English Composition 1102

Fall 2014
Dr. Joy Bracewell
Office: Clough, Room 447
Office hours: Wednesdays 2-4
p.m., and by appointment
[email protected]

F3: Reform in the 19th c.

COURSE OVERVIEW
What is this class about?
First, this class is about multimodal(Written, Oral, Visual, Electronic, and Nonverbal)
communication. It is about rhetoric and the processes used to produce effective
communication. Throughout the class, our primary focus will be on understanding what
makes communication in a wide variety of modes and media effective or ineffective and
transferring that understanding to your own work. Using a multimodal approach, this
course will consider how the print and information technologies available to nineteenthcentury progressives (and reactionaries) affected both the visual rhetoric and the tropes
constructed to define and raise awareness about the ills associated with slavery, factory
work, poverty, and prostitution. Just as college students now find themselves connecting to
(or disconnecting from) world networks in novel ways, in the nineteenth century,
developments in information dissemination, social organization, and technology created a
climate in which authors, cultural critics, and citizens grappled with how to envision their
roles within the new links created (and rifts exposed) by expanding communication
networks.
Through the processes of reading, critiquing, creating, and reflecting for this course,
students will learn to: employ terms important to critical communication; produce projects
in and out of class using processes that include discovering ideas and evidence, organizing
that material, and revising, editing, and polishing a finished project; generate and support a
challenging thesis; address projects to a range of audiences; understand the collaborative
and social aspects of the writing and production process; generate a sense of voice
appropriate to the subject, purpose, the context, and the readers and viewers
expectations; follow the conventions of standard edited English and accepted
documentation styles; and use electronic environments for drafting, reviewing, revising,
editing, and sharing texts.

What can I expect to learn?

This course is designed to improve your competence in written, oral, visual, electronic, and
nonverbal communication. Using the learning outcomes established by the University
System Board of Regents, and the Council of Writing Program Administrators, Georgia
Techs Writing and Communication Program has set the following desired learning
outcomes for ENGL1102:

Looms at the Fulton Bag Cotton Mill

Fulton Bag Collection, Georgia Tech Archives

What texts are we studying?

We will be using the Bedford Book of
Genres. You can purchase this book at the
campus bookstore.
We will be reading contextual overviews,
personal narratives, stories, and a history
all of which should be available for
purchase at any local bookstore or
available online in Canvas.
Contesting the New South Order, Clifford
Kuhn (2001)
We will also be reading various other materials, including articles, stories, and a Game
Manual. These texts will be available online or via library reserves or on Canvas.
You may have read/viewed some or all of the texts assigned for this class. If that is the case,
you should read/view them again. Often a second (third) reading/viewing gives you new
insights.
Reading and viewing assignments must be completed on the date due. Youll have assigned
reading/viewing to complete outside of class, so you need to schedule time to do it
carefully, often taking notes of your observations, questions, and reflections. Dont fall
behind. Class discussions and activities will be based on or extended from the assigned
reading/viewing and related activities, so always come to class with questions and
comments. The success and value of the discussions depend on your preparation and
engagement.
Beyond the expenses for required books, you can anticipate modest printing, photocopying,
or fabrication expenses related to a number of class projects.

What assignments will we complete?

Projects. During the course, you will create a range of multimodal artifacts: written, oral,
visual, digital, and nonverbal. For every project, you will receive a detailed assignment
sheet that includes assessment criteria.
Project #1: Podcast of Historical Context and Creative/Textual Analysis of 1,000-1,500
words where you work in pairs to develop a written script and podcast about labor in
the 19th c. by examining the processes by which legal documents and reports of the
nineteenth century were represented as social realities in narratives and fiction, which
you will share with a larger audience in a presentation about 5 mins. in length. Should

