Course Expectations

This course is 100% virtual; that is, we will never meet in the classroom. As a result, it is important that you understand how the course will be conducted and what will be expected of you as a student enrolled in it.

My Responsibilities in this Course

As your teacher, it is my responsibility to (among other things)

• Answer any questions you might have that are not covered by the textbook or another reading,
• Provide feedback to you about your work,
• Grade your work as promptly as possible,
• Use a grading rubric to help explain your grades,
• Update your grades on Canvas, and
• Inform you promptly of any alterations to the schedule, such as due date changes.

Your Responsibilities in this Course

To do well in this course, you must

• Possess Junior-Level Writing Skills
  This is not a remedial course designed to assist you in the development of basic writing skills (which includes spelling, grammar, and punctuation skills). You are not expected to already know how to write professional documents (like memos and reports). Since this is a 3000-level course however, I assume that you possess writing skills on the junior level, and I grade your work based on this assumption.
• Read All Announcements
  Announcements are the primary way I keep in touch with you, so it’s imperative that you read every single one completely. If you do not read these Announcements, you may miss information about activities and assignments that are due, changes in course work, or revisions to the class schedule. You are responsible for the information in the Announcements, so be sure that you read them.
• Be Aware of Due Dates/Times
  All assignments are submitted online in Canvas and are set to be due by 11:59 pm (Eastern Time). You can, of course, upload your work earlier. I do not accept emailed course work since I can only grade your work in Canvas to ensure your FERPA rights are protected.
• Read the Textbook and Review Examples
  At the end of each chapter of our textbook, you'll find Writer’s Checklists. You'll also find example documents in the textbook and on Canvas. Review them. Pay attention to them. Many of them are real “A” level documents produced in this course.
• Apply What You Are Learning
  Do your best to apply what you have read and the lessons you have learned from reviewing examples to producing and improving your own work.
• Follow Assignment Instructions
  Each assignment provides you with a description of the deliverable and the specifications, including page length, formatting, and other requirements set forth.
• Conduct Yourself Professionally
  As a student at Virginia Tech, you are expected to adopt and follow the Principles of Community. For this course, just as for one that meets in a classroom, you should be civil to other participants and to the instructor, apply what you are learning about professional correspondence to any messages or discussion posts, and contribute conscientiously to any group assignments.
• Conduct Yourself Honestly
  All work and participation in this course is governed by the  Undergraduate Honor System. In this course, you are expected to be honest and forthcoming as you assess your work, to follow all quiz and test guidelines fully, and to document any work that you borrow from others. All work that you submit in this course must be your own, original work.