ENG 136 TECHNICAL PROFESSIONAL WRITING

Transcription

1 ENG 136 TECHNICAL PROFESSIONAL WRITING PRESENTED AND APPROVED: MAY 4, 2012 EFFECTIVE - FALL

2 Prefix & Number ENG 136 Course Title: Technical/Professional Writing Purpose of this submission: Update New Change/Updated Retire If this is a change, what is being changed? Update Prefix Course Description (Check all that apply) Title Course Number Format Change Credits Prerequisite Competencies Textbook/Reviewed Competencies-no changes needed Does this course require additional fees? No Yes If so, please explain. Is there a similar course in the course bank? No Yes (Please identify) Articulation: Is this course or an equivalent offered at other two and four-year universities in Arizona? No Yes (Identify the college, subject, prefix, number and title: Arizona Western College (ENG 110 Technical Writing), Arizona Central College (ENG 121 Applied Technical Writing), Chandler-Gilbert Community College (Eng 111 Technical/Professional Writing), Cochise College (ENG 179 Applied Technical Writing), Dine College (ENG 180 Technical Writing), Estrella Mountain Community College (ENG 111 Technical/Professional Writing), Gateway Community College (ENG 111 Technical/Professional Writing), Glendale Community College (ENG 111 Technical/Professional Writing), Maricopa Community College (ENG 111 Technical/Professional Writing), Mesa Community College (ENG 111 Technical/Professional Writing), Northland Pioneer College (ENL 109 Technical Writing), Paradise Valley College (ENG 111 Technical/Professional Writing), Phoenix College (ENG 111 Technical/Professional Writing), Rio Salado College (ENG 111 Technical/Professional Writing), Scottsdale College (ENG 111 Technical/Professional Writing), South Mountain College (ENG 111 Technical/Professional Writing), Yavapai College (ENG 136 Technical Writing). ASU ENG Department Elective, NAU Elective, and UA ENGL-ENGV Dept Elective Is this course identified as a Writing Across the Curriculum course? No Yes Course Textbook, Materials and Equipment Textbook(s) Current edition: Seventh Title Author(s) Publisher Title Author(s) Publisher Technical Communications: Process and Product Gerson, Sharon and Steven Gerson Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall Software/ Equipment Handouts, audiovisual materials, etc. as determined by the instructor Course Assessments Description of Possible Course Assessments (Essays, multiple choice, etc.) A formal paper of at least 1000 words is required. An additional 1500 required words may be satisfied by any combination of papers,

3 Exams standardized for this course? Midterm Final Other (Please specify): The instructor may, at his or her discretion, employ some combination of the following methods to evaluate student mastery of the subject matter: quizzes, exams, oral reports, written assignments, research papers, special projects, attendance, class participation, etc. Where can faculty members locate or access the required standardized exams for this course? Not applicable. Student Outcomes: Identify the general education goals for student learning that is a component of this course. response essays, reading journals, revisions, or in-class or online writing assignments to be compiled into a writing portfolio. At the instructor s discretion, the following areas may also be evaluated: quizzes, in-class or online reading and writing exercises, participation, and individual conferences relative to the formal paper assignment. Are exams required by the department? No Yes If Yes, please specify: Check all that apply: 1. Communicate effectively. a. Read and comprehend at a college level. b. Write effectively in a college setting. 2. Demonstrate effective quantitative reasoning and problem solving skills. Method of Assessment In-class or online discussions and reading and writing exercises; quizzes; essay exams; papers. In addition, one or more team activities requiring negotiation, peer review, and presentation skills. In-class or online discussions and reading and writing exercises; quizzes; essay exams; papers. In addition, one or more team activities requiring negotiation, peer review, and presentation skills. 3. Demonstrate effective qualitative reasoning skills. In-class or online discussions and reading and writing exercises; quizzes; essay exams; papers. In addition, project activities involving project management including timelines and coordination between teams. 4. Apply effective methods of inquiry. a. Generate research paper by gathering information from varied sources, analyzing data and organizing information into a coherent structure. b. Employ the scientific method. 5. Demonstrate sensitivity to diversity. a. Experience the creative products of humanity. b. Describe alternate historical, cultural, global perspectives. Office of Instruction Use only: CIP Code: ONET Code: Minimum Qualifications: Group presentations requiring original inquiry and research on ethical issues facing the technical or professional writer. In-class or online discussions and reading and writing exercises; group presentations; quizzes; essay exams; papers.

