210J S20 Deveau

210J

Syllabus

Technical Editing

(ENGL 210J)

Course Instructor

Dr. Danielle J. Deveau

Email: d2deveau@uwaterloo.ca

Digital Office Hours: TWTh 9-11:30am

Course Description and Objectives

In this course, you will be writing and editing, as well as learning theories related to understanding audiences, genres, ethics in communication, and research. When I was assigned this course many months ago, it was intended to be conducted in the classroom. I am adapting it to the online environment as we go*, but you need to keep in mind that you are responsible for your own learning. I am providing tools and guidance, but there is no "learning through osmosis" option for this course. You will need to be a self-motivated learner.

Learning Objectives:

• demonstrate effective communication and critical thinking

• develop inventing, drafting, and editing skills

• engage effectively in team learning

• show proficiency in genre specific writing and editing

• demonstrate capacity to give and receive feedback on writing for the purposes of revision

• show proficiency in planning and design of documents

• exhibit agility adapting to a virtual work environment and interacting with teams via digital software

Texts

Graves, H. & Graves, R. (2012). A strategic guide to technical communication, 2nd Canadian edition. Broadview Press. https://broadviewpress.com/product/a-strategic-guide-to-technical-communication-canadian-edition-second-edition/#tab-description

Graded Assignments

Detailed assignment guidelines will be distributed throughout the course. In some cases, you will be responsible for establishing these guidelines with your peers (for example, you may be asked to establish evaluation criteria for an assignment based upon the course content and learning objectives).

There will be three major unit assignments: a job application; an editing assignment; and a manual rewrite. You will also be required to compile all of your work into a final portfolio.

Some of your assignments will require that you evaluate and respond to work completed by undergraduate students from another communication course. You will be providing feedback and editorial recommendations to these students. It is expected that you will do this with a high degree of professionalism.

Each week, you will be required to complete low-stakes activities. These might be independent writing assignments; discussions; or evaluations. You will also be required to complete two formal peer-reviews.

Some of your low stakes activities will be graded on a pass/fail basis, while others will be assessed a numerical grade.

It will be very important for you to pay attention to my instructions each week. This is where you will find out what you need to complete.

Note: activities and low-stakes assignments may be added throughout the term in order to support learning objectives. These will be announced in course content and in the newsfeed.

Details of the assignments will be distributed during the course.

Course Policies

Students who require accommodations for any reason should contact the course instructor directly at d2deveau@uwaterloo.ca.

Accomodations may relate to:

• accessibility
• technology/internet issues
• time zone issues
• family/care issues
• work schedule

Students who make arrangements early may be eligible for a range of accommodations, however, last minute requests for schedule changes may not be possible.

This course will not have late penalties. The submission requirements are as follows:

• students who submit work by the posted deadline will receive a grade and feedback within one week.
• students who do not meet the deadline will not receive instructor feedback and grading may be significantly delayed.
• assignments more than one week late will not be accepted.

Institutional-required statements for undergraduate course outlines approved by Senate Undergraduate Council, April 14, 2009

Academic Integrity

In order to maintain a culture of academic integrity, members of the University of Waterloo community are expected to promote honesty, trust, fairness, respect and responsibility. See the UWaterloo Academic Integritity webpage (https://uwaterloo.ca/academic-integrity/) and the Arts Academic Integrity webpage (https://uwaterloo.ca/arts/current-undergraduates/student-support/ethical-behaviour) for more information.

Discipline

A student is expected to know what constitutes academic integrity, to avoid committing academic offences, and to take responsibility for his/her actions. A student who is unsure whether an action constitutes an offence, or who needs help in learning how to avoid offences (e.g., plagiarism, cheating) or about “rules” for group work/collaboration should seek guidance from the course professor, academic advisor, or the Undergraduate Associate Dean. When misconduct has been found to have occurred, disciplinary penalties will be imposed under Policy 71 – Student Discipline. For information on categories of offenses and types of penalties, students should

refer to Policy 71 - Student Discipline. For typical penalties check Guidelines for the Assessment of Penalties (https://uwaterloo.ca/secretariat-general-counsel/policies-procedures-guidelines/guidelines/guidelines-assessment-penalties).

Grievance

A student who believes that a decision affecting some aspect of his/her university life has been unfair or unreasonable may have grounds for initiating a grievance. Read Policy 70 - Student Petitions and Grievances, Section 4 (https://uwaterloo.ca/secretariat-general-counsel/policies-procedures-guidelines/policy-70). When in doubt please be certain to contact the department’s administrative assistant who will provide further assistance.

Appeals

A decision made or penalty imposed under Policy 70, Student Petitions and Grievances (other than a petition) or Policy 71, Student Discipline may be appealed if there is a ground. A student who believes he/she has a ground for

an appeal should refer to Policy 72, Student Appeals (https://uwaterloo.ca/secretariat-general-counsel/policies-procedures-guidelines/policy-72).

Note for Students with Disabilities

The AccessAbility Services office, located on the first floor of the Needles Hall extension (NH 1401), collaborates with all academic departments to arrange appropriate accommodations for students with disabilities without compromising the academic integrity of the curriculum. If you require academic accommodations to lessen the impact of your disability, please register with the AS office at the beginning of each academic term.

Tentative Schedule