Outcomes and Objectives for Unit 1

Your syllabus includes a list of outcomes and objectives for the course; I've pulled together one for this first unit. I hope it will give you some sense of our direction for the next few weeks.

Rhetoric Rhetoric focuses on available means of persuasion, considering the synergy of factors such as context, audience, purpose, role, argument, organization, design, visuals, and conventions of language.	Objective Identify individual goals of the semester; consider the various forms of communications in which we engage regularly, and consider the conventions of those processes. Understand expectations of communication at Georgia Tech. Wrestle with the notion that “Everything is an Argument.” Explore arguments in a variety of modes and media. Introduce basic concepts: logos, pathos, ethos	Outcome -introduce self as a writer -keep a communications diary -participate in super-secret logo-identifying activity -identify logical, ethical, and pathetic appeals in assigned readings and in texts considered in class
Process Processes for communication —for example, creating, planning, drafting, designing, rehearsing, revising, presenting, publishing—are recursive, not linear. Learning productive processes is as important as creating products.	Objective Identify the conventions of various types of communicating. Review and become proficient in basics of written communications (thesis statement, paragraph, design, etc). Become self-reflexive about communication.	Outcomes Draft and compose a narrative essay. Participate in peer review.
Modes and Media Activities and assignments should use a variety of modes and media—written, oral, visual, electronic, and nonverbal—singly and in combination. Contexts and cultures of modes and media are critical.	Objective “Adjust writing to a variety of contexts, including electronic environments.”	Outcome Create and begin course-specific blog.
Themes of the course	Objective Understand the South as a rhetorical construct.	Outcome Compose blogs and narrative essay which explore individual southern experiences.