WRT 105: Practices of Academic Writing

Fall 2018
Dr. Rusty Bartels, he/him/his
Email: rrbartel@syr.edu
Office: H.B. Crouse Hall 208
Office Hours: Monday & Friday 1:00 – 3:00 pm and by appointment

Section #010 Section #021 Section #041 Section #062

MWF 8:25 – 9:20 MWF 9:30 – 10:25 MWF 10:35 – 11:30 MWF 11:40 – 12:35
Link Hall 114 Sims Hall 241 Sims Hall 241 Life Science Bldg 100

Course Description
In WRT 105 writing and rhetoric, particularly as they relate to genre, are both a subject of
inquiry and the primary activity. Students compose, revise, edit and reflect on their writing
with the support of teachers and peers. Students also engage critically with the opinions and
voices of others, as they are encouraged to understand how their writing can have
consequences. Students explore composing as it relates to different social contexts and
media. As students inquire into composing in contexts, they understand their own writing and
development with heightened awareness, with the goal of adopting an agile, adaptive,
resourceful stance toward future writing situations in academic, professional and civic realms.

Learning Outcomes
• Writing as Situated Process
Students will practice a range of invention and revision strategies appropriate to various
writing situations.

• Writing with Sources

Students will be introduced to primary and secondary research, utilize various library
resources, evaluate sources, and synthesize and apply research in accordance with
citation, genre conventions and ethical standards.

• Writing as Rhetorical Action

Students will gain knowledge of rhetorical principles and practice addressing different
audiences and situations.

Bartels_WRT105_F18 1
 • Writing as Academic Practice
Students will build their familiarity with values, strategies, and conventions related to a
range of academic contexts and disciplinary conversations.

• Writing as Social Practice

Students will analyze, reflect on, and practice the dynamic use of language in diverse
contexts and recognize issues of power, difference and materiality.

Course Readings
All course readings will be available on the course website (http://bartelswrt105.weebly.com)
under “Course Readings.” You are expected to have a copy of the reading due for each class
period with you for that class, whether printed out or on a device (preferably not a phone).

Attendance and Participation

Writing studios are courses in language learning, and language is learned in communities;
therefore, it is essential that you attend class and participate. Absences and lack of preparation
for class will affect your classmates work as well as your own. The work you do in class, the
work you do to prepare for each class, is as important as any polished assignment you turn in
for a grade.

• If you miss class you must email me and let me know as soon as possible. As long as you
communicate with me, your absence is excused.
• If you miss more than one class in a row (e.g. because you are sick) you must email me
about EACH DAY you are absent.
• Any missed classes without communication will count as an unexcused absence.
• If you miss the equivalent of three weeks of classes or more without communicating
with me (i.e. they are unexcused absences), you will not pass the course.
• If I believe that you are chronically missing class, with or without communication, I will
issue an Orange Success Flag and reach out to you.

At the end of it all, when in doubt, COMMUNICATE! I can’t help you if you aren’t
communicating with me.

Classroom Conduct
I expect all students to be respectful to each other and to the instructor. This means, among
other things, paying attention to the person speaking, not engaging in side conversations, and
contributing positively to the classroom environment. As part of promoting a respectful

Bartels_WRT105_F18 2
atmosphere, I ask that all cell phones be either turned off or on silent and that students refrain
from texting and messaging (including on your computers). I understand that sometimes
emergencies come up, so if you do need to take a call, please quietly step outside of the
classroom.

I can tell when you’re not using your electronics for class work.

Grades & Assignments

Your grade for the course will be determined by successful completion of the following
assignments. All graded work must be original (no plagiarism!) and submitted in order to pass
the course.

To share anything on Google Drive with me, please send it to the following email address:
rrbartel@g.syr.edu

Assignments
Assignment #1 20%
Assignment #2 20%
Assignment #3 20%
Final 25%
Reading Responses (3) 10%
Participation in Studios, Workshops, and Peer Reviews 5%

To submit your assignments you will do so via Google Drive. If you wish to keep your school
work in a separate account, every SUID comes with a google log-in. To log-in to google, use your
SUID email EXCEPT add a g, so that the ending looks like this: @g.syr.edu (review my google
drive contact information above an example). All assignments are due at the beginning of class
on the day indicated.

By the second day of class (Wednesday, August 29th), please create a folder in google drive that
is shared with me. I will need permission to add suggestions (at the very least) to those
documents. This is where you will be uploading your assignment submissions for the semester.
When you create the folder, please also upload a text document with written text (e.g. “this is a
test”) so that I can verify the settings for my access. Consider this your first assignment, and
part of your “participation” grade.

