ENGL 314 Course Syllabus

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Course Overview

[Prerequisites: Completion of ENGL 250 and junior classification]

Welcome to English 314! During this semester, you will work individually and collaboratively with your classmates to address and solve several communication problems typically encountered by professionals. By the end of the term, you should have developed the communication skills to excel at creating and delivering successful documents in your chosen field, in part by analyzing your reader's existing knowledge base, resulting needs, and their attitudes and values as they reside in the existing communication context.

It would be best to prepare for this course to benefit you as a learner. The workload is carefully designed to be steady and manageable if you apply yourself regularly to the material. As your instructor, I will guide you through the course, but you are responsible for completing readings and assignments on time, carefully studying the materials, and contacting me when something is confusing or unclear.

 Course Outcomes

Through readings, lecture videos, discussions, and assignments, you will learn to:

Apply rhetorical principles to technical communication.

• Implement principles of effective document design, including the display of quantitative and qualitative data in technical communication.
• Analyze and explain the influences of organizational settings in the composition of technical and professional documents.
• Identify unique conventions across disciplines, and explain and apply the specific conventions of your discipline.
• Participate in the collaborative planning and execution of a project, and practice effective group communication skills.
• Identify and explain how ethical issues influence research, presentation of source material, document design, and documentation practices in your discipline.

 Texts & Materials

You will need to purchase one textbook for this course:

Technical Communication, 13th edition. By Markel and Selber. [Accessed through the Macmillan Learning LaunchPad link in the course's Canvas navigation sidebar]

This Advanced Communication course (English 314) requires a publisher's digital content—Launchpad/Achieve—through the University Book Store's Immediate Access program. Immediate Access is a new textbook model that converts physical, printed course materials into instantly accessible, totally interactive, and adaptive digital content. The ISU Bookstore, publishers, and faculty collaborate to make the digital course material available to every student on the first day of class. Because every student enrolled receives the digital course material, the publisher charges a lower bulk rate to the bookstore resulting in a lower retail price to the student. ALL English 314 sections use Immediate Access.

You have been charged for the digital content through your U-Bill. If you choose not to use the required digital course material through the University Book Store, you have, through the 5th day of class, to opt out of the Immediate Access program and get a refund. Should you opt-out, you will be responsible for finding the required digital content by other means. Remember that the ISU Bookstore and publisher have already negotiated to get you the lowest price possible for digital content. You also have through the 5^th day of class to receive a refund if you drop the course; for more information on inclusive Access, go to:http://www.isubookstore.com/immediate-access. Pricing for Immediate Access digital content and the textbook can be found by viewing your booklist through your Class Schedule on Access Plus.

Required Technology

You are required to have and use the following:

• A reliable internet connection.
• Access to Iowa State University computer system and Canvas.
• An Iowa State University email address. Please use this email account as opposed to your email account.
• Google Docs or another online collaborative writing application.
• A webcam to record presentation assignments (if you do not own a computer equipped with a webcam, you may check one out from the Parks Library here).
• More detailed information about system requirements and software privacy policies can be found here.

You should possess the following proficiencies:

• Use Canvas to submit assignments, participate in discussion boards, attend virtual conferences, and complete other class activities
• Use a word processor (e.g., Microsoft Word, Google Docs, etc.) to produce text-based documents
• Select and place visuals within a document using a word processor
• Use Canvas Studio to record a webcam and/or produce a screencast

Canvas and Email Communication

The Canvas learning management system assists this class. Make sure to check Canvas and your ISU email account daily. I will make the course syllabus, class materials, grades, and other resources available as needed. I will also use Canvas to communicate with the entire class or with individuals.

 Assignments & Weights

While participating in this course, you can expect to complete weekly assignments like discussion boards, workshops, and Macmillan LaunchPad assignments that measure your ability to understand and apply the concepts from our modules. You will also complete several major assignments, which you will often need to work on simultaneously with the weekly assignments. Be sure to budget your time accordingly and follow all assignment prompts carefully to avoid losing points for incomplete work.

You must complete all major assignments to earn a passing grade in this course.

The following is a breakdown of the work you will complete this semester:

 Course Schedule

Before we dive into the course policies, let's address some important information about following the course schedule and understanding the course delivery mode.

Following the Course Schedule

There are three main ways to follow our course schedule from week to week: the Syllabus page, the Calendar tool in Canvas, and the Weekly Overview & Checklist pages.

• Syllabus Page Course Summary: This course calendar at the bottom of the page outlines due dates for assignments during the semester in list form.
• Calendar: Access the Calendar tool from your global navigation menu in Canvas (the red menu on the far left). The Calendar allows you to see the upcoming deadlines for this course and your other courses in a monthly, weekly, or daily format. Learn more about how to use the Calendar tool as a student.
• Weekly Overview & Checklist Pages: Within each of our course modules, you'll find a weekly checklist for each week in that module. Weekly checklists are where you can find a list of topics to be covered, assigned readings and videos, and any work due that week. Take a look at an example of a weekly overview and checklist.

