Description
NO SOURCES Write a memo to me, as your instructor, reflecting about how you achieved the goals and objectives of the course through each major assignment. The objectives for the course can be found in the syllabus. Reflect on and dissect the course assignments. What skills will you take into the workplace or upper-level courses as the result of these assignments? If it applies to you, discuss where you have already used the materials created during the course and/or the knowledge base you acquired. I expect at least three paragraphs of information. I will grade based on correct memo format, professional tone and style, correct grammar and spelling, and general reflection on what was learned during the course of the semester. You should refer in the memo to the objectives of the course found in the syllabus and to the assignments themselves and what you learned from them.
ENGL 3230
Technical Writing
Office Hours: By appointment only during summer sessions
Course Description: ENGL 3230-Technical Communication–Form and techniques of writing for science, industry, and related fields.
Prerequisites: All sophomore courses in English, required in any curriculum, must be completed before entry into an advanced English course.
Required Text: Kolin, Philip C., Successful Writing at Work. 11th edition. (Please be sure you get the 11th edition. Many other editions are out there and they will not have the correct assignments or page numbers. An access code for MindTap—sometimes packaged with the book—IS NOT required.) ISBN: 9781337375689
Technology Requirements: Because this is an on-line course, students should be comfortable using computer applications, have access to the Internet, be familiar with using e-mail, be motivated self-learners, be able to work independently, and follow written instructions. Software requirements include Microsoft Windows 2000, XP, or a later version. Links to download free software needed for this course are available under the Learner Support button. Many computers will already be equipped with this software.
Objectives: Technical communication is written and oral communication for the workplace. The course introduces students to the major concepts of technical communication and the major kinds of documents used in the business environment.
At the end of this course, you will be able to:
* Recognize writing common in the workplace.
* Demonstrate proficiency by writing and designing documents and graphics that meet
a variety of technical writing criteria.
* Design documents applying theory that forms the standards of modern professional
design in technical writing.
* Prepare a professional cover letter and résumé for a job search.
* Discuss what will be expected from you in a professional setting.
*Evaluate professional proposals
* Create a professional proposal combining elements of technical writing criteria
and design.
Class Policy: It is my goal to make this class practical and useful. I expect the same standards in this class that an employer would expect in the workplace. Deadlines are absolute. Missing a deadline has consequences, just as if you were late for work or not dressed appropriately. This class is extremely important for success in any career and I expect you to take it seriously. When you leave this class you should have the tools you need to begin a job search, find a job, and, hopefully, keep it. Please don’t hesitate to ask for help, I genuinely want to help you succeed.
Communication: Feel free to contact me via e-mail at any time. Please allow 12 hours turnaround time for e-mail responses. The only way I have of knowing you’ve sent an e-mail is if it arrives. If you do not receive an answer, it is your responsibility to get to the bottom of the problem. It is wise to copy yourself in all correspondence so that you have proof of your attempt to reach me. If you are contacting me about a missing grade, keep in mind that I usually require two days or more to grade major assignments. I also encourage you to communicate with each other using the discussion board.
E-mail: Each e-mail you send should have a subject line which includes your course number and a descriptive topic. Example: ENGL 3230 Question about Surveys. Type your full name at the bottom of the message so that I know who sent the message. Always check your NSU e-mail account regularly. This account is the one to which the Moodle system sends e-mail. If I have questions for you about missing assignments or other concerns, they will show up there. We will discuss a chapter on e-mail etiquette shortly. In the meantime, all e-mail and discussion board items should be clearly written using correct English and complete sentences (no text message abbreviations or symbols).
Technical Support: If you suspect you are having problems with your e-mail or with Moodle, you are responsible for finding a solution. You should contact either your Internet service provider or the Student Help Desk at 318-357-6696 or sos@student.nsula.edu. Additional help is also available through e-mailing http://www.nsula.edu/help_desk/.
Attendance: I will check attendance on Moodle each weekday. Students must open one Moodle item to register as having attended for that day. Not signing in for two days, for whatever reason, drops your final grade by 50 points. You are responsible for dropping yourself from this course should attendance become a problem.
