ENGLISH 235 – Technical Writing SYLLABUS
SUMMER 2015
1074-HYA and 1080-OCS
Instructor: Patricia Mesch
E-mail:
Phone: home office: 425/462-6780
Office location: R230
Office Hours: 11:00-11:30 or by appointment
Course Information▪ Course Outcomes Technical Writing
Focuses on the development of professional skills in research, design, and communication of technical information. Emphasis on audience analysis, clear and effective writing style, and use of visual elements, by creating documents in a variety of professional report formats, such as memos, proposals, progress reports, completion reports, and instruction manuals. Computer use is required. Fulfills a written communication course requirement at BC. Prerequisite: ENGL& 101 or equivalent course from another college with a C- or better.
▪ How Outcomes Will be Met
Outcomes will be met with the following requirements:
Assigned textbook reading (often 2 or more chapters a week)
Weekly Discussion Board (7/5, 12,19, 26, 8/2) Each discussion will be an exercise related to the final project.
A Comparative Feasibility Research Study (requiring technical data collection, analysis and presentation). A Recommendation Report will be the final project.
Three short written assignments; memo evaluation 7/5, Topic Choice Form 7/12, Instructions Revision 7/19
Four written technical reports (Project Proposal 7/26; Project Progress Report 8/2; Project Data Report 8/9; Project Final Report 8/12.will be completed by each student to meet Outcomes of English 235.
Weekly Discussions ask you to apply the technical communication (TC) principles you are learning; be prepared to participate by understanding the information covered in the assigned reading. Through discussion we will discover the reasons for various technical writing strategies and their practical applications.
▪ Grading
Bellevue College utilizes a consistent, published letter grading system to reflect the student’s
achievements. For students who do not wish to take a course for a letter grade, an optional pass/fail
grading system is available, as is the option to audit a course.
Grading Criteria
“A” Grades indicate “Outstanding” Achievement.
A 4 points per credit hour. (100-93)
A- 3.7 points per credit hour. (92-90)
The A student demonstrates consistent mastery of learning outcomes for the course; demonstrates ability to interpret, integrate, and apply learning outcomes beyond the context of the course through application of critical and creative thinking skills; completes work assignments that consistently exceed requirement and that interpret and apply objectives in new, unique, or creative ways; demonstrates consistent leadership in class participation activities.
“B” Grades indicate “High” Achievement.
.
B+ 3.3 points per credit hour (89-87)
B 3 points per credit hour (86-83)
B- 2.7 points per credit hour (82-80)
The B student demonstrates a high level of competence in learning outcomes for the course; demonstrates ability to interpret, integrate, and apply learning outcomes within the context of the course through application of critical and creative thinking skills; completes work assignments that consistently meet most requirements, contributes regularly to class participation activities.
“C” Grades indicate “Satisfactory” Achievement.
C+ 2.3 points per credit hour (79-77)
C 2.0 points per credit hour (76-73)
C 1.7 points per credit hour (72-70)
The “C” student demonstrates a satisfactory level of competence in learning outcomes for the course; demonstrates competent ability to interpret, integrate, and apply learning outcomes with the context of the course, completes work assignments that satisfy minimum requirements for the course; satisfies minimum requirements for class participation activities.
“D” Grades indicate “Poor” Achievement
D+ 1.3 points per credit hour (69-67)
D 1.0 points per credit hour (66-63)
D- .7 points per credit hour (62-60)
The “D” student demonstrates a minimum competence in some learning outcomes for the course, completed work assignments that usually meet minimum requirements; contributes inconsistently or infrequently to class participation activities.
“F” Grades indicate ”Unsatisfactory” Achievement.
F 0 points per credit hour (59-0)
“F” Grades indicate “Failing” Achievement.
The “F” student cannot demonstrate competence in many of fundamental outcomes for the course; submits work assignments that frequently do not meet minimum requirements, or does not complete the assigned work; does not satisfy minimum requirements for attendance or contribution to class activities. Students should be aware that the instructor determines whether the class will be evaluated using the “F” grade.
There are other grading options which include Pass/Fail; Credit/Non Credit; where no points are calculated into the grade point average. There is also the option for Auditing a course. These are determined upon registration.
There are options to Withdraw from a course (W) or a Hardship Withdrawal (HW).
An Incomplete grade (I) will have no points calculated. An “I” grade indicates that the student has not completed specific prescribed requirements for a course, usually for unforeseen reasons beyond the student’s control. The student is responsible for requesting the assignment of an ”I” grade and for demonstrating why the ”I” is appropriate. Granting the request and assigning the “I” grade at the course instructor’s discretion. The nature of the deficiency must be such that removal of an “I” grade is not contingent on subsequent enrollment in the same course by the student. An “I” will be posted to the transcript when submitted by the instructor with a contractual form which specifically indicates the work the student must complete to make up the deficiency and the date by which the deficiency must be resolved. Both the instructor and the student must sign the contract. The work for the course must be completed before the end of the next quarter (by the end of the following fall term if the “I” is given in the spring term), and an extension can be granted only with the instructor’s approval. If the student fails to complete the designated assignment(s), and “F” grade will be posted.
▪ Books and Materials Required
Required: practical STRATEGIES for technical communication, by Mike Markel
Help with Canvas
Canvas
Canvas is Bellevue College’s “Learning Management System” or “LMS”. It enables instructors to build and maintain a secure workspace to share course content, communicate with students, provide online learning activities and assessments, and keep track of their students’ progress.
Learn about Canvas with a student Canvas workshop
Before getting started, familiarize yourself with Canvas through one of the workshops below. These workshops are geared towards the student experience and cover the basic concepts that are used in most Canvas sites at Bellevue College.