include written and oral modes. The detailed version of this assignment will be
provided during the third week of class. 15% of course grade (150 points).
Project #3: Print Design assignment consisting of a hand-crafting graphic print and a
justification narrative (length TBA; no more than 2,000 words) explaining the design
choices and inspiration for the material product. Should include written, visual, and
digital modes. The detailed version of this assignment will be provided during the fifth
week of class. 15% of course grade (150 points).
Project #2: Reacting to the Past Role & Essay-Speech of 1,000-1,500 words where you
will develop a concise explanation of your roles views in a persuasive and descriptive
speech lasting no more than 5 mins., along with a prerecorded video. Should include
oral, visual, non-verbal, written and digital modes. The detailed version of this
assignment will be provided during the seventh week of class. 20% of course grade
(200 points).
Project #4: Archival Composite Research Compilation assignment, length and media to
be determined. Should include written, oral, visual, digital, and nonverbal modes. The
detailed version of this assignment will be provided during the eleventh week of class.
20% of course grade (200 points).
Participation. Some of your required work, both individual and collaborative (including
commonplace entries) will be completed in-class and for homework, all part of your
participation grade, which will account for 10% of your course grade (100 points).
Attendance is a separate course requirement and does not count as part of your
participation grade. In addition to your Commonplace entries, these things count for your
participation grade:
Participation in class discussions
Participation in group activities
Homework
Critique sessions
Peer review
Informal presentations
Quizzes
The following schema will help you understand the grade breakdown for participation:
A: Lively engagement in discussions; Applies and/or challenges readings; Engages with
and/or motivates peers
B: Actively listens in class and occasionally comments; Good collaboration with classmates
C: Tends to look disengaged; Might use phone or laptop for purposes not related to class;
D: Sleeps in class; Rarely pays attention and/or is disruptive; Frequently tardy or absent;
Unprepared for peer review or group meetings
F: Sleeps through class when present, or disengaged; Disruptive

You are expected to bring your laptop and a copy of the required readings or writing
assignment to each class. This is a basic requirement for a C in class participation.
Your engagement in the scheduled peer review activities is also part of your participation.
I expect a high level of critical analysis of peer projects, some of which will happen in class
and some of which will occur electronically. You will receive more details on this as the
time approaches. As you learn more about composing various kinds of argument, you will
ideally improve in your ability to provide constructive feedback, so I expect this to be a
priority for you. Finally, your homework assignments and all reading quizzes that are
assigned will also count towards your participation grade.
Portfolio. You will work on your portfolio throughout the semester and complete it during
the WPFE. The portfolio will include revised examples of your best WOVEN work products
and your reflections about the processes to create and revise them. 20% of course grade
(200 points).

What tools are we using?

We will use the following digital tools to complete work for this course:
T-Square
Canvas
Adobe Illustrator
Google Docs
Wikis
Twitter and others, as need arises.
If you do not already have free user accounts for each of these services, you will need to
create them. You may create pseudonymous user accounts solely for use in this class, or
you can use existing accounts associated with your actual name. We will go over the basics
of sharing content via these tools in class as it becomes relevant. Ultimately, however,
learning how to use these tools is *your* responsibility. If you have questions, then you will
need to meet with me or a peer outside of class to discuss them. You can also consult any of
the other IT resources available on campus. In particular, note that your major assignments
(excepting the blog and the portfolio) will be posted on T-square, and you will be required
to use T-Square to turn them in.
The tools described above are those that you will definitely be required to use. In addition
to these tools, you will almost certainly need to make use of others, as appropriate, to
complete assigned work. For example, for your final project, you will build a collaborative
online portfolio of your work for this class using whatever web design tools are at your
disposal. In the event I dont specify a particular tool for a particular project, deciding
which tool or tools to use and acquiring proficiency with it/them will be your
responsibility.
If you ever have questions about what tools you should use for a particular project or how
to use them, you can make an appointment to discuss them with me, and you can also get
help from a number of IT resources on campus.

Technology use in-class should be related to what we are doing in class. Set your mobile
phone to vibrate. Do not answer your mobile phone unless it appears to be an emergency,
e.g., the call is from a child or elder care provider or a parent who would not call during
class except in case of emergency. Do not engage with social media or email unless I
specifically request that you do so as part of our in-class work.

