Course Syllabus

Course Information

Title: Writing and Activism
Number: ENG 318-800
Time & Location: T & TH 11:00–12:15 (online, passcode: 570971)
Instructor: Dr. Jeremy Tirrell
Office: MO 161
Virtual Office Hours: T & TH 1:00–3:00 and by appointment

Course Overview

This course examines the rhetorical aspects of writing done in the name of social change. We will explore genres used for activist writing and the ways that audiences, contexts, and motives influence and constrain writing. We will engage critical scholarship about activist composition and we will consider the practical, functional, and ethical aspects of pursuing (cyber)activism in digital spaces.

This course affirms the Seahawk Respect Compact, which will guide class interactions. We will engage cultural issues in this course, and the class will endeavor to cultivate an appropriate critical environment in which ideas can be discussed freely and civilly. All class members are expected to treat each other with appropriate courtesy and decorum, and all coursework should be completed in a thorough, timely fashion. All students must read and abide by the policies articulated in this syllabus.

This is a fully online synchronous course. We have a regular meeting time, but all class sessions will take place online through Zoom rather than in person. All students must be able to meet and participate in the course to complete it successfully. Compared to standard sections, online synchronous courses require students to be more autonomous and more comfortable with online interaction. Because of their structure, these courses are often more rigorous and individuated than standard sections. Students should be aware that this course asks students to be thoroughly invested in their own success.

Catalogue Description:

ENG 318 - Writing and Activism
Credits: 3
Study of visual and textual elements of documents generated in the service of activist causes. Themes may include propaganda, grassroots and electronic activism, and the negotiation of power. University Studies: Building Competencies/Writing Intensive

Course Learning Outcomes:

To complete this course successfully, students should demonstrate the ability to:

Identify and define the wide variety of forms of writing done to promote social change
Examine the genres most widely adopted for activist writing, interpret the ways in which contexts influence writing, and characterize the impact of motives and audiences upon activist writing
Assess and evaluate rhetorical principles and practices at work in activist writing and reactions to that writing
Formulate and support arguments about activist writing
Interrogate how activist writing changes in electronic spaces
Critically analyze the tools and modes used to write, communicate, and mobilize people in electronic spaces

Required Materials:

Online readings provided on the course website (there is no text to purchase)

Course Policies

Technology Expectations:

access to the course platforms (Canvas and Zoom)
audiovisual capabilities (such as a computer with a microphone and camera or a mobile device)
a UNCW email account checked regularly for course-related business
a means to backup coursework (such as a flash drive or cloud account)

This is a fully online class, and computer problems are not valid excuses for incomplete coursework. Students should practice the core principle of digital data hygiene: redundant backup. Digital technology will fail; students should be prepared for that eventuality.

Attendance and Punctuality:

Because this class contains a strong workshop and discussion component, live class participation is crucial. Students should be logged into the course Zoom space during class meetings, ready to communicate with peers and the instructor. Role will be taken during class meetings, and any student who is not logged into the course Zoom space and able to communicate will be counted absent. If circumstances will prevent a student from attending class, he or she should contact the instructor beforehand. There is no separate attendance component of the course grade, but any student who misses more than six class meetings (three weeks) without clearance from the instructor will fail the course automatically. Any work missed because of an absence cannot be made up, including major assignments.

Late Work:

If an emergency arises that will prevent a student from submitting coursework he or she should contact the instructor.

Statement on COVID-19:

Because of the unique challenges posed by COVID-19, this course seeks to be flexible while retaining scholarly integrity. Students who are impacted by COVID-19 either directly through infection or indirectly through care giving responsibilities or changes in life circumstances are encouraged to contact the instructor. In order to monitor the impact of COVID-19 on UNCW, all university members must report illness. Students who experience COVID-19 symptoms should immediately contact the Abrons Student Health Center at (910) 962-3280.

Statement on Academic Integrity:

All UNCW community members are expected to adhere to the guidelines set forth in the UNCW Student Academic Honor Code. Students are expected to produce original work in this course. Collaboration and incorporation of external material and ideas into original work is of course necessary and acceptable, but all students are ethically obliged to document external sources through appropriate citation practices. Students who are uncertain if some element of their work constitutes plagiarism or another honor code violation should speak with the instructor. The point of any class is to educate, not to punish; nevertheless, the consequences of honor code violations are appropriately dire. Please consult the UNCW Code of Student Life for more information.

Statement on Services for Students with Disabilities:

The university will make every effort to accommodate students with disabilities. Students requiring accommodations should contact the Disability Resource Center, as the instructor can take no action without its guidance. Students should do this as soon as possible, as accommodations cannot be made retroactively.

Statement Regarding Violence and Harassment:

UNCW practices a zero tolerance policy for any kind of violent or harassing behavior. Students experiencing an emergency of this type should contact the police at 911 or UNCW CARE at 962-2273. Resources for individuals concerned with a violent or harassing situation can be located at the UNCW Crisis Resources page. Students should be aware that all university employees, including instructors, are legally obligated to communicate any report of alleged sexual misconduct, on or off-campus, to the Dean of Students. Three university entities are confidential resources exempt from this obligation: CARE, the Counseling Center, and the Abrons Student Health Center.

Statement on Religious Observance:

In accordance with NC SL 2010-211, students are entitled to two excused absences for religious observances per academic year. Students must inform the instructor in writing the first week of class if they will miss any classes due to religious observance. Additionally, students should inform the Registrar the first week of class who will then coordinate with the corresponding course instructors. Any absence for religious purposes will be considered unexcused unless a student submits the request in writing the first week to the instructor or Registrar.

Course Grading

Grade Disbursement:

Each student will have private, secure access to his or her grades online through this Canvas site.

Grade Components:

Advocacy Initiative = 40 points (group)
Article Write-Up and Discussion = 10 points (individual)
Organization Report = 10 points (individual)
Tool/Technique Workshop = 10 points (individual)
Analysis = 100 points (individual)

Total = 170 points

Final Course Grades:

This courses uses the plus/minus grading system on final grade reports. The breakdown is as follows:

92%–100% = A
90%–91% = A-
88%–89% = B+
82%–87% = B
80%–81% = B-
78%–79% = C+
72%–77% = C
70%–71% = C-
68%–69% = D+
62%–67% = D
60%–61% = D-
0%–59% = F