Notes on Introductory Course Policies and Concepts- Writing Class

Canvas, Platform, and Course Access

  • Welcome tone and emphasis on the class being required for the degree program.

  • How to access course materials: go to Canvas at

    • URL: canvas.american.educanvas.american.edu

    • There are apps available for Canvas; the instructor will demo some functionality.

  • Announcements and real-time updates:

    • In addition to the syllabus link, use Announcements for timely updates (e.g., cancellations, extra credit, final grade anchors).

    • Each class day, the instructor posts an agenda in Canvas; there is a section titled “for next time” at the end of the agenda to preview what to prepare for the next class.

    • The course schedule in the syllabus is not updated in real time; updates occur in Canvas where assignments are changed and the instructor posts announcements about those changes.

  • The author and event communications:

    • An email was sent about the writer’s witness text; Cultish is the book for discussion and an author event next week.

    • If you want to buy/borrow Cultish, you should do so soon to participate in the upcoming author event and related assignment.

    • After the event, there will be a shorter writing assignment; the topic will be revisited later in the semester.

  • General note on keeping up:

    • The instructor uses Canvas to keep everything current due to occasional syllabus errors or missing slides.

    • Expect updates and clarifications through announcements when things change.

Texts, Events, and Readings

  • Required text: Cultish (the writer’s witness text mentioned in an email); an author event is scheduled next week.

  • If you already have Cultish, you may still need to engage with the event material and related writing assignment.

  • Other readings/videos will be linked in the course agenda rather than in the syllabus; access via Canvas agenda links.

  • One book is required; all other materials will be linked in the agenda.

  • The course emphasizes texts as any communicative artifact (speeches, essays, news articles, videos, movies). This expands what counts as a text beyond traditional written works.

  • Foundational reading connection: Joseph Harris, Rewriting: How to Do Things with Texts, specifically the chapter “Coming to Terms.”

  • Core concepts from Harris used in class:

    • Aims: what the writer is trying to persuade or accomplish, including credibility for factual claims.

    • Methods: how the argument is structured (organization, sequence), the approaches used to convey the message.

    • Materials: the sources, lived experience, or any materials used to support the argument.

  • Practical example for teaching aims/methods/materials:

    • Birdhouse project analogy: materials = wood, nails, concrete; methods = blueprint, foundation, order of assembly; in writing, sources and personal experiences can be materials; the way you present information is the method.

  • Writing structure as a method example:

    • A common approach is a thesis, supporting paragraphs, and a concluding restatement (five-paragraph essay model) as a method for organizing thoughts and citing sources.

  • Class discussion strategy:

    • Ask students to guess the methods of an article when prompted; there is no single right answer—it's about analysis and participation.

  • Practical aim for class discussions:

    • Students should come prepared to discuss the assigned readings, articulating what the writer aims to achieve and how the text argues that aim.

AI Policy and Academic Integrity

  • Generative AI policy:

    • The instructor explicitly notes a policy against relying on generative AI for class assignments, due to academic integrity concerns and the nature of the assignments.

    • AI can be discussed in a broader sense (process, writing choices, authorship), but students should not use AI to produce final work.

  • Nuances to discuss in class:

    • The policy is intentionally nuanced and will be addressed as the semester progresses, given evolving debates about AI in writing and scholarship.

  • Personal process transparency:

    • If asked about the writing process, students should be able to explain their own decision-making and authorship to demonstrate originality.

Course Structure, Goals, and Pedagogy

  • Class format:

    • Emphasis on in-class discussion, small-group work, and whole-class conversations.

    • Activities may include games, peer review, free writing, or in-class readings/videos.

  • Attendance and participation:

    • In-person participation is central to learning; missing class leads to gaps in spontaneous group discussions that are hard to replicate via notes alone.

  • Office hours and accessibility:

    • Office hours are available both virtually and in person; the instructor uses Calendly to schedule appointments.

    • The first page of the syllabus includes the office location and a Calendly link; office hours are being set after moving into a new office.

  • Communication and responsiveness:

    • The teacher updates materials in Canvas in real time; students should rely on Canvas for the most current information.

