Calendar

Follow the links at the bottom of this page for a schedule of assignments for each week this semester. Within each week, you will find daily listings of assignments. Each bullet point for the day is a different task for you to complete. Unless specifically noted otherwise, all assignments are to be completed before class on the day listed.

This course calendar may be updated throughout the semester. I'll notify you about any major changes, but you are still responsible for keeping up with the current schedule.

IMPORTANT: You must visit all of the links provided within the course calendar. There are many links to follow and read. Make sure you visit all of them. Some links provide easy access to other parts of the class site which will help you in your assignments. Some links are to required readings. Others provide you with detailed instructions on completing the assignments. Eventually, you may come to know the instructions which supplement assignments that are repeated throughout the course, but it's still a good idea to continue to revisit the instructions to make sure that you are satisfying all of the requirements.

Week 1: January 7-11

First Meeting:

Introduction to the Course

  • Review syllabus and course calendar
  • Discuss course technologies
  • Introduce Student Information Sheet (attached at bottom of this page). The completed sheet is due as a PDF email attachment by the beginning of class on January 11th.

For Next Meeting:

Second Meeting:

  • Discussion of professional writing
  • Review of Mac Lab Basics (attached PDF)
  • Interview assignment given (due January 18th):
    • Find a professional who is doing what you want to be doing as a career. By telephone, email, or in person, interview this person. Ask at least these six questions:
      • What percentage of your time do you spend writing? This includes planning, organizing, drafting, and editing.
      • What kinds of writing do you do? Letters? Emails? Reports? Proposals? Descriptions? Memos? Other?
      • Who reads the writing? Who evaluates it?
      • How important are writing skills in this profession?
      • What kinds of collaboration do you use in your writing? (ie writing with a group or team)
      • How often do you write collaboratively with others as opposed to writing on your own?

For Next Meeting:

Read the following in the "Principles: Understanding Readers" chapter

After you complete the reading, write a 300-word response to the following: "How does understanding your audience change the way you approach writing a document? What changes will you make to accomodate different audiences?" This response is due at the beginning of the next class meeting.

  • Begin work on the Interview Assignment (due January 18)

Third Meeting:

  • Audience Evaluation
  • Assign groups for grammar and style presentations
    • Group 1: Make negatives positive, clear out clutter words, delete needless qualifiers, commonly confused words
    • Group 2:Semi-colon, colon, comma
    • Group 3: Non-sexist language, cultural context
    • Group 4:Apostrophes, quotation marks, ellipses
    • Group 5:Italics, parentheses, capitalization, brackets, dashes

For Next Meeting:

Week 2: January 14-18

First Meeting:

  • Introduction of the Employment Project
  • Complete the Job Skills Checklist (circle all that apply to you) in class
  • Discuss employment project research and search engines
  • Review submission guidelines (via blog) for interview assignment

For Next Meeting:

  • Find two job ads in your area of interest. Internships and full-time jobs are both acceptable; however, the job must be something for which you are currently qualified. In other words, do not apply for a job that you will only be eligible for after five years of employment or a graduate degree.
  • Complete the Job Ad Analysis form for both ads (attached at the bottom of the page). Due Friday.

Second Meeting:

For Next Meeting:

Third Meeting:

  • Letter strategies/discuss samples

For Next Meeting:

  • Drafts of resume and cover letter due for peer review next class period

Week 3: January 21-25

First Meeting:

Official University holiday:  No class!

Second Meeting:

  • Workshop time in class: bring drafts of resumes and letters

For Next Meeting:

  • Continue work on resumes and letters

Third Meeting:

  • Final in-class workshop for resumes and letters

For Next Meeting:  

Final draft of resume and letters due on Monday!

  • Prepare final printed drafts of resume, letter, and memo; turn in paper-clipped to grading sheets

Week 4: January 28 - February 1

First Meeting:

  • "Employer Reality Check" with finished resumes
  • Presentation group time in class
  • Group 1: Anu, Travis, Dan -- delete needless qualifiers, commonly confused words, italics
  • Group 2: Aaron, Brandon, Adrian, Matt, Kelley -- semi-colon, colon, comma
  • Group 3: David, Lindsay, Patrick, Charu, Spencer: Non-sexist language, cultural context, dashes, parentheses, brackets
  • Group 4: Jared, Jake, Christopher, Brad, Ross -- apostrophes, quotation marks, ellipses, capitalization

For Next Meeting:

  • Finalize group presentations, if applicable

In PW Online, read Managing Projects:

Second Meeting:

Introduction of collaborative unit:

Third Meeting:

Groups 1 and 2 presentations

For Next Meeting:

  • From PW Online, read the following sections:
    • White Papers
    • Types of Reports
      • When you finish the readings, complete the reading questions (attached at the bottom of this page. Remember, you must be logged in to view attachments), print them out, and turn them in at the beginning of the next class.

