Syllabus

QUICM 506dc Writing For Interactive Media

Course Description

This is the single course in the ICM program to focus exclusively on writing, from the basic mechanics to the latest Internet trends.

The original interactive communication form is vital in the new media environment. Words underpin every aspect of the Web, from search and navigation to links and code. Fundamental writing skills also develop critical thinking, establish credibility, and ground the individual’s voice and ideas in an increasingly fragmented landscape.

As institutions like the newspaper, television, and editor become more dynamic and the Internet places more responsibility on authors of all types, a solid grasp of the written word becomes more essential.

Students explore different mediums and forms from poems and scripts to tweets and YouTube rants. They are exposed to different communication theories from Aristotle’s ancient ideas on rhetoric to Andrew Keen’s current thoughts on the rise of the amateur.

Of course, students will write. Participants will pick an area of interest and practice the different forms through their exploration of this subject matter. The goal of this course is for each student to conceive of and execute a consistent and unique online voice.

The class will post, critique and hone one another’s written work through web forms such as blogs, wikis, tweets, pages, and audio and video files until each student has a searchable Internet presence the rest of us finds clear and distinctive. Students work under a pen name or pseudonym so they can experiment freely from their bylines.

Students should pick a pseudonym, create blog and Twitter accounts under that pseudonym, post a writing sample on the blog, and post the links to their accounts on the class blog before the first module is posted. Contact the professor with questions.

Objectives

  • Advance your ability to communicate plainly and persuasively.
  • Become familiar with differences and uses of various writing forms.
  • Concentrate on writing forms utilized in interactive and social media.
  • Further your understanding of variables within the changing media landscape.
  • Establish a clear and distinctive online presence.

Modules

See the itinerary.

Methodology

Every Monday night, students will be given access to an online learning module that includes readings, links and assignments. The class will create an online discussion using blog posts, comments, tweets and links to explore each module further. The class will also be divided into groups to critique one another’s work. We will use the #506iv hashtag to mark all work and items of interest.

The course is split in half. The first half concentrates on writing technique. The second half concentrates on practical writing applications. Students will choose from these techniques and forms to develop and create a unique Internet presence. They will hand in an online presence proposal for their midterm. Students will then execute this online presence proposal for their final.

I will do an online search of each of you at the beginning of the semester and then again at the end of the semester. By the end of the semester, you should have established (or improved) a distinct written voice on the Web.

Academic Integrity

Quinnipiac University Policy & Learning Center

Texts

Required:

Recommended:

Grading

Each assignment, including the midterm proposal and final execution, is given a points value and judged on mechanics, structure, tone and originality. Students earn most of that value based on the quality of their submission, but students can lose up to forty percent by failing to meet the assignment deadline.

For every day your assignment is late, you lose ten percent of your grade. Deadlines are important!

Assignments should also show growth from week to week. Just completing the work will not earn you an A. You must apply the concepts from the lectures and readings. A good writer is constantly evolving.

Each module is also given a points value. Students earn these points with their participation through weekly comments, critiques, tweets and blog posts. Contributions must be constructive.

The final grade is based on the total points of all the assignments and module discussions that one could possibly earn.

Grades will be posted and updated regularly on Blackboard.

Read the University Policy on Disabilities.