Syllabus Highlights: Engagement, Assessments, and Grading

  • Major projects (three total):

    • Cultural criticism essay: intensive research on a topic, building expertise, and arguing a point in a scholarly paper (with a Works Cited page and citations).

    • Multimodal project: requires combining at least two modes (textual/linguistic, visual, aural, gestural, spatial) to convey a message.

    • Exercises: shorter writing assignments, including an initial Cultish-related assignment; points vary by length.

  • Readings and materials:

    • Cultish is the required book; other texts are linked in the agenda.

    • The works cited page and formal citation conventions are part of the cultural criticism essay.

  • Grades and points:

    • The course uses a total of 100100 points for the semester.

    • Passing grade: extCorbetterext{C or better}; you need a minimum of 7373 points to pass.

    • An A requires 9494 points or more.

  • Engagement component:

    • Engagement accounts for two points per week across 1414 weeks (excluding Thanksgiving week).

    • Total possible engagement points: 2imes14=2 imes 14 =28points,withThanksgivingweekexcludedfromthiscount.</p></li><li><p>Engagementisearnedbycompletingin−classwork,contributingtodiscussions,andbeingprepared.</p></li><li><p>Midtermandfinalassessmentscanreward“aboveandbeyond”engagementasadditionalpoints.</p></li></ul></li><li><p>Gimmepolicy(one−timepersemester):</p><ul><li><p>Ifyouhaveabadweek,youcanemailtheinstructortorequestaGimme.</p></li><li><p>OptionsfortheGimme:</p></li><li><p>Eithertakefullengagementpointsforthatweekdespitelowerperformance,orredoanexercise(mustbeturnedinbythedeadline)toreplacethescore.</p></li></ul></li><li><p>Attendancepolicydetails:</p><ul><li><p>Excusedabsences(peruniversityregulations)includemajorholidays,religiousholidays,medicalormentalhealthevents,disabilityaccommodation−relatedabsences,andvarsityathleticevents.</p></li><li><p>Fornon−excusedabsences,attendanceaffectsengagementandparticipationinin−classactivities.</p></li><li><p>Three“sickdays”persemester:youmaymissuptothreeclassmeetingswithoutpenaltyorexplanationrequired;thesedocounttowardattendance,butyouwillbetoldwhatworkyoumissedandhowtomakeitup.</p></li><li><p>Afterthreeabsences,theremaybeconsequencesforengagement;threemoreabsencescanleadtofurtherpenalties,uptoan“administrativefail”ifengagementisnotmaintained.</p></li><li><p>Arrivinglate:</p></li><li><p>Beingmorethantenminuteslateistreatedasnotbeingpresentatthestart;smalldelaysareacceptable,butregularlatearrivalsorleavingearlycanbecomeaproblem.</p></li><li><p>Accommodationsandexceptions:</p></li><li><p>Ifaccommodationsareneeded,communicatewiththeDeanofStudents;theinstructorwillworkwithyouwherepossible.</p></li></ul></li><li><p>Extensionsandlatework:</p><ul><li><p>DuedatesarepostedinCanvas;mostdeadlinesareat11:59PMlocaltime,unlessotherwisestated.</p></li><li><p>Extensionsonmajorprojectsarerarelyallowedandmustberequestedbeforethedeadline;theinstructorwillconsiderreasonableadjustments.</p></li><li><p>ExtensionsonexercisesaregenerallynotgrantedunlessthereisacasediscussedwiththeDeanofStudentsoranotherapprovedreason;traveldayswithin24hoursmaybeconsidered.</p></li><li><p>Ifyoumissclassorhavetroublemeetingdeadlines,communicatewiththeinstructorasearlyaspossibletoexploreoptions.</p></li></ul></li><li><p>In−classexpectationsandbehavior:</p><ul><li><p>Bemindfulofdeviceuse;noearbudsduringclassunlessaspecificexceptionismade;excessivedistractionmayleadtodevicebeingputawayorremovalfromclass.</p></li><li><p>Foodisusuallyallowed;loudordisruptivebehavior(e.g.,loudmusic)isdiscouraged.</p></li><li><p>In−classguidelinesareprovidedviaalinktodiscussionguidelines;thegeneralexpectationisthoughtfulness,respect,andmeaningfulparticipation.</p></li></ul></li><li><p>Studentsupportandresources:</p><ul><li><p>Theinstructoremphasizessupportforstudentsadjustingtocollegelife,newcampus,andnewcontexts;resourcesareavailableifyouneedhelpwithcoursematerialorcampusservices.