Course Syllabus

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ENGLISH 235: Technical Writing (17610)

Winter 2023
Course Time and Location: Tuesday & Thursday 12:30 to 1:20 p.m. in Room 12-204 and Online in CANVAS

Instructor: Beth Acken (she/her/hers)                              

Email: backen@tacomacc.edu

Student Office Hours:

Tuesday and Thursday: 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m in Building 18, Room 202. or by appointment. Please email me to arrange an appointment to meet either in person or virtually.

 

Welcome to English 235

I have high expectations for you in this class and will seek to create a class wherein you are able to produce your best work. Writing in this class requires producing college-level work, and I am confident that you can successfully produce such work. However, success in this course requires consistent participation and effort. Please ask questions! Success in this course requires you to actively engage and to let me know when something is unclear.

Basic Course Information

Course Description 

This course applies the principles of composition in writing technical and business reports. It also covers information gathering, organization techniques, and graphic presentation. Includes oral and written presentation techniques and emphasizes the use of technology. 

Prerequisites: Pass ENGL&101 with a "C-" or better.

Time Requirement

Because this course is a five-credit hybrid course, you should plan to devote ten hours weekly to this class. Two hours of this time is the time spent in class, and the remainder will be in CANVAS. We will complete graded activities in class, along with course instruction, so it is imperative that you attend class regularly unless ill. If you are ill or have an emergency, please email me as soon as possible to discuss the missed class. PLEASE DO NOT ATTEND CLASS WHILE ILL.

There is a temptation to put the work off until “tomorrow” and thus, slip behind. I highly encourage you to keep up with the work by looking ahead and making a specific daily schedule. Some assignments will take several days to complete, so it is important to make a schedule to complete all work in a timely and successful manner.

Materials and Supplies  

  • All materials for this class will be provided in class or in CANVAS. You do not need to purchase a book or other course materials.
  • It will be helpful for you to have a binder or notebook for work that is completed in class, as well as handouts. You will need to be able to submit work in class at times.
  • You will need to have TCC email access and be able to work through Canvas.  All papers will be submitted through CANVAS.
  • In CANVAS, you will note that there are weekly Modules that contain the weekly PowerPoint used for course instruction, as well as assignments completed that week. Please note that you will still need to check with a classmate for notes when you miss a class. 
  • I will communicate through CANVAS and your TCC email. Please check both regularly. Please note that if you leave a comment on a graded assignment, it is highly likely that I will not see it as CANVAS does not forward these messages. Instead, please communicate with me through email.
  • It is important to identify your strategies for accessing the internet at home or elsewhere. The campus may have computers for student use in the computer labs in Building 16, the library, and the Writing and Tutoring Center. The Wi-Fi has been extended to Parking Lot C on the main TCC campus, so you can even work from your vehicle.

Classroom Policies

With COVID-19 and inclement weather, our classroom policies may change as determined by TCC. In order to create a classroom environment that is healthy, but also open and safe for expressing and exchanging our thoughts, ideas, and opinions, it is important that we all agree to abide by the following rules:

  • You will be expected to attend the weekly in-person classes unless you are ill, quarantined, or there is an emergency. Further, you will need to complete weekly readings and assignments.
  • We should respect everyone’s choices, including those who choose to wear a mask and those who do not. Depending on the classroom size, students may request additional spacing if available. Please discuss this request with me.
  • If you are ill or have been exposed to COVID-19, please do not come to class. I will assist you in staying caught up if needed due to health issues or quarantining.
  • If you are ill, quarantined, or have any questions or concerns, please email me. The best way to communicate with me is through Canvas or through TCC e-mail at: backen@tacomacc.edu.
  • I will respond to questions generally within 24 hours, Monday - Friday. If an email is sent after 4:30 P.M. on Friday, it is likely that I will not respond until Monday. Should I be offline for longer than 24 hours, I will notify you.
  • You should log into the Canvas course and check your TCC email daily, Monday through Friday. 
  •  All work is due on the due date that is posted with the assignment.
  • The one sure thing about technology is that you can count on it to hiccup every now and then. I am notified if CANVAS “goes down” and for how long. If the system goes dark for a substantial amount of time when an assignment is due, I will extend the deadline.
  • Sign up for TCC Alerts. TCC alerts are sent immediately if the college decides to close due to adverse weather or if there are security issues. You can also call the main TCC phone line at 566-5000 or visit TCC’s homepage tacomacc.edu Links to an external site..
COURSEWORK AND GRADING

