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ENG 2000 Home Page Course Syllabus

TECHNICAL AND BUSINESS WRITING

1. COURSE DESCRIPTION

Designed for the student in baccalaureate technical and business programs, this course focuses on the types of on-the-job writing encountered in technical, professional and business areas: emphasizes short and long report writing in the student’s major, as well as practical, technical and business written communication (such as letters, abstracts and personnel evaluations).

2. EXPECTED STUDENT OUTCOMES

After completing this course, you should be able to do the following:

2.1 Recognize and apply techniques for effective writing

2.1.1 Identify techniques for planning, organizing, and expressing ideas in writing

2.1.2 Communicate ideas and opinions clearly and effectively

2.2 Recognize and apply techniques for effective analysis and presentation of numerical data

2.2.1 Identify techniques for organizing, analyzing and expressing numerical data in writing

2.2.2 Communicate numerical data clearly and effectively

2.3 Apply techniques of problem solving

2.3.1 Identify the steps in problem solving

2.3.2 Apply critical thinking and problem-solving steps to a problem

2.4 Write practical, technical and business written communications such as letters, abstracts, personnel evaluations, and short and long reports in the student’s major

2.4.1 Identify audience and purpose for professional writing

2.4.2 Apply appropriate strategies based on audience, purpose, and content.

2.4.3 Employ appropriate formats

2.4.4 Select, design, and incorporate appropriate graphics for professional writing

2.4.5 Collect data and conduct research

2.4.6 Document sources in writing

2.4.7 Utilize standard English and appropriate terminology in writing

2.4.8 Utilize effective revision, editing, and proof-reading strategies in producing final documents

2.5 Employ up-to-date communication modes

2.5.1 Produce a variety of acceptable, professional-level documents using word processing programs and other applicable software

2.5.2 Send and respond to electronic mail

2.6 Apply techniques of collaborative writing

2.6.1 Work in a team to analyze and provide suggestions on the format and content of technical and business documents

2.6.2 Work in a team to plan, organize, write, and edit business and technical documents

3. REQUIRED TEXTS 

3.1. Oliu, E. O., Brusaw, C. T., & Alred, G. J. (2010). Writing that works: Communicating effectively on the job (10^th ed.). Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s. NOTE: There are two 10th editions. The one you should have includes 2009 MLA and 2010 APA updates. The IVCC bookstore sells the correct edition with these updates, and the ISBN # is 0-312-69217-X.
3.2. College-Level Dictionary (Recommended)

4. TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS

To complete the requirements for this course, you will need the following:

4.1. Access to a Word Processing Program

You may use a program such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Works, or Corel WordPerfect to submit your writing assignments. The important thing here is that your program allows you to save written documents in Rich Text Format (rtf). This format will allow us to exchange written documents even if we have different word processing programs or different versions of the same program (like Microsoft Word). If you're not sure if your program is capable of saving in Rich Text Format, feel free to ask me and we'll figure out if it is or not. If it isn't, we'll make some other arrangement for you to turn in your work.
 

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT MICROSOFT WORKS AND OPEN OFFICE: While you will be able to submit writing assignments using Microsoft Works and Open Office, you will not be able to use these programs to read my comments on your graded writing assignments. To make these comments, I use Microsoft Word's insert comments feature, and Microsoft Works and Open Office have been unable to read them. If you have Works or Open Office, you will need to open your graded assignments on another computer, preferably one with Microsoft Word. Microsoft Word is available in all of the computer labs here at IVCC.

4.2. Access to the Internet

You should be able to access the Internet through a browser such as Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox. This Internet access will allow you to read our class web pages (like this one) and access our class Blackboard.

4.3. An E-mail Account

All e-mail communication for this class will be through your student e-mail account. Information about your student e-mail account, including a Quick Start Guide, is available at the following link: New Student E-mail (http://www.ivcc.edu/studenthelpdesk.aspx?id=16712). You'll be using your e-mail account to turn in your graded e-mail assignment and to communicate with me.

5. WRITING ASSIGNMENTS (1500 POINTS) 

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

5.2. Writing Assignment Requirements 
You must type all writing assignments except for the e-mail and PowerPoint using a word processor and submit all assignments (except for the e-mail) as file attachments to a Blackboard assignment posting. If one of these writing assignment is late, it will be penalized five percentage points for each 24 hours, starting at the due date and time. 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. For each of the assignments noted above with an asterisk (*), you may keep the grades you earn, or you may resubmit each of them for a higher grade. You may resubmit each of these writing assignments only once.  If you resubmit, you also must attach a file containing a typed, correctly formatted memo that explains what changes you made and how you hope they improve the document. Rewrites are due no later than one week after I return your assignments to you. You should use e-mail to submit the rewrites.

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. 

6. QUIZZES (120 POINTS)

You will complete a quiz at the end of each unit. These quizzes may cover reading assignments, handouts, discussions, and any other class material.  Quizzes must be submitted through a Blackboard assignment posting by the due date and time to receive full credit. 

7. MISCELLANEOUS ASSIGNMENTS (80 POINTS)

The miscellaneous assignments may include exercises or other assigned work. Any assignment that fails to meet the assignment requirements or is not submitted by the due date and time may receive partial credit or no credit.

8. GRADING SCALE

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

9. ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION

Because this class is an independent study delivered entirely online and we don't have scheduled face-to-face meetings, the class doesn't have a traditional attendance policy. However, you probably will be most successful if you work through the units in order, pace yourself through each unit (rather than waiting until the end of each unit to complete all the assignments), and log into the class regularly (at least once a week).

Another key to success in the class is to keep in touch with me. If you have any questions or concerns about the class, please contact me anytime by phone or e-mail or in person (see my contact information at the top of this syllabus). You are welcome to visit my office during my office hours or to set up another time to meet with me.

On my end, I'll check in on the class each weekday. I'll try to respond to questions within 24 hours during the week and no later than on Monday for questions sent to me over the weekend. My goal is to return graded assignments to you within one to two weeks after their due dates.

10. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Some of the work you complete this semester will include borrowing and documenting information from other texts, or 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.

11. 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. 

12. 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. 

13. EXTRA HELP

One final but significant note: Please take advantage of my availability through our course Blackboard, by e-mail, and by phone to talk to me about a specific writing assignment or the class in general. If necessary, we can arrange to meet at my office on campus. Get your money's worth out of your instructor and this class. I'm pleased to help you with the class in any way I reasonably can.