Given the fluid nature of this course/project, I think it important to be able to revise our syllabus as necessary.
Rationale
While we may all be in this together, our academic efforts do not very often reveal this. Such an observation is often as true of academia in general as graduate school. Many graduate-level courses conclude with a collection of essays related to the overall focus of the course. Though purposeful, such a collection often lacks larger cohesion. The idea of a booksprint, collaborative authoring over a short time with the express goal of publishing a book, provides an opportunity to be in this together.
Description
This is an eight-week collaborative writing project. The focus will be a topic within rhetoric and writing studies identified and decided upon by students and the instructor. Students will research, write, and edit a cohesive, if not comprehensive, codex.
Objectives
Upon completion of ENG 560, you will be able to:
• write with success in a collaborative environment
• recognize rhetoric and writing studies as encompassing a diverse body of work
• develop a working knowledge of a topic in rhetoric and writing studies
• assess yourself and peers as rhetoric and writing studies scholars
Contributions
Each chapter of the book will have two primary researcher/writers.
Research: Each student will be responsible for presenting 10 strong, academic sources relevant to the book’s scope. Each student's 2 presentations will be 5 minutes in length and focus on 5 sources.
Write: Each student will be responsible for writing at least 10 pages of their chapter. Each student will also be responsible for editing and reviewing at least one chapter other than their own.
On technology usage
To facilitate this collaborative writing project, we need to use an appropriate technology. Google Docs is my recommendation, but I invite Week 1 discussion of other possibilities. No prior skill is needed, only a willingness to engage and learn. If we need to take extra time, ask.
Although technology makes life easier, it can also be difficult. So, plan accordingly. "The computer ate my homework" or "the Internet was down" are not reasons to forgo the work assigned. It is in your best interest to leave extra time to ensure that technology does not get in the way of your contributions.
Schedule
Week 1, May 10 -- Introducing & brainstorming
Week 2, May 17 -- Delegating & researching
Week 3, May 24 -- Researching
Week 4, May 31 -- Researching
Week 5, June 7 -- Writing
Week 6, June 14 -- Writing
Week 7, June 21 -- Editing
Week 8, June 30 (@ 415PM) -- Finishing
Grade breakdown
10 sources + 10 pages + 2 weeks of edits = A for ENG 560