Grading Scale

                 94%-100% = A       88%-89%  = B+         78%-79%  = C+       60%-69% = D

                 90%-93%  = A-       83%-87%  = B            74%-77% = C          Below 60% = E

                                                80%-83%  = B-           70%-73%  = C-

Coursework

Technical Writing and Media Assignment  (50% of final grade): Memo, Technical Report, Media Pitch Presentation

Coursework Assignments (30% of final grade): daily assignments, discussions, outlines, rough drafts, 

Quizzes (20% of final grade): Weekly quizzes over the reading assignments and course instruction

Revisions

Revisions for the Memo and Technical Report Writing Assignments are accepted if the original Final Draft of the assignment was turned in on time. Revisions are submitted through CANVAS. The last day to submit revisions is Sunday, March 12, 2023. No revisions will be accepted after that date.

Late Work

 If you know that you are going to miss a due date, then please hand your work in early.

  • All Coursework Assignments and Quizzes, except for first drafts and peer-reviewed assignments, are accepted late, but your overall grade will be lowered by 10% per calendar day. No late work will be accepted after Sunday, March 12, 2023.
  • Technical Writing and Media Assignments will not be accepted late unless this is arranged in advance or there is an extreme circumstance. Please discuss such a situation with me.

Academic Dishonesty

The ideas you present, and the writing that you submit in this course must of course be your own.  When you present someone else’s ideas as your own (without citation) you are committing plagiarism. Plagiarism will not be tolerated.  First offense: A zero on the assignment.  Second offense: Failure of the course. Any incident of plagiarism or academic dishonesty will be reported to TCC and may result in other disciplinary actions, including expulsion.

Caveats/Concerns

The instructor reserves the right to make changes in the course syllabus or schedule as necessary. Changes will be announced in class or by Announcement in CANVAS. If you have questions or concerns that are unable to be resolved by me, please talk with the Program Chair for Written Communications & Developmental Studies, Andrew Brottlund at abrottlund@tacomacc.edu.

 

COURSE EXPECTATIONS

Respect for Diversity

Tacoma Community College is committed to serving people who form a variety of other communities. TCC embraces learning from one another as the basis of a healthy learning environment. TCC provides a safe and respectful learning and working environment with high academic, professional, and ethical standards for students, faculty, and staff. TCC affirms differences of race, color, national and ethnic origins, gender, sexual identity and orientation, religion, physical abilities, age, and marital status. The College values social justice and will not tolerate discrimination or behavior that impedes a respectful, safe environment.

We will be engaged in discussion throughout the quarter, and we will do so in a way that respects the dignity of everyone involved.  College policy states that if you are disrupting class or are disrespectful in any way you will be asked to leave.   ***THIS PART IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO ME! I WANT EVERYONE IN THE CLASSROOM TO FEEL SAFE AND RESPECTED. Talk to me right away if you feel that the classroom is not a safe or welcoming place for you.

Chosen Names and Personal Pronouns

Everyone has the right to be addressed by the name and pronouns that correspond to their gender identity, including non-binary pronouns, for example, they/them/theirs, ze/zir/zirs, etc. Rosters do not list gender or pronouns, so you may be asked to indicate the pronouns you use so that I don't make assumptions based on your name and/or appearance/self-presentation (you are not obligated to do so). If you use a chosen name, please let me know. Chosen names and pronouns are to be respected at all times in the classroom. Mistakes in addressing one another may happen, so I encourage an environment of openness to correction and learning. I will not, however, tolerate repeated comments that disrespect or antagonize students who have indicated pronouns or a chosen name. Chosen names and personal pronouns may evolve over time, so if at any point during the semester you would like to be addressed differently, please let me know.

