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UWRT 1102: Writing & Inquiry in Academic Contexts II

Instructor: Mia Eaker

Office: Cameron (CARC) 159
Office Hours: W 11:30-12:30PM, T 12:30-1:30, By Appt.
Meeting Options: 1) Face-to-face in my office 2) Virtual via Google Hangou
Email: mteaker@uncc.edu

Sources: Clip Art Lord & Concept Crucible

Quicklinks
Syllabus Guide
Required Materials

UWRT 1102 Course Description

UWRT Key Concepts

Daybooks

Textbook for Our Class

Attendance Policy

Exam Day

UNCC Withdrawal Policy

Texting/Cell Phones/Laptops

Grading & Feedback

Email

FYWs Program Statement on Diversity

Disabilities Statement

Plagiarism

Class Cancellations/Inclement Weather

Pocket Survival Guide for Success in Our Class

9-10

Required Materials

A WEEBLY OR WIX website design account (FREE)

A SPACE TO STORE/SAVE YOUR WORK throughout

the course: 1. An electronic file such as a continuous
Word Document/Google Doc, or 2. An online storage
cloud such as Dropbox, iCloud, Google Drive, etc.

ACCESS TO A PRINTER or money on your 49er card for

printing in case it is needed for workshops

ACCESS TO A LAPTOP, TABLET, IPAD* during class

time (Laptops are available for checkout from the
Library)

YOUR DAYBOOK: 1) a composition notebook or 2)

digital daybook Use a program like Microsoft Word,
Google Docs, OneNote to help organize work. Single
file is preferred. Work must be easily accessible and
organized in order with titles and dates.

UWRT 1102 Course Description

4 Central Qs
How should we
act, write,
respond?
What is research?
What is inquiry?
How do inquiry
and research
work together?
Speak to each
other? In what
ways are they the
same? Different?

How are we going to do

this???
To explore these questions, we will complete three major assignments, in-class activities,

Daybook work, and in and out-of-class workshops that will flesh out these areas. The
first assignment is conducting preliminary research and honing in on a specific area of
interest, the second assignment is collating research and pushing research forward by
asking questions and critically exploring sources, and the third assignment is presenting
research and final conclusions in a digital essay. These three assignments will be
created, managed, and presented on your Weebly or Wix site, which will also be your
Writing Portfolio.

Key Concepts

The following represent values and goals for this course; each represents common collegiate
values regarding what good writers are expected to be knowledge about and be able to do with their work. I

rhetorical knowledge
critical reading
composing processes
knowledge of conventions
critical reflection

WARNIN Daybooks
!! Dayboo
links are
Bring your Daybook with you to class every day. This is essentially where you willD
disabled
keep everything for class that is not a draft of a major assignment. It should tracko
after cla
e
s
and will
your progress and your thinking through the entire semester through reading
th
not be
is
responses, reflections, notes, etc.
given ou
m
later
without
e
a
n
documen
The primary purposes of keeping a Daybook include:
on for
To prep for class discussion so that you have thought out your responses I
missing
ahead of time, recorded questions, etc.
c
a
n
class, no
To push your thinking beyond class prep (plan, ask questions,
will a list
c
reflect, brainstorm, think critically about course concepts)
h
o
entry
To have freedom to be messy and take risks and then select what you wanto
prompts
me to read in-depth. I will never collect and read your entire Daybook
given ou
for a grade. Daybook keeping is part of your class participation.
the midt
To add ideas, notes and brainstorming about your writing.
or end o
the
semester
Entries m Structure: Your Daybook is yours to organize. There are few rules aside
be
from these:
complete
o date and title your entries so that you can differentiate them from each
on schedu

o write somewhat legibly

o either print &include at-home prompts or summarize them with the entry
o KEEP EVERYTHING IN CHRONOLIGICAL ORDER!!!
Length: None unless specified in prompt
Submitting: The purpose of a Daybook is to have a space without the
pressure of grading. BUT I WILL STILL SEE WHAT YOU ARE DOING. At
several points during the semester, I will see selections, collect prompt
response, and check work in class.

