Communications Studies (COMS) 363 - Lecture 08
Fundamentals of Technical Communication
Winter 2008

Saturdays: Jan 19, 26; Feb 2, 9, 23; Mar 1, 8, 15, 29;, Apr 5

 13:00 - 17:00

Instructor:	Mr. Brian Hatton
Office Location:	SS209
Office Phone:	???
E-Mail:	bhatton@ucalgary.ca
Office Hours:	TBA

Course Description

This course is a study of the principles and techniques of technical writing. We will be experimenting with the analysis of needs, and with different approaches to meeting them, ranging from the research phase, through outlining and drafting text, and up to final layout and formatting principles. Collaboration with class- room colleagues will be crucial, as will regular attendance.

 

Objectives of the Course

Through analysis of selected technical prose and directed writing practice, students will develop competence in the presentation of technical information for a variety of audiences, in a variety of situations, to achieve a variety of typical purposes.

 

Textbooks and Readings:

Markel, Michael H. Technical Communication. 8th Edition. Bedford/St. Martin's Press

Assignments and Evaluation

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

An Instruction Project                                        2 Feb                     10%
A Description Portfolio                                     9 Feb                     15%
A Graphics/Layout Project                                23 Feb                   15%
A Portfolio of Interim Documents                      8 Mar                    20%
An Archivable Document                                  29 Mar                   20%
Class Participation and In-Class Assignments*                                10%
Final In-Class Project                                        5 Apr                     10%

 

Note: Please hand in your essays directly to me 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 my mailbox.

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.

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.

Additional Information

* Class Participation and In-Class Assignments will be based primarily on short projects assigned and completed in class (and/or between one class and the next), and graded within those parameters.

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.

Ethics

Whenever you perform research with human participants (eg. surveys, interviews, observation) as part of your university studies, you are responsible for following university research ethics guidelines.  Your instructor must review and approve of your research plans and supervise your research.  For more information about your research ethics responsibilities, see the U of C Research Ethics "Information for Applicants," sections 3.0 to 9.0, inclusive: http://www.ucalgary.ca/UofC/research/html/ethics/info_undergrad.html

Schedule of Lectures and Readings

 

To be developed in class.