Schedule Changes & Updates

The schedule posted is tentative. For the most part, you should expect the course to stay on track with the deadlines as they are currently set. However, your course instructor may adjust due dates depending on the class's progress. Any modifications to the course calendar will be provided with advance notification.

A Quick Note on Course Delivery

The face-to-face and online versions of English 314 are designed to be delivered differently, and you, as a student, need to approach them differently. The traditional face-to-face and online versions of this course are not interchangeable. More information on course delivery can be found on the Face-to-Face vs. Online Course Delivery page.

If you take the face-to-face version of English 314, you should not treat it as an online course. The face-to-face version is designed to be taken in person. Therefore, you should attend every class session that you can attend, and if you are ill or unable to attend class, reach out to a classmate to learn what you have missed. Not regularly attending in-person classes can cause you to miss important course content and activities, which could negatively impact your grade.

If you take the online version of English 314, you will need to put forth more effort to learn than you would in a face-to-face version. You will need to study the course material (textbook, study pages, videos, and announcements) on your own, approach the weekly discussions like you're writing formal papers, carefully consider the feedback you receive, and be proactive in reaching out to your instructor if/when you have questions about the course content. 

Accessing Course Documents

• Because you may be accessing Canvas using your phone, many documents in this course are available in full text in the Canvas interface.
• If and when there is information that is only available as an attachment, this will be noted for you.

 Course Policies

Your assignments will be assessed in five major categories: context, content, organization, style, and delivery. These categories are further delineated into specific expectations in the evaluative rubric for some assignments.

Late Work Policy

Communicate with your instructor if you need additional time to complete an assignment. Your instructor may allow an extension to the assignment deadline, depending on the circumstances. Unless you have received a pre-approved extension from your instructor, the following late work policies will apply.

• For major assignments:
  • Submissions up to 1 week late will receive a reduction of a full letter grade equivalent to 10% of the available points.
  • Submissions more than one week late require instructor approval and will receive a deduction of two full letter grades equivalent to 20-30% of the available points.
• Late work will not be accepted for minor and time-sensitive assignments such as discussion boards, quizzes, and workshops without the approval of the instructor.
• Late work will not be accepted after the final exam time for the course.

Grading Criteria

All projects will be assigned a letter grade according to the following criteria:

Grading Schema

Percentages are not rounded. You will have ample opportunities to bolster your grade through weekly assignments. Therefore, when you have earned 89.75 percent of the points possible, your course grade will be a B+, not an A-.

Expectations for Conduct

Students in English 314 are expected to exercise professionalism when working individually and with teams and communicating with classmates and the instructor. You should adhere to the following best practices for online coursework:

• Show respect for others: In agreement with ISU's policies on student conduct, you are to carry yourself with respect for others and in ways conducive to maintaining a positive learning environment. In this course, you will restrict your commentary on discussion boards to class-specific activities and discussion, refrain from profane or offensive outbursts or disruptions, and not engage in demeaning, threatening, or harmful behavior toward you or class members. For further details, see ISU's policies on student conduct.
• Exercise netiquette: When participating in discussion activities, you are expected to exercise "netiquette." You can find a definition of netiquette and ISU's policies regarding netiquette here.
• Participate meaningfully: Participation means being present mentally as well as virtually. Just chiming in with your agreement on discussion boards is not enough. Specific expectations include:
  
  • thoughtfully contributing to online discussions promptly
  • preparing for team meetings and actively engaging in team discussions
  • carefully completing workshop assignments
• Send complete email messages: When emailing your instructor or classmates, you should always provide a subject line, a statement of the email's purpose, a specific request, your name, and any other content your audience needs. Do not treat emails like informal text messages.
• Follow directions: Directions are there for a reason, whether from instructor emails or announcements, instructions for submitting work, or assignment prompts. Ignoring directions, even small ones can signal that you don't take your work seriously, which will be reflected in your grade.
• Proofread your work: Proofread everything, including emails. Word-processing programs have built-in spelling and grammar checkers. Use them. Then check your work for mistakes the software program didn't catch.
• If you fall behind, catch up: When you must miss a team discussion, actively seek out what you've missed. Ask your peers, email your instructor, and ask, "What can I do to catch up?" or something similar. This question shows awareness of the time instructors spend creating and facilitating useful class activities, lectures, and discussions.
• Be an effective team member: Members of work teams should be prepared, reliable, enthusiastic, helpful, open-minded, and supportive. It would be best if you resolved conflicts with tact. Every group member should participate and complete peer evaluations honestly.

 Department Policies

Validating Enrollment

To validate your enrollment in each course, you must access the course's Canvas site by the end of the first week. If you add a course after the term begins, you must access the course's Canvas site by the end of that week. If you do not validate your enrollment, you must drop the course, or you will receive an F grade.

