Text only

WRITTEN COMMUNICATION SKILLS FOR BUSINESS, INDUSTRY, AND TECHNOLOGY 

1. COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course focuses on writing for the vocational, technical, and business worlds.  Designed for students in business, technical, and vocational programs, the writing includes memos, letters, resumes, reports, and other business/technical documents. The course also stresses team-building, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Prerequisites: Successful completion of IVCC’s English placement exam; official, submitted ACT English subscore of 22 or higher; or passing grade in ENG 0900. In addition, Accuplacer reading exam score of 68 or higher; official, submitted ACT reading subscore of 23 or higher; or successful completion of RED 0900.

2. EXPECTED STUDENT OUTCOMES

These are the things you should be able to do when you finish this course. 

2.1.	Recognize and apply techniques for effective writing.
2.2.	Recognize and apply techniques for effective presentation of numerical data.
2.3.	Recognize and apply techniques of critical thinking and problem-solving.
2.4.	Write acceptable routine business/technical documents, including paper and electronic memos (e-mail), letters, resumes, application letters, reports, and other standard documents (e.g. summaries, descriptions, instructions, etc.).
2.5.	Understand and use contemporary technology effectively in producing business/technical documents.
2.6.	Recognize and apply techniques of collaborative writing and team-building.

3. REQUIRED TEXTS 

3.1. Searles, G. J. (2011). Workplace communications: The basics (5th ed.). Boston: Longman.
3.2. College-Level Dictionary (Recommended)

4. WRITING ASSIGNMENTS (1300 POINTS) 

4.1. Assignments
You will be completing a number of graded writing assignments during this class.  They are listed below:

 

Business Letter	100 points
E-mail	100 points
Short Report	200 points
Application Letter	100 points
Resume	100 points
Long Report Proposal	100 points
Long Report	400 points
Instructions (Group Project)	200 points

4.2. Writing Assignment Requirements 
You must type all writing assignments on a word processor and turn them in at the beginning of class on the scheduled due dates. If a writing assignment is late, it will be penalized 5% for each 24 hours, starting at the beginning of class on the scheduled due date. In addition, this late penalty also will be applied to any rewrite of that assignment.

After I grade your writing assignments, I will return them to you with my comments. You may keep the grades you earn on your letter, e-mail, short report, application letter, and resume, or you may resubmit each of them for a higher grade. You may resubmit each of these writing assignments only once. The due dates for these rewrites will be announced in class. NOTE: If you resubmit one of these assignments, you must include the original graded draft and a typed, correctly formatted memo that explains what changes you made and how you hope they improve the document. You also will have an opportunity to resubmit your long report proposal and receive feedback on your long report before submitting the final draft. However, because of the semester schedule, you will not be able to turn in a rewrite of your group's instructions.

Please note that you must turn in at least one draft of all writing assignments to pass the class (though doing so does not guarantee a passing grade). In addition, in the case of consistently below-average writing (D or F level), I do reserve the right to base your course grade solely upon the quality of your writing assignments. 

5. QUIZZES (50 POINTS)

You will complete a 10-point quiz at the end of each unit. These quizzes may cover reading assignments, handouts, lectures, and any other class material.  Missed quizzes may not be made up except under extenuating circumstances.

6. MISCELLANEOUS ASSIGNMENTS (150 POINTS)

Miscellaneous assignments may include chapter exercises, collaborative workshops, style exercises, grammar exercises, discussion questions, pop quizzes, and a variety of other assignments. Some of them must be completed in class, some out of class.  Those that you must complete out of class will be due at the beginning of class on the due date. Any exercise that fails to meet the requirements of the assignment or that is not turned in when it is due may receive partial credit or no credit.

7. GRADING SCALE

I will grade all of your assignments and assign your final course grade based on the scale below.  

You may earn back up to 30 points for missed writing assignment, quiz, and miscellaneous points. To earn these points, find a periodical article about the use of writing in business, industry, or technology and type a one-page summary and critique of the article. Each summary/critique must be written carefully and thoughtfully and is worth 10 points. When you turn in a summary/critique, you must attach a copy of the article itself. The last day to turn in a summary/critique is the last class meeting before the final exam (see course schedule).  

9. ATTENDANCE POLICY

Regular attendance is important to passing this course. When you are absent, you are still responsible for what is covered in class during your absence and for all assignments, regardless of why you are absent. Though I do not penalize you directly for missing class, being absent more than a few times will almost certainly affect your grade because of the material you will miss.

10. PARTICIPATION

In addition to completing the course requirements discussed above, you are expected to participate regularly in all course activities, including the following:

• Reading the textbook and handouts
• Reading and responding to one another's writing
• Contributing to class and group discussions
• Collaborating with other students
• Being on time and prepared for class and exhibiting professional behavior

Your course participation not only affects your learning, but that of other students, as well. To give everyone an equal opportunity to learn, it’s vital that your participation and actions in class contribute to an effective learning environment. Because the following activities detract from such an environment, they will not be tolerated during class:

• Arriving to class late, leaving and coming back during class, or leaving class early  
• Texting, allowing your phone to ring, or using your phone or other electronic device
• Studying for other courses
• Participating in conversation unrelated to class

At all times in class, your participation and actions should demonstrate respect for the class, your classmates, and the instructor. Finally, your participation may affect your overall grade in the course if your grade is “borderline” at the end of the semester.

11. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Some of the work you complete this semester will include borrowing and documenting information from other texts, or sources. We will spend adequate time as a class discussing using and documenting sources. Proper documentation, that is, giving full credit to the original source, is an absolute requirement. Failure to do so is plagiarism, which can destroy your credibility as a writer and is grounds for failing an assignment or this course.  See the IVCC Stylebook (www.ivcc.edu/stylebook) for its statement on plagiarism and the current IVCC catalog and Student Handbook for the college's academic integrity policy.  Please feel free to discuss with me any concerns you have about these issues.

12. WITHDRAWAL POLICY

You may withdraw from this course through April 11. Students have the ability to initiate a withdrawal from classes. By completing the form in the Records Office or through the form located within WebAdvisor, the student is authorizing IVCC to remove him/her from the course. Entering the student ID number serves as the student’s electronic signature. IVCC has the right to rescind a withdrawal in cases of academic dishonesty or at the instructor’s discretion. Students should be aware of the impact of a withdrawal on full-time status for insurance purposes and for financial aid. It is highly recommended that students meet with their instructor or with a counselor before withdrawing from a class to discuss if a withdrawal is the best course of action for that particular student. 

13. DISABILITIES AND ACCOMMODATIONS

If you are a student with a documented cognitive, physical or psychiatric disability (anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, AD/HD, post-traumatic stress, and others) you may be eligible for academic support services such as extended test time, texts on disc, note taking services, etc. If you are interested in learning if you can receive these academic support services, please contact either Tina Hardy (tina_hardy@ivcc.edu or 224-0284) or Judy Mika (Judy_Mika@ivcc.edu or 224-0350) or stop by the Disability Services Office in B-204. 

14. OUT-OF-CLASS INSTRUCTION AND ASSISTANCE

Please take advantage of my office hours and my availability before and after class to talk to me about a specific writing assignment or the class in general. Get your money's worth out of your instructor and this class. I'm available outside of class and I'm pleased to help you with the class in any way I reasonably can. 

15. TENTATIVE SCHEDULE