Syllabus & Schedule

ENGL089, The Rhetoric of Wellness
MWF 10:10-11:00
Greenlaw Hall 318

Professor Daniel Anderson

A study of the ways people write and talk about wellness, this class investigates the language in books and online forums related to self-help.

Office hours will be held Tuesday and Wednesday 11:00-12:30 (and by appointment). On Tuesday hours will be remote (https://unc.zoom.us/my/iamdan). On Wednesday, hours will be hybrid. I have offices in Greenlaw 201 and 533. I can be reached by e-mail at iamdan@unc.edu.

Most of the course information and activities will play out on our class web site:

http://altscholarship.com/wellness

Consult the site regularly for important tasks and to participate. Note, also that this will be a public web site.

Goals

In this class, we will explore approaches to studying communication through the lens of rhetoric. We will also look particularly at rhetoric used to promote wellness and compose self-help books. The key outcomes are:

• Understand key aspects of rhetoric and ways of deploying them to analyze communication
• Investigate the particular ways language related to wellness and self-help deploys metaphors and other rhetorical tools
• Practice computational approaches to studying texts and communication
• Engage in quantitative and qualitative research
• Compose for a public audience using a variety of genres and modes

Assignments

There will be six key components to the course:

• An online wellness rhetoric research project and short essay
• A computational text analysis project and report
• A collection of video PSAs
• Two group podcasts
• A portfolio video
• A class portfolio

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

There will also be smaller, feeder and improvisational projects assigned throughout the term. You will also be expected to provide feedback to your peers. And there will be required readings throughout the semester. 

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 responses.

Grading

Your final grade will be based on meeting all the participation requirements in the course and on a portfolio of your work. Course participation includes actions like:

• Attending scheduled class meetings and conferences
• Responding to questions in class discussions
• Asking questions or offering comments during class discussion
• Helping peers with class projects and activities

You will be asked to account for your participation in the course portfolio.

The portfolio is the main project for the course. You will collect and reflect on the materials you have created throughout the term. Your portfolio will include 1) drafts and revisions of all major projects; 2) notes, planning documents, and other artifacts that represent key processes involved in your composing; 3) reflections that consider learning and growth outcomes in terms of your projects and work in the class; 4) a section demonstrating your participation in the class; and 5) a cover letter that forecasts for readers the portfolio’s key themes or “story.”

Your portfolio should allow you to demonstrate four learning aspects:

• Engagement with course outcomes
• The quality of your projects
• Revision processes
• Intellectual and personal growth

Portfolios will be evaluated based on the following rubric:

A portfolios will include all five required elements, demonstrate fully all four learning aspects, be very close to error free, and display strong design elements.

B portfolios will include all five required elements, demonstrate two or more of the learning aspects, include a minimal level of errors, and display some design elements.

C portfolios will include at least four of the required elements, demonstrate at least two of the learning aspects, contain a moderate number of errors, and display little or no design elements.

D and F portfolios will include three or fewer of the required elements, fail to demonstrate learning aspects, contain a significant number of errors, and display little or no design.

We will discuss and develop the portfolio throughout the semester.

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.

Attendance and Preparation 

Attendance will be taken in class. You will be expected as well to attend any scheduled conferences.

University Policy: As stated in the University’s Class Attendance Policy, no right or privilege exists that permits a student to be absent from any class meetings, except for these University Approved Absences:

1. Authorized University activities
2. Disability/religious observance/pregnancy, as required by law and approved by Accessibility Resources and Serviceand/or the Equal Opportunity and Compliance Office (EOC)
3. Significant health condition and/or personal/family emergency as approved by the Office of the Dean of Students, Gender Violence Service Coordinators, and/or the Equal Opportunity and Compliance Office (EOC).

University Approved Absence Office (UAAO): The UAAO website provides information and FAQs for students and faculty related to University Approved Absences. 
 

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 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 

All students are expected to follow the guidelines of the UNC Honor Code. In particular, students are expected to refrain from “lying, cheating, or stealing” in an academic context. If you are unsure about which actions violate the Honor Code, please see me or consult studentconduct.unc.edu.

Face Masks

UNC-Chapel Hill is committed to the well-being of our community–not just physically, but emotionally. The indoor mask requirement was lifted for most of campus on March 7, 2022. If you feel more comfortable wearing a mask, you are free to do so. There are many reasons why a person may decide to continue to wear a mask, and we respect that choice.

