Central Texas College s3

INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHY

Retired from the U.S. Army as a senior enlisted in 2009 and during my tour of duty I served in numerous leadership positions as training and operation NCO, squad leader, team chief, section sergeant, platoon sergeant, and first sergeant. Military education includes Primary Leadership Development Course, Basic Leadership Management Course, Basic Supervisor Development Course, Personal Development Course, Advanced Management and Leadership Course, Senior Management and Leadership Course. Civilian education includes a Bachelor of Science in Management from the University of Maryland University College. Master Degree in Human Relations, Master Certificates in Human Resources Development & Diversity and Helping Skills in Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma.

I. INTRODUCTION

A. The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the Army writing standard, the Army Writing Program, and the writing process.

B. This course is one of 27 management course options that is part of the curriculum requirements for the Central Texas College Certificate of Completion in Supervision Management.

C. This course is occupationally related to all military career fields and serves as preparation for jobs in the business world.

II. LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of this course, Effective Writing I, the student will be able to:

A.  Explain the communication process.

B.  Describe and perform the writing process.

C.  Identify, analyze, and construct effective sentences and paragraphs.

D.  Arrange ideas, concepts, and facts logically to develop well-written documents.

III. INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

A.  Required Text: None required. The instructor may distribute a handbook in class and will provide additional resources.

B. Resources:

Central Texas College. (May 2016). Effective Military Writing I, Student

Handout, Ft. Hood, TX.

C. Hodges, John C. Harbrace College Handbook. Harcourt Brace & Company,

Orlando, FL.

D. Strunk, White & Angel. (2014, 4th Ed.). The Elements of Style. Pearson Education Limited, Edinburgh, UK.

IV. COURSE REQUIREMENTS

A. Your first responsibility is scholarship. The grade you receive for this course will not be the grade by the instructor, but rather the grade you and you alone make.

B. You should attend class regularly in face-to-face. Also, be prepared to take any unannounced quizzes relating to text assignments and lecture material presented from the beginning of the course. Please refer to ‘Class Attendance and Course Progress’ under the Academic Policies section of our current CTC Course Catalog.

C. You are encouraged to give your best effort throughout the course. From the beginning, you should plan for a steady, organized, and continuous effort, which in the long run will prove more effective for your final grade than a last-minute crash-cram policy. Your course grade is not determined solely by exam grade. Such factors as class participation, initiative, attendance, and individual research papers or projects will be considered in grade computation.

D. From time to time, special library and/or outside assignments will be made to members of the class individually and/or in groups. You are expected to read all assignments and fulfill your responsibilities to any group assignment.

E. You are expected to read all assigned material and bring your textbook/reading materials to class. Keep informed on all assignments, especially after an absence.

F. Good class notes are indispensable for earning a good grade since both the material assigned, and that discussed in class will be the basis of examination materials.

G. Scholastic Honesty: All students are required and expected to maintain the highest standards of scholastic honesty in the preparation of all coursework and during examinations. The following are considered examples of scholastic dishonesty:

Plagiarism: The taking of passages from the writing of others without giving proper credit to the sources.

Collusion: Using another’s work as one’s own, or working together with another person in the preparation of work, unless such joint preparation is specifically approved in advance by the instructor.

Cheating: Giving or receiving information on examinations.

Students guilty of scholastic dishonesty will be administratively dropped from the course with a grade of “F” and be subject to disciplinary action, which may include suspension and expulsion.

V. EXAMINATIONS

A. One-credit hour courses require, at a minimum final-exam.

·  Final exam on March 24, 2017

B.A student must be present for all exams. Students who know in advance that they will be absent from an examination due to valid reasons must arrange to take an early examination. Unexpected absences due to illness or extenuating circumstances will require the student to see the instructor about individual make-up work.

C.Students without excused absences will be given a zero for the missed examination.

D. Examinations will consist of both objective (true/false, multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, and matching) and subjective (short answer and essay) questions. Students must be able to communicate both orally, and in written form, thus some questions requiring the composition and writing of an essay answer will be required.

VI. COURSE FORMAT

This course has been developed as a face-to-face classroom instruction with assignments and interaction with the instructor and students. The course will meet for one week—for three-hour, Monday – Thursday, and four-hour on Friday.

VII. SEMESTER GRADE COMPUTATIONS

The final grade in this course will be based on the following:

Observed Performance/Practical Exercises 60%

Final Exam 40%

TOTAL 100%

90-100 Grade - A

80- 89 Grade - B

70- 79 Grade - C

60- 69 Grade - D

Less than 60 Grade - F

VIII. NOTES AND ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE INSTRUCTOR

A.  Tuition refunds are made only in the case of class cancellation or official and timely withdrawal from CTC or from a course. Please refer to the current course catalog for more details.

B.  GoArmyEd students should contact their education counselor before withdrawing and are required to withdraw through the GoArmyEd portal.

Please note: a military withdrawal does not override CTC’s grading policy.

For self-pay students, refunds are computed from the date the Application for

Withdrawal or Refund is filed with the CTC Field Representative or designated student Services Officer. Special conditions apply to students who receive federal, state, and/or institutional financial aid.

