Syllabus

ENGL105.002, MTWTHF, 9:45-11:15, Remote

Professor Daniel Anderson

Office hours will be held Monday - Thursday 9:45-10:30 (and by appointment). Class connection and office hours will take place on zoom: 

https://unc.zoom.us/j/96596452889

Meeting ID: 965 9645 2889

I can be reached by e-mail at iamdan@unc.edu.

Most of the course information and activities will play out at http://altscholarship.com/dig105. Consult the site regularly for important tasks and to participate. Note, also that this will be a public web site.

We will use the Tarheel Writing Guide for the class. Enrolled students should receive instructions for signing up for the book via e-mail from the bookstore.  I will also post occasional online readings. All reading assignments require a student response that will be posted on our class web site.

Goals

In this class, we will explore the ways that writing and research take place in several disciplines. We will learn a number of new methods for conducting research. And we will share our experiences through writing in familiar and unfamiliar forms.

Assignments

There will be three key components to the course:

  • A Twitter Analysis Research Report (Unit 1)
  • A Science-Oriented Research Podcast (Unit 2)
  • A Poetry Analysis and Video Project (Unit 3)

Each of the projects will require the submission of both a draft and a final version.

There will also be a number of smaller, feeder and improvisational projects assigned throughout the term. You will also be expected to provide feedback to your peers. 

Participation

A good deal of activity will take place through our class site. You will be required to use the site to exchange ideas, review one another’s work, etc. You can participate on the site using social media tools—commenting, rating, updating. In class, helping with projects, joining discussions, being prepared, and offering materials for critique are expected as part of your participation.

You will also be required to read the course texts and post a response.

The key participation will play out through our Daily Tasks, which will be posted to this site. You will complete the daily activities by 9:45AM the following day unless otherwise noted. 

Grading

Your final grade will be based on meeting all of the requirements in the course and successful completion of all of the projects. Each project will be given a grade on a 1-100 scale. Class participation will be determined by assessing completion of daily tasks including reading responses, class activities, and peer feedback. Project grades and participation will be compiled into the final course grade based on the following weighted percentages:

3 Unit Projects (Up to 100 points each) 50% of final grade 

Small Feeder Assignments (Up to 100 points each) (1.2, 2.1, 3.1) 10% of final grade

Large Feeder Assignments (Up to 100 points each) (1.1, 2.2, 3.2) 25% of final grade

Daily Tasks/Participation (Up to 23 points total) 15% of final grade

Based on the scores for these aspects of the class and the weighted grading, a final course percentage will be calculated on a 0-100 scale. That score will be used to assign the final letter grade in class using the following scale:

A 93—100

A- 90—92.99

B+ 87—89.99 

B 83—86.99

B- 80—82.99

C+ 77—79.99

C 73—76.99

C- 70—72.99

D+ 67—69.99

D 60—66.99

F 59.99 and below

Policies

Please remember that the syllabus functions as a contract between instructor and students. We will go over these policies during the first few days of class, but you are responsible for knowing and abiding by these policies.

Daily Tasks and Preparation 

Participation will be driven via completion of the Daily Tasks by 9:45AM on the day following their assignment. You should allow time to complete any assigned reading, writing, or other homework. You should communicate with me before 9:45AM on the day following any assigned task if there are issues that will prevent you from timely completion of the activities. Activities completed after this point may not be eligible for credit. You should coordinate with me regularly as needed about your status and any challenges related to timely progress through the activities.

Technology 

At minimum, you must check your email and our class website daily for messages and updates. Expect to make regular use of a computer that is capable of running basic and multimedia applications. You must allow time and seek assistance for any technical issues that arise when completing computer-based activities (information and technical assistance are available at http://help.unc.edu or 962-HELP). You should also be aware that electronic class activities will be public in nature. We will be posting materials and conducting activities on the Internet. In addition, the course Web site is available publicly on the Internet. No protected information will be shared, but the assignments, projects, and activities will be conducted and available publicly. Additionally, the activities related to the class may be viewed, discussed, and shared by the instructor, the students, or others—as part of conversations about teaching or publishing efforts. I will ask you to sign a permission form indicating that your work may be viewed and shared electronically or used for publishing. 

I will be available to communicate about technical challenges that may arise related to the class. If you experience issues with access or computer-based tools, we will discuss and develop working plans for completion of assignments. 

Students must also observe appropriate behavior during all computer-based activities related to this class. Students must act with respect and responsibility. Engaging in activities deemed to be offensive or inappropriate will be considered a violation of the UNC Honor Code.

The Honor Code 

The honor code applies to everything that you—and I—do at this university, including our use of outside sources in our research and writing. Our work in this class will conform to the principles and procedures defined in the Instrument of Student Judicial Governance (http://instrument.unc.edu/). The research that we do this semester, whether primary or secondary, print or online, formal or informal, will require documentation on your part. We will review citation guidelines early and often throughout the semester. If I suspect you of plagiarizing all or part of a project, even unintentionally, I am required to report the offense to the Honor Court. 

Students with Disabilities

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ensures that no qualified person shall by reason of a disability be denied access to, participation in, or the benefits of, any program or activity operated by the University.  In compliance with UNC policy and federal law, qualified students with disabilities are eligible to receive “reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to education opportunities, programs, and activities” (http://www.unc.edu/depts/lds/faculty-policies.html). If you anticipate such accommodations, please notify me as soon as possible so that appropriate arrangements can be made. Additionally, you may seek out student support services at the Department of Disability Services (DDS) (http://disabilityservices.unc.edu/) and through the Learning Center (http://learningcenter.unc.edu/)

Non-Discrimination Policy

This university does not discriminate against its students or employees based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.  The University’s policy states that sexual orientation be treated in this same manner.  In this class we will strive to maintain an open atmosphere with shared respect for all differences. 

Back to Top