Syllabus

Instructor: Lydia Welker
Email: lydiawelker@missouristate.edu
Office Hours: By virtual appointment
Course Website: http://lydiawelker.com/fall2024/eng-573-679
Course Slack Channel: fall2024-eng-573-679.slack.com

Welcome to English 573/679: Writing for the Web. You can view the syllabus in its entirety here, or you can download the syllabus as a PDF.

Course Description

In English 573/679, we will focus on creating effective information-based websites using HTML and CSS. During the semester, you will learn how to read and write standards-compliant code in these languages and create content-rich webpages using a plain-text editor. Additionally, you will improve your technical communication skills by writing in a nonlinear, digital environment. All practices in this course prioritize accessibility, long-term use, and sustainability.

Course Catalog Description

English 573/679 explores the professional writer’s role in creating web pages and sites designed to deliver information. Topics include planning, user analysis, organization, structure, presentation, content development, writing style, and accessibility accommodations.

Course Objectives

The technological and writing skills you develop this semester will help you achieve the following goals:

Practice good file-management and computer literacy skills
Recognize HTML and CSS source code in a webpage
Identify and correct improperly used source code
Create webpages in HTML and CSS using a basic text editor
Produce standards-compliant and accessible webpages
Evaluate nonlinear web content for organization, presentation, and accessibility

The assignments you complete this semester will demonstrate the achievement of these objectives.

Required Materials

These texts and accounts are required for your participation in this course.

Texts

Robson, Elisabeth, and Eric Freeman. Head First HTML and CSS. 2nd ed, O’Reilly, 2012.

You will also need to read additional materials throughout the semester. You will be able to access these materials on the course website at the appropriate time.

Software and Accounts

In the first week of class, you will need to set up and/or download the following:

These materials are free to access. Detailed instructions will be available on the course website.

Computer Requirements

This course requires a high level of computer literacy. You must meet the following requirements:

Maintain good file-management skills
Use a plain-text editor to code all of your HTML and CSS by hand
Make and retain backup copies of all assignments (i.e., use a cloud-based backup service such as Dropbox, Google Drive, Box, or OneDrive)
Scan your computer and drives for viruses and malware
Dedicate time outside of class to learn how to use the required technology

Additionally, you will need access to a personal computer with at least 4GB of space dedicated to this course.

Assignments

We will work through several projects and texts in English 573/679. These assignments are designed to prepare you for situations you will encounter in the workplace.

Graduate students enrolled in the English 679 section of this course will complete more extensive work than undergraduate students enrolled in English 573. The additional requirements are outlined in detail in each specific assignment description. Graduate students will be held to a higher standard. They will be expected to help facilitate Slack conversations, ask meaningful questions, and set an example for their peers.

Grades

You are enrolled in an upper-level course. I have high expectations, and I will evaluate your projects accordingly.

Point Values

Assignments and projects will have the following point values:

Technology assessment: 15 points
Slack introduction: 15 points
Tutorials: 120 points
Interactive résumé: 150 points
Small research website: 200 points
Website analysis project: 100 points
Client website: 250 points
Participation: 150 points
Total: 1000 points

I reserve the right to change the types of projects and assigned point values should the need arise. Any changes will be announced on the course website and mentioned on the course Slack channel.

Grading Scale

I will use the following grading scale in this course:

A: 90–100%
B: 80–89%
C: 70–79%
D: 60–69%
F: Below 60%

I will calculate both project grades and semester grades using the scale listed above. This class does not use plus-minus grading.

Rounding Grades

I am a proponent for rounding grades. So, for example, if you earned 89.5%, I would round that to 90%, which equals an A. If you earned 89.4%, it would remain a B.

Do not ask me to change your grade at the end of the semester. I will automatically round your grade if you meet the criteria. If you think I have made a mistake in grading or you have a question about your grade, please let me know.

Course Policies

These course-specific policies are intended to clarify the innerworkings of our online class.

Participation/Attendance

English 573/679 is an asynchronous online course; in other words, we will not have set meeting times throughout the week.

An online course does not exclude you from attending class but, in fact, requires more self-motivation to complete coursework. You are expected to “attend” class by completing the assigned readings, uploading finished assignments, and participating in class discussions on Slack.

