Seminar: Writing & Mass Communications
A Team-Project Workshop for Students About to Enter
Writing and Communications Professions
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Projects
Construct a Web-page for Professionals in Your Field
This project is intended to guide you through the process of developing a page of resources you can use for your own job search and ongoing professional development; as well as for others in your field. The resources on your page will provide a basis for some of our class discussions. On a technical level, it will also provide you with a way of learning and developing skills in writing, design, and web page construction. Last but not least, your web page may prove useful as a sample you can include in your portfolio.
The page you develop will include: an analysis of necessary skills, background and personal characteristics required in this field; a collection of resources on key issues in the field; a guide for job-seekers; and a list of links to important professional organizations and publications.
You can construct your web page on your own or collaborate with one other person. The product will be evaluated for both content and design.
Develop and Present Design Proposals For Paper and Electronic Portfolios
Working as part of a design-team, you will create a proposal for our portfolios that will recommend the types of materials that should be included and the format in which they should be presented. During specially designated "Design-Challenge Sessions," each team will present it's proposal to the class and invited guests.
Develop, and Construct a "Paper" Portfolio that Meets Professional Standards
In order to accomplish this task, you will need to identify professional expectations and standards, identify writing and/or media samples that represent your bets work, identify additional types of materials and samples that may be needed to complete your portfolio, complete and polish the projects, and design and produce the portfolio. Note: Some work towards this project will be done in small groups defined by interests.
Develop, and Construct an Electronic Portfolio that Meets Professional Standards
We will have sessions in which we identify "best practices" of web pages as well as workshops in which we learn the techniques we need to create similar kinds of web pages. There will be periodic "office hours" in the computer labs when the professor and/or members of the IT staff will be available to provide one-on-one assistance. Web page workshops will also be held in class from time to time throughout the semester. Finally, once the class has designed and selected one or more formats for our electronic portfolios, we will consult with members of the IT staff about how to construct those models.
Contribute to Our Professional Development by Designing and Running Classes Based on Your Web Resources and/or Outside Experts
Because we are in the process of moving from the academic into the professional world, we want to immerse ourselves in professional resources. Each student will be responsible for running at least one class addressing a key issue in the profession and/or for creating a panel or workshop involving one or more outside experts.
Keep a Blackboard log that includes the posting you prepared for each class.
You will be submitting a Blackboard log in preparation for each class. The Blackboard Discussion Board will provide a place we can share reflections, responses, resources, and drafts. We will be using the materials we've collected and stored on the Blackboard site when we put together our projects.
Project Methodology
Each of these projects will be done in several stages. First we will do reconnaisance by collecting and analyzing the content and design of materials. Second, we will engage in a design-challenge as individuals or small groups develop and present proposals for how we should complete the project. Third, we will draft and revise content for our projects. Finally, we will use our polished content and chosen designs to execute the project.
Throughout the course, we will need to be collecting, analyzing, and evaluating the materials we encounter as a way of deducing professional standards and approaches. We will also be continously considering content, design, and the relationship between the two. And throughout th course, we will be thinking both in terms of printed and electronic texts: how they are produced, and the special demands and advantages of each.
Any questions, comments, or suggestions about this web site or course should be directed to Dr. Lucia Knoles, Department of English, Assumption College.