</p></li><li><p>Thefirstclassplancentersondiscussingaims,methods,andmaterials,withopportunitiestoconnectreadingstoreal−worldmediaandculture.</p></li></ul></li></ul><h3collapsed="false"seolevelmigrated="true">FirstClassPlanandDiscussionFocus</h3><ul><li><p>AgendaforThursday:</p><ul><li><p>Beginwithaims,methods,andmaterialsasastartingpointfordiscussion.</p></li><li><p>InvitereactionstoCultishandtherelatedauthorevent;discusshowthetextinformsthecourse’sframework.</p></li></ul></li><li><p>Participationgoal:</p><ul><li><p>Theinstructorhopestohearmorefromstudentsinfutureclassesandplanstoemphasizecollaborativediscussion.</p></li></ul></li><li><p>Personalcontextsharing:</p><ul><li><p>Theinstructorintroducesthemselves(Wade,Morgan,Nick)andtheirpronouns;backgroundinfotoestablishclassroomcultureandcomfortwithaskingquestions.</p></li><li><p>Emphasisonbuildingcredibilityandinformingstudentsabouttheinstructor’sbackgroundandteachingphilosophy.</p></li></ul></li></ul><h3collapsed="false"seolevelmigrated="true">PracticalTipsforSuccessinThisCourse</h3><ul><li><p>StayonCanvasforthemostup−to−dateinformation;donotrelysolelyonthesyllabusforchanges.</p></li><li><p>Completethedailyagendaandreadorviewlinkedmaterialsbeforeclasstoparticipateeffectivelyindiscussions.</p></li><li><p>Prepareforin−classdiscussionsbythinkingabouttheaimsofthetextsandthematerialsusedtobuildarguments.</p></li><li><p>Engageinpeerreviewwithastructuredapproachasdescribedbytheinstructortoimprovewritingquality.</p></li><li><p>UsetheGimmeoptionsparinglyandstrategicallytomanagefluctuationsinworkloadorpersonalcircumstances.</p></li><li><p>Bemindfulofattendanceandengagementpolicies;communicateearlyifyouanticipateabsencesordelays.</p></li><li><p>UseCalendlytobookofficehours;takeadvantageofbothvirtualandin−personoptions.</p></li><li><p>WhendiscussingAI,focusonprocessandauthorshipratherthanrelyingonAI−generatedcontent;bepreparedtoexplainyourwritingdecisions.</p></li><li><p>Berespectfulandthoughtfulindiscussions,andrefertothediscussionguidelinesforexpectationsontoneandparticipation.</p></li></ul><h3collapsed="false"seolevelmigrated="true">MiscellaneousandClosingNotes</h3><ul><li><p>Theinstructormakesalight−heartedclosingremarkaboutpersonallife(e.g.,alaundry−relatedaside)tohumanizetheclassroomexperience.</p></li><li><p>Ifanyquestionsariseduringthecourse,studentsareencouragedtoreachout;theinstructoraimstobeapproachableandsupportiveasstudentsacclimatetocollegelife.</p></li><li><p>Afinalreminder:Cultishistherequiredtext,theauthoreventisupcoming,andadditionalrelatedassignmentswillbediscussedinclassandpostedinCanvas.</p></li></ul><h3collapsed="false"seolevelmigrated="true">SummaryofKeyReferencesandConcepts</h3><ul><li><p>Cultish(requiredtext)andanauthoreventnextweek.</p></li><li><p>Harris,Joseph.Rewriting:HowtoDoThingswithTexts.Chapter:ComingtoTerms.</p><ul><li><p>Aims,Methods,Materialsasaframeworkforanalyzingtexts.</p></li></ul></li><li><p>Ethos,Kairos,andrhetoricalanalysis:coreconceptsforunderstandinghowtextspersuadeaudiences.</p></li><li><p>Textsinclude:speeches,essays,newsarticles,videos,movies.</p></li><li><p>Theclassemphasizesreal−timeupdatesthroughCanvas,withthesyllabusactingasageneralguideratherthanafixedschedule.</p></li><li><p>AIpolicy:discouragerelianceongenerativeAIforassignments;emphasizeauthorshipandprocess.</p></li><li><p>Assessmentstructure:threemajorprojects,multipleshorterexercises,andanengagementcomponent,allcontributingtoatotalofpoints, with Thanksgiving week excluded from this count.</p></li><li><p>Engagement is earned by completing in-class work, contributing to discussions, and being prepared.</p></li><li><p>Midterm and final assessments can reward “above and beyond” engagement as additional points.</p></li></ul></li><li><p>Gimme policy (one-time per semester):</p><ul><li><p>If you have a bad week, you can email the instructor to request a Gimme.