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ENGL 2116 Syllabus

Course Syllabus

ENGL 2116 - Writing for the Web

3 Credit Hours

Course Information

Course Description:

This course includes critiques of current Web pages, how to convert business documents into web content that is fresh, and essential skills for 21st century business writing.

Course Outcomes:

Each lesson and demonstration has specific objectives. All of those are geared toward these broad outcomes. Once you successfully complete this course, you should be able to do the following:

  • Analyze and evaluate web content, particularly in light of the unique characteristics of this writing format and audience

  • Draft and revise web content to enhance readability

This course is also designed to help students develop and enhance skills in the following areas:

  • Learning to apply course material (to improve thinking, problem solving, and decisions)

  • Developing specific skills, competencies, and points of view needed by professionals in the field most closely related to this course

  • Learning to analyze and critically evaluate ideas, arguments, and points of view

Note: This course focuses on writing content for the Web, not on HTML or website design. 

Prerequisites & Co-requisites:

None. ENGL 1010 is highly recommended.

Course Topics:
Module 1Introduction to Course
Module 2Web Writing - Content Consideration
Module 3Credibility - Why it Matters
Module 4It's All about the "F" - How Web Readers Read
Module 5The Inverted Pyramid
Module 6Text that Feels Good and Looks Good
Module 7PCI Job 1 (Demonstration A)
Module 8Writing Focused, Freestanding Content
Module 9Headers & Bullets
Module 10The Power of Links
Module 11PCI Job 2 (Demonstration B)
Module 12International Considerations
Module 13Alt Text and Accessibility
Module 14Keyword Clues
Module 15PCI Job 3 (Demonstration C)

 

Specific Course Requirements:

See hardware/software requirements below. Keep in mind that the major project is a team effort; it is the student's responsibility to use compatible software so that team members can easily transfer files and documents. 

Textbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements

Required Textbooks:

Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain textbook information for this course. Move your cursor over the "Books" link in the navigation bar and select "Textbooks & Course Materials." Select your Program, Term, Department, and Course; then select "Submit."

Supplementary Materials:

Students will need access to good reference materials (dictionary, grammar, style guide, etc.). 

Hardware and Software Requirements:

Minimum hardware requirements can be found here.

Minimum software requirements can be found here.

Common applications you might need:

Web Resources:

Purdue OWL Online Writing Lab (for APA, MLA, or Chicago style)

The Writing Center Online Writer's Handbook

Student Resources:
  • Technical support information can be found on the TN eCampus Help Desk page.
  • Smarthinking virtual tutoring is available FREE of charge. to access Smarthinking, visit the course homepage and select Smarthinking under Course Resources. You also view sample sessions to see what Smarthinking offers and how it works.
  • Information on other student issues or concerns can be located on the TN eCampus Student Resources page.

Instructor Information

Please see "Instructor Information" in the Getting Started Module for instructor contact information, virtual office hours, and other communication information. You can expect to receive a response from the instructor within 24-48 hours unless notified of extenuating circumstances.

Participation, Assessments, & Grading

Testing Procedures:

Timed quizzes and tests are provided online within the course. 

Grading Procedures:

Grades are based on how well the student's work demonstrates skills presented in each lesson. Portions of a student's work are team efforts, and grades for those will also reflect how well the team worked together to accomplish its goal. 

Grading Scale:
A900-1000 points
B800-899 points
C700-799 points
F699 or below

Students acquire points by successfully completing quizzes, tests, projects (both team and individual), discussions, and assignments. Some projects and all discussions also reflect a student's interaction with colleagues.

The majority of a student's work must receive an average grade (C range) at a minimum, or the student is not demonstrating the necessary skills to pass this course. Therefore, no "D" grade is assigned. 