Late Work: All work is due upon the date stated in the syllabus and/or on Moodle. Any major assignment not submitted by the due date and time will be considered late. The penalty for late work is 20 points per day, which starts immediately after the papers are due. After three days, I will not grade your late work, for the grade begins at F; however, in order to pass the course, you must turn in your work despite the fact that it will not be graded.
Homework submitted late will receive a 0, unless you have a verifiable illness or NSU approved excuse.
The only exceptions to the late paper policy are University excused absences, documented and verifiable serious illness—something which requires hospitalization or an emergency room visit, or a death in the family which is also verifiable. Do not wait until the last minute to complete your work. Begin early and plan to have your work completed prior to the deadline.
Incompletes: An “I” grade will be given to students only in cases of illness or death in the family. Students must be missing only one major assignment and must agree to complete the work within the time specified on the incomplete contract. An” I” grade will not be given unless the request is initiated by the student and approved by the department and professor. The paperwork for an “I” grade must be completed before grades are submitted to the registrar’s office. Merely running out of time to complete assignments will not be a good reason to be given an incomplete. Please be aware that if incompletes are not replaced by letter grades by the last day of registration/drop-add, you risk losing financial aid and/or your assistantship (if applicable).
Disability Statement: It is the policy of NSU to accommodate students with disabilities, pursuant to federal law, state law, and the University’s commitment to equal educational opportunities. Any student with a disability who needs accommodations, for example in seating placement or in arrangements for examinations, should inform the instructor at the beginning of the course. Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact the Office of Disability Support, which is located in Kyser Hall, Room 239, telephone (318)357-4460 or TTD (318)357-4393.
Student Learning Outcomes: Student Learning Outcomes are statements that specify what each student will know, be able to do, or be able to demonstrate when they have completed or participated in a degree program, course, project or activity. The published objectives of this course either directly and or indirectly support the student learning outcomes used to assess the Bachelor of Science Degree in (modify as needed). Visit the NSU Institutional Effectiveness website https://www.nsula.edu/institutionaleffectiveness/ and see Assessment Cycle Reports to review your degree program assessment of student learning outcomes and or ask your professor how your course impacts the degree program assessment.
Classroom Civility Statement: Each Northwestern State University student is encouraged to help create an environment that promotes learning, dignity, and mutual respect for everyone in the learning environment. Students who speak at inappropriate times, take frequent breaks, interrupt the class by coming to class late or leaving early, engage in loud or distracting behaviors, use cell phones or pagers (or other noise-making devices like watches with alarms), listen to music on headphones, play with computers or hand held games, use inappropriate language, are verbally abusive, display defiance or disrespect to others, or behave aggressively toward others during the class period may be asked to leave the class and subjected to disciplinary action under the Northwestern State University Student Code of Conduct and Sanctions (Article VII Sanctions). The instructor of a course may deem additional behaviors or actions inappropriate; these actions or behaviors will be outlined in the course syllabus. Copies of the infractions and sanctions are available on the NSU website at http://www.nsula.edu/studenthandbook/.
Student Academic Honesty Statement
Academic Honesty: If knowledge is to be properly evaluated, it must be pursued under conditions free from deceit and misrepresentation, which are incompatible with the fundamental activity of this academic institution. Northwestern State University expects students to fulfill academic requirements independently and with integrity. Academic integrity is founded on values of honesty, trust, fairness, respect, and responsibility. Violations include, for example, cheating or deception in any form, plagiarism (including duplicity), misrepresentation of knowledge, misuse of resources, falsification, and facilitating another student’s academic dishonesty. Acts of academic dishonesty violate the ethical principles of the University community and compromise work completed by others. For violations of academic honesty, a student may receive a grade of zero on the assignment and/or a grade of F in the class and will be referred to the Office of Accountability & Student Conduct to create a disciplinary record and/or for additional sanctions. For a comprehensive description of Academic Infractions refer to Article 4 Section 1 of the Student Handbook.
Sexual Harassment & Assault: NSU is committed to eliminating sexual misconduct in our community, advocating for students who have experienced sexual assault or harassment, and respecting the legal rights of both complainants and respondents. Misconduct involving sexual assault, sexual harassment, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, a hostile environment caused by sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, coercion, retaliation, intimidation, sexual consent, and discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression should be reported to the Title IX Coordinator, Alexis Smith Finnie, (318) 357-5570. Also, hate crimes, including those based on gender identity or national origin, should be reported. The offenses listed above are prohibited by the University. Information about conduct infractions and sanctions (Articles IV and VII of the Student Code of Conduct) are available on the NSU webpage at https://www.nsula.edu/studenthandbook/.