4 COURSE INFORMATION Initiator: Kata Alvidrez and Dan Pund Date of proposal to Curriculum Sub-Committee: 5/4/12 Effective Semester/Year Fall 2012 Spring Summer Prerequisite will be reflected in the catalog. Prefix & Number: ENG 136 Full Title: (100 character limit) Technical/Professional Writing Short Title: (30 character limit) Catalog Course Description: Develops writing skills with an introduction to the general principles of business and technical writing, including the writing process, various writing formats, research, and special concerns related to written communication in the workplace. SUN Course Number: Credit Hours: 3 Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 0 Prerequisite(s) Appropriate score on assessment test or successful completion of PCS 021 and TRE 089. Co-requisite(s) Intended Course Goals By the end of the semester, students will be able to: 1. Explain the differences between technical writing and other forms of written communication including the principles of audience and purpose analysis, syntax, and document design. 2. Complete the process of a job search and apply the appropriate writing skills in resumes, cover letters, and application letters. 3. Demonstrate an appreciation for the critical nature of writing in professional rhetorical situations requiring clarity, conciseness, accuracy, readability, coherence, and organization in technical writing. 4. Demonstrate the use of appropriate etiquette in electronic communications with various audiences including high tech versus low-tech audiences, lay versus expert audiences, and internal versus external audiences. 5. Demonstrate an understanding of the formal elements of organizational communications including analytical reports, project proposals, formal memorandums, business letters, white papers, and internet platform documents such as web pages and blogs. 6. Apply and work within the ethical, social, and professional constraints of audience, style, and content for writing situations within an organization (recognizing chain of command and reporting relationships as factors) as well as between the organization and the public. 7. Identify the appropriate means of communication including the use of formal and informal voice, appropriate vocabulary, written communications format (memorandum, business letter, or fax, and/or reports), and oral communications format (telephone, face-to-face, and web-enhanced presentation) for a set of common organizational situations. 8. Produce a portfolio of effectively designed and written business documents demonstrating mastery of the formal elements of technical writing including effective graphics as appropriate.

5 INSTRUCTION

6 Course Competencies and Objectives By the end of the semester, students will be able to: Competency 1 Students will explore the differences between technical writing and other forms of written communication. Objective 1.1. Explore the purpose of technical writing. Objective 1.2. Describe the importance of technical writing. Objective 1.3. Develop skills for collaborative projects, written and oral. Objective 1.4. Identify the reasons for differentiating communication styles including voice, vocabulary, and format in various organizational situations. Competency 2 Students will analyze the three steps to the writing process and their purpose. Objective 2.1. Develop prewriting techniques. Objective 2.2. Practice writing drafts. Objective 2.3. Comprehend editing functions and importance of syntax and document design. Objective 2.3. Master the principles of audience and purpose analysis. Competency 3 Students will examine and assess seven major objectives through their own writing as well as professional models. Objective 3.1. Clarity. Objective 3.2. Conciseness. Objective 3.2. Accuracy. Objective 3.3. Readability. Objective 3.5. Coherence. Objective 3.6. Organization. Objective 3.7. Ethics. Competency 4 Students will practice recognizing and involving various audiences. Objective 4.1. High tech audiences. Objective 4.2. Low-tech audiences. Objective 4.3. Lay audiences. Objective 4.4. Expert audiences. Objective 4.5. Internal audiences. Objective 4.6. External audiences. Competency 5 Students will analyze and write basic business documents. Objective 5.1. Formal memorandums. Objective 5.2. Business letters. Objective 5.3. Summaries. Competency 6 Students will study the process of job searches and apply the appropriate writing skills. Objective Objective 6.2. Letters. Objective 6.3. Resumes. Competency 7 Students will explore effective use of graphics. Objective 7.1. Purpose. Objective 7.2. Design and layout. Competency 8 Students will practice etiquette in electronic communication, focusing on in the workplace. Competency 9 Students will analyze and develop skill in writing a variety of specialized documents. Objective 9.1. Technical descriptions. Objective 9.2. Instructions and manuals. Objective 9.3. Various reports, including proposals, analysis, and research. Objective 9.4. Oral presentations. Objective 9.5. White papers. Competency 10 Students will explore the ethical, social, and professional constraints of audience, style, and content for writing situations within an organization. Competency 11 Students will produce a portfolio of sample business documents demonstrating mastery of the formal elements of technical writing, audience awareness, organization, and design.

7 Competency 12 Students will practice editing skills that lead to concise, clear communication.