major projects
major projects and focal topic
This class includes three major projects. To complete each project, you will choose one public issue focal topic (something we'll talk about early in the semester) to follow, research, and, ultimately, write about, design, and deliver. We will work together to find a public issue focal topic you feel confident and excited to pursue--essentially, the focus should be inquiry-driven (perhaps on a lingering question, controversy, or major interest). In other words, you're going to be stuck with this topic throughout the semester, so you might as well make it worth your time.
Below is a breakdown of points and a short description for each project. For a more detailed discussion of each assignment, please see refer to the "projects" page at the top of this site.
project 1: verbal-visual argument--150 points
For this project, you will compose a visual-verbal argument to a specific audience by combining design elements (including text, images, color, and white space).
visual re-design exploration: 25 points
reflective analysis: 15 points
draft: 10 points
final: 100 points
project 2: sonic essay--200 points
In this project, you will script, record, and arrange a composition that strictly uses the modality of sound.
soundscape exploration: 25 points
rhetorical analysis: 50 points
reflective analysis: 15 points
draft: 10 points
final: 100 points
project 3: multimodal video--250 points
In this project, you will compose a multimodal video that uses a combination of moving and still images, sound, and text. Like all of the other major projects, your video should engage your focal topic.
layering/screencasting exploration: 25 points
rhetorical analysis: 50 points
storyboarding/outline: 25 points
reflective analysis: 15 points
draft: 10 points
final: 125 points
This class includes three major projects. To complete each project, you will choose one public issue focal topic (something we'll talk about early in the semester) to follow, research, and, ultimately, write about, design, and deliver. We will work together to find a public issue focal topic you feel confident and excited to pursue--essentially, the focus should be inquiry-driven (perhaps on a lingering question, controversy, or major interest). In other words, you're going to be stuck with this topic throughout the semester, so you might as well make it worth your time.
Below is a breakdown of points and a short description for each project. For a more detailed discussion of each assignment, please see refer to the "projects" page at the top of this site.
project 1: verbal-visual argument--150 points
For this project, you will compose a visual-verbal argument to a specific audience by combining design elements (including text, images, color, and white space).
visual re-design exploration: 25 points
reflective analysis: 15 points
draft: 10 points
final: 100 points
project 2: sonic essay--200 points
In this project, you will script, record, and arrange a composition that strictly uses the modality of sound.
soundscape exploration: 25 points
rhetorical analysis: 50 points
reflective analysis: 15 points
draft: 10 points
final: 100 points
project 3: multimodal video--250 points
In this project, you will compose a multimodal video that uses a combination of moving and still images, sound, and text. Like all of the other major projects, your video should engage your focal topic.
layering/screencasting exploration: 25 points
rhetorical analysis: 50 points
storyboarding/outline: 25 points
reflective analysis: 15 points
draft: 10 points
final: 125 points
additional requirements
public issue blogs--100 points
As a way to track and research your focal topic, you will keep a blog using a blogging site of your choosing (i.e., Wordpress or Tumblr). The idea behind these blogs is to keep an ongoing archive of research and analysis regarding your topic--i.e., links, images, research articles, news sources, documentary, etc. By the course's end, your blog should demonstrate your authority on your topic.
For any resource you post to your blog, you will also be expected to include a short description and some sort of analysis. For instance, if you were to choose "e-waste" as your focal topic, you might include a link to a news article that discusses the economic impact of e-waste; in your blog entry of this resource, you would link to the source, describe it briefly, and then describe how it contributes to your ongoing thinking of your topic.
For each project, you should post at least three blog entries (each entry should be about 300-500 words). In addition, your very first entry should be a description of your focal topic and the goals you have for your research. This means you will have a total of 10 posts.
midterm--100 points
The in-class midterm exam will cover the rhetorical terms and theories introduced in the first few weeks of class. The exam will focus on your understanding of the terms and theories as well as your ability to apply and use these them.
digital portfolio/presentation--100 points
During the last week of class, you will compile the work you've done throughout the semester into a digital portfolio where you reflect upon and make connections between the major projects you've done in the course. Here, you will think both about your focal topic and the digital rhetoric principles we've discussed throughout the semester.
We will talk about what to include and possible layouts for these websites as we get closer to the end of the semester--but the idea is that you'll include both work you've already completed and a meta reflection on principles you've learned in the class. I will demonstrate how to build a website using Weebly in class, but you are welcome to use other website builders (such as Wix or Wordpress).
In addition to turning the portfolio into me, this assignment asks you to present your portfolio the class. We will talk more about what's expected of this presentation later, but you can expect to show one of your digital projects to the class and demonstrate the rhetorical value of your choices.
participation--100 points
You are expected to participate in every class we meet. Participation includes fulfilling in-class writing activities and interacting in small-group or whole-group discussions. Part of being an effective communicator in both the workplace and the university involves being a good colleague and sharing intellectual insights. I expect you to do the same in English/IMS 224.
While participation/professionalism is a somewhat subjective category, there are a few concrete behaviors that can result in a lower grade in this category:
As a way to track and research your focal topic, you will keep a blog using a blogging site of your choosing (i.e., Wordpress or Tumblr). The idea behind these blogs is to keep an ongoing archive of research and analysis regarding your topic--i.e., links, images, research articles, news sources, documentary, etc. By the course's end, your blog should demonstrate your authority on your topic.
For any resource you post to your blog, you will also be expected to include a short description and some sort of analysis. For instance, if you were to choose "e-waste" as your focal topic, you might include a link to a news article that discusses the economic impact of e-waste; in your blog entry of this resource, you would link to the source, describe it briefly, and then describe how it contributes to your ongoing thinking of your topic.
For each project, you should post at least three blog entries (each entry should be about 300-500 words). In addition, your very first entry should be a description of your focal topic and the goals you have for your research. This means you will have a total of 10 posts.
midterm--100 points
The in-class midterm exam will cover the rhetorical terms and theories introduced in the first few weeks of class. The exam will focus on your understanding of the terms and theories as well as your ability to apply and use these them.
digital portfolio/presentation--100 points
During the last week of class, you will compile the work you've done throughout the semester into a digital portfolio where you reflect upon and make connections between the major projects you've done in the course. Here, you will think both about your focal topic and the digital rhetoric principles we've discussed throughout the semester.
We will talk about what to include and possible layouts for these websites as we get closer to the end of the semester--but the idea is that you'll include both work you've already completed and a meta reflection on principles you've learned in the class. I will demonstrate how to build a website using Weebly in class, but you are welcome to use other website builders (such as Wix or Wordpress).
In addition to turning the portfolio into me, this assignment asks you to present your portfolio the class. We will talk more about what's expected of this presentation later, but you can expect to show one of your digital projects to the class and demonstrate the rhetorical value of your choices.
participation--100 points
You are expected to participate in every class we meet. Participation includes fulfilling in-class writing activities and interacting in small-group or whole-group discussions. Part of being an effective communicator in both the workplace and the university involves being a good colleague and sharing intellectual insights. I expect you to do the same in English/IMS 224.
While participation/professionalism is a somewhat subjective category, there are a few concrete behaviors that can result in a lower grade in this category:
- An unwillingness to participate in discussion
- Late arrivals to class
- Texting/Facebooking/Tweeting/IMing during class
- An indication of incomplete reading
- Inappropriate, disrespectful, or uncivil remarks towards classmates or me