Course Schedule
What are we doing?
Both reading and writing/presentation assignments are listed on the date due. Additional
readings will be added as the semester evolves. You will receive an updated schedule on a
regular basis, posted on Canvas.
Join: Accept your Canvas invitation to join the course and create a profile
Tuesday, 8/19
Syllabus, Intros: Homework_____________________________________________________
Read/Sign: Syllabus & the Consent Form, Georgia Tech WOVENText
Fact/Fiction
Supplement, Bedford Ch. 7 (366-392)
Order: Make sure to buy Bedford Book of Genres, ed. Braziller & Kleinfeld

Thursday, 8/21
Transatlantic
Industrialization
& Publishing
Contexts:
Contemporary
Fictions

Plagiarism /CommLab Tour/ Library

Homework_____________________________________________________
Read: Bedford Book of Genres: Ch 1 (4-12), Readings on Canvas: Charles
Dickens, A Paper-Mill (Household Words, 31 August 1850), The Paradise of
Bachelors and the Tartarus of Maids (Harpers, April 1855), and Contextual
Overviews.
The Truth of Fact, the Truth of Feeling by Ted Chiang
Read/Sign: Syllabus & Sign the Consent Form
Write: Commonplace Discussion #1

Tuesday, 8/26

Discuss Dickens & Melville, Chiang

Homework____________________________________________________
Read: Readings on Canvas: Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Cry of the Children,
Thomas Hood, Song of the Shirt, The Factory Girl, by Sarah Savage, and
Contextual Overviews.

3.0 COURSE POLICIES

What are the instructor's policies and expectations?
As a general rule, everyone in this class should treat everyone else with respect, and all
students should follow the student code of conduct.
As your instructor, I undertake to abide by my own policies as set out below, to treat all
students fairly and with respect, to create a classroom environment conducive to learning
and open discussion, and to be available during reasonable hours outside of class to clarify
student questions related to course projects and material.
As students in this class, you are expected to take the class seriously, to comply with the
policies set out below, to complete assigned readings and work in a timely and professional
manner, to create a classroom environment conducive to learning and open discussion, and
to take responsibility for your own learning.

Academic Honesty
Websters dictionary defines plagiarism as to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of
another) as one's own. To avoid any confusion that might arise when stealing isnt
involved, say when a student purchases a paper from an essay mill or borrows previous
work from a fellow sorority or fraternity member, I define plagiarism simply as passing off
the ideas, work or words of another as ones own.
If you engage in plagiarism or any other form of academic misconduct, you will fail the
assignment in which you have engaged in academic misconduct and may be referred to the
Office of Student Integrity, as specified by Georgia Tech policy. I strongly urge you to be
familiar with Georgia Techs Honor Challenge http://www.honor.gatech.edu/ as well
as the Office of Student Integrityhttp://www.deanofstudents.gatech.edu/integrity/
You should be familiar with the process for academic misconduct
http://www.deanofstudents.gatech.edu/integrity/academic_misconduct.php
Your projects should be appropriately documented as well as mechanically and
grammatically correct. If you quote or paraphrase, please use internal, parenthetical
citations (author, date, page for direct quotations) as well as an end-of-document works
cited list. Visuals as well as text must be properly cited. Not providing appropriate citations
is a kind of plagiarism. Professionals should be scrupulously careful about their citations.
Students who plagiarize will be dealt with according to the GT Academic Honor Code.
Except for group projects, students should complete all work for this class on their
own, with collaboration limited to peer review feedback as specified in the project
description.
You should always provide attribution whenever you incorporate the ideas, words, or
images of another in your own work.
All work turned in for credit in this class should be work that you have done
specifically for this class. Do not recycle old work or even new work completed for