</p></li><li><p>Options for the Gimme:</p></li><li><p>Either take full engagement points for that week despite lower performance, or redo an exercise (must be turned in by the deadline) to replace the score.</p></li></ul></li><li><p>Attendance policy details:</p><ul><li><p>Excused absences (per university regulations) include major holidays, religious holidays, medical or mental health events, disability accommodation-related absences, and varsity athletic events.</p></li><li><p>For non-excused absences, attendance affects engagement and participation in in-class activities.</p></li><li><p>Three “sick days” per semester: you may miss up to three class meetings without penalty or explanation required; these do count toward attendance, but you will be told what work you missed and how to make it up.</p></li><li><p>After three absences, there may be consequences for engagement; three more absences can lead to further penalties, up to an “administrative fail” if engagement is not maintained.</p></li><li><p>Arriving late:</p></li><li><p>Being more than ten minutes late is treated as not being present at the start; small delays are acceptable, but regular late arrivals or leaving early can become a problem.</p></li><li><p>Accommodations and exceptions:</p></li><li><p>If accommodations are needed, communicate with the Dean of Students; the instructor will work with you where possible.</p></li></ul></li><li><p>Extensions and late work:</p><ul><li><p>Due dates are posted in Canvas; most deadlines are at 11:59 PM local time, unless otherwise stated.</p></li><li><p>Extensions on major projects are rarely allowed and must be requested before the deadline; the instructor will consider reasonable adjustments.</p></li><li><p>Extensions on exercises are generally not granted unless there is a case discussed with the Dean of Students or another approved reason; travel days within 24 hours may be considered.</p></li><li><p>If you miss class or have trouble meeting deadlines, communicate with the instructor as early as possible to explore options.</p></li></ul></li><li><p>In-class expectations and behavior:</p><ul><li><p>Be mindful of device use; no earbuds during class unless a specific exception is made; excessive distraction may lead to device being put away or removal from class.</p></li><li><p>Food is usually allowed; loud or disruptive behavior (e.g., loud music) is discouraged.</p></li><li><p>In-class guidelines are provided via a link to discussion guidelines; the general expectation is thoughtfulness, respect, and meaningful participation.</p></li></ul></li><li><p>Student support and resources:</p><ul><li><p>The instructor emphasizes support for students adjusting to college life, new campus, and new contexts; resources are available if you need help with course material or campus services.</p></li><li><p>The first class plan centers on discussing aims, methods, and materials, with opportunities to connect readings to real-world media and culture.</p></li></ul></li></ul><h3 collapsed="false" seolevelmigrated="true">First Class Plan and Discussion Focus</h3><ul><li><p>Agenda for Thursday:</p><ul><li><p>Begin with aims, methods, and materials as a starting point for discussion.</p></li><li><p>Invite reactions to Cultish and the related author event; discuss how the text informs the course’s framework.</p></li></ul></li><li><p>Participation goal:</p><ul><li><p>The instructor hopes to hear more from students in future classes and plans to emphasize collaborative discussion.</p></li></ul></li><li><p>Personal context sharing:</p><ul><li><p>The instructor introduces themselves (Wade, Morgan, Nick) and their pronouns; background info to establish classroom culture and comfort with asking questions.</p></li><li><p>Emphasis on building credibility and informing students about the instructor’s background and teaching philosophy.</p></li></ul></li></ul><h3 collapsed="false" seolevelmigrated="true">Practical Tips for Success in This Course</h3><ul><li><p>Stay on Canvas for the most up-to-date information; do not rely solely on the syllabus for changes.