Access Services

Your access to the learning environment is important to me. If you have already established disability accommodations with the Access Services office, please communicate your approved accommodations to me at your earliest convenience so we can discuss your needs in this course. You can request that Access Services email your Letter of Accommodation to me, or you can provide me with printed copies.

If you have a disability or health condition that may benefit from accommodations to ensure access and support success in this course—and have not yet established services, please contact Access Services at (253) 460-4437 or access@tacomacc.edu.

Leave for Faith/Conscience

Students who will be absent from course activities due to reasons of faith or conscience may seek reasonable accommodations so that grades are not impacted. Such requests must be made within the first two weeks of the quarter and should follow the procedures listed on the Leave for Faith & Conscience policy webpage.

Campus Safety

We care about the safety of our campus and community and all of us are needed in order to create a safe and secure learning environment. Please review the full list of safety resources available to you, which are listed on our TCC Ready website (https://www.tacomacc.edu/tcc-life/campus-services/tcc_ready). Please program the Public Safety number into your cell phone (253-566-5111) or 5111 from any campus phone (If this number is inoperable due to an emergency, dial 253-495-4146) and sign up for TCC Alerts! (https://www.tacomacc.edu/tcc-life/campus-services/campus-safety) to receive emergency notifications to your cell phone.

Withdrawal

PLEASE SPEAK WITH ME BEFORE WITHDRAWING FROM THE CLASS.  

    • The last day to drop the course for a 100% refund is January 10, 2023.
    • Students will be dropped from classes for Non-Attendance by January 17, 2023
    • The last day to drop the course with no grade reported is January 18, 2023.
    • The last day to drop with a 40% refund is January 23, 2023.
    • The last day to withdraw with a grade of "W" is March 6, 2023.
    • Students should consult with their advisors to determine the adverse effects of withdrawal. 

TCC Classroom Standards and Culture

For all of TCC Classroom Standards and Cultures, please see https://www.tacomacc.edu/about/policies/tcc-classroom-standards

Learning Outcomes

Degree Learning Outcomes

  1. Core of Knowledge (COK) Demonstrate a basic knowledge of each of the distribution areas (Written Communication, Humanities, Quantitative Skills, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences) or, as applicable, specific professional/technical content, and program-level content and apply this knowledge to academic endeavors.
  2. Communication (COM) Listen, speak, read, and write effectively and use nonverbal and technological means to make connections between self and others.
  3. Critical Thinking & Problem Solving (CRT) Compare, analyze and evaluate information and ideas to solve problems.
  4. Information & Information Technology (IIT) Locate, evaluate, retrieve and ethically use relevant and current information of appropriate authority for academic or, as applicable, specific professional/technical applications.
  5. Intercultural Collaboration & Diversity (ICD) Demonstrate successful application of an interdependent, diverse, and multicultural worldview through collaborative engagement.
  6. Responsibility & Ethics (RES) Demonstrate an understanding of what constitutes responsible and ethical behavior toward individuals, the community, and the environment.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Written Communication courses, students will be able to:

  1. Craft, develop, and support a specific, debatable thesis. (COM, CRT, COK)
  2. Draft and refine a well-organized essay, speech or other forms of communication appropriate to context and audience. (COM, CRT, COK)
  3. Read critically and research effectively to support thesis.  (CRT, ITT)
  4. Use appropriate writing and/or communication strategies, standard grammar, and academic documentation conventions. (COM, COK)
  5. Demonstrate ethical standard in all phases of the writing and/or communication process to include using collaboration within academically appropriate guidelines. (RES, LWC)

Course Learning Outcomes

  1. Read textual material and recognize ideas, determine important detail, and know definitions of terms encountered during the quarter.
  2. Make application of textual and lecture information.
  3. Utilize the respective functions of prewriting, writing, and rewriting.
  4. Demonstrate an awareness between objectivity and subjectivity.
  5. Distinguish between formal and informal writing situations, and be able to include audience analysis considerations.
  6. Make effective, application or organizational elements: introduction, body, and conclusion.
  7. Utilize report writing features such as captions, graphical elements, abstracts, etc.
  8. Effectively employ various ordering strategies: chronological, spatial, etc.

Course Summary:

Course Summary
Date Details Due