Course Policies

Attendance

Because this is a computer-based class, it is important that you attend class on a regular basis in order to build your skills. I understand that things come up during the semester. Therefore I allow three (3) unexcused absence; that's all. Each absence beyond that will reduce your final grade substantially. Six (6) or more absences during the semester will result in automatic failure.

Grading Criteria

Grades on all assignments will be determined by how well you adhere to the specific criteria as outlined on individual assignment descriptions, as well as the general grade criteria listed below:

A - Outstanding work. Shows superior analysis of assignment. Provides excellent selection of content, organization, and wording of material to fit the rhetorical needs of the particular situation. Uses style that is fluent and coherent. Has no mechanical errors. Shows great insight, perceptiveness, originality, and thought.

B - Good work, significantly above level necessary to meet course requirements. Has thorough, well-organized analysis of the assignment. Shows judgment and tact in the presentation of material appropriate for the intended audience and purpose. Supports ideas well with concrete details. Has interesting, precise, and clear style. Is free of major mechanical errors. Strong, interesting work, although minor problems remain.

C - Meets all basic requirements of the course and assignment. Provides satisfactory analysis of the writing task, subject, and audience. Accomplishes its purpose with adequate content and detail. Uses details, organization, and expression appropriate for the rhetorical context. Has acceptable mechanics. Could be mailed out in the professional world.

D - Meets the assignment but is weak in one of the major areas (content, organization, style, mechanics) or offers a routine, inadequate treatment. Shows generally substandard work with some redeeming features.

F - Unacceptable work, in one or more of the major areas. Fails to meet one or more of the basic requirements of the course or the assignment. Fails to cover essential points, or may digress to nonessential material. Has inadequate development resulting from failure to support generalizations or from unclear relationships between generalizations and examples or details. Lacks adequate organization and show confusion or misunderstanding of rhetorical context. May use an inappropriate tone, poor word choice, excessive repetition, or awkward sentence structure.

Participation

During class, you must show evidence that you have read the textbook assignments by being able to discuss them intelligently in class and to apply the lessons to various design projects. In addition, you must complete regular assignments (some in class), as well as an oral presentation about your final design project.

Meetings

You are always welcome to make an appointment during the office hours listed on the front page of the site. Rather than just dropping by, it usually works better if you schedule an appointment ahead of time so we can both prepare for our discussion. Just consult my public calendar to see what times I have available, then email me for an appointment. If you have an urgent need to talk, you are still welcome to drop by, but it works best for me if you make an appointment.

Late Assignments

Avoid them. However, you can receive an extension for good cause if you submit a formal memo via email before the assignment is due. In this memo, you should explain the reason for the delay and propose a reasonable deadline (less than one week), which you will then be expected to meet. This memo will serve as a contract between the two of us; failure to meet the new deadline violates terms of the contract and results in a failing grade for that assignment. You can submit late assignments no more than twice during the semester. Oral presentations are excluded from this option and are due on the assigned date.

Academic Honesty

Unless you are working with others on a collaborative assignment, the work you turn in for this class must be your own. If you use others' work without crediting them, you will receive a failing grade for the assignment, and most likely for the course. While you certainly can ask for feedback from others, you should not allow anyone to write any part of your assignment for you. For further information, see the ISU Student Handbook's discussion of academic dishonesty.

Disability Accommodation

If you have a documented disability and anticipate needing accommodations in this course, please make arrangements to meet with me soon. Also, please make sure a Disability Resources staff member sends me an SAAR form verifying your disability and specifying the accommodation you will need. The DR office is located on the main floor of the Students Services Building, Room 1076, ph. 294-7220; TTY: 294-6635. I look forward to working with you and will try my best to accommodate your needs.