| 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 prepares students for writing for publication in a digital age. Students are encouraged to pursue various areas of research and interests as they learn how to locate suitable venues for publication, write query letters to publishers, format manuscripts for submission, and deal with revision and editing in today's technological environment.
Students are expected to bring an enquiring mind to the course. Students will self-select an area to research, 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 and author an e-zine article for publication to the class online journal, Technologies of Writing.
Students will work extensively with technology during the semester; however, previous experience with computers and/or the Internet is not required.
Required Textbooks
Required Texts:
- Williams, Joseph M. Style: Ten Lessons in Clarity and Grace, 8/E. New York: Longman, 2005.
- Walker, Janice R., and Todd Taylor. Columbia Guide to Online Style 2nd ed. New York: Columbia UP, 2006.
- Brewer, Robert Lee. Writer's Market 2007. Writer's Digest Books, ISBN 1582974276 ISBN: 978-1-58297-427-9
- A good handbook of grammar and usage, such as The Longman Handbook or the Harbrace Handbook.
- A style guide such as The MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (MLA), the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA), Chicago Manual of Style, The AMA Style Guide for Business Writing, The Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual, The Gregg Reference Manual ). There are MANY different such manuals; consult with the reference librarians at the Zach S. Henderson Library for help in locating one appropriate for your major.
- USB drive (also called a "thumb" or "flash" drive).
- Access to computers/necessary software outside of class (check lab schedules
and available applications at http://services.georgiasouthern.edu/computing/)
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. 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. 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, consider good format for email, and reflect an awareness
of the rhetorical situation of which they are a part.
Attendance
Attendance is mandatory. 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).
Grades
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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 871-1413 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).