Grades

All assignments are graded using letter grades.

(continued on reverse)

Bartels_WRT105_F18 3
For the purposes of grade calculations, the following letters to percentages apply:

A+ = 100 A = 95 A- = 91 B+ = 88 B = 84.5 B- = 81 C+ = 78
C = 74.5 C- = 71 D+ = 68 D = 64.5 D- = 61 F = 50
* missing assignments will be given a 0

As our assignments contain multiple parts, if a part is missing, the assignment will automatically
be deducted one letter grade for each missing portion. For example, if you fail to turn in a
reflection with your assignment, and the composition itself deserves a B+, you will receive a C+
for the assignment as a whole.

Late Policy
• All assignments are expected to be turned in and completed by the time and date as set
out in the syllabus.
• If you need an extension – ask! I am happy to grant extensions as long as you ask for
one, but I will only grant one extension per assignment.
• If you submit an assignment late without asking for an extension, it will be late.
• If you requested an extension and submitted your assignment after your revised
deadline, it will be late.
• The late penalty is as follows:
o All late work will lose 1 letter grade, regardless of how late it is.
o Late work may be submitted up until the last day of class before finals week.
o Late work may receive less detailed feedback.

E-mail Policy
I do my best to respond to emails within 24 hours Monday-Friday. If it has been more than 24
hours and you have not gotten a response from me, please send me a follow up email.

Accommodations
If you believe that you need academic adjustments (accommodations) for a disability, please
contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS), visit the ODS website
(http://disabilityservices.syr.edu), located in Room 309 of 804 University Avenue, or call
(315) 443-4498 or TDD: (315) 443-1371 for an appointment to discuss your needs and the
process for requesting academic adjustments. ODS is responsible for coordinating disability-
related academic adjustments and will issue students with documented Disabilities
Accommodation Authorization Letters, as appropriate. Since academic adjustments may

Bartels_WRT105_F18 4
require early planning and generally are not provided retroactively, please contact ODS as soon
as possible.

The Writing Center

Experienced writing consultants at the Writing Center (101 HB Crouse Hall, on the Quad) can
teach you how to succeed on individual assignments and ultimately become a better writer.
They’re prepared to work one-on-one with you at any stage of your process and with any kind
of writing you’re attempting while attending SU. Whether you need help understanding an
assignment, brainstorming ideas, revising subsequent drafts, or developing editing strategies,
face-to-face and online appointments are available for 25- or 50-minute sessions throughout
the semester and can be reserved up to seven days in advance via their online scheduling
program, WCOnline. In addition, drop-in appointments are welcome Monday through Thursday
from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and brief concerns or questions can be emailed to consultants via
the eWC. For more information on hours, location and services, please visit http://wc.syr.edu.
This is a free resource to all students and highly recommended for every assignment you work
on in this class.

Academic Integrity Policy

Syracuse University’s Academic Integrity Policy reflects the high value that we, as a university
community, place on honesty in academic work. The policy defines our expectations for
academic honesty and holds students accountable for the integrity of all work they submit.
Students should understand that it is their responsibility to learn about course-specific
expectations, as well as about university-wide academic integrity expectations. The policy
governs appropriate citation and use of sources, the integrity of work submitted in exams and
assignments, and the veracity of signatures on attendance sheets and other verification of
participation in class activities. The policy also prohibits students from submitting the same
work in more than one class without receiving written authorization in advance from both
instructors. Under the policy, students found in violation are subject to grade sanctions
determined by the course instructor and non-grade sanctions determined by the School or
College where the course is offered as described in the Violation and Sanction Classification
Rubric. SU students are required to read an online summary of the University’s academic
integrity expectations and provide an electronic signature agreeing to abide by them twice a
year during pre-term check-in on MySlice.

Student Writing
Your work will be used for educational purposes during the current semester. For example, you
may be asked to share your work with a peer, the class, or with me during classroom activities

Bartels_WRT105_F18 5
or for homework. Your work may also be used in program assessment. Your registration and
continued enrollment constitute your permission. When used in assessment or other
educational purposes your work will always be rendered anonymous (all names will be
removed).

Religious Observance
SU’s religious observances policy, found at
http://supolicies.syr.edu/emp_ben/religious_observance.htm , recognizes the diversity of faiths
represented among the campus community and protects the rights of students, faculty, and
staff to observe religious holy days according to their tradition. Under the policy, students are
provided an opportunity to make up any examination, study, or work requirements that may be
missed due to a religious observance provided they notify their instructors before the end of
the second week of classes. For fall and spring semesters, an online notification process is
available through MySlice/Student Services/Enrollment/My Religious Observances from the
first day of class until the end of the second week of class.

