Syllabus

Discourse III: Civic and Community Engagement

Niki Casady

necwcb@mail.umkc.edu

Office location: Scofield Hall Room 104 

Office hours: Wednesday 3:00-4:00

Required Texts:

Art of Fact  ISBN: 978-0684846309 

https://www.amazon.com/Art-Fact-Historical-Anthology-Journalism/dp/0684846306/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1484509915&sr=8-1&keywords=art+of+fact

Course Description:

Civic and Community Engagement: Students will put the knowledge and skills learned in Discourse I and II into practical use by engaging in a project that is interdisciplinary and intercultural. Students will use strategies of critical discourse analysis and critical language awareness to target the appropriate audience/recipients for their service project, to develop innovative and rhetorically effective texts, and to reflect on their project’s purpose, methods, and consequences. This course is taught in close connection with the anchor course Civic and Community Engagement.

Individualized description:

This is the last writing and speech class you are forced to take.  I’m going to assume that you have learned the basics in Discourse I and II and now I want to give you the opportunity to explore your writing craft by picking something you love or are passionate about and exploring it in different ways.  You will practice academic writing, persuasive, argumentative, review, and interview.  

Student Learning Outcomes:

Discourse 300:

Students will demonstrate an ability to:

• Engage a community problem through multiple forms of discourse.
• Apply discourse analysis and language awareness.
• Use written and oral discourse to develop and present meaningful and interesting ideas that show the students’ voices, a willingness to take intellectual risks, and an ability to contribute to an academic conversation.
• Communicate skillfully in several genres and in response to the needs of different audiences.
• Create discourse through an advanced process that includes editing, proofreading, and revising multiple drafts.
• Evaluate their own and others' works and plan their own development as producers of discourse. 
• Locate, evaluate, organize and use research material from a broad range of sources and weave such sources into a longer interdisciplinary research project 
• Masterfully cite sources in a consistent professional style (MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.) and understand differences between citation styles. 

Core Assessment:

Discourse 300: Though there are different sections and instructors of Discourse 300, certain general expectations apply to every course: Discourse 300 students are required to research, draft, develop and complete a minimum of 24-28 pages of finished writing including at least two research essays, one of which will be related to the material from the associated Anchor III course in Community and Civic Engagement. Students are also required to research, draft, develop and present at least two formal speeches with a combined minimum total of 18-20 minutes. This work will be presented in a final summative portfolio at the end of the term. Constructive feedback and opportunities for comprehensive revision will be provided throughout. All formal work, written and spoken, will be graded using a rubric that applies the SLO's for Communications Skills and Information Literacy.

Grading Breakdown
40% Blogging
10% Final Paper
30% Discussion Leader and Speech
20% Homework

RooWriter

As stated in the UMKC catalog, candidates for all baccalaureate degrees must take the UMKC RooWriter writing assessment before they have completed 90 credit hours. Students may take the RooWriter at any time while enrolled at UMKC as a personal diagnostic, but it will only satisfy the undergraduate graduation requirement after a student has completed Discourse 200 (or equivalent). You can find previous editions of the catalog here. RooWriter also appears as a degree requirement on your major map and on your DARS report.

As you prepare for completing your undergraduate degree and life beyond UMKC, it is important to recall the value of transferrable skills, including written communication. According to the National Survey of Business and Nonprofit Leaders: Key Findings, “When hiring recent college graduates, employers place the greatest priority on a demonstrated proficiency in skills and knowledge that cuts across majors.  Of 17 outcome areas tested, written and oral communication, teamwork skills, ethical decision-making, critical thinking, and the ability to apply knowledge in real-world settings are the most highly valued by employers.  More than 8 in 10 employers give these outcomes a rating between 8 and 10 on a 10 point scale.”  The feedback you receive from the RooWriter Assessment will give you insight into how well you communicate with others, a critical piece of information for succeeding in your college courses and obtaining employment as a college graduate. 

RooWriter offers a current assessment of how prepared you are for the rigorous reading and writing requirements of an Anchor and Discourse 300 course that assumes completion of the Discourse II class in the 30-hour General Education Program. Also, Anchor and Discourse 300 instructors will have access to the RooWriter reports for students enrolled in their course, so they can efficiently provide writing advice and assistance throughout the course.

Educational Philosophy:

Attendance: 

Students are expected to attend and participate in classes. Advance notice of attendance policies of academic units and individual instructors should be given, and such notice should be in writing. 

Students should notify instructors of excused absences in advance, where possible. Students who have an excused absence are expected to make arrangements with instructors for alternative or make-up work. Such arrangements should be made in advance of the absence, where possible. 

****You are allowed 3 unexcused absences.  You can use them how you need to and I do not need to be told why or what.  However, USE THEM WISELY because after the first three, you are deducted 5% for each absence after that.  If you have 80% in the class and miss five classes, (3 free + 2 not) will result in 10% off your final grade.  Being late to class (more than 5 minutes) will be counted as 1/2 an absence.  

