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. Prerequisite: Successful performance on English Placement Test or ENG 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. (2009). Workplace communications: The basics (4th ed.). New York: Longman.
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. The important thing here is that your program allows you to save written documents in Rich Text Format (rtf). This format will allow all of 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.

4.2. Access to the Internet

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

4.3. A Private E-mail Account

This account can be virtually any type--hotmail, yahoo, IVCC student account, etc. You'll be using your e-mail account to turn in your graded e-mail assignment and to communicate with me.

5. WRITING ASSIGNMENTS (1200 POINTS)

5.1. 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
Long Report Proposal	100 points
Long Report	400 points
Descriptions/Instructions	100 points
Application Letter	100 points
Resume	100 points

5.2. Assignment Requirements 

You must type all writing assignments except for the e-mail using a word processor and submit them as file attachments to a Blackboard assignment posting by the assigned due date and time. For each 24-hour period that an assignment is late, the grade for that assignment will be dropped by five percentage points.  In addition, this late penalty will also 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, long report proposal, long report, and description/instructions, 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 typically are due no later than one week after I return your assignments to you. You should use e-mail to submit the rewrites.

NOTE: Because of the semester schedule, you will not be able to turn in a rewrite of the application letter or resume.

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 (75 POINTS)

You will complete a quiz at the end of each unit. These quizzes may cover reading assignments, handouts, Blackboard discussions, lectures, 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 (225 POINTS)

Miscellaneous assignments may include chapter exercises, collaborative workshops, style exercises, discussion questions, short memos, and a variety of other assignments. Any assignment that fails to meet the requirements or that is not turned in when it is due may receive partial credit or no credit. You will either submit these assignments through a Blackboard assignment posting or complete them in the Blackboard discussion area (each assignment will specify which).  

8. GRADING SCALE

All assignments will graded based on the scale below. Your final course grade will be based upon the same scale.

9. MAKE-UP POLICY

You may earn back up to 30 points for missed exercise, quiz, rough draft, and writing assignment points. To earn these points, find a periodical article on the Internet about the use of writing in a business, industrial, or technological setting and type a 1-page summary and critique of the article. Each summary/critique must be written carefully and thoughtfully and is worth 10 points. Turn in each summary/critique as an attachment to an e-mail to the instructor and include the URL, or web address, of the article. The last day to turn in a summary/critique is Wed., 7/2.

10. ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION

Because this class is delivered entirely online and we don't meet face-to-face, the class doesn't have a traditional attendance policy. 

However, your participation in class activities not only affects your learning, but that of your fellow students, as well. In addition, the quantity and quality of your contributions to the class may affect your class grade if it is "borderline" at the end of the semester. 

You are expected to participate regularly in all class activities, including the following:

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

Be prepared to log onto our class virtually every day (especially Monday through Friday) to check assignments, respond to questions, turn in work, etc. If you don't log in frequently, you'll probably fall behind rather quickly.

On my end, I'll check in on the class each weekday (and possibly weekend days, depending on assignments, questions, etc.). 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 week after their due dates.

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 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 June 18. Please see the current IVCC catalog for a full description of the IVCC withdrawal policy. Please note that in this class you must request a withdrawal from the instructor.

Withdrawal from a course can affect financial aid, as can simply stopping participating in class altogether. Students who receive financial aid should see an advisor in the Financial Aid Office before withdrawing from a course.

13. DISABILITIES AND ACCOMMODATIONS

You may be eligible for academic accommodations if you have a physical, psychiatric, or cognitive disability. If you have a disability and need more information regarding possible accommodations, please contact Tina Hardy at 224-0284, Jim Prendergast at 224-0350, or stop by office B-204.

14. OUT-OF-CLASS INSTRUCTION AND ASSISTANCE

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.

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