Communications Studies (COMS) 363 - Lecture 93
Professional and Technical Communication
Winter 2007
M 18:30 - 21:30 PF 118  

Instructor:	Ms. Janis Goldie
Office Location:	SS 351
Office Phone:	210-8475
E-Mail:	jlgoldie@ucalgary.ca
Web Page:
Office Hours:	M 16:00 - 18:00

Course Description

In this course, you will learn and apply the basic principles of professional and technical communication as well as become familiar with the importance of communicating effectively in the workplace. We will cover issues such as readability, document design, editing, writing in groups and the ethics of writing technically. In addition, you will learn how to identify, and write to, an appropriate audience by composing a number of applications and documents such as technical reports, oral presentations, business correspondence and job application materials.

Objectives of the Course

Students will understand the contexts, purposes, audiences, and processes of written, oral and visual workplace-oriented communication

Students will recognize and be able to analyze effective and ineffective written, oral, and visual workplace communication

Students will produce different types of written, oral, and visual workplace documents that are appropriate for, and appeal to, a variety of audiences

Students will gain competence working and writing in both individual and collaborative contexts

Textbooks and Readings:

Alred, G.J, Brusaw, C.T. & Walter, O.E. (2002). The Technical Writer’s Companion. Third Edition. Boston. Bedford/St. Martin’s.

Assignments and Evaluation

It is the student's responsibility to keep a copy of each submitted assignment.

Audience Analysis and Article Summary: January 29 (20%)

Proposal for Final Report and Workplan: February 26 (15%)

Oral Presentation: March 5 - 26 (20%)

Final Report: April 9 (30%)

In-class Assignments: Ongoing (15%)



Note: In-class assignments CANNOT be made-up at a later date.

Note: Please return assignments directly to the instructor if possible. If it is not possible to do so, a daytime drop box is available in SS110; a date stamp is provided for your use. A night drop box is also available for after-hours submission. Assignments will be removed the following morning, stamped with the previous day's date, and placed in the instructor's mailbox.

Registrar-scheduled Final Examination: No

Please note: If your class is held in the evening, the Registrar's Office will make every attempt to schedule the final exam during the evening; however, there is NO guarantee that the exam will NOT be scheduled during the day.

Policy for Late Assignments

Assignments are due at the beginning of the class on the designated day. Late assignments will be penalized with the loss of a letter grade (e.g. A- to a B+) for each day late.

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 wish help with your writing at any stage, including drafts, you are invited to contact the Writing Centre, SS110, 220-7255.

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. For details see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/info. 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 (SS110) 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/info

"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 daily schedule and detailed assignment descriptions will be handed out on the first day of class.