Writing about: Wikipedia (Fall 2014)
Dr. Patrick C. Fleming
Class meetings: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:00-12:15, Sullivan House
Email: PFleming@rollins.edu
Office Hours (Carnegie Hall 137): Mon 10-12; Tues 12:30-3; or by appointment.
Course Materials
There are no required books for this class: all readings will be online (you’re free to
print them, if you’d prefer). You will, however, need a laptop for this course. See me
if you don’t have access to one.
Our official syllabus, containing links to readings and assignments, is
http://social.rollins.edu/wpsites/writingaboutwiki/.
I have created a course page for us, on Wikipedia (linked from above website). That page
will bring together the class’s contributions to the site.
In place of a textbook we will use the Grounds for Argument website,
http://www.groundsforargument.org. I will assign specific modules for particular days,
and you can always return there to review. Modules will be linked from the syllabus.
You will need Microsoft Word and (for a later assignment) PowerPoint: if you don’t
have them, visit Olin Library to get them installed (free for Rollins students).
Course Goals
As a required writing course, ENG 140 will help you read, write, and respond to
academic arguments. Our section will also emphasize digital literacy, reading and
writing online. And because this course is designed for students beginning their career at
Rollins, I will stress meeting deadlines. By the end of the course you will be able to:
• Present an argument so that it appeals to your reader, and recognize the different
goals of written assignments (not all papers are the same)
• Write claims that can be supported with evidence; that explore concepts readers
care about; and that can be viewed from multiple perspectives
• Revise your own writing
• Locate and evaluate appropriate evidence
• Know and meet deadlines, and turn in papers in the proper place. No matter how
good the paper, it still has to get to its reader.
• Recognize Wikipedia’s strengths and weaknesses, and discuss how the Internet is
changing our expectations of readers and writers
Assignments
You must turn in each assignment in order to receive a passing grade for the course.
Grades are calculated out of 100,000 points.
Preparation and participation: 5,000 points
Five Short Writing Assignments: 10,000 points
Writing about Wikipedia 2 Dr. Fleming, Fall 2014 Wikipedia Evaluation and Contribution: 30,000 points
Article Summary and Response: 10,000 points
Research-based Argument Paper: 30,000 points
Final Portfolio: 15,000 points
Details on each assignment will be given well in advance. For all graded components
(including participation), I will approach your work with the assumption that it is of
average (that is, of about B to B-) quality. As the merits or rough edges in the work
provide supporting evidence, your grade will move up or down accordingly. When
Converting letter grades to numbers: A+: 97-100; A: 93-96; A-: 90-92; B+: 87-89; B: 8386; etc.
Course Policies
Attendance and Tardiness: Because this is a seminar, not only your own learning
but that of your classmates depends upon your being in class. I hope this is sufficient
motivation to attend all classes, but for administrative purposes here is my policy:
• Miss 3 classes: no penalty
• Miss 4 classes: participation grade lowered by 10%
• Miss 5 classes: course grade lowered by 5%
• Miss 6 classes: course grade lowered by 10%
• Missing more than 6 classes will fail the course (I’ve never had to enforce this last
one; don’t be the first!).
If you’re late to class (i.e., if we’ve begun when you arrive), or if you leave early, I’ll
record 1/3 of an absence. While you will not be penalized for absences due to
documented illness, religious holidays, or pre-approved college business (e.g. varsity
sports travel), these absences do count towards the total, regardless of when they occur.
So if you miss three classes for illness, no penalty; but if you miss two more for other
reasons, you’ve still missed 5 classes.
Late Work: Assignments are due at the beginning of class, or by the specified time.
Late work will be marked down 10% for the first 24 hours, and a further 5% for each
subsequent 24 hours. After 4 days, work will be accepted for half credit. Work not turned
in within 2 weeks will receive a 0.
Laptops and Cellphones: Turn off your cellphone before coming to class. You will
need a laptop for this class: bring it each day. I will occasionally ask you to close it (if
we’re working on something else).
College Policies
Email
Rollins e-mail is our official means of communication. Students, faculty and staff are
expected to check it on a regular basis.
Writing about Wikipedia 3 Dr. Fleming, Fall 2014 The Honor Pledge and Reaffirmation
Membership in the student body of Rollins College carries with it an obligation, and
requires a commitment, to act with honor in all things. The student commitment to
uphold the values of honor - honesty, trust, respect, fairness, and responsibility particularly manifests itself in two public aspects of student life. First, as part of the
admission process to the College, students agree to commit themselves to the Honor
Code. Then, as part of the matriculation process during Orientation, students sign a more
detailed pledge to uphold the Honor Code and to conduct themselves honorably in all
their activities, both academic and social, as a Rollins student. A student signature on the
following pledge is a binding commitment by the student that lasts for his or her entire
tenure at Rollins College:
The development of the virtues of Honor and Integrity are integral to a Rollins College
education and to membership in the Rollins College community. Therefore, I, a student
of Rollins College, pledge to show my commitment to these virtues by abstaining from
any lying, cheating, or plagiarism in my academic endeavors and by behaving
responsibly, respectfully and honorably in my social life and in my relationships with
others. This pledge is reinforced every time a student submits work for academic credit as
his/her own. Students shall add to the paper, quiz, test, lab report, etc., the handwritten
signed statement:
“On my honor, I have not given, nor received, nor witnessed any unauthorized assistance
on this work.”
Material submitted electronically should contain the pledge; submission implies signing
the pledge.
Students with Disabilities
Rollins College is committed to equal access and does not discriminate unlawfully
against persons with disabilities in its policies, procedures, programs or employment
processes. The College recognizes its obligations under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to provide an environment that does not
discriminate against persons with disabilities.