Reporting and Assistance: NSU strongly advocates reporting sex discrimination, sexual assault, intimate-partner violence, or sexual harassment. If a student discloses an incident, they will learn options for assistance, such as health and wellbeing counseling, residence and class accommodations, and options for filing complaints or criminal charges. Disclosure to University personnel will not obligate the complainant to file a grievance or criminal charge, nor will it subject the complainant to scrutiny or judgmental opinions.
Students have two options:
1. Reporting to the Title IX Coordinator (318) 357-5570 or University Police (318) 357-5431. For emergencies or a 24/7 Confidential Advisor, please call University Police.
2. Confidential Disclosure to Campus Counselor or Confidential Advisor (318) 357-5621
For a comprehensive list of parish-wide resources for assistance, please visit https://www.nsula.edu/notalone/.
Confidentiality: All reporting of sex discrimination and sexual misconduct is treated as confidential to the greatest extent possible; the privacy of all individuals involved is important to the Northwestern State University. In most situations, only individuals involved in the resolution of the situation will have access to the information about the case. If there is a risk of the alleged perpetrator committing additional crimes, if a student is in immediate danger, or if there has been expressed intent to harm others, or other risks such as involvement of a weapon or the age of the students involved, the University may determine that it is necessary to compromise the level of privacy provided.
For more information and assistance in case of sexual assault or harassment, please see Title IX Coordinator’s NSU: Not Alone webpage: https://www.nsula.edu/notalone/.
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination based on sex in educational programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance. NSU is committed to equal opportunity for student success by providing access to educational programs, tuition assistance, and social and recreational activities for all students without regard to race, color, gender, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, pregnancy or parenting status, veteran status, or retirement status.
Modification of Syllabus: I reserve the right to modify this syllabus at any time. Students are responsible for staying current with the syllabus, even if they were absent when the modification was announced.
Academic Integrity and Proctoring Policy: In order to protect the integrity of electronic learning courses in the Department, it is recommended that such courses require a minimum of two assignments through which student identity can be confirmed during assessment. Major exams may be proctored by approved proctors in test-based courses, and alternate assignments and synchronous online meetings may be used in project-based courses. The department may also use plagiarism detection services for major writing assignments, as appropriate.
It is the responsibility of the instructor to inform students of the course assignment requirements at the beginning of the semester, including information about approved proctor options, associated costs, and required equipment.
It is the responsibility of the student to meet course requirements for all assignments, including scheduling with an approved proctor and communicating that information to the instructor, paying any associated costs, and ensuring access to any required equipment as outlined in the assignment requirements.
Approved Proctors:
- An approved campus proctoring site at any Northwestern State University location: Alexandria, Barksdale, Ft. Polk, Marksville, Natchitoches, and the Shreveport Nursing campus;
- ProctorU (the University designated online proctoring service);
- An official testing/educational center from any military entity;
- For high school students who are taking Department dual-enrollment courses, the school’s approved or designated proctor (i.e., Guidance Counselor, Principal, Assistant Principal or teacher).
(Note: To meet this new university policy, I will have two video assignments this semester to check your identity, the first being the video required with the introduction.)
Submitting Assignments: All assignments are to be submitted via Moodle. Further instructions are provided with each assignment and under the How to Get Started link on the class homepage. All work is due on or before the dates established in this syllabus. Students must submit all major assignments to pass the course.
Homework: Assignments as outlined in the syllabus.
Homework will consist of individual assignments and group discussion using the Discussion Board Forum feature in Moodle. Full instructions and requirements will be posted with each assignment.
Major assignments: Each assignment will have its own formatting and submission requirements. All major assignments must be completed to pass the course.
