| 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 is intended for students who are interested in writing as it pertains to social networking. Students will read, write, and research a variety of social networking sites.
Learning Objectives
Students will:
- Discuss social media as a set of digital tools used for a wide range
of information dissemination purposes.
- Assessment method: Make substantive contributions to in-class and online discussions.
- Demonstrate familiarity with the range of social media spaces.
- Assessment method: Plan and present an in-class presentation on a specific, significant SM tool.
- Reflect critically on the use of social tools and identify strategies
for their effective implementation.
- Assessment method: Successfully complete a substantive research project on a topic related to SM.
Students will work extensively with technology during the semester; however, previous experience with computers and/or the Internet is not required. Prerequisite: A minimum grade of "C" in ENGL 1101.
Required Textbooks
There is no textbook for this class; all readings will be available online.
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 reserves the right to submit student work to SafeAssign, a plagiarism detection service subscribed to by Georgia Southern University. Note: This is a writing course; as such, plagiarism is a serious offense and will be treated accordingly. 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.
You are required to make 10 postings during the semester as stipulated in
the schedule of assignments. You also
need to read each other's postings; you will not get credit if you merely
repeat information others have already posted. You may 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; however,
spamming, use of inappropriate language, or posting of inappropriate materials
will not be tolerated. It is your listserv, and as such
it is up to you (the students) to police it.
Postings should be substantive (that is, they
should actually have something to say) and should be approximately 250
words in length, demonstrate good format for email, and reflect
an awareness of the rhetorical situation of which they are a part. You may
make up any late postings within two (2) weeks of their original due date
(with appropriate apologies to the rest of the class) for a 10% penalty.
Attendance
Attendance is mandatory. My attendance policy is firm: no excuses are allowed. 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 have access to this information. (Do not email the instructor to find out what was covered during your absence; I do not get paid to teach the class more than once. However, you may ask me to clarify anything we covered that you do not understand--although I suggest you first post your questions to the class listserv.) Late assignments will not be accepted.
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. Visit their Web site at http://academics.georgiasouthern.edu/~writingc/ for an appointment or for more information.
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. All assignments are due at the beginning of class on the date given, unless otherwise noted. 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).