Syllabus
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Course Goals:
This course will introduce students to the basics of technical writing and communication.  In addition to writing traditional reports, proposals, memos, and job application letter/resumes, students will produce documents for the web.  Students will gain some experience with web authoring tools, desktop publishing software, and evaluating the impact of the image on communication.  Most work for the course will be completed electronically, though previous knowledge with computers is not necessary.  This course carries a prerequisite of Eng. 103 or 201.  Specific goals are below: 

•  begin to understand and analyze the roles of reading and writing in our society, especially in the academic and local communities;

• consistently support ideas with evidence and argumentation through proper design and good writing;

• recognize and respond to persuasive demands an audience places on a writer;

• use technology when appropriate to convey ideas;

• read media texts critically and recognize the media as a source of information that should be critiqued;

• use digital technology to create and submit projects in a professional manner.

Texts/Materials
Anderson, Paul V. Technical Communication: A Reader Centered Approach 6^th Edition Boston, MA: Thomson/Wadsworth, 2007. (ISBN: 1413017703)  
Thumb/flash drive (or some reliable way to maintain your electronic work/assignments)
There may be other readings that I copy and assign along the way.

Assignments

(Please see formal assignment sheets and grading rubrics for specific criteria and evaluation procedures for each assignment)

Reading Quizzes:

You are assigned “reading" quizzes.  The quiz is designed to simply ensure that you read and comprehend our assigned material.  Some quizzes are harder than others, but these are not "pop" quizzes.  Anything we read or discuss that week is subject to be on the quiz.  Each quiz is ten questions and may take any format from short answer to true/false to multiple choice.  You will have 5 quizzes this term.  I will use the average of all 5 quizzes to figure your final grade for this portion of the course.  Each question is 10 points.  For example, if you score the following for the 5 quizzes:  80, 90, 100, 70, and  65, the average would be:  81.0.  This is a solid B- and would be recorded as such for this portion of your final grade.

These quizzes will be in hard copy and distributed during our class time and on the day they are assigned.  Under no circumstances will you be allowed to make up a quiz. 

homework/participation/attendance

You will receive significant class time to work on projects.  I do this to be available to help you with technological tasks, writing, and general guidance during the course of each project.  This is not a time to waste or ignore.  Those of you not working may be asked to leave and/or you will receive a low grade for this part of the course and be counted as absent.  This also means I expect you to contribute to class discussions, attend class everyday, and complete any other tasks I assign during class or for homework.  Any homework assigned is due the next class period and cannot be made up.  You must be in class with your homework in hand in order to receive full-credit. Again, no make-up of homework is permitted.  Please complete your homework professionally or you will not recieve credit.

Plagiarism
Plagiarism is very serious.  While many students still take it upon themselves to cut and paste pieces of text/images from web pages and conveniently insert them into their projects, it is a violation to do so without attributing proper credit to the creator of the original text/image.  Remember: ideas as well as words/images are covered under the realm of plagiarism.  Nothing is wrong with using another’s work-JUST CITE THEM.  If you are found to be plagiarizing, I will first wish to speak with you.  If the matter is not resolved between you and I, we will then meet with the department chair for further action.  I will prosecute to the highest extent the university will allow if you are found to be plagiarizing materials.  At the minimum, you will receive an F for the specific assignment in question.

Students with Disabilities
It is the policy of UNCW to accommodate students with disabilities, pursuant to federal law, state law, and the university’s commitment to equal educational opportunities.  Any student with a disability who needs accommodation, for example, in seating placement or in arrangements for examinations, should inform the instructor at the beginning of the course.  Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact Disability Services, at 910-962-7555 or TDD 910-962-3853 or Dr. Peggy Turner via email at [turnerm@uncw.edu].

Attendance
See the hard copy or go here and print the policy

Other notes
You may not leave until the teacher officially dismisses you.  Do not schedule doctor’s appointments, etc. during our course time.  You are absent.  Keep up with the readings, attend class faithfully, and always work on our projects when given time, and good things will happen.

The best way to contact me is email: atkinsa@uncw.edu
Emailing me after 6pm may not get a response until the next business day.