GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
Major project that requires argument about an issue of public interest
Assignments for one or more major projects grounded in scholarly research, delivered in written and oral form with visuals in a manner that a) is appropriate and effective for the audience, purpose and occasion and b) demonstrates advanced strategies for developing ideas and analyzing arguments, with emphasis on addressing and mediating issues of public interest, and with evidence of critical thinking in both the conception and the development of the thesis. These assignments must represent at least 70% of the final grade.
The major project should involve a substantial group component that requires students to navigate the challenges of collaboration and deliberation inherent to group projects.
A minimum of 4,000 words of formal writing. The word count can be part of a number of assignments in service of the major project (proposals, analysis, final text, etc.).
Several occasions for students to deliver formal and informal oral presentations. Formal speaking occasions involve:
- Outlines and peer-reviewed content
- Rehearsed and practiced delivery
- Graded performances
Demonstration (through readings, activities, and assignments) that the development of at least one major scholarly project is the course’s primary educational focus.
Readings, activities, and assignments that require students to conduct significant research on a subject using the resources of the UK Libraries and other sources.
The processes through which students learn to refine their speaking, writing, and visual communication skills, focusing on matters of construction and design.
Assignments and exercises that demonstrate students’ ability to critique the oral and written and visual work of peers and professionals in a variety of contexts.
Revision occasions, which require students to learn to develop flexible and effective strategies for organizing, practicing/rehearsing, editing, and proofreading (for grammar and mechanics) to improve the development and clarity of their ideas.
Assignments or exercises that enable students to employ and evaluate formal interpersonal and small group communication skills effectively. These assignments must represent at least 15% of the final grade.
SPECIFIC SYLLABUS CONTENT AND POLICY REQUIREMENTS
Instructor information
- Office Number
- Instructor Email
- Times of regularly held office hours (at least 3 hours per week)
Student Learning Outcomes (use exact language)
By the end of the semester, students will be able to:
- Revise their written and oral presentations, in collaboration with peers, instructor, librarians, and pertinent members of the public.
- Critique the work of peers and professionals.
- Refine their speaking, writing, and visual communication skills, focusing on matters of construction, design, and delivery style.
- Employ advanced strategies for developing ideas and analyzing arguments, with greater emphasis on addressing and mediating issues of public interest, and with evidence of critical thinking in both the conception and the development of the thesis.
- Conduct significant research on a subject, using the resources of the UK Libraries
- Compose in writing and deliver orally with visuals (in a face-to-face or digital environment) at least one major project grounded in scholarly research in a manner that is appropriate and effective for the audience, purpose, and occasion.
Required Materials for class
Must include Town Branch and Engaged Citizen textbooks (*these are updated each year).
- Town Branch Writing Collection (2023-2024, 9th edition)
- Engaged Citizen (2023-2024, 9th edition)
Must include the following disclaimer (use exact language):
As of fall 2016, all sections of WRD 110, 111, and 112 use our homegrown textbook, The Town Branch Writing Collection and our student reader, The Engaged Citizen. These books are available in hard-copy and online formats. Proceeds from either book go back directly to the WRD Department to support its mission.
Attendance, participation, and tardy policies
Must allow a one-week total “free” absence policy. After each additional unexcused absence, instructors may set own policy for penalty or lost points.
Must adhere to the faculty senate’s one-fifth rule, which states that students who miss at least one-fifth of class contact hours for unexcused absences are not eligible to receive credit for the course. They must withdraw or receive an E. Students who have excused absences equal to one-fifth of class contact hours, or who have a mixture of excused and unexcused absences equal to one-fifth of class contact hours, may be encouraged to withdraw, but may not be given an E for attendance alone.
Finally, students grade may not be penalized for excused absences. The University defines excused absences in the current edition of Student Rights and Responsibilities, available online at http://www.uky.edu/StudentAffairs/Code/Section%20V.pdf
Late assignment policy (see language suggested in model syllabi)
Plagiarism policy (See language suggested in model syllabi) The minimum penalty for plagiarism must be a zero for the assignment in question. In major instances, the student may receive a zero for the course.