Textbook for Our Class

Unlike some of your previous experiences, our class will

not have a significant amount of required reading.
Readings are carefully selected will be available in digital
format on our Canvas page. There will also be
presentations available on Canvas and gone over in
class that will help to explain course concepts.
However, just because we will not have class
sanctioned readings, does not mean that you will not
read or gather source material. Reading over the
course of this semester will consist primarily of your own
making; in other words, most of your course reading
material (scholarly articles, academic blogs,
interviews, news articles, documentaries, TED talks,
news radio programs) will be compiled by you as the
student-researcher. Essentially, you will be creating your
own interactive textbook for our course based on your
specific area of interest that will be housed on your
website.

Attendance Policy

ALLOWED 3 ABSENCES WITHOUT PENALTY

Each absence after 3 = 10 points deducted from your total final grade
3 arrivals or early departures in any combo = 1 absence
You must be in class 45 MINUTES to be counted present
I reserve the right to count you absent if you are not mentally present asleep, not
participating in activities, doing work for another class, spending significant periods of time
on the computer or phone
Allowed 2 religious observance days per academic year; must fill out appropriate form YOU
are responsible for all missed work-- consult Canvas

Exam Day

The exam day is a designated meeting time for the course. However, this class time is replaced by a meeting with me t

If you have a conflict, arrangements must be made with me prior to final exam week so as to
not procure an absence at the end of the semester that may affect your grade.

DATES FOR FINAL EXAMS WILL BE POSTED ON CANVAS. HOWEVER, YOU WILL
BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SCHEDULING YOUR OWN PORTFOLIO MEETING.

UNCC Withdrawal Policy

As of Fall 2015 There is a limit of 16 credits of "W" allowed for all undergraduate
students. This action must be taken by Monday, March 21 at 11:59PM.
If you withdraw from a course, it will show on your transcript with a grade of "W" but will
not count towards your GPA.
After that deadline, exceptions may be requested, but only in cases where extenuating
circumstances such as serious illness can be demonstrated.
Unsatisfactory academic performance itself is not an extenuating circumstance. Students should be cautious about

Texting/Cell Phones/Laptops

Sour
Me
Genera

Part of adequate class participation is being completely

engaged with the class throughout the entire time
period. I do not permit any type of cell phone usage,
texting, or inappropriate surfing on the Internet when you
are given time in class to work. I reserve the right to
ask you to leave class and be counted absent for
the day should I catch you texting, working on
other materials, or socializing on your computers
during class time. If you have extenuating
circumstances that require you to have access to your
cell phone, please see me as soon as possible. Please
be respectful of all the time I give you to work in class,
and use it wisely to get help on your assignments as
needed.

Grading & Feedback

Research shows that final grades in portfolio courses are higher than traditionallyResearch
shows courses
that final
grades portfolios
in portfolio
courses
are higher
traditionally-graded
courses
graded
because
(a)
allow students
to than
showcase
a variety of their
and (b)
allowI teachers
to grade
holistically,
based
on aassignments
student's semesterThis is awork
portfolio
course.
will not assign
grades
to individual
major
during the drafti
long engagement and growth. Moreover, the digital space offers ample digital
composing choices so that you can present your work in purposeful ways.
This is a portfolio course. I will not assign grades to individual major assignments
during the drafting stages of the semester. Rather, you will receive 1) participation
grades to
completion
track
worked
on your and engagement and 2) feedback from your peers and
writing
from meand you will engage in various reflective and analytical activitiesto
help you take control of your writing and to improve it throughout the course. These

YOU

You will receive a midterm grade that will serve as a heads-up about how youre
doing in the course. Your grade is not based on the quality of individual assignments
alone, but rather the extent to which you show the following- took risks and made writerly choices
engaged with course content
MUST
COMPLETE
ALL MAJOR COMPONENTS TO PASS THE
participated in the writing & research process along the way
displayed knowledge of student learning outcome

COURS

Failure to submit even one of the following components will result in

Daybook, Proposal Presentation Project, Research Assignment, Digi

ASSESSMENT GROUPINGS

Class Participation -In-Class Discussion & Groups,

Daybook Keeping, Attitude,
Preparedness

Weight

20%

will result in an automatic failing grade.

