Communication Studies COMS 363 Lec.62
Professional and Technical Communication
Spring 2008

T/Th 11:00-13:45 ES054

Class Dates: July 3 - August 14

 

Instructor:	Christine Mains
Office Location:	SS106
Office Phone:	220-7789
E-Mail:	cmains@ucalgary.ca
Web Page:	Blackboard
Office Hours:	by appointment

Course Description

 

This course is a study of the principles and techniques of technical writing, taking a rhetorical approach to understanding effective professional and technical communication. Through assignments designed to reflect both written and oral formats common in workplace settings, students will gain expertise in analyzing and meeting the needs of a variety of audiences, including customers, co-workers, and clients. Issues such as readability, document design, the use of visuals, editing, and collaborative writing will be considered.

 

Objectives of the Course

This course aims to equip students with fundamental knowledge and skills to write and speak more effectively and ethically in a variety of professional contexts. Students will learn to:

 

• Think critically and read critically

• Adapt to communication situations based on rhetorical analysis

 

• Communicate effectively both through oral presentations and written documents

• Research complex problems and situations individually and collaboratively

 

• Understand the conventions and strategies for a range of formats

• Design documents that look professional and communicate information effectively

• Produce written documents that are focused, coherent, and readable

 

 

Textbook and Readings:

 

G.J. Alred et al. (2006). Handbook of Technical Writing (8th edition).

 

 

Assignments and Evaluation

Instructions                                                            July 8             10%

Audience Analysis: Technical Memo                       July 10                      10%

Professional Correspondence Portfolio                     July 17                      10%

Proposal for Final Project (Team)                            July 24                      10%

Final Project: Presentation (Team)                           Aug 5/7          15%

Final Project: Report   (Team)                                 Aug 17                      30%

Attendance & Participation                                     throughout       15%

All written assignments will be submitted through Digital Dropbox on Blackboard. No assignments will be submitted in hardcopy, whether handed to the instructor, dropped at the main office, or slid under office doors. It is the student's responsibility to keep a copy of each submitted assignment, and to check email regularly for notices of missing assignments.

Registrar-scheduled Final Examination:  No.

Policy for Late Assignments

Assignments submitted after the deadline may be penalized with the loss of a grade (e.g.: A- to B+) for each day late.

Attendance and Participation

 

Because this course is designed to prepare students for work in technical or business communication, collaborative work is an important component. Half the grade will be based on the team project, and there will be group work early in the term as preparation for individual assignments as well. Students will not automatically receive the team grade if they do not contribute meaningfully and substantially to the team's success. Therefore it is essential that all students attend all classes; occasional absence for reasons of illness or emergency can be accommodated, but regular absence because of conflicts with work schedules or personal issues cannot. Students should consider this course as a commitment equal to that expected of a career-oriented job.

 

Writing Skills Statement

Faculty policy directs that all written assignments (including, although to a lesser extent, written exam responses) will be assessed at least partly on writing skills. For details see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/info. Writing skills include not only surface correctness (grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, etc) but also general clarity and organization. Research papers must be properly documented.

If you need help with your writing, you may use the Writing Centre.  Visit the website for more details: www.efwr.ucalgary.ca

Grading System

The following grading system is used in the Faculty of Communication and Culture:

A+ (96-100); A (92-95); A- (86-91); B+ (81-85); B (77-80); B- (71-76);
C+ (65-70); C (62-64); C- (59-61); D+ (55-58); D (50-54); F (0-49)

 

Plagiarism

Using any source whatsoever without clearly documenting it is a serious academic offense. Consequences include failure on the assignment, failure in the course and possibly suspension or expulsion from the university.

You must document not only direct quotations but also paraphrases and ideas where they appear in your text. A reference list at the end is insufficient by itself. Readers must be able to tell exactly where your words and ideas end and other people's words and ideas begin. This includes assignments submitted in non-traditional formats such as Web pages or visual media, and material taken from such sources.

Please consult your instructor or the Writing Centre (SS 106, efwr.ucalgary.ca) if you have any questions regarding how to document sources.

Students with Disabilities

If you are a student with a disability who may require academic accommodation, it is your responsibility to register with the Disability Resource Centre (220-8237) and discuss your needs with your instructor no later than fourteen (14) days after the start of the course.

Students' Union

For details about the current Students' Union contacts for the Faculty of Communication and Culture see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/su

"SAFEWALK" Program -- 220-5333

Campus Security will escort individuals day or night -- call 220-5333 for assistance. Use any campus phone, emergency phone or the yellow phone located at most parking lot booths.

Schedule of Lectures and Readings

 

A schedule will be posted to Blackboard at the beginning of the term.