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Writing & Inquiry in Academic Contexts Plus Studio

Instructor: Mia Eaker Office:
Cameron (aka CARC) 159
Office Hours: T 2:00PM-3:00PM & By Appt.
Email: mteaker@uncc.edu

Sources: Clip Art Lord & Concept Crucible

Quicklinks Syllabus Guide

Required Materials

UWRT 1104 Plus Studio 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

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Required Materials

A Weebly website design account (FREE ACCOUNT)

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: a composition notebook

UWRT 1104 Plus Studio 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 and smaller inclass and online modules 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 in a digital
essay. These three assignments will be created, managed, and presented on your
Weebly site or 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. In your final portfolio, these are the concepts I will looking to see that you actively
worked on and display throughout your work.

rhetorical knowledge
critical reading
composing processes
knowledge of conventions

critical reflection

You can read more about them HERE.

WARNING!!! Daybook links are disabled after class and will not be given out later without
documentation for missing a class, nor will a list of entry prompts be given out at the
midterm or end of the semester. Entries must be completed on schedule.

Daybooks
Bring your Daybook (a composition notebook) with you in class every day. This is
essentially where you will keep everything for class that is not a draft of a major
assignment. It should track your progress and your thinking through the entire
semester through reading responses, reflections, notes, etc.
The primary purposes of keeping a Daybook include:
To prep you class discussion so that you have thought out your responses
ahead of time, recorded questions, etc.
To push your thinking beyond class prep (plan, ask questions, reflect,
brainstorm, think critically about course concepts)
To have freedom to be messy and take risks and then select what you want
me to read in-depth. I will never collect and read your entire Daybook for
a grade. Daybook keeping is part of your class participation.
To add ideas, notes and brainstorming about your writing.

Structure: Your Daybook is yours to organize. There are few rules aside from
these:
o date and title your entries so that you can differentiate them from each
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.

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
Weebly site. Thus, you will have a texts for this class that
you will be required to read, but it will be tailored to your
work specifically.

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 nay combo = 1 absence
You must be in class 45 MINUTES to be counted present
Allowed 2 religious observance days per academic year; must fill out appropriate form
YOU are responsible for all missed work--consult Canvas
Want an assignment extension or an absence excused? Go through the
Dean of Students w/ the appropriate documentation.

Does this mean I can choose any text? Not really

Textbook for Our Class

Exam Day

The exam day is a designated meeting time for the course. However, this class time is
replaced by a meeting with me to discuss your final portfolio submission. This is still mandatory
class time and must be attended.
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 the impact of withdrawing from one or more courses
on time-to-degree, financial aid eligibility, and cost to the student.

Sources: Meme Generator

Texting/Cell Phones/Laptops

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 traditionally-graded courses
because portfolios (a) allow students to showcase a variety of their work and (b) allow teachers to
grade holistically, based on a student's semester-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 feedback from your peers and 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 efforts will be assessed in the final portfolio.

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- worked on your writing
YOU MUST
took risks and made writerly choices
engaged with course content
COMPLETE ALL
participated in the writing & research process along the way
MAJOR
displayed knowledge of student learning outcome

Assessment Groupings

Class Participation (Discussion,

Groups, and Daybook)

Weight

20%

Studio Participation (Modules

Online)

15%

Process and Workshop Participation

15%

Final Portfolio

50%

Course Total

100%

COMPONENTS TO
PASS THE COURSE.
Failure to submit
even one
component

will result
in an automatic
failing grade.

Consider also
Email

using Google
Chat in your

Please feel free to email me with any questions you have about
our class work, reading, or assignments. Keep in mind:

Email is a genre, meaning there are appropriate ways to

address, ask questions, etc. Email is not a text message, so
please do not write an email as such.
I generally check & respond my email 2-3 times on a
weekday between the hours of 10:00 AM and 4:00PM
I check email once over the weekend

UNCC Gmail
account. W/ a
prior appt., I will
chat with you
online in real
time. This is
great option
when you cant
make it to office

FYWs Program Statement on Diversity

C
lp i
a
rt
S
e
e
p

hours.

The First-Year 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.

Intentional
plagiarism
constitutes
automatic failure
of this class &
possibly being
reported to
Student Affairs.
This is your

A. 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.
B. 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.
C. Multiple Submission. The submission of substantial
portions of the same academic work (including oral
reports) for credit more than once without authorization.
D. 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.)
E. Abuse of Academic Materials. Intentionally or
knowingly destroying, stealing, or making inaccessible
library or other academic resource material.
F. Complicity in Academic Dishonesty. Intentionally or
knowingly helping or attempting to help another to
commit an act of academic dishonesty.

education; be
responsible.
Class Cancellations/Inclement Weather
In 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:

You will receive an email from me with instructions

Check our Unit Calendar to chart the appropriate changes
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 class each dayon time. While three absences are
permitted (see the attendance policy under course policies), these are not free passes. They
are for emergencies and should be used responsibly and documented when possible. You
should be in communication with me and your classmates when you are not in class. You are
responsible for anything you miss.
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, actions, and ideas regarding your fulfillment of and adherence
to class expectations, requirements, policies. It is your responsibility to make sure that you
are on task and clear about course work and that you are maximizing your classroom
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 project and your writing, 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 are all different; we come from diverse background
and have different experiences and opinions that make us who we are. These differences
should be celebrated and looked at as an opportunity for learning and understanding.
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:
Do not accept late papers except under extenuating circumstances (death in the
family, extended illness, etc.)
Conferences and Guided Workshops count as class sessions and due dates. If
you are absent and do not submit work at your sessions, then it is late and the
absence is recorded.
Reserve the right to require some sort of documentation (i.e. doctor's notes, a
memorial bulletin, etc.) for my records
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 from me concerning our
course work.
To not wait until the last minute to ask questions, get help etc.

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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 wrolkshop, 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 and 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 to
discuss your writing. They will not proofread/edit you work, but they will work with
you on any concerns you have. A tutor can help you at any stage of the drafting
process, even if it is brainstorming or conducting research. l encourage you take
advantage of this service because it is free.

NEED HELP? I am available: Via email, office hours, and additional appointments if
necessary To help you throughout this class, so waiting until the last minute to get help, ask
questions, raise concerns, etc. is bad practice
Consider the syllabus, Canvas, and Google Docs resources:
A contract for the standards of behavior and coursework expectations
Are here to protect both you and me concerning the acceptable working and
learning conditions for this class
Are resources to help you know what is going on, so claiming "I didn't know" is
never an excuse
Your first resource when you have questions about
content, due dates, expectations, etc.
With regards to your email, Canvas, & Google Docs Folder:
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 Calender
You 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 our course Google folder
Should Canvas become unavailable and we need to use the Google folder backup, you will receive specific instructions from me via email.

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