Week 5: February 4-8

First Meeting:

Introduce White Paper Assignment

  • What is a White Paper? Wikipedia
  • Required elements for the white paper
  • Appropriate topic choices
  • Blog and forum postings

Review reading questions

For Next Meeting

Read:

  • White Paper Example of White Paper (Attached below).
  • The Steak Behind the Sizzle: Effective Marketing Using White Papers (Attached Below).

Negotiate via Drupal's White Paper Forum your groups and prepare to discuss your ideas in class next time.

Individual deliverable 1: Drupal topic posting due by 12 noon on Tuesday.

When you come to class on Wednesday, I expect to see that you have divided yourself into groups. I will not assign groups or force a group to accept you (however, remember that groups are capped at four people), so please do not email me requests along those lines. It is your responsiblity to make yourself attractive to a group. If you are having difficulty finding a group that will welcome you, I suggest that you do additional research or other preliminary work so that you have something to bring to this group. As in the business world, you are responsible for your own success in these negotiations. Your ultimate success with the white paper project will depend in large part on how successfully you sell both your idea and yourself.

Second Meeting:

  • Group 3 presentation
  • Proposal guidelines
  • Group negotiation time for preliminary proposal drafting (trade contact info, etc.)

For Next Meeting:

Read in PW Online the following:

Principles: Analyzing Workplace Writing

  • Analyzing Workplace Writing Situations
  • Representing the Information Visually

 

Group deliverable 1: Topic Proposal Memo due in class next time.

Each potential group (as established over Drupal) will turn in one hardcopy of a 250 word topic proposal, in the form of a memo, by February 8 (Friday). This memo will include information about the topic under consideration, the potential solutions to be examined, and possible resources. Follow the guidelines for memo writing outlined at Purdue's Owl. Remember that you are selling an idea, specifically, to me and other potential group members -- this is a persuasive, not descriptive, document. This means presenting the issue as worthy of consideration, and the solutions (three) as relevant, while demonstrating the feasibility of the project within the parameters of the assignment.

Sources (3) must be annotated with the following items:

  • assessment of source reputability
  • assessment of source relevance
  • brief summary of content (1-2 sentences)

Third Meeting:

  • Proposals due
  • Use of source materials:
    • Evaluating sources
    • Citing sources ethically, accurately, and appropriately
    • Citation formats
  • Documentation memo assigned (as a group), due Wednesday Feb 13.
    • Complete the documentation memo according to the following guidelines:
      • Consult with a professor, a professional, or read through technical journals in your field to figure out the commonly used documentation style of that field. OR you may simply use APA, if there is not a proscribed style which you feel strongly about following. When you have done so, use this documentation style to write me a memo which includes the following four elements:
        • Name of documentation style (e.g. MLA)
        • Bibliographic citation for a book
        • Bibliographic citation for a journal
        • Bibliographic citation for an online source
        • Sentence with in-text citation

For Next Meeting:

REMINDER: Update your blog by 5 pm on Friday with the work you've done this week!

Week 6: February 11-15

First Meeting:

  • Quiz over readings 
  • Graphics, diagrams, charts, and visuals
  • DESIGN AND LAYOUT--going beyond the "research paper" look
  • Organizing a white paper
  • Required elements for the white paper

For Next Meeting:

  • Read either the Designed White Paper (Sophos) or the Undesigned White Paper for class tomorrow.

Second Meeting:

  • Group 4 presentation
  • Design and Content Discussion:
    • Compare and Contrast the Designed White Paper (Sophos) with the undesigned word version. What do the design elements do for the documents? How does the design change/alter the content? In what ways? Does it help you read it in any certain way?
    • Discuss: How Design/Arrangement/Cutting Conveys Information

For Next Meeting:

  • As a group, plan for your use of the in-class white paper workshop on Friday.

Third Meeting:

  • In-class workshop with your groups on the white paper

For Next Meeting:

  • Work with your groups to prepare a polished draft

REMINDER: Update your blog by 5 pm on Friday with the work you've done this week!

 

Week 7: February 18-22

First Meeting:

  • Discussion of white paper front and end matter and pagination
  • White paper groups in class

For Next Meeting:

Second Meeting:

  • In-class peer review of white paper (review papers of 2 other groups)
  • Submit one copy of the white paper to me for review prior to your conference on Friday

For Next Meeting:

  • Work with your group to polish the white paper for submission on Friday February 29

Third Meeting:

  • 8:30-8:40:  Travis, Jake, Matt
  • 8:40-8:50: Jared, Anu, Adrian
  • 8:50-9:00: Aaron, Kelley, Brandon
  • 9:00-9:10: Spencer, David, Lindsay
  • 9:10-9:20:  Patrick, Charu, Dan

For Next Meeting:

  • Continue to work on the white paper (due Friday the 29th)

REMINDER: Update your blog by 5 pm on Friday with the work you've done this week!

