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WRITTEN COMMUNICATION SKILLS FOR BUSINESS, INDUSTRY, AND TECHNOLOGY 

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. (2006). Workplace communications: The basics (3rd ed.). New York: Longman.
3.2. College-Level Dictionary (Recommended)

4. WRITING ASSIGNMENTS (1300 POINTS) 

4.1. Assignments
You will be completing a number of graded writing assignments during this class.  They are listed below, along with the required presentation:

Business Letter	100 points
E-mail	100 points
Short Report	200 points
Descriptions/Instructions	200 points
Long Report Proposal	100 points
Long Report	400 points
Application Letter	100 points
Resume	100 points

4.2. Writing Assignment Requirements 
You must type all writing assignments on a word processor and turn them in at the beginning of class on the scheduled due dates.  For each calendar day (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays) that a writing assignment is late, your grade for that assignment will be dropped by five percentage points (5%).  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, 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 must include the original graded draft and a typed, correctly formatted memo that explains what changes you made and how you hope they improve the document. See the course schedule (Section 15) for the last date you may submit these rewrites.

You will have an opportunity to resubmit your long report proposal (due one week after I return it to you). You will be required to submit a rewrite of the long report text and bibliography (which you'll turn in before the rest of the report). However, because of the semester schedule, you will not be able to turn in a rewrite of the long report front and back matter, 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. 

5. QUIZZES (50 POINTS)

You will complete a 10-point quiz at the end of units 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. These quizzes may cover reading assignments, handouts, lectures, and any other class material.  Missed quizzes may not be made up except under extenuating circumstances.

6. MISCELLANEOUS ASSIGNMENTS (150 POINTS)

Miscellaneous assignments may include chapter exercises, collaborative workshops, style exercises, grammar exercises, discussion questions, pop quizzes, and a variety of other assignments.  Some of them must be completed in class, some out of class.  Those that you must complete out of class will be due at the start of class on the due date.  Any exercise that fails to meet the requirements of the assignment or that is not turned in when it is due may receive partial credit or no credit.

7. GRADING SCALE

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

You may earn back up to 30 points for missed writing assignment, quiz, and miscellaneous points.  To earn these points, find a periodical article 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.  When you turn in a summary/critique, you must attach a copy of the article itself.  The last day to turn in a summary/critique is the last class meeting before the final exam (see course schedule).  

9. ATTENDANCE POLICY

Regular attendance is important to passing this course.  When you are absent, you are still responsible for what is covered in class during your absence and for all assignments, regardless of why you are absent.  Though I do not penalize you directly for missing class, being absent more than a few times will almost certainly affect your grade because of the material you will miss.

10. PARTICIPATION

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 class and group discussions
• Collaborating with other students
• Being on time and prepared for class
• Exhibiting professional behavior

Your participation in course activities not only affects your learning, but that of other students, as well. In addition, your participation may affect your overall grade in the course if your grade is "borderline" at the end of the semester.

Finally, to give everyone an equal opportunity to learn, it's vital that your participation and actions in class contribute to an effective learning environment. Because the following activities detract from such an environment, they will not be tolerated:

• Coming to class late on a regular basis
• Allowing your cell phone to ring or using your cell phone during class
• Studying for other courses during class
• Talking during class (unrelated to what is being covered in class)

At all times in class, your participation and actions should demonstrate respect for the class, your classmates, and the instructor.

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 IVCC Style Book (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.

12. WITHDRAWAL POLICY

You may withdraw from this course through April 8. 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 coming to class.  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 office hours and my availability before and after class to talk to me about a specific writing assignment or the class in general. Get your money's worth out of your instructor and this class. I'm available outside of class and I'm pleased to help you with the class in any way I reasonably can.  If necessary, we can arrange to meet at my office during times other than my scheduled office hours.

15. TENTATIVE SCHEDULE