another class. If you would like to build upon previous work or work that you are
doing in another class in an assignment for this one, please clear it with me first.
You should adhere to Georgia Techs honor code for all work related to this class.
Attendance
The Writing and Communication Program has a Program-wide attendance policy, which is
allows twice the number of weekly class meetings for absences without penalty, regardless
of reason. After that, penalties accrue. Exceptions are allowed for Institute-approved
absences and individually negotiated situations such as documented hospitalization or
documented family emergencies.
Attendance and active participation and engagement in class are required.
Students who have not done the reading and/or who do not actively participate
during the class period may be counted absent. Students may miss a total of three (3)
classes over the course of the semester without penalty.
The attendance policy does not make any distinction about the reason for your
absences. Only absences officially excused by the Institute (i.e., due to participation in
official GATech athletics, to religious observance, to personal or family crisis and
excused by a note from the Dean of Students) or those negotiated in advance will not
be counted among your allotted absences.
Students are responsible for finding out what they may have missed while absent.
Except for absences officially excused by the Institute or individually negotiated in
advance, I do not allow students to make up quizzes or in-class assignments.
Each additional absence after the allotted number will result in a deduction of onethird of a letter grade from a students final grade.
Students are expected to maintain their own attendance record; see me if you have a
question about how many classes you have missed according to my records.
I urge you not to take self-indulgent absences (e.g., not bothering to come to class, wanting
to sleep in). I encourage you to plan your time so that you dont disadvantage this class for
other parts of your life (e.g., studying for an exam, participating in a sports event, going
away for a long weekend). Academic work is important, so you dont want to miss this
class. Schedule jobs, study groups, team meetings, and other important commitments at
some time this class doesnt meet. Schedule job interviews so they do not conflict with this
class.
If you miss a scheduled oral presentation, you will receive a grade of 0 (thats zero) for
that presentation. If you miss any assignment, large or small, you receive a 0 for the
grade.
As a courtesy, please send me an email message if illness, an unexpected personal
emergency, or business obligations prevent you from attending class or a team meeting
(just as you would if you were going to miss work). Providing a reason is a courtesy, not an
excuse. Regardless of the reason for your absence, you are responsible for information
presented in classes you miss. Please check GA Techs position about class attendance:
http://www.catalog.gatech.edu/rules/4b.php

Grading
All grading is holistic.
To achieve a satisfactory grade on a project, you must complete the project.
Incomplete projects will receive an unsatisfactory grade.
This means students must complete every stage of a project in order to receive a
satisfactory (C or better) grade on that project.
Failure to complete any stage (draft, peer review, post-write reflection, etc.) of a
project will result in an incomplete project and an unsatisfactory grade (D or F) on
that assignment.
Similarly, since the projects are intended to build upon one another as students work
toward the final portfolio, failure to complete any of the individual projects may result
in an unsatisfactory grade for the course.
EVALUATION

LETTER GRADE

A+
A Superior workrhetorically,

NUMERIC EQUIVALENT
IN THIS CLASS

GA TECH
4-POINT EQUIVALENT

98-99
94-97

4.00

90-93
88-89
84-87

3.00

80-83
78-79
74-77

2.00

70-73
68-69
64-67

1.00

60-63
1-59

0.00

aesthetically, and technically

demonstrating advanced
understanding and use of the media
in particular contexts. An inventive
spark and exceptional execution.

AB+
B Above-average, high-quality
performancerhetorically,
aesthetically, and technically.

BC+
C Average (not inferior) work.
Competent and acceptable
rhetorically, aesthetically, and
technically.

CD+
D Below-average work. Less than
competentrhetorically,
aesthetically, and/or technically.

DF Failure to meet even minimum

criteria rhetorically, aesthetically,
and/or technically.

0 (zero) Work not submitted

0
Source: http://www.catalog.gatech.edu/rules/5a.php

0.00

Class Rubric
I will use the standard rubric of the Writing and Communication Program to evaluate and
review your work. This rubric will also serve as a model for how you will review peer work
and respond in writing to the work of your classmates as well as to your own work through
thoughtful, reflective writing. For particular assignments or projects there will be a revised

