Wikipedia:Wiki Ed/University of Louisville/Writing in Women's and Gender Studies (Fall 2019)

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Course name
Writing in Women's and Gender Studies
Institution
University of Louisville
Instructor
Jo Ann Griffin
Wikipedia Expert
Shalor (Wiki Ed)
Subject
Writing in Women's & Gender Studies
Course dates
2019-08-21 00:00:00 UTC – 2019-11-07 23:59:59 UTC
Approximate number of student editors
22


WGST 199 is an entry-level writing course for honors students interested in the discipline of gender studies. Each will self-select a topic/article, compile a bibliography of appropriate resources and make a small contribution or two to their chosen article.

Timeline

Week 1

Course meetings
Tuesday, 27 August 2019   |   Thursday, 29 August 2019
Introduction to the Wikipedia assignment

Welcome to your Wikipedia assignment's course timeline. This page guides you through the steps you'll need to complete for your Wikipedia assignment, with links to training modules and your classmates' work spaces.

Your course has been assigned a Wikipedia Expert. You can reach them through the Get Help button at the top of this page.

You now have access to Wiki Edu's library of guides and training modules. Specific modules will be assigned, but you can see the array of possibilites here: https://dashboard.wikiedu.org/training/students

In class - Introduction to the course design 8/20

No assignments for you to prepare

  • Overview of Wikipedia community expectations
  • Intro to Wiki Talk Pages & Article Rating System
  • Overview of Gender Studies principles and perspectives
Assignment - To Prepare for Thursday, 8/22

From your syllabus:

See “Find-An-Article” assignment under “Assignments” on Blackboard for more detailed instructions. Here is a summary:

-   Find a credible, current article on a topic that you identify as being relevant to gender studies. Links to qualified sources are included on Blackboard. The Assignment sheet is entitled, “Find-An-Article.”

-   Read - CrenshawWhy Intersectionality Can’t wait at: http://wapo.st/1OVzQIT?tid=ss_mail&utm_term=.a33df9ff545a

-   View - Crenshaw -  Kimberlé Crenshaw – On Intersectionality at: https://youtu(.)be/-DW4HLgYPlA The entire clip is 30:46. Please view at least the first 7:30

In class - Understanding Intersectionality 8/22

We will discuss the topics that arise from your "Find-An-Article" activity as well as how key concepts and vocab from Women's & Gender Studies apply: gender, social construction, intersectionality, privilege, etc.)

Week 2

Course meetings
Tuesday, 3 September 2019   |   Thursday, 5 September 2019
Assignment - To prepare for Tuesday, August 27

-  Read Lindemann, H. “What is Feminist Ethics” pp 1 – 11. Available as a PDF on Blackboard under “Week By Week.”

In class - Application of key concepts 8/27

In Class

-  More on Gender Studies principles and perspectives

Further exploration of structural/institutional facets of privilege    

Assignment - To prepare for Thursday, August 29
  • Read Chapter 2 in Graff & Birkenstein

* Review the How-to-summarize Handout

-  Scaffolding #1 - Summarize your “found” article in a page or less; Conclude your summary with a complete citation of your chosen article in either APA or MLA format. You can find examples of correct citation formats in Hacker’s A Pocket Style Manual.

* Submit the summary to Blackboard and bring a copy to class.

See your syllabus or week-by-week on Blackboard for details and links.

In class - Summarizing and key concepts 8/29
  • Application of key concepts and vocab (again)
  • Troubleshooting citations
  • Introduction to gender bias in Wikipedia

Week 3

Course meetings
Tuesday, 10 September 2019   |   Thursday, 12 September 2019
In class - Getting to know Wiki World
  • Discussion of "neutrality," Power dynamics, and claims of gender bias.
  • Discussion of user name selection
Assignment - To Prepare for Tuesday, September 3
  • Scan Wikipedia's article on Intersectionality for main points.
  • Scan the talk page to get a feel for the conversation.
  • Read Guwell-Neutrality_Epistemology.
  • Read abou tWikipedia's Neutral Pint of View (NPOV) policy with attention to "Explanation of the Neutral Point of View" and "Achieving Neutrality"
  • Complete Scaffolding #2 - Journal Prompt #1 located under "Journals" on Blackboard


See your syllabus or week-by-week on Blackboard for details and links.

Assignment - To Prepare for class on Thursday, September 5
  •  -  Follow instructions for registering in our Wikipedia course shell. Find the details on Blackboard under “Assignments”

* Look around Wikipedia to see how the topic you chose for Find-An-Article is represented on Wikipedia.

* Complete two training modules linked here.

* Look around for articles/topics you may want to work on.

In class - In class on Thursday, September 5

Exploring the organization and construction of knowledge.

Introduction to “Contribute to An Article Assignment”    

Milestones

This week, everyone should have a Wikipedia account.

