ENC 3246: Rhetoric Communication Analysis

Communication for Engineers Syllabus Spring 2020 Instructor: Dr. R.J. Lambert Sections (linked in Canvas): ENC 3246.006 & ENC 3246.013 Class Time and Location Section 013: Class Time and Location Section 006: M/W 12:30-1:45 PM M/W 3:30-4:45 PM BSN 2305 Cooper (CPR) 121 E-mail: RJL2@usf.edu Office Phone: (813) 974-3920 Office Hours: Tuesdays 3:30-5 PM Wednesdays 10 AM-Noon Office Location: Cooper (CPR) 284 Additional times by appointment. Required Digital Course Textbook    A Rhetorical Approach to Workplace Writing, 6th Edition (RAWWr) Available for $47.00 via USF Writes (usfwrites.usf.edu) Note: USF Writes must be purchased by the end of the third week of class, January 26, 2020. Course Information & Description From the Course Catalogue: ENC 3246 is a 3-credit hour course and it has no prerequisites. It’s offered through the Department of English in the School of Humanities, College of Arts and Sciences. The course meeting time(s) and location are listed above. In engineering, technical communication is a vital component of effective, efficient, and ethical work practices. Engineers must be able to analyze, interpret and create a variety of communications for a wide range of audiences. This course exposes students to a variety of communication strategies for technical and semi-technical information. Through smaller assignments and major projects, this course prepares students to pursue and engage with the communicative components of a career in engineering. This is a 6ACT Communications course (formerly, Gordon Rule). Students in this course will engage in writing as a “process,” which means employing strategies such as pre-writing, co-authoring, document design, peer feedback, revising, and editing. Students will learn how to develop ideas and texts that follow academic/disciplinary conventions for different contexts, audiences, and purposes. ENC 3246: Rhetoric Communication Analysis

An integral part of writing instruction is the opportunity to revise documents in response to feedback, so students will be required to revise at least some course writing assignments (including one major assignment) after receiving feedback from the instructor. At a minimum, students will write 4500 words for this course. Students must achieve a proficiency level of at least Cin the course in order to receive Gordon Rule Communication credit. Course Requirements This is primarily a writing class, but students are also expected to read carefully, engage in meaningful in-class discussions, and conduct research for major projects. There will be both individual and collaborative work throughout this class. Students will complete four major writing projects (that include several deliverables each), complete reading and homework assigned, participate in class, and conduct regular document review. Course Goals Students completing this course will develop the following skills and abilities:      Rhetorical strategies for writing in the workplace Genres and conventions of technical and professional communication. Collaborative writing and project management Document design and writing technologies Ethics, accessibility, and inclusion in the workplace Student Learning Outcomes   Analyze and write in a specific context defined by purpose and audience o Analyze professional cultures, social contexts, and audiences to determine how they shape the various purposes and forms of writing, such as persuasion, organizational communication, and public discourse. Learn effective document design Learn to argue with visual data, understanding and implementing various principles of format, layout, and design of documents that meet multiple user/reader needs. Write within a genre o Learn and practice writing in various genres of professional and technical discourse like the memo, letter, technical reports, proposals, and descriptions, etc. Develop your writing process, style, and editing techniques o Develop and understand various strategies for planning, researching, drafting, and revising documents. Develop a clear, concise, and functional writing style. Develop techniques to become an effective critic and editor. Practice Collaboration o Learn and apply strategies for successful collaboration, such as working and communicating online with colleagues, setting and achieving project goals, and responding constructively to peers’ work. o    Critical Assignments The four critical assignments relate to and measure the Student Learning Outcomes. See descriptions below. Project 1: Understanding Genre (Document Series) 15% of final grade (5% for draft and 10% for final draft) Students are