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OFFICE HOURS	Hours for this term are listed on the Communications page and on my office door. Use them (and not just to raid my candy and cookie jars)! If they are not convenient for you, call me and we'll schedule an appointment for a mutually convenient time. They are set for M, W 2:00-3:15 p.m.; T, 3:30-4:45 a.m., R 9:30-10:45, and by appt. I am happy to make appointments if you need them!
TEXTS	Our text will be Gerald J. Alred et al, The Business Writer's Companion, 3rd ed. (ISBN 0-312-25977-8). The text is available at the Bookworm and from a number of other sources, including online. If you choose to purchase it somewhere other than the Bookworm, make sure you check to see that the ISBN number matches so that you will have the right book. Please bring it to class as requested. It will be supplemented with handout packs for specific assignments.
SUPPLIES	A good college dictionary, a closable folder or 3-ring binder for storing all your written work and handouts during the semester, writing materials, a 9" x 12" manila envelope for submitting assignments to me (recyclable), at least two 3-1/2" computer disks; a standard-sized VHS videotape for your oral presentations.
ATTENDANCE	Miss four classes and you are on attendance probation, which will lower your grade; miss seven and you fail the course (that's University policy). Each missed class beginning with the fourth counts as 3 points off your final grade. I don't differentiate between unexcused and excused absences. A missed conference or failure to bring in a rough draft when required counts as two absences. Beginning with the second class there will be a daily sign-in sheet; if you don't initial it, I'll count you absent (it's your responsibility to sign in). Lateness of more than 10 minutes counts as an absence.
CLASS PROCEDURES	This class is conducted in a problem-solving manner; that means more hands-on work and fewer lectures. The text is used as a reference book, example repository, and information source; plan on bringing it to class. I expect you to read the assigned work in advance and ask questions about it. The responsibilities lie heavily on your shoulders; be aware. Class participation will be graded on the amount you actually contribute to the class, not just on showing up. You may surf the web, check e-mail, etc., before class or during "down time" during in-class exercises. Otherwise I expect you to be paying attention to class, not to your private life. If I catch you doing non-class related computing while class is in session, I'll call you on it, once, publicly. If I catch you a second time, you fail the class. Period. All work must be original for this class; I do not accept "recycled" work from other classes, as per the Student Judicial Code. Prepare all assigned out-of-class assignments according to the standards for that particular assignment. If you must make last-minute corrections, use black ink (and be neat). There will be several rounds of conferences in the term; please take advantage of them. Since most professional writing is collaborative, some of your class grade will be derived from team or group projects, while the rest will be determined by your individual effort. I give complete written descriptions of each assignment; please read them carefully and ask me if you have questions about them.
TECHNOLOGY	Prepare all assignments on a computer using a standard word processing program; the labs are equipped with Microsoft Word. Use typewriters or "word processors" only as a last resort, since it's not possible to transfer these files to other machines and at desperate times that may be necessary. Clean, clear print is required; this means laser or ink jet print or a good dark ribbon on a dot matrix printer. *The Business Writer's Companion* will be our authority for standard format, and I will expect you to modify any word processing program you use to conform to it.
COMMUNICATION	Some assignments in this class will ask you to use e-mail and the Internet. If you have not already done so, go to 015 Tillman to activate your free student account and to the ACC to sign up for printing privileges. If you routinely use another e-mail account on another server (such as Hotmail or AOL), you are responsible for setting the automatic forwarding on your Winthrop e-mail account to forward mail to that address or manually subscribing to the class listserv so that you receive all messages forwarded to the class listserv.
ASSIGNMENTS/ GRADING POLICIES	You must submit all assignments as required to pass the class. There are no exceptions. Deadlines are set for a reason and I take them very seriously. Assignments and revisions are expected at the beginning of class on the due date. You may submit one late out-of-class assignment during the term, provided that you have made arrangements to do so with me at least one class period before the assignment is due. No assignment will be accepted more than two class periods after the due date without a significant medical excuse. Excessive lateness will severely affect your final grade. Active and engaged class participation will contribute to improved grades in the class. Feel free to use the Writing Center as a resource as you develop your assignments; I look with great favor on writers who take advantage of their services. This is a HINT. Their phone number is x-2138.
GRADING BREAKDOWN	Grade equivalents on written and oral assignments are as follows: A=92 B+=88; B=85; B- =82; C+ = 78; C = 75; C- =72; D=68; F=60: S=84; U=68. Percent values for each assignment are posted on the class website, and may include a required revision if indicated. (Please remember that I cannot give plus or minus grades as your final grade; for that grade 91+ = A; 81+ =B; 71+ = C (or S); 61+ = D; below 61 = F; below 71 = U for final averages. Remember that your final grade must be in the C range (above the D range!) for an S grade.) See the grading breakdown by clicking here. Some students ask my opinion of taking the course S/U. If you are trying to protect a grade point average, this may be an option; you and your advisor should discuss it. I won't know how you are registered until I enter final grades, so it makes no difference to me. I expect students always to do their best--whatever option you choose, I hope that will be your expectation as well.
RUBRICS	Grading in WRIT 465 is governed by the rubrics for oral and written communication. Read them carefully and please ask me for clarification if you have any questions about what they mean or how they work.
REVISION POLICY	You are required to revise certain assignments leading up to the final report substantively; just fixing mistakes does NOT constitute revision. I will put letter grades on an original and up to two revisions of such assignments and average the grades; if you want to revise an assignment even further, I will be happy to help you with it. You have the option of revising other graded written assignments. You have one class period after a graded assignment is returned to submit revisions. When you return a revision, attach it to the original version to make it easier for a reader to see the changes you have made. By substantial revision I mean that you must do a lot more than just correct any errors in the first version (though of course those should be fixed). Re-vision means re-seeing, reconceptualizing, re-attacking what you have done. You might change the tone, the organization, the audience appeal, the style, the visual layout, or many combinations of these factors. If you only fix the errors in the original, your revision grade will be D. If you correct the errors and make only cosmetic revisions, your revision grade will be C. To get an excellent revision grade, you must really make an effort that shows and that is well executed. Grades on the revision(s) and original are averaged together for the purposes of determining final grades.
ACADEMIC HONESTY	Because ethical practice is expected not only in the academic but the professional world, I enforce the policies on plagiarism and academic honesty set out in your Student Conduct Code. Students who submit work that is not their own or that is not original for this class can expect at minimum to receive an "F" on that assignment, and, in severe cases, may receive an "F" for the class. If you have any questions about what constitutes plagiarism or correct documentation of borrowed material after you have consulted the English Department's web page (http://www.winthrop.edu/english/plagiarism.htm) and the textbook, please consult with me. I will be very happy to help you understand how to use the work of others ethically and correctly.