version of this rubric deployed with the assignment sheet containing additional criteria
that will be followed for evaluation of that particular assignment. All assignments will be
subject to the standards and criteria of this foundational class rubric. The standards of this
class rubric reflect standards found in the workplace of the fields and disciplines you will
be joining after you complete your education. Strive for the outcomes detailed here as if
you were engaged in the work of your chosen career path, with interest, passion, and hard
work. Some of your projects will engage with audiences larger than the population of this
classroom, so you should use this rubric as a guide to the standards of these larger
audiences with whom you will be interacting.
Late and missing work
Try to avoid late assignments. However, you can receive an extension for good cause if you
(1) contact me before the assignment is due by means of an e-mail in which you explain the
reason for the delay and (2) propose in the memo a reasonable deadline (less than one
week), which you then keep. The email in which you propose an alternative date functions
as a contract. Failure to keep the new deadline breaks the contract, and I won't accept your
assignment unless you can document extraordinary circumstances (e.g., youre
hospitalized). Use this option no more than once in a semester. Oral presentations are
excluded from this option; they are always due on the assigned date. Emergencies will be
dealt with on an individual basis.
Absent exceptional circumstances, failure to complete daily work or a project stage by
the date it is due will result in the student losing the full point value assigned to such
work.
Late is still better than never when it comes to project stages and the like, however,
because failure to complete the work associated with a particular stage or draft
altogether would result in an unsatisfactory grade on the overall project.
Similarly, since each project builds from previous projects and failure to complete any
one project may lead to an unsatisfactory grade for the course, turning a final draft in
late is better than not turning it in at all.
Any assignment that is not submitted will be recorded as a 0 (zero) and averaged with the rest
of your grades. This can damage your course average severely: For example, if you have
completed five assignments with a 92 average but dont submit a sixth assignment (which is
counted as a zero), your overall average will be a 77.
E-mail and appointments
You can always make an appointment to see me. You should schedule at least one
individual and one team appointment during the semester to review your progress up to
that point. Scheduling and following through with these appointments count toward your
participation grade.
You should also schedule an appointment and/or send email if you have concerns,
questions, or problems with any assignment. An individual conference can help you meet
your academic needs, so prepare an agenda of what you want to deal with during this time.
I prefer to use e-mail as a scheduling and notification tool. My email address is
[email protected]

Please begin the subject line of your e-mail message to anyone in the class with ENGL
1102 followed by the specific topic.
If you have a substantive question about the material that we are covering or your
work, please schedule a meeting with me.
If you miss class, check with your classmates.
If an emergency arises so you cannot make a scheduled appointment, please contact
me by email or phone.

Changes to the syllabus

This syllabus is a general plan for the course.
This syllabusespecially the required reading and assignment schedulemay be
modified as the semester progresses to meet course outcomes and address the needs
of members of the class.
In the event changes are necessary, I will make them in consultation with the rest of
the class and at least one week in advance of any affected due dates.
Discrimination and harassment
Georgia Tech does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, religion, national
origin, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. veteran. This class adheres to
those guidelines.
Alternative viewpoints are welcome in this classroom; however, statements that are
deemed racist, sexist, classist, or otherwise discriminatory toward others in the class
will not be tolerated.
No form of harassment, bullying, or discrimination is allowed in this class. No
harassment of any kind is allowed, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, color,
age, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation and identity, gender, marital
status, ability, and/or status as a U.S. veteran.
In keeping with the professional nature of this course, only professional behavior is
acceptable between the instructor and the students and among students.
Accommodation of students with disabilities
Georgia Tech complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act. Georgia Tech supports students through ADAPTS (Access Disabled
Assistance Program for Tech Students). Any student who may require an accommodation
for a documented disability should inform me as soon as possible or as soon as you become
aware of your disability.
Anyone who anticipates difficulties with the content or format of the course due to a
documented disability should arrange a meeting so we can create a workable plan for your
success in this course. ADAPTS serves any Georgia Tech student who has a documented,
qualifying disability. Official documentation of the disability is required to determine
eligibility for accommodations or adaptations that may be helpful for this course.
Prior to our meeting, if you have not already done so, please request that ADAPTS staff
verify your disability and specify the accommodation you will need. Please make sure I

