Syllabus    Schedule    Projects    Handouts

English 3120–Digital Writing and Publishing

Session: Class Hours:

Fall 2024 Online, Asynchronous

Course Texts

Required References	1. W3School HTML tutorials 2. W3school CSS tutorials
Required Text	1. Lynch, Patrick J. and Horton, Sarah. Web Style Guide: Basic Design Principles for Creating Web Sites. Yale University Press. ISBN 978-0-300-13737-8.
Optional References	2. WordPress Quick Start Guide 3. Comprehensive and official HTML5 guide: 4. HTML5 and CSS3 tutorials

Course Format
This is an asynchronous online class, which means there’re no scheduled class meetings online (or face to face). Each day/week, you follow the instructions on my website to complete the module. Occasionally, I’ll call an online meeting, especially toward the beginning of the semester.

Course Goals
Digital Writing and Publishing aims at helping you understand the world of digital publishing, the differences between print and online documentation, the features and characteristics of digital writing, and different genres of online documentation. In the course of the semester, we will cover such topics as the rhetorical context, technical resources, content design and organization, navigational structures, format and visual design (including graphics, layout, and typography), usability testing, oral presentation, etc. Most importantly, however, we will focus on the rhetorical principles of digital writing and publishing: the rhetorical aspects: purpose, audience, context, etc. Overall, I hope this course will help you to learn about

• the rhetorical principles underlying electronic writing and publishing
• contextual issues of any workplace writing such as audience, purpose, and constraints
• effective content design strategies
• effective visual design tactics
• managing and planning short-term and long-term projects
• handling multiple projects at the same time
• collaborating with others
• using appropriate technology effectively to accomplish your writing tasks
• becoming ethical and responsible electronic writers and publishers

Disclaimer
This is NOT a computer science class. It’s NOT about the technical aspects of building a website. It’s NOT about learning how to use a particular software. It’s fundamentally different from a computer science class in that it’s not about the technical skills of web design (i.e., coding), although learning such skills will be a part of this class. Instead, it’s about how to design content for online delivery EFFECTIVELY. Our main focus will be on how to create web pages and other electronic documentation that will effectively meet users’ needs and our intended purposes.

Since this is an online class, it requires a tremendous amount of self discipline. You must complete assignments and readings each week, and no one is there to monitor you. If you’re not ready to commit time and efforts in a responsible manner, this class is not for you. This class has its challenges, and there’re a few things I’d like you to be aware of:

• Each day/week forms an independent unit as well as a coherent link in the overall objectives of the course. Each weekly unit requires a series of short assignments, and you will need to stay on top of assignments and due dates.
• Avoid waiting until the last minute. If you do, I can assure you that you’ll run into all kinds of issues.
• It is helpful to set aside blocks of time each week so that you can complete your online assignments.
• You may need to seek additional, outside help with technology issues.

Resources
The Writing Studio: http://www.writingstudio.gsu.edu/
25 Park Place, Suite 2420, Phone # 404-413-5840

Computer Labs on GSU’s Campus: https://bit.ly/2LJHOaU
A listing of public and open computer labs on GSU’s campus with hours and locations.

GSU Help Center: http://help.gsu.edu , 404-413-HELP (4357), help@gsu.edu , M-F 7AM-10PM
If you need help with technical issues, you could contact the GSU Help Center.

Online Training & Lynda: http://www.gsu.edu/ist/training/index.html
Online tutorial videos on various software programs; free to GSU students.

Plagiarism
No plagiarism or any other forms of academic dishonesty will be tolerated in this class. Any plagiarism, as defined by GSU’s Policy on Academic Honesty (available online at http://www2.gsu.edu/~wwwdos/codeofconduct_conpol.html), will result in a grade of F at least for the assignment (and most likely an F for the entire course at the instructor’s discretion). In addition, all university policies related to academic honesty apply.

Projects and Assignments
This course consists of several major projects. Each project must be completed satisfactorily in order to get a passing grade for the course, although completing all the projects is not a guarantee for passing the course. In addition, you have weekly assignments that also constitute part of your final grade. Here is a brief description of each of the major assignments and its components. More detailed instructions on each assignment are provided on my website: https://sites.gsu.edu/bgu/english-3120/.

Please be advised that, due to the nature of the assignments of this class, no late assignments are accepted.

Weekly Modules and Assignments (30%)
Each week, you’ll be given a module that contains a series of small assignments. You must complete each week’s module no later than 11:59 pm on Sunday.

Reading Responses (30%)
Each week, you’ll be reading a different chapter from Web Style Guide. You’re required to summarize each section and write a response to one of the issues or concepts that interests you.

Final Project (40%)
For this project, you will design an online portfolio for yourself that effectively markets you for a particular job.

For a detailed description of these projects, please see the Projects page.

Grade Conversion

A+: A: A-: B+: B: B-: C+: C: C-: D+: D: D-: F:

98 and above 93-97 90-92 87-89 83-86 80-82 77-79 73-76 70-72 67-69 63-66 60-62 59 and below

Grading Policy
Since your final course grade will be based predominantly on writing assignments and the grading of writing cannot be reduced to simple quantitative measures, I will grade your writing on a holistic basis. Each assignment will have specific grading criteria, which I will explain in class. Generally, however, the three general criteria below will be applied to all the major assignments:

Purpose How effectively does the document accomplish its intended task?

• meet its goals and the demands of its context (both academic and organizational)? solve a problem or address a significant organizational need? help people?
• provide a sound argument in support if its claims?
• meet readers’ needs and expectations? Improve relations between people?
• provide relevant, useful, and accurate information?

Product How well constructed is the document?

• orderly and coherent presentation of material?
• effective design and formatting? Correctness?
• effective use of visuals?
• professional tone and style?

Production How effectively was the document produced?

• quality of planning, collaboration, research & invention, drafting, editing, proofreading?

A Special Note: Submit your work on time. Late work will be accepted only if you have extenuating circumstances and consult with me in advance. The following is a general description of expectations for assignments for each grade:

A Your project is of impeccable (or almost impeccable) quality in both content and format design, with no major weaknesses in any area. It provides adequate information that users need and effectively fulfills the intended purposes. Presentation is of professional quality. There’re few to no mechanical errors.

B Your project is of high quality in most of the major areas. It fulfills the user’s needs and your intended purposes quite effectively. Presentation is quite professional. There’re only a few mechanical errors.

C Your project is of reasonable quality in most areas. It fulfills the user’s needs and your intended purposes to a large extent, although major deficiencies are observable. Presentation is of semi-professional quality. There’re some mechanical errors, but not to the extent of seriously affecting readers’ comprehension.

D Your project is of acceptable quality in most areas. It fulfills the user’s needs and your intended purposes to some extent, but major deficiencies exist in several areas. Presentation quality is acceptable but low. There’re quite some mechanical errors.

F Your project is unacceptable in quality. It does not fulfill the user’s needs or your intended purposes. Major deficiencies are observed in most areas. Presentation quality is poor, and there’re too many mechanical errors.