Week 8: February 25-29

First Meeting:

  • Final white paper workshop:
    • Review submission guidelines, front and end matter, pagination, and work logs
    • Work in groups to finish editing your white paper in class
    • Complete any front/end matter documents for your white paper

For Next Meeting:

Second Meeting:

  • Workshop:  White paper/oral presentation

For Next Meeting:

  • Prepare as a group for your oral presentation
  • Prepare final copies of white paper for submission

Third Meeting:

  • Final white paper due in class
  • Quiz on oral presentations readings
  • Discussion of oral presentations assignment
  • Sign up for presentation times as a group
  • Workshop: oral presentations (group time in class)

For Next Meeting:

  • Finalize oral presentations within groups

REMINDER: Update your work blog by 5 pm on Friday!

Week 9: March 3-7

First Meeting:

  • Group 1: Kelley, Brandon, Aaron
  • Group 2: Brad, Chris, Ross

Second Meeting:

  • Group 4: Anu, Adrian, Jared
  • Group 5: Lindsay, David, Spencer

Third Meeting:

  • Group 7: Travis, Matt, Jake
  • Group 8: Charu, Patrick, Dan

For Next Meeting:

  • Submit peer evaluations to me by 5 pm on Friday March 7
  • Update your final work blog (due Friday by 5 pm)
  • Enjoy your spring break!

Week 10: March 10-14

Spring Break: No classes

Week 11: March 17-21

First Meeting:

For Next Meeting:

Second Meeting:

For Next Meeting:

Individual Deliverable 1: Discussion Board Proposal due Wednesday March 19 by 5 pm

  • Post to the "Service Learning Forum"
    • Each student will submit a discussion board proposal of roughly 250 words advocating for a potential project and client. Students are welcome to do research and initial contact, but should not promise anything to an organization at this phase. Students will read submitted proposals and use the Drupal forums to select and organize groups.
    • By classtime on Friday, use the forum to negotiate a group.

Third Meeting:

  • Service Learning Workshop:
    • Meet within your groups to discuss roles and generalized timelines for completion of the project.
    • Brief discussion with me of your anticipated clients.
    • As a group, complete Group Deliverable 1: Short Memo to be turned in prior to the end of class
      • This 100 word memo should inform the instructor of your group members, and suggest the kinds of organizations the group will contact and the kinds of projects that the group is interested in undertaking. This will be composed before meeting with potential clients, but should include a short list of organizations you are considering.

For Next Meeting:

REMINDER: Weekly group progress memos (emailed to me and to your client) and individual blog postings due by Friday at 5 pm

Week 12: March 24-28

First Meeting:

  • Proposals
  • Review of memos
  • Group time for proposal work

For Next Meeting:

  • Group Deliverable 2: Formal Proposal due Wednesday March 26

    • In this detailed 2 (single-spaced ) to 4 (double-spaced) page project proposal, groups will propose and plan out the scope and specifics of their project. The proposal will be graded by me, but a copy will be sent to the client as part of the negotiation process. This proposal must include the following elements:

      * Name of organization.
      * Contact information of the organization.
      * Goals/Mission Statement of the organization.

      The proposal should also address project goals and deliverables:

      * The deliverables determined by group and client.
      * The intended audience for the deliverables.
      * The intended process to complete these goals.
      * Detailed timetable for completing this process.
      * The group division of labor, including tasks and rationale.
      * Research completed so far towards the project.
      * Research still necessary to complete the project.
      * Resources needed to complete the project (technological, research, etc).

Use memo format and headings to make your proposal professional in appearance and to facilitate random access.

Second Meeting:

Creation of Gantt Chart in class in groups:

  • Follow links to downloadable Excel examples and templates
  • Turn in a copy of your chart to me at the end of class
  • Report on your progress on the timeline you created in the Gantt Chart in your weekly group memos

Sign up for meeting time with me on Friday or Monday.

For Next Meeting:

  • Group Deliverable 3: Memorandum of Agreement due Wednesday April 2
    • In the third step of this project, you will create a memo that you send to your client that confirms their participation and delineates the specific goals, timeline, and documents that you will create. In other words, the memo should make clear to all parties (me, the organization, and your group) the exact expected outcome of the project and when that outcome will be completed. You must deliver a copy of the memo to me before forwarding it on to your client.