Week 4

Course meetings
Tuesday, 17 September 2019   |   Thursday, 19 September 2019
Assignment - To Prepare for Tuesday, September 10
In class - Learning to edit Wikipedia, Tuesday, September 10

* We will meet in Ekstrom Library Room 103

  • Remember to bring earbuds, so you can work at your own pace.
  • While you are working through the training module, (How To Edit) complete the items on the "Editing Workshop Checklist" distributed in class and available under "Helps and Handouts" on Blackboard.
In class - Additional training resources for Editing practice on 9/10

You may find these modules helpful. They are optional, not required at this point. 

Editing Health and Psychology Topics is highly recommended, if you are choosing articles in these areas or on the borders of these areas. This module is required before your first library workday.

Assignment - To prepare for Thursday, September 12

-  Read:

o Stokel-Walker, “The Commas that Cost Companies Millions”

-  Kile, “Style, Grammar, and Usage: The Lowdown on Quality Writing.”

-  Browse Hacker’s Manual of Style to remind yourself of usage recommendations and grammar rules. Which are the ones you always remember? Which are the ones you never remember?

-  Scaffolding #6 – Journal prompt #2 - Grammar & Usage

In class - In class on Thursday, September 12

-  The significance and perception of error

-  Meta-knowledge of your writing process

Introduce the Copy Edit Assignment    

Week 5

Course meetings
Tuesday, 24 September 2019   |   Thursday, 26 September 2019
Assignment - To prepare for Tuesday, September 17

Follow instructions on your syllabus:

  • Review Wikipedia's Manual of Style/Words to Watch  

     to get a feel for the usage and voice that Wikipedia mandates. Many phrases you are accustomed to using may appear as “Words to Watch.”

  • Read one of the articles on your syllabus and linked from week-by-week
  • Prepare a practice copy edit
    • Review the "Copy Edit Assignment" sheet on Blackboard under Assignments
    • Make a few selections (2 or 3)
    • Look for the appropriate rules in Hacker or in Wiki9pedia's Words to Watch
    • Have your copy edit selections and Hacker with you in class (digitally or in hard copy)
In class - Preparing to Copyedit 9/17

Working with diction, WGST concepts, audience, and perception of error

Assignment - Exercise - Copy Edit is due 9/19

Copy edit an article

  • Copy edit(s) should be complete before class.
  • Submit an explanation of the edit(s) in the "Copy Edit" space on Blackboard.
  • See your syllabus or week-by-week for specifics and links to submission space.
  • Continue with “Finding an Article” strategies for looking around Wikipedia. Identify articles that might be your focus for theContribute to An Article” assignment.

    Scaffolding #8 On your Sandbox Page, list 3 – 5 Wikipedia articles that you will consider working on as your focus for the rest of the course. You will, eventually, choose just one.

    • Look at the talk and history pages to discover who is working on the articles you choose and what they are doing.

    • Apply the Wikipedia standards of excellence to the articles you are considering. What about the articles satisfies the Wikipedia standards? What needs work in order to satisfy the Wikipedia standards?

In class - Class on Thursday, 9/19

-  Troubleshooting any technical difficulties from copyedit

-  Discussion of interests and areas of overlap

-  Preliminary discussion of topics and work groups

-  Review “Contribute to an Article” assignment

Drafting and developing research questions to prepare for session with research librarian    

Week 6

Course meetings
Tuesday, 1 October 2019   |   Thursday, 3 October 2019
Assignment - To prepare for Tuesday, September 24
  • Review Evaluating Articles and Sources training to remind yourself of standards of excellence.
  • -  Scaffolding #9 Complete Editing Health and Psychology Topics training via the Wikipedia dashboard

    -  Continue reviewing the Wikipedia articles that you are considering. Apply the Wikipedia standards of excellence to the articles. What about the articles satisfies the Wikipedia standards? What needs work in order to satisfy the Wikipedia standards?

    -  Are there stubs or start class articles or articles with problems to be resolved?

    -  Narrow your focus if possible to make efficient use of your library time

In class - Finding Sources in class on 9/24

Meet in Ekstrom Library W102

  • This is a day to work with a reference librarian on finding sources relevant to your topic.
Assignment - To prepare for Thursday, September 26
  • -  Spend some time with the resources you found on Tuesday.

    -  Check out “Thinking About Research Questions” under Helps and Handouts - Develop a list of research questions that can guide your next work day in the library.

    -  Scaffolding #10 – Submit your list to the “Research Questions” assignment via Blackboard “Assignments” no later than the beginning of class

    -  Narrow your list of possible articles/topics based on the availability of resources

    -  Develop a short statement on the status of your project (no more than 2 minutes) to share with the class


In class - In Class on 9/26
  • Workshop your research questions.
  • update your colleagues on the status of your project.
Guide(s) for writing articles in your topic area

Some resources you might find useful.

