Rhetoric 5111-001: Scientific and Technical Presentations
Dr. Bernadette Longo
Spring 2004: TTh 2:45- 4:00 p.m., VoTech R280

COURSE DESCRIPTION
In this course you will learn about audience analysis, media selection and message design through various theoretical perspectives, including cognitive, social construction, and cultural theories. You will also learn about usability testing and contextual inquiry as means to study the effectiveness of messages. In addition, you will learn design strategies for effective visual display of scientific and technical information.

TEXT
Albers, Michael, and Beth Mazur. Content and Complexity: Infoermation Design and Technical Communication. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Earlbaum Assoc. 2003.

Tufte, Edward R. Visual Explanations: Images and Quantities, Evidence and Narrative. 4th ed. Cheshire, CT: Graphics Press, 2000.

PARTICIPATION AND ATTENDANCE
Participation is essential because you will do much of the course work online, as well as in class. You can have one absence (excused or unexcused) in a face-to-face class session during the semester without penalty. After that, I will deduct 5 points for each absence from two to three. If you are absent more than three times, I will lower your course grade. You also need to complete online assignments on time. Each late assignment will have 25% of the maximum point value deducted for each day it is late, including weekends.

The only exceptions to this attendance policy, according to UMN policy, are verified illness, participation in athletic or other UMN-sponsored events, serious family emergencies, subpoenas, jury duty, military service, religious observance. These absences must be documented to be considered exceptions to this attendance policy.

Work missed because of an absence cannot be made up unless due to an extended illness, personal crisis or a pre-approved documented absence. Chronic lateness may be counted as an absence. If I am late to class, please wait ten minutes after the beginning of class. I will notify you if class is cancelled.
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COURSE POLICIES
Much of the course work will be distributed and handed in via WebCT. You need access to a computer with an Internet connection to complete the assigned coursework. You will also need Microsoft Office software and could use web design software such as Dreamweaver or Front Page, with FTP capability.

Technical communication relies heavily on collaboration. It would be unrealistic of me to expect you to work in isolation. I encourage you to bounce ideas off each other, offer each other suggestions, and seek other opinions about your work. When you use the work of someone else, though, document your source. If you have questions about plagiarism as you complete your work, ask me. I will pursue plagiarism cases according to UMN policy for academic dishonesty and reserve the right to fail a student in the course for plagiarism, i.e., using other people's work without proper documentation and citation.
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COURSE ASSIGNMENTS (1000 possible points)
All assignments must be completed for you to pass the course.

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GRADING
Your assignment grades will be given in points. The maximum points possible in the course is 100. Your
final course grades will be assigned according to the following scale:

If you have questions about the UMN grading policy, more information is available at http://www.umn.edu/usenate/policies/gradingpolicy.html

This syllabus and the due date schedule may be revised by the instructor at any time during the semester. All revisions will be reasonable and based on class needs.
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