If you are a person with a disability on this campus and anticipate needing any type of
academic/medical accommodations in order to participate in your classes, please make
timely arrangements by disclosing this disability in writing to the Disability Services
Office at (Box 2772) – Mills Building, 1000 Holt Ave., Winter Park, FL, 32789.
Appointments can be scheduled by calling 407-646-2354 or by emailing:
gridgeway@rollins.edu
Last Date to Drop a Class without Notation – Friday, September 5, 2014
Last Date to Withdraw Without Academic Penalty – Friday, October 31, 2014
Writing about Wikipedia 4 Dr. Fleming, Fall 2014 Schedule of Readings and Assignments
(Subject to change: see http://social.rollins.edu/wpsites/writingaboutwiki/ for official schedule) Tuesday, Aug 26: What is Wikipedia?
Thursday, Aug 28: Introduction to Argument
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First Assignment Due
o To enroll in our Wikipedia course page, use the enrollment token RC47
o Be sure to read the Course and College Policies (also handed out in class)
Watch “The State of Wikipedia,” narrated by Jimmy Wales. Be prepared to answer the question,
“what is a wiki?” and to discuss the site’s guidelines; Wikimedia and its associated projects; and
the organizations of Wikipedia entries.
Bring your laptop to this and all future classes
Tuesday, September 2: Who Writes Wikipedia?
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Review the Grounds for Argument module, “Intro to Argument.” If you have questions about how
to interact with the site, bring them to class.
Complete parts 1 and 2 of Wikipedia training
Read Aaron Swartz, “Who Writes Wikipedia?” (download the .doc file)
Thursday, September 4: verifiability, neutrality, and notability
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Paper due before class: Swartz’s argument, by 5 parts
Grounds for Argument: Reasons vs. Evidence
Tuesday, September 9: The Talk Pages
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Paper due before class: the history pages
Read Dan O’Sullivan, from Wikipedia; a New Community of Practice (PDF). Be prepared to
discuss his claim and his evidence.
Grounds for Argument: explain your evidence
Thursday, September 11: Problem Frames
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Paper due, about Talk Pages
Grounds for Argument: Introducing a problem
Tuesday, September 16: Who Reads Wikipedia?
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By this point you need to have completed your 10 edits to Wikipedia (I’ll check this through the
site, so make sure you’re logged in)
Read Adrian Riskin, “Mathematics on Wikipedia.” Be prepared to talk about her main claim, and
whether it is contestable and supportable. Does she use a problem frame?
Grounds for Argument: Contestable and supportable claims
Thursday, September 18: Individual Conferences (no regular class)
Writing about Wikipedia 5 Dr. Fleming, Fall 2014 Tuesday, September 23 and Thursday, September 25: Problem Frame Workshops
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See handout from class, for schedule and instructions
PROBLEM FRAME FINAL DRAFT DUE Friday September 26th by 5:00pm
Tuesday, September 30: Paper Workshop
Thursday, October 2: Reliable evidence
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PAPER DRAFT DUE before class.
Read the Wikipedia page on “reliable evidence”; review “verifiability”
Tuesday, October 7: Evidence Report Workshop
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Grounds for Argument: Cite your sources
Watch this short (3.5 minutes) video on plagiarism and copyright
Read this page from Wikipedia training
EVIDENCE REPORT DUE 10/7 by midnight
Thursday, October 9: Adding to Wikipedia
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Bring to class all the research you have done for your page (and your laptop!)
Tuesday, October 14: NO CLASS, (fall break)
Wednesday October 15: optional meeting with me (we can solve any problems adding to Wikipedia)
Thursday, October 16: Paraphrasing
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PAPER DUE before class. Your final changes should be made to Wikipedia (make sure you're
signed in)
Grounds for Argument: Acknowledging established perspectives and How to paraphrase
Read this excerpt from Jaron Lanier, on “Digital Maoism”
Tuesday, October 21: Acknowledging and Responding
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100-WORD ARTICLE SUMMARY DUE before class. To complete it, you'll of course have to
first read the article.
Read the paraphrases of responses to Lanier's article (.docx file), and choose 2-3 you find
particularly interesting. If you're interested you can read the extended responses.
Thursday, October 23: Article Summary Workshop
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Skim my list of articles about Wikipedia, and select 2-3 you would like to read. In class you'll vote
on our readings for next week.
SUMMARY AND RESPONSE DUE Sunday, October 26th by midnight
Writing about Wikipedia 6 Dr. Fleming, Fall 2014 Tuesday, October 28: Wikipedia and Culture
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Grounds for argument: Warrants
Read the articles selected the last week [I will post links here]
Thursday, October 30: Finding Evidence
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Grounds for Argument: What Counts as Evidence?
In class be prepared to share your starting point for the next paper. What are you interested in?
Tuesday, November 4: Individual Conferences (no regular class meeting).
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Bring your PROPOSAL to the meeting
Thursday, November 6: Putting Together an Argument
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Grounds for Argument: Ordering reasons
Tuesday, November 11: Evidence Report Workshop
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Grounds for Argument: Quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing
EVIDENCE REPORT DUE by midnight 11/11
Thursday, November 13: Pecha-Kucha Presentations
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TEXT OF PRESENTATION DUE before class.
Tuesday, November 18: Final Draft Workshop
Thursday, November 20: How to start a 25-page paper
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Grounds for Argument: Why we argue and Three names for claims
PAPER DUE by midnight 11/20
Tuesday, November 25: Individual Conferences (no regular class meeting)
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If you're leaving town for Thanksgiving, we can schedule to meet the previous week.
Thursday, November 27: NO CLASS (Thanksgiving)
Tuesday, December 2: Final Portfolio Workshop
Thursday, December 4: Last Day of Class
Final Portfolio due Tuesday 12/9 by 11:00am