GISDepartment of Global and Interdisciplinary Studies

Technological advances have pushed society toward an ever-more participatory global culture; we both consume and create vast quantities of the written word on our phones, laptops and tablets. These digital texts have expanded the definition of what we call writing and what we can do with it. This course will look more closely at how this kind of digital copy is produced and the way it impacts our daily life. Together, we will examine the planning, writing and publication stages of digital content creation, as well as the practical and ethical issues that are involved.

Frederich Nietzsche once said, “it is my ambition to say in 10 sentences what others say in a whole book,” and that is what we will aim to do: produce clear and concise written communication. As part of this process, we will:
•Examine how technology has profoundly altered traditional writing practices
•Learn how to deliver content to a brief, within set style guidelines
•Be engaged in the analysis and production of digital writing, both individually and as part of a team
•Consider the fundamentally new set of ethical issues the online world has created.

Will be able to gain “DP 1”, “DP 2”, and “DP 4”.

英語 / English

Digital Writing and Publication has a focus on quality rather than quantity; in today’s digital world, information must be conveyed quickly and attractively. An assignment may be as short as 50 words, but students will learn how to make those 50 words count. Submission of assignments and feedback will be via the Learning Management System. We will look at practices that promote a collaborative approach toward a common goal via technology. Students will also learn industry-standard practices, such as writing to a specific style guide and for a specific audience.

あり / Yes

なし / No

授業形態/methods of teaching：対面/face to face

※各回の授業形態は予定です。教員の指示に従ってください。

1[オンライン/online]：Introduction

Course overview

2[対面/face to face]：Principles of Good Writing

The foundation of good copywriting practices

3[対面/face to face]：Identifying the Audience

Before we write a single word, we need to answer three questions: who is our audience? What do they need? What is our purpose?

4[対面/face to face]：Choosing a Voice and Writing to a Brief

The importance of tone and examples of the kind of brief a writer may be given

5[対面/face to face]：AP Style

A close look at the importance of writing to a specific style, using the standard AP stylebook

6[対面/face to face]：Editing

A dive into the world of content editing

7[対面/face to face]：Review and Midterm Exam

Review and written examination of content thus far

8[対面/face to face]：Visual Style and Publication

An examination of the interplay between text, images, video and colour

9[対面/face to face]：Digital Ethics I

Current debates regarding ownership, copyright and fair use

10[対面/face to face]：Collaborative Working Practices I

Over the two sessions, students will work as a team to create original digital content

11[対面/face to face]：Digital Ethics II

Current debates regarding standards and ethical codes

12[対面/face to face]：Collaborative Working Practices II

Over the two sessions, students will work as a team to create original digital content

13[対面/face to face]：AI and the Future of Writing

Will the machines take over?

14[対面/face to face]：Final Presentations and Assessment

Student presentations and take-home assessment

Preparatory study and review time for this class are 2 hours each.

No textbook will be required in class, materials will be supplied by the instructor.

Anderson, J. & Dean, D. (2014). Revision decisions: talking through sentences and beyond. Portland, US: Stenhouse Publishers.
Beach, R. (2014). Understanding and creating digital texts: an activity-based approach. Lanham, US: Rowman & Littlefield.
Carroll, B. (2017). Writing and editing for digital media (third edition). New York: Routledge.
DeVoss, D., Eidman-Aadahl, E. and Hicks, T. (2010). Because digital writing matters. San Francisco, US: Jossey-Bass.
Strunk, W & White, E. (1999). The elements of style (fourth edition). Boston, US: Allyn & Bacon.

Class participation 15%, assignments 15%, midterm exam 20%, collaborative project 25%, final exam 25%.

The collaborative working sessions have been split to allow students more out-of-class working time on the project.

Please bring a laptop computer to every class. If access to a laptop computer is difficult, please inform the instructor.

None.