Assignments
This page provides an overview of the work that contributes to your final course grade, and connects you to descriptions for those projects and workshops through the links below. (Note that no descriptive detail appears on SVSU Canvas for any of these assignments.) I activate assignment pages as we need them, so do not worry if you cannot access all of the descriptions at the beginning of the semester.
Your course grade is computed from the points you earn on four projects and five workshops. Combined, these assignments total 1200 points.
You can read more about grading and what factors might influence your grade on the Policies page.
Projects
I use the term projects to categorize assignments that are significant undertakings, and that require development and refinement time that may span several weeks of the semester. You will complete four projects this semester that collectively contribute 950 possible points to your course grade.
Each project description details several elements of the work, including design requirements, hints and tips, and submission guidelines. Use the links below to access those descriptions.
- Venue Analysis (VA). 250 points. The VA examines a potential venue for publishing your Article project. The VA project challenges you to engage in a systematic study of the venue (e.g., journal, magazine, blog), with the goal of understanding and meeting the standard for publication in that venue.
- Author Bio & Video (ABV). 200 points. The ABV establishes your professional/scholarly identity and expertise through a biographical statement and 60-second video. The ABV project challenges you to craft an appropriate, professional message that might create connections with readers/viewers.
- Article. 250 points. The Article is an exploration of a topic of interest to you with which you have some scholarly or professional expertise. The Article project challenges you to conduct research, and to craft a well-reasoned argument appropriate to the venue(s) you explored in the VA project.
- Infographic. 250 points. The Infographic presents elements of your research for the Article project in a visual medium. The Infographic project is challenging because it requires both data-driven communication and disciplined, creative design.
Workshops
I use the term workshops to categorize assignments that are smaller scale than projects, work that can be completed in the space of a single class session, or within the space of a single class week. The concepts, strategies, and practices examined through workshops build and reinforce your working knowledge for the course. You will complete five workshops this semester that collectively contribute 250 possible points to your course grade.
Each workshop description details several elements of the work, including design and discussion requirements, and submission guidelines. Use the links below to access those descriptions.
- TBA. 50 points. Once we determine some baseline understanding of the class's technical and strategic preparation regarding the challenges presented by projects, we will engage in some in-class professional development.
- TBA. 50 points. Once we determine some baseline understanding of the class's technical and strategic preparation regarding the challenges presented by projects, we will engage in some in-class professional development.
- Peer Review: Article. 50 points. You prepare for and engage in peer examination of your project draft, and participate in the review of two peer projects.
- Semester Reflection. 50 points. You ponder your accomplishments for the semester in the context of our overarching course objectives and your individual professional development goals.
- Project Showcase. 50 points. You participate in an end-of-semester showcase of projects.