Purpose | Expectations | Resources Needed and Grades

Expectations

The Projects

The four assignments are sequenced to progress from the smaller, focused, individual projects (revising an advertisement, creating a new book jacket) through the more social and collaborative project of creating a pamphlet guide or virtual tour on some aspect of the Duluth Lake Walk, to the more open project of working with a client to design and produce a document to enhance his or her organization, business or other endeavor.

Other Writings

In addition to the design and creation of the projects themselves, you will be expected to write a number of analyses, looking critically at the your own work and that of your classmates. You will also be assigned occasional analytical writings on the readings in our textbooks, on intended audiences for your projects (including a test of your client project), etc. These varied analyses will be handed in or distributed, as assigned, via paper, e-mail, mailing list (listserv), or Web pages. On days when readings are assigned, you will often write and turn in "pop" responses at the beginning or end of class. There are no make-ups on these responses.

Attendance

Since this class will function as a community of writer-designers, your regular attendance is absolutely necessary. Absences in excess of three (10% of the class meetings) will deduct 2 percentage points from your overall grade. These three possible absences can be spent however you wish and so there are no "excused" absences beyond the three. If you are absent, you are responsible for all material covered in class.

Participation

A larger goal of this course is to establish a community or network of writer-designers--with a wide variety of backgrounds, expertise, and interests--to enhance your learning and enjoyment during the next fifteen weeks. The class is designed to provide a number of avenues for this community building, including peer workshopping and critiquing, in-class lab work, support groups, and various Internet-based communications and collaborations. Your sincere and regular contributions to maintaining this collaborative environment will count in your grade (see below), and of course will greatly benefit your final products in the course. Because your work is the subject matter for this course, turning in all projects and writings on time is critical; work turned in late will be assessed a 5% penalty.

Next >

5220 Home | Course Welcome | Syllabus | Send E-mail to Class Alias |
Send E-mail to Craig Stroupe