If you miss class more than 12 times, you may be administratively dropped from the class.****

Disability Support Services:

To obtain disability related accommodations and/or auxiliary aids, students with disabilities must contact the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities (OSSD) as soon as possible. To contact OSSD call 816-235-5696. Once verified, OSSD willaccommodation and/or auxiliary aids to be provided. For more information go to: http://www.umkc.edu/disability/.

Discrimination Grievances and Procedures: 

http://www.umsystem.edu/ums/rules/collected_rules/grievance/ch390/grievance_390.010 

http://www.umkc.edu/diversity/documents/complaintprocess.pdf

Academic Dishonesty: Plagiarism is the undocumented use of another’s ideas or words. In this course, you will learn how to conduct academic research, how to evaluate sources, and document them appropriately. Failure to adequately cite your research is plagiarism and is a serious offense that could jeopardize your future academic career. http://www.umkc.edu/provost/policies/academic-integrity-dishonesty-and-plagiarism.pdf

****If you are found to be plagiarizing in your final draft, all parts of the essay/blog (drafts, conferences) will also receive a 0****

Late Work:

You are expected to turn in assignments on time.  If you have technical difficulties (like you are unable to upload it to Bb), I expect you to send me proof that you competed the assignment on time (email it to me).  

Cell Phone: 

I understand using phones occasionally to look up something or to send an "I'm Busy" text, but excessive use--where you are no longer in class--I will give you one warning to put it away, one warning to put on the teacher's desk, and finally, I will ask you to leave and you will be counted absent.

Shit Happens:

I understand that sometimes life throws you for a loop and things happen beyond your control.  Keep me informed and we can work together to figure something out.  If I don’t know what is going on, I can’t help.  

Grade Appeals:http://www.umkc.edu/catalog/Procedure_for_Appeal_of_Grades.html

Writing Center:  http://cas.umkc.edu/writingcenter/

A & S Life Coach: For more information regarding this program, please visit the following website: aslifecoach@umkc.edu<mailto:aslifecoach@umkc.edu. 

Resources & Policy Statements

Academic Calendar: Students are encouraged to review important add, drop or withdraw dates: http://www.umkc.edu/registrar/acal.asp 

Academic Honesty: The Board of Curators of the University of Missouri recognizes that academic honesty is essential for the intellectual life of the University. Faculty members have a special obligation to expect high standards of academic honesty in all student work. Students have a special obligation to adhere to such standards. Academic dishonesty, including cheating, plagiarism or sabotage, is adjudicated through the University of Missouri Student Conduct Code and Rules of Procedures in Student Conduct Matters. 

(Academic units may have additional student codes of behavior to be referenced, i.e. Honor Codes.)

Academic Inquiry, Course Discussion and Privacy: 

University of Missouri System Executive Order No. 38 lays out principles regarding the sanctity of classroom discussions at the university. The policy is described fully in Section 200.015 of the Collected Rules and Regulations. In this class, students may make audio or video recordings of course activity unless specifically prohibited by the faculty member. However, the redistribution of any audio or video recordings of statements or comments from the course to individuals who are not students in the course is prohibited without the express permission of the faculty member and of any students who are recorded, including those recordings prepared by an instructor. Students found to have violated this policy are subject to discipline in accordance with provisions of Section 200.020 of the Collected Rules and Regulations of the University of Missouri pertaining to student conduct matters. 

Campus Safety: Inclement weather, mass notification, and emergency response guide: http://www.umkc.edu/umkcalert/ 

Counseling and Health Services Available at UMKC: UMKC students may experience many challenges in their lives while attending college – stress, depression, suicidality, trauma, relationship issues, health concerns, etc.  As your professor I care about your success and well-being, and want to make you aware of some helpful resources on campus. The UMKC Counseling Center(www.umkc.edu/counselingcenter), located at 4825 Troost in Room 206, offers a wide range of supportive services to students. Appointments can be made by calling 816.235.1635. UMKC Student Health and Wellness (http://info.umkc.edu/studenthealth/), located at 4825 Troost in Room 115, offers a full range of health care and promotion services.  Appointments can be scheduled online orSection 200.015 of the Collected Rules and Regulations. In this class, students may not make any audio or video recordings of course activity (including those recordings prepared by an instructor), except students permitted to record as an accommodation under Section 240.040 of the Collected Rules. All other students who record and/or distribute audio or video recordings of class activity are subject to discipline in accordance with provisions of Section 200.020 of the Collected Rules and Regulations of the University of Missouri pertaining to student conduct matters. 

Those students who have written permission from the course instructor to record are not permitted to redistribute any audio or video recordings of statements or comments from the course to individuals who are not students in the course without the express permission of the faculty member and of any students who are recorded, including those recordings prepared by an instructor. Students found to have violated this policy are subject to discipline in accordance with provisions of Section 200.020 of the Collected Rules and Regulations of the University of Missouri pertaining to student conduct matters.  

