| Dr. Janice R. Walker Department of Writing and Linguistics Georgia Southern University P. O. Box 8026 Statesboro, GA 30460 |
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Instructor Contact Information
This course will consider the technologies of writing--from cave paintings to the Internet (and beyond!)--on our society and our personal lives. Technologies of Writing analyzes the meanings and implications of the new technologies on reading and writing as well as explores the relationship between a culture's technologies of writing and cultural narratives of identity, subjectivity, and agency.
This section deals with the various ways that we construct and are constructed by technologies, specifically technologies of communication. Students are expected to bring an enquiring mind to the course. We will spend the beginning of the semester reading and discussing selected articles and technologies as a class. Students will then self-select an area to research (e.g., how to use a specific technology, how some technological apparatus affects us as individuals or as a society--or the world, or other topics chosen in consultation with the instructor). During the final weeks of the semester, students will then present the results of their research to the class in an oral presentation (hopefully using one of the technologies we have considered, such as PowerPoint, Web pages, digital camera, or other means). Each student will also author an e-zine article for publication to the class Web site.
Students will work extensively with technology during the semester; however, previous experience with computers and/or the Internet is not required.
Learning Outcomes
Students in this course will work toward:
- Understanding the ethical and legal implications of online communication
protocols within the context of the professional and technical writing fields.
- Applying the professional skills and disciplinary knowledge of written
communication theory needed to be effective communicators in the 21st century
workplace.
Required Textbooks
Recommended Texts:
There are no required texts for this course. However, suggestions for additional readings may be included in the Schedule of Assignments.
Materials Needed:
- 3.5-inch floppy diskette (IBM formatted), CDRW, jump drive, or other digital storage medium
- access to a computer or other necessary technology outside of class. Check the location and schedule of on-campus computing facilities at http://services.georgiasouthern.edu/computing/
- an enquiring mind
- email account
Honesty
All members of the academic community recognize the necessity of being honest with themselves and with others. The integrity of the educational experience is diminished by cheating in class, plagiarizing, lying, and employing other methods of deceit or dishonesty. (See Student Conduct Code for definitions of Academic Dishonesty, including cheating and plagiarizing.) The need for honest relations among all members of the community is essential. Students will be held responsible for academic integrity and honesty in all work done in this course. The instructor retains the right to set the minimum academic penalty for dishonesty in the course.
Class Listserv
All students will join, read, and contribute to the class listserv discussion. You are required to make at least one posting per week in response to the readings, class discussions, or to each others' postings. You will need to access and read the postings frequently to keep up. You may also choose to post more than once per week, either responding to other students' posts, asking questions regarding assignments, readings, or class discussions, or discussing topics of interest to the general student population. Listserv postings should be substantive (approximately 250 words in length) and should engage the topics. You will not be given credit for postings that simply say, "I have nothing to say," or that simply recount your weekend activities. Spamming, use of inappropriate language, or posting of inappropriate materials will not be tolerated. It is your discussion board, and as such it is up to you (the students) to police it.
Subscribe to the class listserv
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Attendance
Attendance is mandatory except when otherwise noted. My attendance policy is firm: no excuses are allowed. However, missed assignments may be made up. It is the student's responsibility to find out any assignments or information missed as a result of tardiness or absence. Please make arrangements with another student early in the semester to ensure that, should you need to be absent, you will still have access to this information. Late assignments will automatically be lowered one full letter grade, or 10% (again, no excuses; save your creativity for your essays). Participation in class discussions is essential for this course; therefore, it is essential that you come to class prepared. Please make sure you consult the reading assignments below and complete the readings by the day indicated!
Grades
Distribution of final grade:
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Writing Center
Don't forget that the University Writing Center, located in in the Forest Drive Building, Room 1119, is one of your most important resources as a student at Georgia Southern University. The consultants in the center will give you one-on-one help with any paper you're working on for any class on campus, including this one. I strongly encourage you to take advantage of the feedback and advice they can give you. Call 478-1413 for an appointment, or feel free to just drop in.
Assignments
The schedule of assignments is a tentative one and is provided for planning purposes only. Students are expected to check the schedule frequently for changes, and to complete all assigned readings and coursework as shown by the dates listed. Additional information on assignments may be added to this site and/or discussed in class. It is the student's responsibility to find out any assignments or information missed as a result of tardiness or absence. (See also Attendance policy above).
Students are encouraged to submit additional links to online readings (or
bring -- ugh! -- paper copies for me to xerox or scan. We will talk
about the sites/readings in class and on the class listserv. Remember,
you are to post once a week to the class listserv on topics of relevance
to the readings and class discussion and to your research. You may
also respond to other students' postings (I encourage you to do so!).
This class will be a "success" if you learn something useful (preferably about how we communicate in a digital age) and if we can all have some fun along the way. So, let's begin our journey.