- Emails/Memo: 100 points
- Letter Package: 100 points
- Employment Package: 200 points
- Short Report: 200 points
- Final Project Package: 200 points
- Final Exam: 100 points
Homework Exercises/Discussion Forums: 100 points
Total 1000 points
Grading Scale: 100-90=A, 89-80=B, 79-70=C, 69-60=D, 59-0=F
Grading: Assignments will be evaluated on how well they respond to the assigned topic, evidence of thought and inquiry, logical structure, style, adherence to standard grammar and spelling, professionalism, and format. Grading rubrics are provided under the How I Grade link in Moodle. The final score is based on a 1,000 point scale. For example, 900 points are needed to earn an A, 800 for a B, etc. A total of 890 points does not mean a student made an 89 in the class. Grades are based on total points earned, not percentages. This student would need 10 additional points to receive 900 for an A.
Plagiarism: Plagiarism on any assignment will result in a 0 on the assignment and an F in the course. Students are not allowed to redo plagiarized work. Plagiarism is the use of material which is not your creation. Plagiarism can mean cheating on a test, patch-writing, citing someone’s material without appropriately documenting it, buying a paper from a company or Internet site, asking your boyfriend/girlfriend, mother/father, friend to write your paper, or submitting a paper by someone else. It can also include paraphrasing words you found in a published source and putting that paraphrase in your essay without citation or finding a useful idea and representing that idea as your own. All work written for this class must be your own and written exclusively for this class. Group work is not allowed. Please become familiar with plagiarism and learn how to avoid it.
Calendar:
Day 1: June 1: Introduction to course, class policy, and the syllabus.
Readings/homework: Read Ch. 1 pgs. 4-26 for June 2
Introductions on DB forum for June 2
Day 2: June 2: Introduction to the technical writing
Readings/homework: Do Ch. 1 Ex. 4 for June 3 at midnight
Read Ch. 2 for June 3
Day 3: June 3: Introduction to technical writing, emails, memos, blogs
Readings/homework: Do. Ch. 2 Ex. 14A for June 4 at midnight
Read Ch. 4 pgs. 116-135 and Ch. 6 pgs. 220-227 for June 4
Ch 4: activity with blogs for June 5 at midnight
Day 4: June 4: E-mails, blogs
Readings/homework: Ch. 4: memo about social networking sites for June 5 at midnight
Day 5: June 5: E-mails, memos, social media
Readings/homework: Do Ch. 4 Ex. 6 and Ch. 6 Ex. 27 for June 8 at noon
Read Ch. 5 for June 8
Major Assignment #1: E-mails/Memo Due June 9 at 9 a.m.
Day 6: June 8: Business letters.
Readings/homework: Do Ch. 5 Ex. 6 and 8 for June 10 at midnight
Read Ch. 6 for June 9
Day 7: June 9: Business letters
Major Assignment #2: The Letter Package, Due June 11 at midnight
Day 8: June 10: Business letters, résumés, employment letters, applications.
Readings/homework: Read Ch. 7 for June 11
Day 9: June 11: Résumés, employment letters, applications
Readings/homework: Do Ch. 7 Ex. 4 and 6 for June 12 at noon
Major Assignment #3: The Employment Package: Due June 15 at noon
Day 10: June 12: Job skills, online employment mistakes, job seeking
Readings/homework: “How to Click and Clean Your Online Profile” and post
response to DB forum by June 12 at midnight
Day 11: June 15: Job seeking
Readings and Homework: Social Media Report due June 16
Day 12: June 16: Visuals
Readings/homework: Read Ch. 10 for June 17
Day 13: June 19: Designing documents
Readings/homework: Do memo and graphics homework due June 18 at midnight
Read Ch. 11 pgs. 448-464 and 475 for June 18
Day 14: June 18: Ethics, short reports.
Readings/homework: Read Ch. 1 pgs. 26-38 for June 19 at 2 p.m.
Ch 1: exercise 12 on DB forum due June 19 at noon
Day 15: June 19: Short reports
Readings/homework: Read Ch. 14 for June 22 at noon
Major Assignment #4: Short Incident Report Due June 23 at noon
Day 16: June 22: Reports, proposals
Readings/homework: Read Ch. 13 for June 23 at 9 a.m.
Day 17: June 23: Reports, proposals.
Major Assignment #5: Final Project/Grant Proposal Due June 25 at
midnight
Day 18: June 24: Grant proposals
Day 19: June 25: Grant proposals, final exam
Readings/homework: Discuss final project on discussion forum for June 25 at
midnight
Final Exam: Due June 26 at 3 p.m.
Day 20: June 26: Last day of class
