| 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 encompasses the ideas of editing as a professional writing skill, with a focus on the job of a technical editor. While proofreading skills are important, the manipulation of documents is primary. Because editors must often be responsible for a document from its inception to its presentation as a finished product, layout and document design are also considered, as well as contemporary production processes. This course will provide students with the foundation necessary for their future careers in the field. Students will:
- practice necessary skills to manipulate text in a variety of professional contexts, including issues of grammar and mechanics, stylistic issues, and writing in a global environment.
- acquire proficiency with one or more of the technological tools that may be required of technical and/or professional editors in the 21st century workplace.
- practice integrating multimedia elements in print and digital documents.
- discover the variety of possibilities that technical editing offers in the workplace.
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
Rude, Carolyn. Technical Editing 4E. New York: Longman, 2006.
ISBN-10: 032133082X. ISBN-13: 9780321330826.
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; 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. However, missed assignments may be submitted for partial credit within two (2) weeks of the original due date. 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 automatically be lowered one full letter grade, or 10%.
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.
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).