provided with a common workplace scenario and asked to prepare multiple documents necessary for addressing and navigating a significant conflict or communication failure. Preparing these documents asks students to consider and compose for audiences, both internal and external, with varying levels of technical knowledge, institutional power, and investment. Project 2: Design including visuals (Information Design) 15% of final grade (5% for draft and 10% for final draft) Students select a specific concept, issue, or topic that interests them and is related to their major. They them locate and collect numerical data about the subject (in the form of studies, reports, spreadsheets, or articles), and select data to visualize and provide an overall sense of the subject. Project 3: Research Summary (Information Design) 15% of final grade (5% for draft and 10% for final draft) This project asks you to do workplace research into a local problem impacting USF or the surrounding community. Your goal for this project is to describe the problem in detail using as much information as you can gather from as many different sources as are useful. ENC 3246: Rhetoric Communication Analysis

That means you are looking at research gathered by others (e.g., government agencies, non-profit organizations, professional and academic experts), but also you will gather your own data by contacting experts and asking impacted population for their perspective. You will produce a memo that reports your findings, giving readers a robust understanding of the problem you have researched. Project 4: Feasibility Report (Team Project) 40% of final grade (includes team charter, team work plan, progress report, and self/team evaluation) This unit asks students to write a feasibility report focused on one local, real problem. Students will research a problem and write a report that describes the problem, identifies a possible solution, and satisfies the needs of their intended audience by fulfilling the genre expectations of their chosen document. Then, students will present their reports to the class. Students work collaboratively on the report. The project requires significant research and the creation of a formal report. Attendance and Participation Policy (10% of final grade) You will earn credit for showing up to class and participating in class activities. The attendance and participation grade is 10% of the final course grade. Every student starts with the full 10% attendance grade. You are allowed up to three (3) unexcused absences without it negatively affecting your attendance grade. A fourth absence will lower your attendance grade by 1%, and each subsequent absence will lower your attendance grade by another 1%, with a maximum penalty of 10%. The lowest grade you can receive for attendance and participation is 0%. Please note that showing up extremely late, leaving class too early, and not participating in class activities may also affect your attendance and participation grade. Please provide documentation or contact me before an absence to have it excused. Dr. Lambert’s email: RJL2@usf.edu Grading Policy Your course grade will reflect your performance on four major writing assignments during the course of this semester. There are also smaller assignments worth 5% of your final grade and another 10% for attendance. The four major projects, two smaller projects, and attendance grades are weighted according to the table below: Weights of Assignments Assignment Final Grade % Description Attendance/Participation 10% See attendance policy above. Every student starts with 10% and begins losing 1% per absence with the fourth unexcused absence. Project 1 (Document Series) 15% Click here for instructions for Project 1. Project 2 (Information Design) 15% Click here for instructions for Project 2. Project 3 (Research Summary) 15% Click here for instructions for Project 3. Project 4 (Collaborative Report) 40% Total Click here for instructions for Project 4. 05% You will also earn 5% for submitting two small projects–one in Week 2 and one at the end of the course: 1) The USF Writes practice upload (due January 26) (2.5%) and Short Exercises 2) The end-of-course evaluation (2.5%) (due before finals week) Grading Scale This course uses a plus/minus grading scale, as follows: A+ (97–100) 4.00 B+ (87–89.9) 3.33 C+ (77–79.9) 2.33 D+ (67–69.9) 1.33 A (94–96.9) 4.00 B (84–86.9) 3.00 C (74–76.9) 2.00 D (64–66.9) 1.00 A– (90–93.9) 3.67 B– (80–83.9) 2.67 C– (70–73.9) 1.67 D– (60–63.9) 0.67 Note: Students may not take this course S/U (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory). Weekly Course Schedule Introduction to the Course    What is good writing? (in-class exercise second week of class) Go to usfwrites.usf.edu and purchase the book ASAP (due by January 26). In the meantime, four chapters have been scanned for you. DUE DATES FOR THE INTRODUCTORY MODULE ARE AS FOLLOWS DUE Wednesday, January 15 at class time:  o  Read RAWWr Chapter 1: Rhetoric  Read RAWWr Chapter 6: PTC Weeks REMINDER: ENC 3246: Rhetoric Communication Analysis