Assignments and Projects:

Course work for this class consists of readings in the text, in the course presentations, and on links the course contains. The following are graded assignments: 

10 quizzes: Modules 1-6, 8-10, and 13. 10 points each100 points
2 Tests 100 points each200 points

Discussions for Modules 1,2,3,5,6,9,10.
(Mod. 1 = 10 points, the others = 15 points each)

100 points

Dropbox Assignments

  • Student information form (20 points)
  • ​Chunking Assignment (60 points)
  • Bullets Assignment (60 points)
  • Keywords Assignment (60 points)
  • PCI Job 1 (100 points)
  • PCI Job 3 (150 points)
450 points
Team Project - PCI Job 2 (150 points)150 points
Total1000 points

*Team project is submitted through course email as an attachment by the team leader. All members of each team must submit individual email reports also to complete this project. 

Class Participation:

Students are required to interact with colleagues via discussion postings and, most important, as part of a team assembling a multipart project. Participation--timely and professional--is essential for success

Late Policy:

Meeting deadlines in this course is crucial. In addition to upholding your responsibility to yourself to complete each lesson, you have a responsibility to your colleagues, particularly in responding to discussion topics by deadline and interacting through a four-week period on the team project. 

Course Ground Rules

The following two statements (1., 2.) were derived from the TBR System-wide Student Rules document, released January 2012:

RULES OF THE TENNESSEE BOARD OF REGENTS STATE UNIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM OF TENNESSEE SYSTEMWIDE STUDENT RULES CHAPTER 0240-02-03 STUDENT CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS

Read the document in its entirety here.

1. Standards of Conduct:

  • Students are required to adhere to the same professional, legal and ethical standards of conduct online as on campus. In addition, students should conform to generally accepted standards of "netiquette" while sending e-mail, posting comments to the discussion board, and while participating in other means of communicating online. Specifically, students should refrain from inappropriate and/or offensive language, comments and actions.

2. Review the TN eCampus Academic Integrity/Academic Honesty Policy:

  • In their academic activities, students are expected to maintain high standards of honesty and integrity. Academic dishonesty is prohibited.

Such conduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • an attempt by one or more students to use unauthorized information in the taking of an exam
  • to submit as one's own work, themes, reports, drawings, laboratory notes, computer programs, or other products prepared by another person,
  • or to knowingly assist another student in obtaining or using unauthorized materials.

Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited.

Students guilty of academic misconduct, either directly or indirectly through participation or assistance, are subject to disciplinary action through the regular procedures of the student’s home institution.  Refer to the student handbook provided by your home institution to review the student conduct policy.

In addition to other possible disciplinary sanctions that may be imposed, the instructor has the authority to assign an "F" or zero for an activity or to assign an "F" for the course.

Other Course Rules:

Students are expected to:

  • Participate in all aspects of the course
  • Communicate with other students
  • Learn how to navigate in Brightspace
  • Keep abreast of course announcements
  • Use the assigned course management (Brightspace) email address rather than a personal email address
  • Address technical problems immediately:
  • Observe course netiquette at all times.

Guidelines for Communications

Email:

  • Always include a subject line.
  • Remember without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way. Be careful in wording your emails. Use of emoticons might be helpful in some cases.
  • Use standard fonts.
  • Do not send large attachments without permission.
  • Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication.
  • Respect the privacy of other class members

Discussions:

  • Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion. Be a lurker then a discussant.
  • Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic.
  • Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group. Be respectful of other’s ideas.
  • Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks.
  • Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.
  • Be positive and constructive in group discussions.
  • Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.

Library

The Tennessee Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in TN eCampus programs and courses. Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases, interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete online assignments and as background reading will be included within the course modules. To access the Virtual Library, go to the course homepage and select the Virtual Library link under Course Resources.

Students with Disabilities

Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with their home institution's disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.

Syllabus Changes

The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes both by individual email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s) on the course bulletin board.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this syllabus is for general information purposes only. While we endeavor to keep this information up-to-date and accurate, there may be some discrepancies between this syllabus and the one found in your online course. The syllabus of record is the one found in your online course. Please make sure you read the syllabus in your course at the beginning of the semester. Questions regarding course content should be directed to your instructor.


Last Revised on July 12, 2021