MARSHALLTOWN COMMUNITY COLLEGE COURSE SYLLABUS
COURSE NAME: COURSE NUMBER: SEMESTER: CREDIT HOURS:
Technical Writing--the Internet Version EN116 Summer 2002 3 semester hours
INSTRUCTOR:
P. J. Colbert, Office #501 Telephone: 641-752-7106, ext 249 FAX: 641-752-8109 E-mail: pcolbert@iavalley.cc.ia.us Webpage: http://www.iavalley.cc.ia.us/~pcolbert Introduces students to technical and business communications. Includes correspondence, mechanical description, procedure, informal and formal reports.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
TEXTS: Pickett, Nell Ann, Ann A. Laster, and Katherine E. Staples. Technical English. 8th ed. New York: Longman, 2001. Colbert, P. J. Documentation Guide. Rev. ed. (Available at the MCC Bookstore.)
OBJECTIVES (Quality Standards): The students will: 1. Identify the audiences of technical writing 2. Identify the types and parts of business correspondence 3. Write documents with appropriate format for audience and purpose 4. Demonstrate knowledge of the techniques for writing instructions 5. Identify the purpose and elements of a proposal 6. Identify and write the elements of a formal report 7. Document research using the MLA documentation style 8. Prepare an effective resume 9. Use graphics to enhance writing 10. Define terms for different audiences 11. Describe a mechanism 12. Organize their time to complete a long-term assignment
Assessment Matrix:
Standard 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.
Exam
Paper X X X X X X X X X X X X
Presentation
Project
Demonstration
Observation
Simulation
Other
X
X
ASSIGNMENTS: Assignment Orientation Questions Readability analysis Exercise 15.4--memo on efficiency Job application letter Resume Exercise 5.19--table of survey results Exercise 11.6--100-word definition Exercise 10.7--mechanism description Exercise 9.5--procedure explanation 5 possible topics for the final report project Proposal on the subject of your final report Working bibliography Outline of your final report Documentation exercise Letter of transmittal Title page Table of Contents Abstract Final Report
Points Possible 5 50 100 50 50 100 50 100 100 10 100 10 10 50 10 10 10 10 300
NOTE: The deadlines for each assignment are listed on the Main Page in the Schedule of Assignments. To keep you on track, two modules are due each week. Deadlines are generally on Mondays and Thursday s. It would be wise, however, to plan to complete work a few days ahead of the deadline. You may submit work early, but stick to the sequence of assignments. Suggestion: PRINT a copy of the Assignments Page and check off assignments as completed. POLICIES LATE WORK POLICY: The English Department policy on late work is as follows: Late papers will receive a 10 percent penalty. No papers will be accepted more than one week late. ****Be sure to make note of the late policy. It's wise to plan ahead to avoid the penalty.
ATTENDANCE: Because of the nature of the class, "attendance" will be recorded by my e-mail correspondence with you. I expect to receive correspondence from you at least once a week. In addition, you should check your email at least THREE times a week.
Academic Integrity: The very nature of higher education requires that students adhere to accepted standards of academic integrity. The Code of Academic Conduct for Iowa Valley Community College District is found in the Student Handbook. Violations include cheating, plagiarism, and fabrication, abuse of academic materials, complicity in academic dishonesty, falsification of records and official documents. Consequences: A grade of zero "0" will be recorded for any assignment or test in which cheating or plagiarism occurs.
GRADING FORMULA: 93% - 100% = A 90% - 93% = A87% - 90% = B+ 83% - 87% = B 80% - 83% = B-
77% - 80% = C+ 73% - 77% = C 70% - 73% = C67% - 70% = D+ 63% - 67% = D 60% - 63% = DBelow 60% = F
COURSE CONTENT ADVISEMENT: This course addresses topics that may be sensitive, offensive, and/or controversial. If you are uncomfortable with any topic or the manner in which it is presented, please discuss your concerns with the instructor or the Dean of Instruction. Academic Integrity: The very nature of higher education requires that students adhere to accepted standards of academic integrity. The Code of Academic Conduct for Iowa Valley Community College District is found in the Student Handbook. Violations include cheating, plagiarism, and fabrication, abuse of academic materials, complicity in academic dishonesty, falsification of records and official documents. Consequences: A grade of zero "0" will be recorded for any assignment or test in which cheating or plagiarism occurs. DISABILITIES STATEMENT: Iowa Valley Community College District (IVCCD) understands its responsibility under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to make reasonable accommodations for employees, prospective employees, and students with disabilities. DROP/ADD POLICY: If the change (adding or dropping a class, changing from credit to audit or audit to credit) is made within the first week following the beginning of a semester, there is no charge for making the change. Changes made after the second week of the semester or the first week of the summer session will be listed on the student's transcript with the grade "W" (withdrew). A charge will be assessed for the registration change(s) after five days of classes during regular semester. Charges for withdrawal during summer, special sessions, or condensed sessions will be charged accordingly. Once registered, failure to attend a class on or before the day when official student count is taken may cancel registration in that class. Failure to "change registration" officially in the Registrar's Office will result in a grade of "F" recorded on the student's transcript for that class or classes. Information on refunds of tuition after dropping classes and the actual refund schedule can be found under "Tuition Refund Policy" in this catalog. COURSE WITHDRAWAL POLICY: Students may withdraw without academic penalty from courses in which they are enrolled by submitting a course withdrawal form to the Student Services Office by the
requisite date with written approval from the instructor, counselor, or administrator. A $5 service fee is assessed for course withdrawals. Withdrawal during fall or spring semesters must occur by the 12th Friday for full-term courses or the 6th Friday for split terms. Interim or summer session withdrawals will be similarly apportioned. A student who stops going to class without officially withdrawing will earn an "F."