proves offensive or inaccurate according to your experience, please let me know and we can work something out. Moreover, I am committed to providing a safe space for engagement, but my role as instructor also involves “instructing,” which may create some challenging situations. However, if you feel this discomfort goes too far, let me know.

Honors: I encourage you for your final project in particular to use it to give a head start to your capstone. We will work in more time in the latter half of the semester.