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COURSE SYLLABUS

1.

TITLE OF COURSE:

Technical Writing I

 

PREFIX/NUMBER:

ENG 131

CREDIT HOURS:

3

2.

PREREQUISITE:

ENG 90 completed at a "C" or better level or students must have taken the English placement exam (CPTE) and scored at 95 or above.

 

3.

SUPPLIES:

 

TEXT:

Instructor will supply materials through D2L.

SUPPLIES:

USB “thumb” drive

A two-pocket folder

4.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course develops skills one can apply to a variety of technical documents. Students learn principles for organizing, writing, and revising clear, readable documents for industry, business, and government.

5.

COURSE GOAL:

To prepare students to be effective writers and communicators in their profession by increasing their ability to understand and analyze formats and methods typical of technical writing and by providing practice in producing documents of professional quality.

 

6.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

By the end of the course, students will

 

(A)

Identify audience

(B)

State purpose

(C)

 
Find, evaluate, interpret, and document data

(D)

 
Organize data and outline reports

(E)

 
Select and use format and style appropriate to the purpose and audience

(F)

 
Use standard grammar, spelling, and mechanics

(G)

 
Develop the skills necessary for writing a variety of commonly used technical documents

 

(H)

Employ writing strategies such as description, definition, and instruction.

 

(I)

Integrate visual aids into documents.

 

(J)

Produce collaborative documents.

 

(K)

Prepare and deliver a professional oral presentation.

 

7.

EVALUATION PROCEDURES:

 

Students will be evaluated on their ability to write clear, correct, and coherent technical documents. 

 

All writing assignments will be worth one letter grade. These grades will be averaged, and a final grade will be given according to the Raw Score Range.

 

 

Grading Scale

Raw Score Range

 

Letter Grade

 

 

90 to 100

A

 

 

80 to 89

B

 

 

70 to 79

C

 

 

60 to 69

D

 

 

0 to 59

F

 

Special Remarks:

 

a.

All assignments must be completed for the student to pass the course. To receive full credit, all work must be submitted on time. Late work will receive one grade cut for each day beyond the due date of the assignment and will not be accepted for a grade during final exam week.

 

b.

Attendance: College policy states that students may be withdrawn from a course when absent 20% (9 hours) of the scheduled class meetings. In addition, after missing the fourth instructional hour of a class, students may have points or a percentage deducted from their final grade for further absences. The specific number of points or percentage will be left to the instructor's discretion.

 

c.

Tardy Policy: Students are to be ready to begin classes at the scheduled start of the classes. It is considered unprofessional and disruptive behavior for students to arrive late and/or leave early. Three tardies or early exits may be counted as one absence.

 

d.

Missed Assignments: It is the student's responsibility, whether present or absent, to obtain all material presented and to complete all course assignments. 

 

e.

Students are expected and encouraged to spend two to three hours outside of class for every contact hour in class.

 

f.

Respect for others and for the teaching-learning situation is the key to successful interaction in the class. Therefore, to promote a positive learning experience for all students, instructors reserve the right to ask a disruptive student to leave the classroom.

 

g.

Use of Electronics in the Classroom

Computers and other electronic devices may be used in the classroom only for academic purposes as directed by the instructor.  Texting and/or accessing personal e-mail and social networking sites such as Facebook are not allowed.  All cell phones must be turned off during class. If a student uses an unapproved electronic device during a test or class activity, the student will receive no credit for the activity or test, may be asked to leave the classroom, and/or may fail the course for cheating.

 

 

Professionalism Rubric

 

Criteria

Excellent

Good

Weak

Unacceptable

 

Attendance

Student is present every class meeting and does not leave early.

Student has missed two classes and/or left early.

Student has missed 3-4 classes or left early more than once.

Student misses class continually or leaves early frequently.

 

Punctuality

Arrives to class on time; turns in assignments on due date.

Arrives late once or misses one assignment deadline.

Arrives late twice or misses 2 deadlines.

Is continually late to class; misses deadlines frequently.

 

Attitude

Communicates with a positive attitude; never displays rudeness.

Almost always communicates with a positive attitude showing courtesy towards others.

Occasionally communicates negatively bordering on rudeness.

Often communicates with a negative attitude without regard for others' points of view.

 

Commitment

Demonstrates eagerness for the information presented as well as for the learning process.

Usually demonstrates an eagerness for the information presented as well as for the learning process.

Is indifferent to or uninvolved in the course information and the learning process.

Expresses negativity towards information presented for courses or for the learning process.

 

Classroom Interaction

Politely accepts feedback and uses it constructively. Remains on task and follows the class rules.

Is usually open to positive feedback and follows class policies. Occasionally gets off-task.

Is sometimes unwilling to accept feedback, follow directions, or remain on task.

Is resistant to positive feedback, directions, or class policies. Is frequently off-task.

 

Modified from CSU Monterey Bay-1 Oct. 2009

 

8.

COURSE OUTLINE

 

Tentative Schedule (Instructor may vary and/or supplement)

 

 

I.

Introduction: A Definition of Technical Writing

 

 

II.

Writing Clearly and Concisely

 

 

III.

Analyzing Your Audience and purpose

 

 

IV.

Business Communication: Letters and Memos

 

 

V.

Page Layout/Internet

 

 

VI.

Resumes

 

 

VII.

Using Visual Aids

 

 

VIII.

Writing a Description

 

 

IX.

Writing an Instruction Report

 

 

X.

Presenting Technical Information Orally, including Research and Documentation

 

9.

METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:

 

To be successful in this course, students are expected to participate in discussions, readings, in-class writing, and peer review activities. The instructor may assign point values to such activities.

10.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:

 

The English Department supports and adheres to the following policy on academic integrity. Students should refer to their PCC Student Handbook for the complete policy statement.

 

"Pueblo Community College is committed to providing a superior educational experience for all students who attend the college. Academic integrity and honesty in all educational classrooms and programs are critical in providing this high level of education. . . . Academic Dishonesty is any form of cheating and plagiarism which results in students giving or receiving unauthorized assistance in an academic exercise or receiving credit for work which is not their own. . . . Plagiarism is the deliberate adoption or reproduction of ideas or words or statements of another person as one's own without acknowledgement."

 

The penalty for violating the standards of academic integrity is failure of the course.

11.

ADA NOTICE:

 

Students who have a documented disability may be eligible to receive accommodations for this class. Please contact the Disability Resources Center at 549-3446 for further information.