</p></li><li><p>Complete the daily agenda and read or view linked materials before class to participate effectively in discussions.</p></li><li><p>Prepare for in-class discussions by thinking about the aims of the texts and the materials used to build arguments.</p></li><li><p>Engage in peer review with a structured approach as described by the instructor to improve writing quality.</p></li><li><p>Use the Gimme option sparingly and strategically to manage fluctuations in workload or personal circumstances.</p></li><li><p>Be mindful of attendance and engagement policies; communicate early if you anticipate absences or delays.</p></li><li><p>Use Calendly to book office hours; take advantage of both virtual and in-person options.</p></li><li><p>When discussing AI, focus on process and authorship rather than relying on AI-generated content; be prepared to explain your writing decisions.</p></li><li><p>Be respectful and thoughtful in discussions, and refer to the discussion guidelines for expectations on tone and participation.</p></li></ul><h3 collapsed="false" seolevelmigrated="true">Miscellaneous and Closing Notes</h3><ul><li><p>The instructor makes a light-hearted closing remark about personal life (e.g., a laundry-related aside) to humanize the classroom experience.</p></li><li><p>If any questions arise during the course, students are encouraged to reach out; the instructor aims to be approachable and supportive as students acclimate to college life.</p></li><li><p>A final reminder: Cultish is the required text, the author event is upcoming, and additional related assignments will be discussed in class and posted in Canvas.</p></li></ul><h3 collapsed="false" seolevelmigrated="true">Summary of Key References and Concepts</h3><ul><li><p>Cultish (required text) and an author event next week.</p></li><li><p>Harris, Joseph. Rewriting: How to Do Things with Texts. Chapter: Coming to Terms.</p><ul><li><p>Aims, Methods, Materials as a framework for analyzing texts.</p></li></ul></li><li><p>Ethos, Kairos, and rhetorical analysis: core concepts for understanding how texts persuade audiences.</p></li><li><p>Texts include: speeches, essays, news articles, videos, movies.</p></li><li><p>The class emphasizes real-time updates through Canvas, with the syllabus acting as a general guide rather than a fixed schedule.</p></li><li><p>AI policy: discourage reliance on generative AI for assignments; emphasize authorship and process.</p></li><li><p>Assessment structure: three major projects, multiple shorter exercises, and an engagement component, all contributing to a total of100points.</p></li><li><p>Minimumtopass:points.</p></li><li><p>Minimum to pass:73points;toachieveanA:points; to achieve an A:94+points.</p></li><li><p>Engagementstrategy:+ points.</p></li><li><p>Engagement strategy:2pointsperweekforpoints per week for14weeks(excludingThanksgivingweek)=weeks (excluding Thanksgiving week) =28potentialpoints.</p></li><li><p>Attendancepolicy:excusedabsenceslimitedtouniversity−definedcategories;threesickdaysallowedwithoutpenalty;penaltiesapplyforadditionalabsences;latearrivalsanddeparturesmonitored.</p></li><li><p>Gimmepolicy:one−timepersemestertoaddressabadweekorincompletework.</p></li><li><p>Extensions:generallyallowedonlyifrequestedbeforethedeadline;mostduedatesareatpotential points.</p></li><li><p>Attendance policy: excused absences limited to university-defined categories; three sick days allowed without penalty; penalties apply for additional absences; late arrivals and departures monitored.</p></li><li><p>Gimme policy: one-time per semester to address a bad week or incomplete work.</p></li><li><p>Extensions: generally allowed only if requested before the deadline; most due dates are at11:59PM$$ on Canvas.

    • Major projects and expectations: cultural criticism essay (scholarly work); multimodal project (uses at least two modes); activities and peer review to support learning.