You'll format and transmit all your writing through electronic media -- that is, through web page postings and e-mail.
Since you're posting much of your writing on the web, by the end of the semester you will, in effect, be designing web pages. This sounds much more difficult than it actually is. If you've not used the web much before, don't worry. You'll get the hang of it in this course.
Also, please note that, while the use of computers is essential for this course, I will definitely NOT be grading you explicitly on software skills, any more than teachers in more traditional writing courses would grade you explictly on your penmanship or typing ability. Format and appearance of documents are, naturally, important. Yet these will be considered in the broader context of the principles of good writing -- principles that we'll discuss throughout the semester.
In the meantime, this course will give you a chance to develop some informed positions on the implications that the web has for writing, literacy, and uses of text.
Ungraded Weekly Writing -- 25%
Note on "ungraded writing:" You get credit for posting a reasonable, good-faith effort by deadline. Most ungraded writing activities will feed into subsequent graded work.Ungraded writing will include the following:
Web page postings:
Two Web Sites -- 40%
1) - A web site on the topic of your choice (may be related to service-learning)
2) - An on-line dossier, including your resume, writing samples, other
materials pertinent to your interests and/or career aspirations
Participation, Group work -- 10%
For your first web site project, you may be interested in developing web materials for a public service organization. This activity can provide you with a good topic for your web page project, and will give you experience working with clients. It will also allow you to direct your energies into meaningful service.
I'll evaluate and grade web pages done for service organizations in the same way that I grade any student's web page.
I have relationships with the following two organizations, both of which need web pages:
- Environmental News, a 1/2 hr. radio show that airs on WETS on Sundays at 12:30 pm (and on WMMT in Whitesburg, Kentucky)
- Patrick Walding, Johnson City Forester (Walding's office provides Johnson City residents with information and assistance in matters related to trees, greenery, and appearance.)
Also, I would like to get some students involved in developing a web page for the English department computer lab.
In addition, you also may have a public service organization in mind, that you know, that could use some written documents or web pages. If so, talk to me about it, and we can arrange to have you work with that organization.
Depending on how many people are interested, we may put some teams together, and work on projects as teams.
Appalachian Trail Maintenance
If you're interested in writing on the outdoors, or on environmental Issues, you may want to be involved in volunteering with the Tennessee Eastman Hiking Club to do Appalachian Trail maintenance. I'll offer students 5 percentage points on the final grade for ten hours of service (which is typically one day of trail work) I go out with club members every third Saturday of the month. Ask me about this, if you're interested.
- Web assignments must be posted by the time class begins, on the date for which they're assigned. Please be prepared to display and discuss, in class, any materials you have posted.
- E-mail assignments must be sent by 12:00 pm on the date for which they're due.
- You can miss three due dates, provided you email me by 12:00 pm on the due date, with an explanation of why the assignment is late, -- and provided that we then establish an agreement on when and how you will get your assignment in.
- If, at any time, you have any technical problems -- with either e-mail or the web -- contact me to make arrangements for meeting requirements.
Attendance:
The English Department policy: more than 6 absences and you fail the course. In addition, I've set the following policies: 1) You may miss 2 classes free, no questions asked. 2) NO EXCUSED ABSENCES, so use your 2 freebies wisely! 3) If you miss from 3 to 6 classes, your grade may be lowered up to 2 full letter grades.