Over the course of our semester, if you become ill or need to quarantine, I will work with you if at all possible, and I will accommodate your situation to the best of my ability. There is no way to know how our semester will evolve, so please keep me in the loop.

Course Schedule

Our class “week” will begin on Mondays at 8:00 am CST and end on Sundays at 11:59 pm CST. Weekly homework assignments must be uploaded no later than 11:59 pm CST on Sundays unless I have given specific instructions stating otherwise.

New assignments will generally become available at 12:00 pm two Fridays (10 days) before the due date so, if interested, you can work ahead.

Online Class Conduct

Since our online classroom will function as an informal business situation, your behavior needs to remain at professional, including in interactions like emails, conversations, and Slack posts/messages.

While I hope the atmosphere in our online course will remain casual and comfortable, I expect a respectful attitude from all class participants.

Be respectful of your fellow classmates and me. I will not tolerate harsh criticism of others in our class discussions or through emails. You can certainly voice your opinions in our class, but be sure to do so with sensitivity to others’ feelings. Practice professional behavior at all times.

Assignment Instructions and Textbook Readings

Detailed descriptions of assignments and weekly required readings will be available on the course website.

Read what is assigned, even if you don’t need to post a reaction or complete an exercise. I expect you to know the information in the texts and in any additional readings; this content will help you navigate the online writing environment and supply the information you need to create webpages from scratch.

The information presented in English 573/679 is cumulative. What we do early will build to what comes later.

If you are confused about an assignment or readings, please ask for clarification.

Communicating via Slack

Most of the communication concerning this course will take place over the class Slack channel. Through Slack, you can send me a private message, privately message a classmate or groups of classmates, or post questions/comments in public channels that are available to everyone in our group.

Slack is the best way to contact me (although you are welcome to contact me via email, as well). I check Slack regularly and can usually respond to your questions or concerns within a day.

Deadlines

Plan to meet all deadlines to keep up with the pace of our class, but communicate with me about problems. I will work with you if I can. I know life gets in the way sometimes, especially with a busy class like ours. Please send me a Slack message or an email before a deadline if you need more time with lessons or assignments.

Late Work Policy

If you have a valid reason for missing a deadline, contact me via email or Slack immediately. I may decide to accept your work upon hearing your rationale and reviewing your documentation.

If I do accept your late work, I reserve the right to assess whatever grade penalty I deem appropriate.

Submitting work improperly (such as uploading the incorrect file) or experiencing computer problems (such as a slow Internet connection) will typically not be considered a valid reason for missing a deadline. Note due dates, plan accordingly, double-check your work, and confirm that you have submitted the correct material.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Assistance Policy

Writing, problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills are part of the learning outcomes of English 573/679. As technical communicators, it is important for you to develop strong competencies in these areas as preparation for your future academic endeavors and career aspirations. Therefore, I do not allow the use of AI assistance technologies in this course for any phase of the writing or coding process, even when properly attributed.

All work you submit to me must be completed by you—not an AI program. You are not permitted to use ChatGPT (or other similar tools or software that generate suggested text or code) in English 573/679 for any part of a graded assignment, including the generation of ideas, writing of text or code, or rewriting of your own work. I will consider the use of such tools a form of cheating/plagiarism and a violation of the University’s academic integrity policy.

Copyright and Fair Use

This course may contain copyrighted material, the use of which may not have been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. This material is available in an effort to explain issues relevant to the course or to illustrate the use and benefits of an educational tool. The material contained in this course is distributed without profit for research and educational purposes. Only small portions of the original work are being used, which could not be used easily to duplicate the original work. This should constitute a “fair use” of any such copyrighted material (as referenced and provided for in Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Law).

If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this course for purposes of your own that go beyond “fair use,” you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.

Statement of Flexibility

Please note that the course calendar, assignment descriptions, etc. are subject to change. I will communicate any changes that may occur through the course Slack.

University Policies

The purpose of the University Syllabus Policy Statements are to support teaching and learning at Missouri State University. The established policies are in place to ensure that students, faculty, and staff may pursue academic endeavors with as few obstacles as possible.

As a student at Missouri State University, you are part of the university community; therefore, you are responsible for familiarizing yourself with the University Syllabus Policy Statements. These policies cover topics such as nondiscrimination, disability accommodations, and academic integrity, among many others.