Freshman Seminar in Reasoning and Discourse: Written Communication: Rhetoric of Roblox

Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

MAC Written Communication courses support the development and expression of ideas in writing. Students learn that effective written communication is deeply dependent on context, involves adapting different genres, styles, and formal features to address varied audiences and purposes, and benefits from repeated engagement in processes of writing, receiving feedback, and reflecting.

The Written Communication SLOs:

1. Analyze written texts to understand how they relate to particular audiences, purposes, and contexts as a way to inform one’s own writing and/or revision.

2. Create and revise written texts for particular audiences, purposes, and contexts.

3. Through oral or written reflection, demonstrate awareness of one’s writing choices as well as how one’s own writing contributes to ongoing conversations.

Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies Student Learning Goals This course introduces an intersectional framework when considering the positionality of the writer as well as the intersections of power that impact rhetorical situations. This methodology and perspective fulfill WGSS SLO:

4. To analyze the mutual constitution of gender, race, ethnicity, class, sexuality, nationality, and religion.

Course Grading Information:

Activity/Performance Measure	Percentage/Points
Personal glossary (SLO 1)	15%
Personal journals (SLO 2 & 4)	15%
Video Game Rhetorical Analysis (SLO 1 & 4)	20%
Video Game Design Project (SLO 2, 3, & 4)	25%
Participation	15%
Attendance	10%

Grading Scale:

Grading Scale

Percentage	Letter Grade
93-100 points	A
90-92.9 points	A-
87-89.9 points	B+
83-86.9 points	B
80-82.9 points	B-
77-79.9 points	C+
73-76.9 points	C
70-72.9 points	C-
67-69.9 points	D+
63-66.9 points	D
60-62.9 points	D-
0-59.9 points	F

Attendance/Participation:

Participation (15%) and Attendance (10%) contributes to the final course grade.

Attendance grade based on unexcused absences: If you miss 3 or less classes, you will receive 100% for your attendance grade. If you miss 4 classes, you will receive a 75% for your attendance grade. If you miss 5 classes, you will receive a 50% for your attendance grade. If you miss 6 classes, you will receive a 25% for your attendance grade. If you miss 7 or more classes, you will receive a 0% for your attendance grade. If you miss 9 classes prior to midterm (September 25th, 2026), you will be dropped from the course. If you miss 9 classes prior to the drop date, you will be withdrawn; after the drop date, it will be a WF.

Active Class Engagement (5%) Expectations: You actively engage in class discussions and activities. You participate in class activities, such as playing Roblox games, supporting other players, and engaging in worksheets or written reflections. You show engagement by asking questions, sharing connections, giving feedback, taking notes, active listening, and more. Informal Evaluation: You demonstrate engagement during class through discussion, asking questions, taking notes, listening, working in your group, and more. Formal Evaluation: Class activities that involve an assignment may be submitted online on Canvas or in person. These assignment grades will go to this section of your participation grade to show your engagement in class activities.

Preparedness (5%) Expectations: You come to class prepared by reviewing all class materials assigned for the date prior to the start of class. You can access the class materials during class discussion or activities. You come to class on time. Informal Evaluation: You demonstrate that you have read course materials by bringing in questions or comments about the reading and/or participating in discussions and referring to the course materials. You demonstrate your preparedness by having the course materials accessible during class. You come to class on time. Formal Evaluation: If you are 5 minutes or later to class, you will be marked as tardy on Canvas in attendance. If you are consistently tardy, this will affect this section of your participation grade.

Group Work (5%) Expectations: You participate in group work and share the effort with others. You contribute to the group work process meaningfully. You communicate with your team members. Informal Evaluation: Actively participating in group work in class. Formal Evaluation: After group projects, there will be a reflection component where you will reflect on the effectiveness of the group’s collaboration and share what you contributed to the process. These reflections will contribute to this portion of the participation grade.

Course Materials Purchased by the Students:

No course materials are required.