WRTC

 510:  Seminar  in  Technical  and  Scientific  Communication  

This  document  outlines  the  main  class  policies.  For  information  about  specific  assignments  and  the  
class  schedule,  please  visit  the  class  website.  

Instructor  Information  

Dr.  Pavel  Zemliansky  

School  of  Writing,  Rhetoric,  and  Technical  Communication  
Office:  2285  Harrison  Hall  
Office  Hours:  TTh,  9.30am-­‐12.00pm,  and  by  appointment  
e-­‐mail:  zemliapx@jmu.edu  (preferred  method  of  getting  in  touch)  
office  phone  number:  568-­‐7056  
class  website:  www.pz-­‐writing.net/wrtc510  

 
Course  Description  from  the  JMU  Graduate  Catalog  

 WRTC  510  is  a  foundations  course.  It  is  a  study  of  the  theories  and  history  of  technical  and  
scientific  communication  and  its  major  figures  and  issues.  The  course  introduces  students  to  
foundational  texts  in  the  field.  

 
Course  Goals  and  Objectives  

The  main  question  for  investigation  in  this  class  is  “What  is  Technical  and  Scientific  
Communication  as  a  Field  of  Practice  and  of  Study?”  Most  of  our  efforts  this  semester  will  be  
directed  at  exploring  this  question.  

This  class  is  a  seminar  and  the  word  "seminar"  implies  active  and  lively  discussion  of  important  
issues  by  everyone.  Therefore,  the  success  of  this  class  as  well  your  individual  success  in  it  
depends  heavily  on  the  level  of  your  engagement  every  time  we  meet.  For  more  information  on  
participation  requirements,  please  see  below.  

 By  the  end  of  the  course,  the  students  will:  

• Know  the  main  theories  and  trends  in  contemporary  technical  and  scientific  communication  

• Gain  a  historical  perspective  of  the  discipline  

• Be  able  to  advance  arguments  about  the  discipline  through  independent  research  and  
writing  

 
Required  and  Recommended  Texts  

• Central  Works  in  Technical  Communication.  Eds.  Johnson-­‐Eilola  and  Selber.  Oxford  
University  Press,  2004.  The  book  is  available  at  the  JMU  bookstore.  

• Digital  Literacy  for  Technical  Communication,  ed.  Rachel  Spilka    

• Rhetoric  and  Technology  Transfer,  by  Stephen  Doheny-­‐Farina  (recommended)  

• Online  articles  which  I  will  post  on  the  class  website  as  needed  

 
Course  Projects  

For  detailed  descriptions  of  each  project,  please  visit  the  Units  and  Assignments  section  of  the  
website.  

• In-­‐class  and  online  participation  20%  

• Exploratory  paper  20%  

• Collaborative  case  study  report  40%  

• Final  Project  40%  

 
Evaluation  of  your  Work  

You  can  find  the  evaluation  criteria  for  each  project  in  the  Units  and  Assignments  section  of  the  
class  website.  However,  as  a  general  policy,  to  receive  an  "A"  in  this  class,  you  will  need  to  exceed  
the  minimum  standards  and  expectations.  Any  time  you  have  a  question  about  either  
evaluation  criteria  for  a  particular  assignment  or  about  your  standing  in  the  class,  please  do  
not  hesitate  to  talk  to  me.  It  is  your  responsibility  to  understand  evaluation  criteria  for  
every  assignment  and  project.  

 
Attendance  and  Participation  

Attendance  in  this  class  is  mandatory.  You  are  allowed  two  absences,  no  questions  asked.  Any  
more  absences  will  result  in  a  lower  participation  grade.  If  you  do  miss  a  class,  you  are  still  
responsible  for  doing  the  homework  and  coming  to  the  next  meeting  prepared.  

 
Academic  Integrity  

As  members  of  the  JMU  community,  we  must  follow  the  JMU  Honor  Code  .  Needless  to  say,  any  
attempts  at  plagiarism,  fabrication  of  data,  or  collusion  will  be  dealt  with  severely  and  swiftly.  

 
Late  Work  

 I  do  not  accept  late  work,  regardless  of  the  project,  unless  an  extension  has  been  arranged  with  
me  before  the  submission  deadline.    Late  work  will  receive  grade  deductions.  

   
Americans  with  Disabilities  Act  Information  

 If  you  require  special  accommodations,  please  provide  a  letter  from  JMU's  Office  of  Disability  
Services  during  the  first  week  of  class.  

   
Inclement  Weather  Policy  

 To  find  out  about  weather-­‐related  closings  and  delays,  please  visit  the  JMU  website  or  call  JMU  
weather  like  on  the  morning  of  the  class