receive a Faculty Accommodation Letter form verifying your disability and specifying the
accommodation you need. ADAPTS operates under the guidelines of Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Visit: Smithgall Student Services Bldg, Suite 210 on 353 Ferst Drive
Email: [email protected].
Call: 404-894-2563 (V); 404-894-1664 (TDD); 404-894-9928 (fax)
No retroactive accommodations will be provided in this class.
Week Preceding Final Exams (WPFE)
The Writing and Communication Program uses a consistent policy regarding the WPFE.
This course includes no quizzes or tests during the WPFE. All quizzes and tests will be
graded and returned or available for review on or before the last day of class
preceding final exam week.
No new assignments, other than work related to the portfolio, will be given during the
WPFE, and no assignments, other than work related to the portfolio, will be due
during the WPFE. All projects, other than the portfolio, will be graded and returned or
available for review on or before the last day of class preceding final exam week.
This course has no final exam. In lieu of a final exam, this course has a required
portfolio, which counts for 20% of your grade.
o You will work on your portfolio periodically throughout the semester.
o The portfolio will be completed during the WPFE, both in class and out of class.
o The portfolio will be due during Final Exam Week.
Why talk with my instructor?
Your instructor is the most important resource in the course. Talk with me regularlyboth
by visiting me during office hours and by corresponding via email. Do not wait until youre
having difficulty to initiate a conversation.
Where can I get help?
You have a number of resources available to you if you need help. For questions about
research or multimedia tools, the professional library staff members are a wonderful
source of information. Tech has a subscription to Lynda.com, where you can find excellent
tutorials for an astounding variety of software applications. Your peers can answer
questions about what we covered in class, readings, and projects. If you need background
information about a text, you can often find it in the library or by searching on the web.
The Communication Center is located in Clough Commons, Suite 447. It is an excellent
resource if you need help with a project. You can visit the Communication Center for help at
any stage of the process for any communication project (paper, presentation, report,
website design, blog, etc.) in this or any of your classes. The knowledgeable and friendly
tutors are available to help you develop and revise your projects. They are not available to
fix them. So, for example, please do not ask the tutors to proofread or edit your projects.
For information on making an appointment please visit this website. If you need assistance
with the appointment system, you can call 404-385-3612 or stop by the Communication
Center. All services are free and confidential. Your work in the Communication Center is
not reported to any faculty members or academic advisers. I work as a tutor in the Center,

but the Center has a policy against instructors tutoring their own students, so you cannot
schedule an appointment to see me as a tutor there.
Please dont hesitate, though, to make an appointment to see me outside of my scheduled
hours at the Center, as your instructor.
What do I do when technology fails?
The projects you create in this course should be creative, accurate, provocative, relevant,
engaging, and rhetorically sensitive.
Specific requirements for assignments will be discussed in class. All assignments must be
computer generated (no handwritten or typed documents). Keep a copy of all assignments
you pass in. Sometimes you will be asked to also submit a digital version and a print
version. Please use MSWord for your word processing.
Maintain a cumulative file (hard copy as well as computer file) that includes all your
assignments (drafts and final version). This file serves as a base for you to judge your
improvement during the semester and to select samples for your portfolio.
Keep your drafts on your hard drive with a backup DVD. Prepare for electronic disasters by
always having backups. Number the drafts as you revise your drafts (e.g., task.1, task.2, and
so on). Do not delete assignment files after you submit the assignment. Keep your course
files as demonstrable evidence that you are a skillful communicator, but ifagainst my
adviceyou decide to delete your course files, please keep them at least until you have
received your final, official grade for the course.

PLEASE READ, SIGN, AND RETURN THESE STATEMENTS TO DR. BRACEWELL.

I affirm that I have read the entire syllabus and policy sheet for ENGL 1102 and understand the
information and the responsibilities specified.
____________________________________________
print full name
____________________________________________
legible signature
____________________________________________
date

DIRECTIONS: Read carefully and check all that apply.

I give my instructor, Joy Bracewell, permission to use copies of the work I do for this course,
ENGL 1102, as examples in presentations and in print and electronic publications.
I do not want my work used as examples in any situations.

If you give permission for your work to be used, please indicate how you want to be acknowledged:
Please acknowledge me by name.
Please use my work, but do not acknowledge me by name.
The following information enables me to contact you if your work is used.

_________________________________________________________________________
print full name
_________________________________________________________________________
legible signature
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
print permanent address
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
print campus address
_________________________________________________________________________
phone
_________________________________________________________________________
email address
_________________________________________________________________________
date