Disability Support Services: To obtain disability related accommodations and/or auxiliary aids, students with disabilities must contact the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities (OSSD) as soon as possible. To contact OSSD, call (816) 235-5696.  Once verified, OSSD will notify the course instructor and outline the accommodation and/or auxiliary aids to be provided.  For more information go to: http://www.umkc.edu/disability/ 

English Proficiency Statement: Students who encounter difficulty in their courses because of the English proficiency of their instructors should speak directly with their instructors. If additional assistance is needed, students may contact the UMKC Help Line at 816-235-2222 for assistance.

Grade Appeal Policy: Students are responsible for meeting the standards of academic performance established for each course in which they are enrolled. The establishment of the criteria for grades and the evaluation of student academic performance are the responsibilities of the instructor. 

The University grade appeal procedure is available only for the review of allegedly capricious grading and not for review of the instructor's evaluation of the student's academic performance. Capricious grading, as that term is used here, comprises any of the following: 

• The assignment of a grade to a particular student on some basis other than the performance in the course; 

• The assignment of a grade to a particular student according to more exacting or demanding standards than were applied to other students in the course; (Note: Additional or different grading criteria may be applied to graduate students enrolled for graduate credit in 300- and 400-level courses.) 

• The assignment of a grade by a substantial departure from the instructor's previously announced standards. 

Discrimination Grievance Procedures for Students: Discrimination Grievance Procedures for Students can be found here: http://www.umsystem.edu/ums/rules/collected_rules/grievance/ch390/grievance_390.010

Statement of Human Rights: The Board of Curators and UMKC are committed to the policy of equal opportunity, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability and status as a Vietnam era veteran. Commitment to the policy is mentored by the Division of Diversity, Access & Equity, but it is the responsibility of the entire university community to provide equal opportunity through relevant practices, initiatives and programs. 

Title IX: Under the University of Missouri’s Title IX policy, discrimination, violence and harassment based on sex, gender, and gender identity are subject to the same kinds of accountability and support applied to offenses based on other protected characteristics such as race, color, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, religion, age, ancestry, disability, military status, and veteran status. If you or someone you know has been harassed or assaulted, you can find the appropriate resources by visiting UMKC’s Title IX Office webpage (http://info.umkc.edu/title9/) or contacting UMKC’s Title IX Coordinator, Mikah K. Thompson (816.235.6910 or thompsonmikah@umkc.edu).  Additionally, you can file a complaint using UMKC’s online discrimination complaint form, which is located at http://info.umkc.edu/title9/reporting/report-online/.

While most UMKC employees are required to report any known or suspected violation of Title IX, students may seek confidential guidance from the following campus locations:

UMKC Counseling Service Volker Campus 4825 Troost Ave, Suite 206 Kansas City, MO 64110 Phone – (816) 235-1635

UMKC Counseling Service Health Sciences Campus Health Sciences Building 1418 2464 Charlotte Kansas City, MO 64108 Phone – (816) 235-1635 (open Tuesdays, 1-5pm)

Student Health and Wellness 4825 Troost Ave., Suite 115 Kansas City, MO 64110 Phone - (816) 235-6133

UMKC Connect: Important information is available to undergraduate students in UMKC Connect accessed through Blackboard.  Throughout the term, students may receive emails regarding course grades or academic performance. Students are expected to address information posted in a timely fashion.  This information may be shared with the student’s Success Network made up his or her academic advisor(s) and other campus resources so that UMKC may fully support the student’s success.  

College of Arts & Sciences Course Policies & Resources

Discrimination Grievance Procedures for Students: Discrimination Grievance Procedures for Students can be found here: http://www.umsystem.edu/ums/rules/collected_rules/grievance/ch390/grievance_390.010

 following campus locations:

UMKC Counseling Service Volker Campus 4825 Troost Ave, Suite 206 Kansas City, MO 64110 Phone – (816) 235-1635

UMKC Counseling Service Health Sciences Campus Health Sciences Building 1418 2464 Charlotte Kansas City, MO 64108 Phone – (816) 235-1635 (open Tuesdays, 1-5pm)

Student Health and Wellness 4825 Troost Ave., Suite 115 Kansas City, MO 64110 Phone - (816) 235-6133

UMKC Connect: Important information is available to undergraduate students in UMKC Connect accessed through Blackboard.  Throughout the term, students may receive emails regarding course grades or academic performance. Students are expected to address information posted in a timely fashion.  This information may be shared with the student’s Success Network made up his or her academic advisor(s) and other campus resources so that UMKC may fully support the student’s success.  

College of Arts & Sciences Course Policies & Resources

Please refer to the following web page and the linked resources for critical information regarding course policies and resources. You are expected to abide by all the rules and regulations regarding student conduct referenced in these pages. 

http://cas.umkc.edu/CPR/