Reporting Grievances

If you become concerned about your instructor's class management, please communicate your concerns with your instructor. For example, concerns sometimes relate to grading methods, paper turnaround time, and course policies. If you feel uncomfortable speaking with your instructor, contact the Director of Advanced Communication, Dr. Jenny Aune (jeaune@iastate.edu), or the Assistant Director of Advanced Communication, Dr. Casey White (cdwhite@iastate.edu).

Ongoing Course Assessment

The Advanced Communication program completes an ongoing assessment of its pedagogy and curricula, consistency across sections, and student learning. As part of that assessment, we assess work completed as part of the course, which may include student work and completed grading rubrics. All identifiers are removed, and results are reported in aggregate. The only risks are completing the required course assignments, and the benefits are improved curricula, course delivery, and learning in future semesters. Students are eligible to be enrolled in studies via their enrollment in the course. They will be informed that their decision to participate or not participate in this research will not affect their grades or future relations with the instructor, college, or university. After the course is complete and grades are submitted, the list of students who agree to participate will be accessed, their work will be collected, and the data evaluated.

Appealing Your Final Grade

If you feel that your final grade does not reflect the quality of the work you produced throughout the semester, please first discuss the issue with your instructor. If, after talking with your instructor, you still feel that your grade does not reflect the quality of your work, you can file a grade appeal with Deanna Stumbo (229 Ross Hall). For a grade appeal, you will need to submit the following materials before the midterm of the following semester:

• A memo explaining why your final grade does not reflect the quality of work you produced
• Major assignments you completed during the semester 
• The course policies with grade breakdown
• The assignment prompts

A panel of instructors will review your materials unthinkingly and assign a grade based on the quality of the work. If the grade the panel assigns is higher than the grade you received, your grade will be changed accordingly. If the grade the panel assigns is lower than the grade you received, your grade will remain the same.

 ISU Syllabus Statements

Academic Dishonesty

The class will follow Iowa State University's policy on academic misconduct (5.1 in the Student Code of Conduct). Students are responsible for adhering to university policy and the expectations in the course syllabus and on coursework and exams and for following directions given by faculty, instructors, and Testing Center regulations related to coursework, assessments, and exams. Anyone suspected of academic misconduct will be reported to the Office of Student Conduct in the Dean of Students Office. Information about academic integrity and the value of completing academic work honestly can be found in the Iowa State University Academic Integrity Tutorial.

Accessibility Statement

Iowa State University is committed to advancing equity, Access, and inclusion for students with disabilities. Promoting these values entails providing reasonable accommodations where barriers exist to students' full participation in higher education. Students needing accommodations or who experience accessibility-related barriers to learning should work with Student Accessibility Services (SAS) to identify resources and support available to them. Staff at SAS collaborate with students and campus partners to coordinate accommodations and to further the academic excellence of students with disabilities. Information about SAS is available online at www.sas.dso.iastate.edu, by email at accessibility@iastate.edu, or by phone at 515-294-7220.

Discrimination and Harassment

Iowa State University does not discriminate based on race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 3410 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612,  Hotline 515-294-1222, email eooffice@iastate.edu

Free Expression

Iowa State University supports and upholds the First Amendment protection of freedom of speech and the principle of academic freedomLinks to an external site. To foster a learning environment where open inquiry and the vigorous debate of a diversity of ideas are encouraged, students will not be penalized for the content or viewpoints of their speech as long as student expression in a class context is germane to the subject matter of the class and conveyed appropriately.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Resources

Iowa State University is committed to proactively facilitating all students' well-being. Resources are available on the ISU Student Health and Wellness website.  (https://www.cyclonehealth.iastate.edu)

Prep Week

This class follows the Iowa State University Prep Week policy, as noted in section 10.6.4 of the Faculty Handbook.

Religious Accommodation

Iowa State University welcomes diversity of religious beliefs and practices, recognizing the contributions differing experiences and viewpoints can bring to the community. Sometimes, an academic requirement conflicts with religious observances and practices. If that happens, students may request reasonable accommodation for religious practices. In all cases, you must put your request in writing. The instructor will review the situation to provide a reasonable accommodation when possible without fundamentally altering a course. For students, you should first discuss the conflict and your requested accommodation with your professor as soon as possible. You or your instructor may also seek assistance from the Dean of Students Office at 515-294-1020 or the Office of Equal Opportunity at 515-294-7612.

Contact Information For Academic Issues

If you are experiencing, or have experienced, a problem with any of the above statements, email academicissues@iastate.edu

(Important note to faculty: The email address for contact information is monitored and answered through the Office of the Senior Vice President and Provost)

Disclaimer: The information in this syllabus is subject to change in extenuating circumstances. Changes to the course syllabus will be provided in writing and announced via course-wide announcements.