LGBT+ Studies

Sociology

Women's Studies

Assignment - Discussion Board activity due by midnight on Friday, 9/27

Engaging With Librarians Discussion Board activity due by midnight Friday. See syllabus or week-by-week for details and links.

Week 7

Course meetings
Thursday, 10 October 2019
Assignment - To prepare for Tuesday, October 1

Meet today in Ekstrom W102

  • Continue to spend time with the resources you found last week.
    • You should be ready to choose a single Wikiopedia article
    • You should be familiar with most of the materials you have already found and know which will work for you and which are probably not useful.
  • Scaffolding #12 0 Complete the Adding Citations training via the Wikipedia dashboard.

 

While in class - continue searching for quality resources with the help of a research librarian.

In class - Thursday, October 3 - NO CLASS BUT WORK TO DO

No Class Meeting

Optional conferences to discuss your project plans. ~ Sign up for a time to conference.

To Do

Scaffolding #13

  • Create a section for resources in your Sandbox on Wikipedia.
  • Begin a list of resources that you will be using for your Wikipedia contribution.
  • Create a complete citation for each resource.
  • Make sure to correct any errors that Wikipedia flags (red notices in brackets). You will need these citations as you move your contribution to the real Wiki world.

Week 8

Course meetings
Tuesday, 15 October 2019   |   Thursday, 17 October 2019
In class
Assignment - To prepare for Thursday, October 10

Complete the Drafting in the Sandbox training module.

In class - In class on Thursday, October 10

Meet in Ekstrom 117A/CLC

  • This is a research day for you to work on drafting/supporting your work with resources.
  • Continue your search for relevant, reliable resources for your topic and your chosen article. By the time you contribute to your chose article, you should have a minimum of 8 quality sources.
  • As you have time, begin reading the sources you have found. You are working toward making a statement on the talk page of your chosen article, a statement that explains the contribution you plan to make to the article itself.

Week 9

Course meetings
Tuesday, 22 October 2019   |   Thursday, 24 October 2019
Assignment - To prepare for class on Tuesday, October 15

-  Evaluate your chosen Wikipedia article using Wikipedia’s criteria for excellence and develop suggestions for improving it. See the “Contribute to an Article” assignment under “Assignments” on Blackboard for details of your completed contribution goals.

-  Scaffolding #15 - Create a complete descriptive summary of your plans for the Wiki article. Post your plans for improvement to the talk page of your article with an explanation of your rationale. You are alerting the editing community to your plans.

-  Continue on to develop a draft of your total planned contribution for workshopping. (A draft of the finished product is not the same as the summary posted to the talk page.)

-  Bring a copy to class or have it accessible for review in your Wikipedia Sandbox.

In class - Class on Tuesday, October 15

-  Be prepared to present your plans and to critique/comment on the drafts of others by applying Wikipedia’s standards.

Make changes to your contribution draft during or after class, if you wish to. Whatever is in your sandbox by Wednesday morning (10/16) will be assessed as a first draft.    

In class - No Class Meeting on Thursday, October 17

Optional Conferences to discuss your project plans. Sign up for a time to conference.

Milestones

Everyone has begun writing their article drafts.

Assignment - Polish your work

Continue to expand and improve your work, and format your article to match Wikipedia's tone and standards. Remember to contact your Wikipedia Expert at any time if you need further help!

Week 10

Course meetings
Tuesday, 29 October 2019   |   Thursday, 31 October 2019
Assignment - To Prepare for Tuesday, October 22
  • Complete the Moving Work Out of the Sandbox training module.
  • Continue to monitor Wikipedia for any feedback on your planned contribution.
In class - Tuesday, October 22
  • Workshop any feedback issues with colleagues
  • Explore differences between Wikipedia dn conventioanl academic writing
  • Discuss plans for next phase of work.
Assignment - Final work on article due today, Thursday, OCTOBER 24 - GO LIVE!

It's the final week to develop your article.

  • Read Editing Wikipedia page 15 to review a final check-list before completing your assignment.
  • Don't forget that you can ask for help from your Wikipedia Expert at any time!
  • Final contributions to the article due today: move out of the sandbox and incorporate your revised and polished contribution into the main article.

Today we also begin the pivot to a persuasive academic essay. To prepare for that discussion:

  • Reac Chapters 1 & 4 in They Say, / I Say
  • Complete Scaffolding #17 - Journal #3 - the power of verbs
  • Come to class prepared to discuss and write about the differences between writing for a Wikipedia audience and writing for an academic or other persuasive purpose.
Milestones
  • Everyone should have finished all of the work they'll do on Wikipedia, and be ready for grading.
  • Your only obligation now is to continue monitoring your contribution for feedback from other editors; you must respond to any comments/critiques that come to you between now and November 7.
  • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7 IS THE LAST DAY TO RESPOND TO COMMENTS (FOR CREDIT).
Assignment - Next step begins now - Original analytical paper

Write a paper going beyond your Wikipedia article to advance your own ideas, arguments, and original research about your topic.