Writing Center information
Class conduct policies that include any penalties for misconduct (see sample syllabi for examples)
Student Accommodations (use exact language)
If you are registered with the Disability Resource Center (DRC) and require special accommodations to complete the work for this course, you must produce a letter from the DRC that details what you need before I can grant you these accommodations. Special accommodations cannot be granted retroactively. This is a non-negotiable class policy. Please contact the DRC at 859-257-2754 if you have questions about your eligibility for special accommodations.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity Statement (use exact Senate-approved language (provided below) or craft your own language)
The University of Kentucky is committed to our core values of diversity and inclusion, mutual respect and human dignity, and a sense of community (Governing Regulations XIV, https://regs.uky.edu/governing-regulation/gr-xiv). We acknowledge and respect the seen and unseen diverse identities and experiences of all members of the university community (https://www.uky.edu/regs/gr14). These identities include but are not limited to those based on race, ethnicity, gender identity and expressions, ideas and perspectives, religious and cultural beliefs, sexual orientation, national origin, age, ability, and socioeconomic status. We are committed to equity and justice and providing a learning and engaging community in which every member is engaged, heard, and valued.
We strive to rectify and change behavior that is inconsistent with our principles and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. If students encounter such behavior in a course, they are encouraged to speak with the instructor of record and/or the Office of Institutional Equity and Equal Opportunity (https://ieeo.uky.edu/contact-us). Students may also contact a faculty member within the department, program director, the director of undergraduate or graduate studies, the department chair, any college administrator, or the dean. All of these individuals are mandatory reporters under University policies. GenAI Policy (choose one of the Senate-approved suggestions below, or craft your own language)
Option 1: Statement prohibiting the use of GenAI for all assignments (any use of GenAI is prohibited and constitutes academic misconduct).
Because a major focus of this course is on developing your skills and fostering creativity in [writing, argumentation, and critical thinking], you must complete assignments for this course entirely on your own. You may not copy from any online sites (e.g. Course Hero or Chegg) or utilize composition technologies (e.g. ChatGPT or other GenAI software). Work submitted by students—all process work, drafts, low stakes writing, final versions, and all other submissions—will be generated by the students themselves. For the purpose of this course, any use of these sites or tools will be considered academic misconduct and consequences will follow University policies. If you have any questions or concerns about this policy, contact your instructor before submitting any assignments.
Option 2: Specific uses of GenAI are encouraged (generating ideas, editing, translating, outlining).
GenAI tools such as ChatGPT may be used in this course for the purposes of pre-submission activities such as [edit for course specifics: brainstorming, testing out ideas, editing text, outlining, or structuring an argument]. However, learners are responsible for submitting work that meets the assignment standards for quality and factual accuracy. Before submitting any assignment that was aided in any way by GenAI, students are responsible for fact-checking all statements and ensuring that any content drawn from other sources—including the use of GenAI--is appropriately acknowledged through the citation practices used in this course. By keeping track of your AI use and sharing your experiences, we all gain understanding, identify potential issues in this rapidly changing field, and discover better ways to use the resources for our objectives. If you have any questions or concerns about this policy, contact your instructor before submitting any assignments.
Option 3: Specific uses of GenAI are allowed if students clearly distinguish between their original work and GenAI output (highlighting output, tracking changes in GenAI output).
For most assignments in this course, the use of GenAI to complete any part of the submitted work is prohibited unless explicitly specified by the instructor. In instances where specific instruction/permission to use GenAI tools are provided, students must acknowledge any work that is not their own. This includes citations for outside scholarship or information gathered from other sources. If you have any questions or concerns about this policy, contact your instructor before submitting any assignments.
Major project and assignment descriptions and due dates for semester
Grading breakdown
Grade ranges
RECOMMENDED CONTENT
Description of course (see suggested language on model syllabi)
Email policy (see suggested language on model syllabi)
Behavioral policies (texting, taking, cell phones, etc.). Can be combined with class conduct policies.
Additional resources you want students to use/be aware of, such as:
- Bias Incident Support Services
- Counseling Center
- Libraries
- Martin Luther King Center
- Non-Discrimination / Title IX
- Office of LGBTQ* Resources
- University Health Services
- Veterans Resource Center
- Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) Center