Fall 2010: RPW 285, section 01: Writing in Electronic Spaces
NOTE: This syllabus may change as class needs dictate.
Assignments

If you need to contact me by e-mail at "fidallas@svsu.edu," the subject line should contain your last name, course and section number to prevent your e-mail from being misplaced as possible spam.

All responses and work for the course will be burned to CD (course portfolio) and turned in at the final examination period. This CD will not be returned, so you may wish to make a copy for yourself.

You may turn in your assignment early if you know you are going to miss a class. I do not accept assignments via e-mail. For each day (or portion thereof) that your assignment is late, two (2) points will be deducted. Lost flash drives, M drive problems, incompatible software versions, or 'homework on computer at home' are not legitimate excuses for late work.

Written assignment format and details

Format for written assignments:
Each paper will be typed, single-spaced, with one-inch margins. Use Arial 12 point, Bookman Old Style12 point, or Century Gothic 11 point fonts. The top of the paper should be formatted as such:

[your name]
RPW 285-01
Dr. Dallas
[date]

Then skip a line and center the title of your chapter response. Skip another line and begin your paper. Your work should be ready to turn in upon arrival in class.

Assignment details:

Class discussions & chapter responses 35 points
Quizzes 0 points
Webbing project, draft 1 5 points
Webbing project, draft 2 10 points
Webbing project, draft 3 10 points
Webbing project - final 25 points
Course portfolio on CD 5 points
Final exam 10 points
 
You may turn in your assignment early if you know you are going to miss a class. I do not accept assignments via e-mail. For each day (or portion thereof) that your assignment is late, two (2) points will be deducted. Lost flash drives, M drive problems, incompatible software versions, or 'homework on computer at home' are not legitimate excuses for late work.

Class discussions & chapter responses -- 7 responses of 5 points each; total of 35 points:
A one-page response to the assigned chapters in New Media is due as a part of the reading assignment. Responses should primarily focus on a brief summary of the chapter and then your particular explanation or reaction to the chapter, with the understanding that other responses are possible. We will use the chapter responses as a starting point to class discussions about the concepts and ideas on webbing and electronic communication. Much of this information and discussion points will be included in the webbing project.

    Each response will be typed for this class. The paper will be single-spaced, with one-inch margins. The top of the paper should be formatted as such:

    [your name]
    RPW 285-01
    Dr. Dallas
    [date]

    Then skip a line and center the following:

    [assigned reading or text for response]

    Skip another line and begin your response. This response should be a brief summary of the chapter (2/3 of response) and then your reaction (1/3 of response). A short response equals a short grade.

    There will be some collaborative work on some of the chapters assigned. The goal is to help you address specific issues at hand--not overwhelm you with reading.

    These responses will be printed and turned in, and your electronic version will be maintained. Again, all responses and work for the course will be burned to CD and turned in at the final exam period. (This CD will be your *ticket* to entrance to the final).

Quizzes:
There will be no quizzes unless the lack of appropriate discussion dictates otherwise.

Webbing project -- 50 points total:
This project will showcase the student's interest in electronic & visual communication. We will learn and use Adobe Dreamweaver and Adobe Fireworks to create a website and associated graphic images. We will consider how to incorporate our thoughts, ideas, and reactions into a resource for others by generating a web space for the discussion of electronic communication.

Consideration of web page names, file structure and location of website, and portability & maintenance of the website will be discussed.

Drafts of the website will be viewed in class for general feedback as indicated on the syllabus.

Draft 1 -- 5 points:
This draft will reflect the basic structure of your web project, as the splash page, or the entry portal into your website, developed in Adobe Dreamweaver. Included should be relevant links to other pages in the site, and a schematic of the website file structure should be provided. This is due week 4.

Draft 2 -- 10 points:
This draft will build on part 1, and incorporate discussions on New Media chapter readings thus far. The splash page and two additional pages should be developed and navigable, using Adobe Dreamweaver. At least two graphics (one an image, one an interactive image) created in Adobe Fireworks should be included. This is due week 6.

Draft 3 -- 10 points:
This draft will build on part 2, and incorporate additional discussions on New Media chapter readings. At least three additional pages beyond the splash page and the two initial pages should be developed and navigable, using Adobe Dreamweaver. At least five graphics (in total) created in Adobe Fireworks as images and interactive images should be included. This is due week 12.

Final -- 25 points:
The final site will build on part 3, and incorporate all discussions on New Media chapter readings. The site should consist of a splash page and at least ten additional pages, which should be developed and navigable using Adobe Dreamweaver. At least ten graphics (in total) created in Adobe Fireworks as images and interactive images should be included. This is due week 14.

Course Portfolio -- 5 points:
For PTW students, remember that your portfolio is a record of your work and abilities in technical writing. Consider what documents or synopsis of information you uncover that can be used for inclusion in your portfolio. Perhaps some defining discussion on a newly found interest can be the genesis of your area of particular interest.

Final exam -- 10 points:
The final exam will be a scenario that requires you to consider the readings we have undertaken this semester, and provide an in-class written response. You may use whatever notes, class readings, or discussion topics you have available in your response.


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This page last updated Nvember 2010
by Charlene La Chatte
for Blak Kat Productions.
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