Orange Success
This class will participate in Orange SUccess, which promotes student success through
coordination and communication among students, instructors, advisors, and campus support
service departments. If I observe that you are experiencing difficulties in the course
(attendance concerns, low test scores or participation, in danger of failing, etc.), I may send an
email to your syr.edu email account through the Orange SUccess system. My message will tell
you about my concerns and ask you to meet with me or an academic advisor. Your advisor
and/or I will work with you to create success strategies to address any difficulties you are
having. In addition, if I observe that you are doing well in my course, you may also receive
“kudos” from me acknowledging your efforts.

Orange SUccess may involve taking advantage of various campus support services, such as
academic tutoring or advising. If I recommend that you use campus support services, I or your
advisor will redirect you to that support office so they will be better prepared to assist you.
Orange SUccess provides essential notices by email and/or text. Please check your syr.edu
account frequently and respond quickly if you receive an email from Orange SUccess.

Note that independent testing has shown that Orange SUccess is now compliant with
international accessibility standards (WCAG 2.0). Please see the Orange SUccess website for
additional details: http://orangesuccess.syr.edu/aboutus/accessibility-update/ We appreciate your
ongoing dedication and support to our students and their academic success at Syracuse
University. Please contact us with any questions or concerns at orangesuccess@syr.edu.

Bartels_WRT105_F18 6
COURSE SCHEDULE
Monday Wednesday Friday
Week 1 Introductions Exploring Literacy Diverse Language,
Aug. 27 Diverse Literacy
Reading: none Reading: “What’s
Literacy?” Reading: “Students Right
to Their Own Language”
Create Google Drive class
folder & give access to
professor
Week 2 NO CLASS - HOLIDAY Literacy and Identity Studio Assignment #1
Sept. 3
Reading: Anzaldúa Reading: none

Reading Response 1 Due

Week 3 Exploring Literacy Workshop Assignment Writing Process - Drafts
Sept. 10 Narratives #1
Reading: Lamott
Reading: DALN Literacy Reading: none
Narratives (daln.osu.edu)
Week 4 Peer Review Assignment Writing Process – Introduce Unit 2
Sept. 17 #1 Revisions
Reading: none
Reading: none Reading: Tomlinson
Assignment #1 Due
Week 5 What’s Genre? Genre as a way of being Navigating Genres
Sept. 24
Reading: “What’s Reading: Heilker Reading: Dirk
Genre?”
Week 6 Exploring Memes as a Genre Analysis Studio Assignment #2
Oct. 1 Genre
Reading: Bawarshi & Reading: none
Reading: Wiggins & Reiff
Bowers
Reading Response 2 Due
Week 7 Discourse Communities Workshop Assignment Situation & Context of
Oct. 8 #2 Genre
Reading: Swales
Reading: none Reading: Gee
Week 8 Peer Review Assignment Method & Analysis in Introduce Unit 3
Oct. 15 #2 Discourse Communities
Reading: none

Bartels_WRT105_F18 7
 Reading: none Reading: Devitt,
Bawarshi, & Reiff Assignment #2 Due
Week 9 What is Argument? How Academics Think Entering the
Oct. 22 About Argument Conversation
Reading: Jones
Reading: Belcher Reading: They say/I say
intro
Week 10 Rhetoric of Invention Visual Argument Studio Assignment #3
Oct. 29
Reading: Leith Reading: Birdsell &
Groarke (1996)

Reading Response 3 Due

Week 11 Images as Rhetoric Workshop Assignment Images as Signs
Nov. 5 #3
Reading: Barthes Reading: Danesi
Week 12 Peer Review Assignment An update and reflection TBD
Nov. 12 #3 on visual argument
Reading: none
Reading: Birdsell &
Groarke (2007) Assignment #3 Due
BREAK NO CLASSES THIS WEEK
Nov. 19
Week 13 Review Final Portfolio Studio Final Portfolio Workshop Final Portfolio
Nov. 26 Requirements
Reading: none Reading: none
Reading: none
Week 14 Peer Review – Revision Peer Review – Last Day of Classes
Dec. 3 Portion Supplement Portion
No Required Attendance
Reading: none Reading: none
I will be in the classroom
& happy to facilitate
conversations,
workshopping, peer
review, and answer
questions

FINAL PORTFOLIO DUE:

• Section #010: Monday, 12/10 10:00 am
• Section #021: Thursday, 12/13 7:15 pm
• Section #041: Thursday, 12/13 2:15 pm
• Section #062: Friday, 12/14 5:00 pm

Bartels_WRT105_F18 8