No class on Monday, January 20 (MLK Day observed) 1-2 DUE Wednesday, January 22 at class time:  o  Read RAWWr Chapter 2: Purpose  Read RAWWr Chapter 3: Audience DUE Sunday, January 26, 11:59 PM in USF Writes:  o   Purchase USF Writes by Sunday, January 26. Upload USF Writes Practice Upload (2.5% of grade) to USF Writes by Sunday, January 26, 11:59 PM. Project 1: Document series  (15% of final grade) Practice business forms of letter, memo, email, and overall professional style DUE DATES FOR PROJECT 1 ARE AS FOLLOWS DUE Monday, January 27 at class time:  o o Read RAWWr (in USF Writes): Ch. 13: Email Read RAWWr (in USF Writes): Ch. 14 on Letters DUE Wednesday, January 29 at class time: Weeks 3-4  o o Read RAWWr (in USF Writes): 15 on Memos DUE Sunday, February 2 in USF Writes by 11:59 PM:  o Upload DRAFT of Project 1 Document Series by 11:59 PM in USF Writes. DUE Wednesday, February 5 at class time:  o Read RAWWr (in USF Writes): 12 on Writing Style DUE Sunday, February 9 in USF Writes by 11:59 PM:  o Upload FINAL draft of Project 1 Document Series by 11:59 PM in USF Writes. Project 2: Information Design (15% of final grade) DUE DATES FOR PROJECT 2 ARE AS FOLLOWS DUE Wednesday, February 12 at class time:  o Read RAWWr (in USF Writes): Ch. 5: Visual Design DUE Monday, February 17 at class time:  o Weeks 5-7 Read RAWWr (in USF Writes): Ch. 8 and 9 on usability and accessibility In class: “user tests” on the documents in class to focus on purpose, audience, and the effectiveness of the visuals DUE Wednesday, February 19 at class time:  o o Read RAWWr (in USF Writes): Ch. 4: Document Design Visualization document and accompanying memo DUE Sunday, February 23 in USF Writes by 11:59 PM:  o Upload DRAFT of Project 2 by 11:59 PM in USF Writes. DUE Sunday, March 1 in USF Writes by 11:59 PM:  o Upload FINAL draft of Project 2 by 11:59 PM in USF Writes. Project 3: Research Summary (15% of final grade) DUE DATES FOR PROJECT 3 ARE AS FOLLOWS DUE Wednesday, March 4 at class time: Weeks 8-11  Read RAWWr (in USF Writes): Ch. 22: Workplace Research DUE Monday, March 9 at class time:  Read RAWWr (in USF Writes): Ch. 10: Writing Process  Read RAWWr (in USF Writes): Ch. 11: Organizing Information DUE Wednesday, March 11 at class time:  Read RAWWr (in USF Writes): Ch. 7: Ethics DUE Sunday, March 15 in USF Writes by 11:59 PM:  o Upload DRAFT of Project 3 by 11:59 PM in USF Writes. REMINDER: SPRING BREAK (NO CLASS) MARCH 16-20 IN CLASS Monday, March 23:  Review Project 3 Collective Feedback File NOTE: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25: NO CLASS MEETING:  Continue working on Project 3 Revision (due on Sunday). DUE Sunday, March 29 in USF Writes by 11:59 PM:  o Upload FINAL draft of Project 3 by 11:59 PM in USF Writes. Project 4: Team Feasibility Report and Sub-Projects: 40% of final grade  Begin working with team on the final feasibility report assignment and sub-projects. DUE DATES FOR PROJECT 4 ARE AS FOLLOWS DUE Wednesday, April 1, at class time: Weeks 12-16  Read RAWWr (in USF Writes): Ch. 20 on Reports DUE Sunday, March 29 in USF Writes by 11:59 PM:  o Upload Team Charter and Team Work Plan to USF Writes. DUE Monday, April 6, at class time:  Read RAWWr (in USF Writes): Ch. 19 on Proposals DUE Wednesday, April 8, at class time:  Read RAWWr (in USF Writes): Ch. 17 Presentations DUE Sunday, April 12 in USF Writes by 11:59 PM:  Progress Report Memo is due in USF Writes by 11:59 PM. DUE Sunday, April 19 in USF Writes by 11:59 PM:  Feasibility Report DRAFT is due in USF Writes by 11:59 PM. DUE Monday, April 27, in class:  Project 4 Group Presentations. DUE Sunday, May 3 in USF Writes by 11:59 PM:  Feasibility Report FINAL draft is due in USF Writes by 11:59 PM. Other Policies and Student Resources Instructor Late Work Policy Please make every effort to submit work on time to ensure prompt feedback and your highest possible course grade. You will receive credit for all of the work you do for our class, inside or outside, as long as you follow proper protocol for submission and submit your work on time. Please note: You will submit all of your course work (including drafts) to USF Writes (not to Canvas). Feedback on drafts and grading on final drafts will also be posted for you in