Tuition and fees paid directly to the Institution by the Veterans Administration, Title IV (Financial Aid Programs, a sponsor, donor, or scholarship shall be refunded to the source rather than directly to the students.

C.  Course Withdrawals, Student Responsibilities: It is the student’s responsibility to withdraw from a course officially. The instructor cannot initiate a withdrawal based upon a student’s request. Rather, students must initiate the withdrawal with the designated Education Center Representative, through the CTC Field Representative or the Student Services Officer for that region.

Applications for Withdrawal will be accepted at any time before the completion of 75% of the course, after which time the student will be assigned an “FN”- “Failure for Nonattendance.”

D.  Faculty/Administrative Initiated Withdrawals

Faculties are authorized to withdraw students who are not making satisfactory course progress as outlined in the section of the Catalog entitled "Satisfactory Progress Standards.”

A student may be administratively withdrawn by a designated member of the administrative staff of the College under the following conditions:

·  The student has been placed on Academic Suspension or Disciplinary Suspension;

·  The student has an outstanding financial obligation owed to the college;

·  The student registered for a course without the required prerequisite or departmental permission;

·  Students who do not participate or complete graded activities during the first week will be administratively withdrawn.

The college is under no obligation to refund tuition and fees, or other costs associated with a student who is administratively withdrawn.

E.  Incomplete / Course in Progress Grade Policy: An “IP” or “Incomplete” grade may be assigned by an instructor if a student has made satisfactory progress in a course with the exception of a major quiz, final exam, or other project. The “IP” grade may also be assigned based on circumstances beyond a student’s control, such as personal illness, death in the immediate family, or military orders. Notice of absences, with supporting documentation, may be required by the instructor. The instructor makes the final decision concerning the granting of the incomplete grade. With an “Incomplete” grade, students are required to complete a set amount of work before the instructor submits an official letter grade.

F. Cellular phones, beepers, and other electronic devices will be turned off while the student is in the classroom or laboratory unless the student is using the device for class purposes. No texting or social networking is allowed during class.

G.  Instructor Discretion: The instructor reserves the right to a final decision on course requirements.

H.  Civility: Individuals are expected to be cognizant of what a constructive educational experience and are respectful of those participating in a learning environment. Failure to do so can result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion.

IX. COURSE OUTLINE

Note:

The instructor has the right to change the course schedule. Any changes will be

announced in class. If the student misses a class period and changes are announced, it is the student’s responsibility to receive the missed information from a classmate or the

instructor.

A. Day 1. Lesson One: Introduction and Verbal/Nonverbal Communications: The Writing Process.

1.  Lesson Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this lesson, the student will be able to:

a.  Explain verbal and nonverbal communications, effective listening, and the writing process, including mind-mapping and the Army Writing Program.

2. Learning Activities:

a. Classroom lecture/discussion/exercise

b. Homework, study, and preparation

c. Reading and other assignments designated by the instructor:

B. Day 2. Lesson Two: Identifying Passive Writing.

1. Lesson Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this lesson, the student will be able to:

a.  Differentiate between active and passive voice sentence configuration.

b.  Identify passive verb phrases and its problems.

c.  Rewrite passive sentences.

2. Learning Activities:

a. Classroom lecture/discussion/exercise

b. Homework/study

c. Reading and other assignments designated by the instructor.

C. Lesson Three: Shortening Long Words/Phrases; Making Writing more Personal, and Eliminating Jargon.

1. Lesson Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this lesson, the student will be able to:

a.  Explain the Army rule on using personal pronouns, how to shorten long words and phrases, and why and how to eliminate jargon.

2. Learning Activities:

a. Classroom lecture/discussion/exercise

b. Homework/study

c. Reading and other assignments designated by the instructor.

D. Day 3. Lesson Four: Avoiding Legalisms, Repetition, Sentence Stretchers, and Smothered Verbs.

1. Lesson Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this lesson, the student will be able to:

a.  Identify legalisms, sentence stretchers, and smothered verbs.

b.  Explain reasons for avoiding repetition.

2. Learning Activities:

a. Classroom lecture/discussion/exercise

b. Homework/study

c. Reading and other assignments designated by the instructor.

E. Lesson Five: Shortening Wordy Sentences: Basic Punctuation.

1. Lesson Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this lesson, the student will be able to:

a.  Recognize wordy sentences and rewrite them with clarity.

b.  Review basic punctuation standards.

2. Learning Activities:

a. Classroom lecture/discussion/exercise

b. Homework/study

c. Reading and other assignments designated by the instructor.

F. Day 4. Lesson Six: Combining Sentences; Sentence Errors.

1. Lesson Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this lesson, the student will be able to:

a.  Recognize sentence patterns.

b.  Construct and combine sentences.

c.  Recognize errors such as run-on sentences, comma splices, and sentence fragments.

2. Learning Activities:

a. Review materials.

G. Day 5. Lesson Seven: Errors in Agreement; Review and Examination.

1. Lesson Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this lesson, the student will be able to:

a.  Use sentence/action verb agreement and pronoun/antecedent agreement.

b.  Students will demonstrate their understanding of the course material by taking an examination.

2. Learning Activities:

a. Review materials.

b. Take Final Exam: On Friday 24, March 2017

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