Process & Workshop Participation
Preparedness, Engagement, Quality and/or
Improvement, and Attitude during in and
out-of-class workshops

Final Portfolio -About Page, Major Assignments,

Reflective Components

COURSE TOTAL

15%

50%

100%

Consider also
using Chat in
Canvas. This
is a great
Please feel free to email me with any questions you have about
option when
our class work, reading, or assignments. Keep in mind:
you cant
make it to
Email is a genre, meaning there are appropriate ways to address, ask questions, etc. Email is not a text message, s
office
hours
I generally check & respond my email 2-3 times on a weekday between the hours of 10:00
AM and
4:00PM I check em
or have a
question or
problem that
needs a
quick
response.
Email

FYWs Program
Statement on Diversity

l i
p
a
rt
S
e
e
p

The University Writing Program strives to create an academic

climate that respects people of varied cultural backgrounds
and life experiences. As a community of scholars and
teachers who study language, literature, and writing, we are
committed to nurturing intellectual and aesthetic diversity. In
all our activities, we invite participation by diverse groups,
including, but not limited to, those who define themselves in
the following terms: race and ethnicity; gender; political
orientation; sexual orientation; special
health needs; age; religion; country of origin; and socioeconomic status. Finally, by fostering multiple perspectives
in our coursework, we can help our students prepare to
participate in our increasingly diverse society, as well as in
the global community.

Disabilities Statement
Students who have a disability or condition, which may impair their
ability to complete assignments or otherwise satisfy course criteria
should meet with me to identify, discuss and document any feasible
instructional modifications or accommodations. Please inform me
as soon as possible after a disability or condition is diagnosed,
whichever occurs earliest. For information and auxiliary assistance,
contact the Disabilities Resources Center.
PHONE: 704.687.0040

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is
a SERIOUS
issue, and
should not be
taken lightly.
Should you
have questions
about
plagiarism
or
citing sources,
see me or visit
the Writing
Resources
Center in
Cameron 149.

Intention
al
plagiaris
m
constitute
s
automatic
failure of this
class &
possibly being
reported to
Student
Affairs.

Cheating. Intentionally using or attempting to use

unauthorized materials, information, notes, study aids or
other devices in any academic exercise. This definition
includes unauthorized communication of information
during an academic exercise.
Fabrication and Falsification. Intentional and
unauthorized alteration or invention of any information
or citation in an academic exercise. Falsification is a
matter of altering information, while fabrication is a
matter of inventing or counterfeiting information for use
in any academic exercise.
Multiple Submission. The submission of substantial
portions of the same academic work (including oral
reports) for credit more than once without authorization.
Plagiarism. Intentionally or knowingly presenting the
work of another as one's own (i.e., without proper
acknowledgment of the source). The sole exception to
the requirement of acknowledging sources is when the
ideas, information, etc., are common knowledge.
(NOTE: For more information regarding plagiarism, see
PLAGIARISM Appendix at http://legal.uncc.edu/policies/
ps-105.html#APP.)
Abuse of Academic Materials. Intentionally or
knowingly destroying, stealing, or making inaccessible
library or other academic resource material.
Complicity in Academic Dishonesty. Intentionally or
knowingly helping or attempting to help another to
commit an act of academic dishonesty.