USF Writes. Click here to access http://usfwrites.usf.edu. Late work will be accepted up to one week late, with a penalty of 10% per day late. In other words, the maximum score for an assignment turned in immediately after the deadline is 90%, and the next day the maximum grade for that assignment drops to 80%. This is the maximum grade before any assignment grading and deductions are calculated, so your actual score will likely be lower. After one week has passed from an assignment deadline, the assignment may no longer be turned in for credit. Please note: Drafts submitted late may not receive feedback as part of the collective feedback file. However, you may always stop by my office hours to receive feedback on your work (draft or final draft). Incomplete Grades The current university policy concerning incomplete grades will be followed in this course. ENC 3246: Rhetoric Communication Analysis

For USF Tampa undergraduate courses and USFSM undergraduate and graduate courses: An “I” grade may be awarded to a student only when a small portion of the student’s work is incomplete and only when the student is otherwise earning a passing grade. The time limit for removing the “I” is to be set by the instructor of the course. For undergraduate students, this time limit may not exceed two academic semesters, whether or not the student is in residence, and/or graduation, whichever comes first. “I” grades not removed by the end of the time limit will be changed to “IF” or “IU,” whichever is appropriate. Technology Requirement Students are required to have regular access to a computer, the internet, a word processor, Canvas, USF Writes, USF email, and a printer. There are many technology labs on campus that students can use at no extra cost, so students should have regular access to all required technology via the USF campus resources. The USF Digital Media Commons is also available for student use. The DMC is an excellent and recently expanded “multimedia production area which provides equipment, instruction, space, and assistance” for students to use design equipment and software. In the event of a USF service disruption that affects all students, instructors will notify students how to submit assignments. Writing Studio USF’s Writing Studio offers assistance to any student who wants to improve his or her writing skills. Rather than offering editing assistance, during a session in the Writing Studio, consultants and students work together to enhance the organization, development, grammar, and style of any type of writing across the disciplines. Students are encouraged to visit the Writing Studio at any stage during the writing process, from brainstorming and pre-writing to final polishing. The USF Writing Studio is conveniently located on the second floor of the library. Walk-ins are welcome dependent on availability, but students are encouraged to make an appointment by visiting the Writing Studio during office hours or calling 813-974-8293. Additional feedback is available via SmartThinking, an online tutoring center, which is accessible via Canvas. Below is USF’s Disability Access Statement: Students with disabilities are responsible for registering with Students with Disabilities Services (SDS) (SVC 1133) in order to receive academic accommodations. SDS encourages students to notify instructors of accommodation needs at least five (5) business days prior to needing the accommodation. A letter from SDS must accompany this request. Link to Other Important USF Policies: Policies about disability access, religious observances, academic grievances, academic misconduct, and several other topics are governed by a central set of policies, which apply to all classes at USF: https://www.usf.edu/provost/faculty-info/core-syllabuspolicy-statements.aspx Important Contacts and Resources: Students with Disabilities Contact SDS at 974-4309 or www.sds.usf.edu. For more information about student responsibilities related to disability accommodations, see http://www.sds.usf.edu/students.asp Sexual Misconduct/Sexual Harassment Reporting Contact the USF Center for Victim Advocacy and Violence Prevention: (813) 974-5757. Students of Concern Assistance Team (SOCAT) SOCAT offers supportive intervention and guidance to any USF student who is struggling. If you or someone you know needs assistance, see http://studentsofconcern.usf.edu/. Counseling Center The Counseling Center provides a variety of psychological services FREE for all currently registered students on the Tampa campus of the University of South Florida. The Center may be contacted at 974-2831 or http://www.usf.edu/studentaffairs/counseling-center/ .