Course Description
Writing 105M focuses on the strategies, processes, and theories of effective multimedia communication. We study writing in the context of digital technologies that enable combinations of different media–for instance, images, audio, video, and/or interactivity used alongside alphanumeric text to convey a message. Projects in the course involve analyzing, creating, and reflecting on new ways of communicating that include multiple modes. We examine digital rhetoric and the opportunities and constraints that digital technologies offer as we experiment with multimedia compositions.
All of the projects in the course center around an issue, problem, or topic that you select; your goal is to communicate information, persuasive, and/or engaging messages to different audiences using different media.
The schedule, projects, and resources for the class are all available at https://sorapure.net/105m. The website will be updated throughout the quarter. There is also a Canvas website for this course which will be used just for due dates and posting grades.
Grade proportions and policies
- Padlet with resources–20%
- Image/text message–20%
- Three-minute flash presentation–20%
- One-minute video–20%
- Wix website–20%
I use a grading system that rewards production as well as quality. For each assignment (except the Flash Presentation, see below) producing and submitting more work will earn you a higher grade. This is because producing multiple versions of a communication for different audiences and purposes gives you more practice with multimedia and helps you develop stronger rhetorical skills than if you produce just one communication piece for one audience and purpose. However, producing a large quantity of low-quality work is not helpful; therefore I use pluses and minuses to recognize the quality of work you submit and the extent to which it demonstrates skills that we’ve covered in class tutorials and discussions. In addition, I reserve the right to award a lower (or higher) grade if the quality of your work is very weak (or very strong) regardless of the amount of work you submit for an assignment.
Grading for each assignment
- Padlet with resources described, sorted, and arranged in a way that makes sense for your topic
- C = 10 sources at the end of the quarter
- B = 20 sources at the end of the quarter
- A = 30 sources at the end of the quarter
- Image/text message—using Pixlr, AI image generators, other photo editing software
- C = one image/text message to a specific audience using a specific technique or appeal
- B = two image/text messages to different audiences or using different techniques or appeals
- A = three image/text messages to different audiences or using different techniques or appeal
- Three-minute flash presentation—using Gamma, Canva, Google slides, PowerPoint, other presentation software
- C = turn in the slides
- B = make a video of yourself giving the presentation
- A = give the presentation in class
- One-minute video—using Capcut, other video editing software
- C = one video to a specific audience using a specific technique or appeal
- B = two videos to different audiences or using different techniques or appeals
- A = three videos to different audiences or using different techniques or appeals
- Wix website
- C = one-page scrolling site with at least four sections that include text and image
- B = multi-page or one-page scrolling site that integrates advanced Wix features and that showcases the work you’ve done in previous assignments
- A = multi-page or one-page scrolling site that integrates advanced Wix features, showcases the work you’ve done in previous assignments, and adds new material
The grade of D is reserved for very low quality work in the C categories above, or for extremely low quality work in the A or B categories. For example, submitting three terrible, messy, ineffective image/text messages that demonstrate none of the skills and strategies covered in the assignment will earn a grade of D rather than A. Quantity and quality both matter.
The grade of F is for assignments that are not submitted.
Late policy: Assignments are due on the date and time indicated in the syllabus. Anything after that is considered late. For each full day that the assignment is late, one step of a grade will be deducted. For instance, if your project would have gotten a grade of B were it submitted on time, it will get a B- if submitted one day late, a C+ if submitted two days late, a C if submitted three days late, and so on.
Important Information
- My email is sorapure@ucsb.edu.
- Our class meets on MW from 3:30-4:45 in Phelps 1529.
- Wednesdays from 10:00-12:00 in my office (South Hall 1522). But I’m available at lots of other times, via Zoom or in person, so feel free to send me an email to set up a time to meet.
- Because much of the work of the course will be done during class time, your attendance and participation are very important.
- You are allowed two absences altogether. I don’t differentiate between excused and unexcused absences. If you are absent from class more than twice, your final grade will be lowered by one grade for each absence (e.g., if you are absent three times, an A becomes an A-; if you are absent four times, an A becomes a B+). Keep in mind that we are already missing two Monday classes because of holidays.
- If you arrive late to class, I count that as half an absence.
- Remember that even if you are absent you are responsible for any work that is done during class and for any assignments that are given or are due during class. Send me an email or meet me during my office hours to find out what you missed.
Campus Resources
- Student Affairs Directory – Guide to thirty student service departments
- Basic Needs – Food, finances, housing, tech and more
- Student Wellbeing – Counseling and physical health, wellness, social connection, safety
Also, I am always available to help via email, during my office hours, or by appointment. I’ve been teaching at UCSB since the beginning of time, so I can probably point you in the right direction if you have a question or a problem.
If you need special course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, please get in touch after the first or second class session and we’ll set that up.
And finally, if there’s a resource you need for the course but can’t afford, get in touch and I’ll figure out a way to help.
Google folder for our class: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1wX0vsGnOc8FycDcWf7hGQPBGJU7carqr?usp=sharing