Class Cancellations/Inclement
Weather

This is your
In education;
the event that the university or myself needs to cancel class due to weather or other
unforeseen circumstance, you will STILL have work to complete. More specifically:
be
responsible
will receive an email from me with instructions
You
. Unit Calendar to chart the appropriate changes
Check our
Work will be updated Canvas for you to complete
Be mindful of the time constraints for the work, and turn in your work on time and
complete

Pocket Survival Guide for Success in Our Class

With regards to the work of the course I expect you to:

Come to class. ARE expected to be in each classon time. While 3 absences
are allowed (see attendance policy under course policies), these are not free
passes. They are for emergencies and should be used responsibly. You should
be in communication with me and your classmates when you are absent. You
are responsible for anything you miss.
Check Canvas regularly. It is your job to what you need for each class
and what is expected that day. If you have a question about prep, about
an assignment, or a file doesnt work, it is your responsibility to let me
know ahead of time so that I can help.
Be engaged in the classroom material/ & discussions. This means
that you are not simply physically present, but you are mentally and
intellectually present as well. You MUST be actively involved in classroom
activities through participation in class discussions, group discussions,
exercises, and writing activities.
Be accountable for your work and actions regarding your fulfillment of and
adherence to class expectations, requirements, and policies. It is your
responsibility to make sure that you are on task and clear about course work
and that you are maximizing your class experience.
Ask for help. If there is anything that you do not understand or are unclear
about, please come talk to me. I want you to feel confident in your work, but I
cannot know that unless you tell me. Part of your responsibility as a student is
to use the help that is available to you.
Be respectful to each other and to me. We all come from diverse
backgrounds and have different experiences and opinions that make us who
we are. These differences should be looked at as an opportunity for learning
and understanding. Any disrespectful words or attitude toward another
student or me will not be tolerated. Moreover, personal issues about the
course, should be taken up with me outside of class, not during a class
sessions.
Engage with your writing. Writing that lacks passion is obvious. It's clear to
the reader when you wrote something and did not engage with it. Your level of
engagement is also evident in your drafting stages and in the way you
interact with your peers' writing during workshops.
With regards to late work I:

Accept late drafts for partial credit toward the corresponding participation
grade up to ONE WEEK after the due date.
May offer extensions for drafts in circumstances where students correspond
with me prior to the due date to make arrangements. These situations will be
handled on an individual basis.
Accept late Daybook work only in extenuating circumstances and with timely
correspondence.
Count Conferences and Guided Workshops as class sessions and due dates. If

you are absent and do not submit work at your sessions, then it is late.
Reserve the right to require some sort of documentation (i.e. doctor's notes, a
memorial bulletin, etc.) for my record.
Hold all of my students to the same standard throughout my classes, thus the
need for a more rigorous process to justify late work.

I give ample time in class to work/workshop various projects, so I expect you:

To stay off of social media and coursework for other classes.

To ask me questions, raise concerns, and/or get assistance concerning our
course work.

To not wait until the last minute to ask questions, get help etc.10
With regards to Conferences and Workshops:
You are required to share your writing (in various stages), and you will both
receive and provide feedback for revision with your peers.
If you are unable to attend a workshop, it is your responsibility to make up that step
either by making arrangements with a classmate to get feedback outside of class or
by visiting the Writing Resources Center and obtaining proof to submit to me.
Conferences & Guided Workshops are MANDATORY and should be scheduled the week
before they begin.
If you are unable to attend conferences outside of class time, you are
responsible for making early arrangements with me for a class time slot or an
alternative.
You are responsible for scheduling your appointment and recording date,
time and location.

The Writing Resources Center: You'll be able to work one-on-one with a tutor
NEED HELP? I am available via email, office hours, and appointments if necessary,
so waiting until the last minute to get help, ask questions, or raise concerns is bad
practice.

Consider the Syllabus & Canvas:

A contract for the standards of behavior and coursework expectations
As here to protect both you and me concerning the acceptable working and learning
conditions
Are resources to help you know what is going on; "I didn't know" is never an
excuse.
Your first resource when for questions about content, due dates, expectations, etc.
With regards to your email and Canvas:
I will be sending you updates, reminders, comments, and other course information via
email and Canvas; therefore, you need to check both often.
Should I need to modify the course syllabus or due dates, I will update you via email,
Canvas, and our Unit Calendar
Y
ou are responsible for keeping up with these changes when I make announcements in
class.
Should Canvas become unavailable from some sort of system-wide error, you will still
be required to complete your work through alternate methods which I will explain via
email.