Third Meeting:

  • Travis, Jake, Matt, Brandon
  • Adrian, Dan, Patrick
  • Anu, Kelley, Aaron

For Next Meeting:

  • Group Deliverable 3: Memorandum of Agreement due Wednesday April 2

 

 

REMINDER: Weekly group progress memos (emailed to me and your client) and individual blog postings are due Friday by 5 pm

 

Week 13: March 31-April 4

First Meeting:

  • David, Lindsay, Spencer, Jared
  • Brad, Charu, Chris, Ross 

For Next Meeting:

  • As a group, prepare a brief 5-10 minute presentation about what makes a good _____ (whatever genre of deliverable you are preparing). Offer both good and bad examples (Powerpoint slides would be helpful to accomplish this). Discuss with specific examples from your work thus far how you are incorporating these design principles.
    • You should also bring a short handout (one per group, plus one for me) that encapsulates and summarizes the principles you are talking about.

Second Meeting:

Memorandum of agreement due

Group design presentations

Youtube on Powerpoint:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cagxPlVqrtM 

For Next Meeting:

  • Workshop time either in class or to meet with your client

Third Meeting:

Workshop (either in class or with your client)

For Next Meeting:

REMINDER: Weekly group progress memos (emailed to me and to your client) and individual blog updates must be completed by Friday at 5 pm

Week 14: April 7-11

This week:

  • Individual Deliverable 3: Conferencing and Group Deliverable 5: Rough Draft

    • Rough Draft: Email me a draft of your project by 5 pm the day before your conference. You will be assessed as a group for the written materials and individually for your participation in the conference.

    • Conferences: Each group will meet with the instructor for at least one twenty minute conference to update on the progress of the project, address any complications, and negotiate standards for grading. While this is a group deliverable, each member will be graded individually on attendance and participation. This means that if you do not speak during the conference, you do not get credit on the individual deliverable.

  • Meet with me on your assigned day for fifteen minutes with the rest of your group members. Spend the other days working with your group on your project or presentation.

First Meeting:

Work day 

Second Meeting:

8:30: Travis, Jake, Matt, Brandon

8:45:  Aaron, Anu, Kelley

Third Meeting:

8:30:  Jared, Lindsay, David, Spencer 

8:45: Chris, Charu, Ross, Brad 

9:00: Adrian, Pat, Dan 

REMINDER: Weekly group progress memos (emailed to me and to your client) and individual blog updates must be completed by Friday at 5 pm

 

 

Week 15: April 14-18

First Meeting:

No class: Meet with your group and/or client for finalization of the project.

Second Meeting:

  • Workshop day: oral presentations
    • Your oral presentation should discuss several things:
      • Background information on the organization you are working with
      • The problem you were trying to solve
      • The deliverables that you created to solve this problem
      • Your assessment of the working relationship with the client: what worked well and what was problematic
      • What you would do differently the next time (whether this involves the client, the deliverables, etc.)

  • Remember to keep good presentation principles in mind, i.e. limiting number of slides, speaking clearly, etc. 

Third Meeting

  • Oral presentations begin:
    • Travis, Brandon, Matt, Jake
    • Ross, Brad, Chris, Charu

Week 16: April 21-25

First Meeting:

Oral Presentations:

  • Spencer, David, Lindsay, Jared
  • Patrick, Dan, Adrian
  • Anu, Kelley, Aaron

Second Meeting:

Final discussion of final deliverable 7 and group deliverable 4; instructions for final assessment

For next time:

Group Deliverable 7: Final Deliverables due on Friday April 25

  • In addition to submitting to me the documents you present to the client, you need to accompany these documents with a three page report assessing and addressing the work you did for the client. The report should delineate the problem you approached, the research you completed, and the deliverables you developed. You should specifically address how the deliverables you created met the client’s needs. This report is also the appropriate place to inform me of any problems that arose in the process, whether with research or with the client. Keep in mind that this document is a formal report and evaluation of your process and overall success.

Third Meeting:

In class assessment

This assessment has two parts. The first part (15 minutes) requires you to join with a group of 2-3 other people. The second part (30 minutes) should be completed individually. When you have finished each section, print out your responses and submit them to me.


 

Final assignment:

  • Individual Deliverable 4: Project Assessment due by 5 pm on Saturday April 26

    • An important component of your project is successful collaboration. Each member will reflect on their participation in the project and on the experience of working in a group. In 1-2 pages, reflect on the following: Your work and participation in the group, the group participation and effort (be sure to approve or contest every members' workblogs), the experience of working with a client, what you have learned from the project, and what you would change if given the chance to do it again.

REMINDER: Weekly group progress memos (emailed to me, but not your client) and individual blog updates must be completed by Friday at 5 pm