IT Acceptable Use Policy
By attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, you agree to abide by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill policies related to the acceptable use of IT systems and services. The Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) sets the expectation that you will use the University’s technology resources responsibly, consistent with the University’s mission. In the context of a class, it’s quite likely you will participate in online activities that could include personal information about you or your peers, and the AUP addresses your obligations to protect the privacy of class participants. In addition, the AUP addresses matters of others’ intellectual property, including copyright. These are only a couple of typical examples, so you should consult the full Information Technology Acceptable Use Policy, which covers topics related to using digital resources, such as privacy, confidentiality, and intellectual property.

Additionally, consult the University website “Safe Computing at UNC” for information about the data security policies, updates, and tips on keeping your identity, information, and devices safe.

Access and Accessibility

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill facilitates the implementation of reasonable accommodations, including resources and services, for students with disabilities, including mental health disorders, chronic medical conditions, a temporary disability or pregnancy complications resulting in barriers to fully accessing University courses, programs and activities.

Accommodations are determined through the Office of Accessibility Resources and Service (ARS) for individuals with documented qualifying disabilities in accordance with applicable state and federal laws. See the ARS Website for contact information: https://ars.unc.edu or email ars@unc.edu.

Policy on Non-Discrimination 
The University is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our community and to ensuring that educational and employment decisions are based on individuals’ abilities and qualifications. Consistent with this principle and applicable laws, the University’s Policy Statement on Non-Discrimination offers access to its educational programs and activities as well as employment terms and conditions without respect to race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, genetic information, disability, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Such a policy ensures that only relevant factors are considered and that equitable and consistent standards of conduct and performance are applied.

If you are experiencing harassment or discrimination, you can seek assistance and file a report through the Report and Response Coordinators (see contact info at safe.unc.edu) or the Equal Opportunity and Compliance Office, or online to the EOC at https://eoc.unc.edu/report-an-incident/.

I value the perspectives of individuals from all backgrounds reflecting the diversity of our students. I broadly define diversity to include race, gender identity, national origin, ethnicity, religion, social class, age, sexual orientation, political background, and physical and learning ability. I strive to make this classroom an inclusive space for all students. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to improve.

Title IX

Any student who is impacted by discrimination, harassment, interpersonal (relationship) violence, sexual violence, sexual exploitation, or stalking is encouraged to seek resources on campus or in the community. Reports can be made online to the EOC at https://eoc.unc.edu/report-an-incident/. Please contact the University’s Title IX Coordinator (Elizabeth Hall, titleixcoordinator@unc.edu), Report and Response Coordinators in the Equal Opportunity and Compliance Office (reportandresponse@unc.edu), Counseling and Psychological Services (confidential), or the Gender Violence Services Coordinators (gvsc@unc.edu; confidential) to discuss your specific needs. Additional resources are available at safe.unc.edu.

Resources

CAPS

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is strongly committed to addressing the mental health needs of a diverse student body through timely access to consultation and connection to clinically appropriate services, whether for short or long-term needs. Go to their website: https://caps.unc.edu/ or visit their facilities on the third floor of the Campus Health Services building for a walk-in evaluation to learn more.

Writing Center

Want help with a paper you are writing in this course? Check out the Writing Center! Writing Center coaches can assist with any writing project, at any stage of the writing process. You don’t even have to have a draft to come visit. To schedule a 45-minute appointment in SASB North or Greenlaw, read tip sheets, request written feedback online, or ask a quick question via live chat, visit: http://writingcenter.unc.edu.

Learning Center

Want to get the most out of this course? Consider making use of The Learning Center’s offerings. Their free, popular programs will help you optimize your academic performance:

• Academic coaching
• Peer tutoring in over 40 courses
• Reading and study skills workshops
• ADHD/LD support
• Coaching and study groups
• Test prep programming – Princeton Review courses/Free Study Groups
• Learning labs
• Online tools

The Learning Center staff is friendly, knowledgeable and ready to help! Drop by or make an appointment at:  http://learningcenter.unc.edu.

Course Calendar

The schedule below maps out the trajectory of our overall activities. For details, you will need to refer to the tasks that will be posted regularly on our site.