· On-campus student workshops. During the first week of the quarter, you can stop in for live, hands-on instruction in the use of Canvas.
· Recorded webinars.View a recorded session that will give you a 30 minute overview of what you will experience in Canvas.
· Canvas student orientation. This page is a full learning resource for Canvas, starting with student questions, technical requirements, and information on how to use Canvas on your mobile device, followed by videos that step you through using Canvas. To watch the student orientation, scroll down to the fourth topic heading, “Canvas Student Orientation.”
· Canvas online learning workshops. This is a workshop sponsored by the Office of Instruction. The workshop is offered on specific days, but on those days, you may work at home, at a time of your own choosing, at your own pace. Advanced registration is required.
· Tech Café. Stop by our Tech Café at the beginning of every quarter for one-on-one assistance with campus related technology.
You learned about Canvas, but you have more questions
If you’ve taken one (or more) of the workshops listed above, and you are encountering issues in Canvas, take a look at our self-help guides below:
· Why can’t Isee my course(s)?
· Having trouble logging in?
· Common error messages in Canvas
· General troubleshooting in Canvas
· Where can I get help with Canvas?
· Self-paced Canvas course for students
· Learning about Canvas is the first thing you must do before you begin using it. If you’ve taken one (or more) of the workshops listed above, but you still have questions try the following:
· Getting started with Canvas
· Tips and trickswhen using Canvas
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Classroom Learning Atmosphere
▪ Instructor’s Expectation
Since this course focuses on the development of professional skills in research, design, and communication of technical information, I expect each student to decide within the first two weeks what his/her project will be. You will conduct a feasibility project to help a person solve a problem and this will be the focus of the class. I expect each student in the hybrid class to attend class twice a week (with the exception of conferencing or individual help days). Five absences will result in an automatic F for the course. I expect students to complete discussions before midnight of the due date. The discussions are specific assignments relating to the design of the final project report. I do not accept late assignments with the exception that each student may turn in one report, one day late with no penalty. Assignments turned in late must be cleared with me before submission. I am available before and after class for individual help and available by my home office phone mornings between 9 and 10 am.
You may revise Report 1, the Project Proposal, for a better grade. The revised grade will be the original grade averaged with the revision grade. Revisions must show substantial work and improvement to earn a higher grade.
Saving your work: Be sure to duplicate your 235 work from your hard drive to some other medium as backup. Keep your rough drafts until your report is returned to you after grading. All graded reports should be saved until the end of the quarter as proof of work completed. This will save you from having to rewrite a report that is destroyed or lost. As verification of your work, research notes and sources for your Final Project Report should also be saved in duplicate as your work progresses. In other words, there is NO bona fide excuse for not having proof of the work you have completed for class, especially at the end of the quarter.
Plagiarism
The ethical consideration of cheating in technical writing is much greater than in other kinds of writing.
Since you will use technical writing in the workplace, it is mandatory that you communicate all technical information accurately, completely, and honestly. Most professional organizations, including the Society
for Technical Communication, have clearly defined codes of ethical behavior (see the Code of Ethics
on p 28-30 in text). The BC Student Code is also very clear about the seriousness of cheating and the actions
that faculty member are required to take in cases of plagiarizing. The BC Student Code prohibits cheating, stealing, plagiarizing, knowingly furnishing false information to the college, or submitting to a faculty member any work
product that the student fraudulently represents as his or her own work for the purpose of fulfilling or partially
fulfilling any assignment or task required as part of a program of instruction. All forms of cheating, stealing, and plagiarizing will be reported to the Dean of Instruction. Please read the entire section on “Academic Honesty” in Student Procedures
▪ Affirmation of Inclusion
Bellevue College is committed to maintaining an environment in which every member of the campus community feels welcome to participate in the life of the college, free from harassment and discrimination.
We value our different backgrounds at Bellevue College, and students, faculty, staff members, and administrators are to treat one another with dignity and respect.
Religious Holidays
Students who expect to miss classes, examinations, or any other assignments as a consequence of their religious observance should be provided with a reasonable alternative opportunity to complete such academic responsibilities. It is the obligation of students to provide faculty with reasonable notice of the dates of religious holidays on which they will be absent, preferably at the beginning of the term. Students who are absent on days of examinations or class assignments should be offered an opportunity to make up the work without penalty (if they have previously arranged to be absent), unless it can be demonstrated that a makeup opportunity would constitute an unreasonable burden on a member of the faculty. Should disagreement arise over what constitutes an unreasonable burden or any element of this policy, parties involved should consult the department chair, or Dean.
College Anti-Discrimination Statement (Title IX)
Bellevue College does not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity; color; creed; national origin; sex; marital status; sexual orientation; age; religion; genetic information; the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability; gender identity or veteran status in educational programs and activities which it operates.
For further information and contacts, please consult College Anti-Discrimination Statements.
▪ Division Statements
Information about Bellevue College's copyright guidelines can be found at: College Copyright Policy
This link provides a good, short summary of how to avoid plagiarism: Avoiding Plagiarism
This 22-minute video also provides a good overview of how to avoid trouble when using sources: From the college home page select SERVICES, then LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER, then DATABASES, then FILMS ON DEMAND. At their site, search by title for PLAGIARISM 2.0: ETHICS IN THE DIGITAL AGE.
▪ Student Code of Conduct and Academic Integrity
Any act of academic dishonesty, including cheating, plagiarism (using the ideas or words of another as one’s own without crediting the source), and fabrication and inappropriate/disruptive classroom behavior are violations of the Student Code of Conduct at Bellevue College. Examples of unacceptable behavior include, but are not limited to, talking out of turn, arriving late or leaving early without a valid reason, allowing cell phones/pagers to ring, and inappropriate behavior toward the instructor or classmates. The instructor can refer any violation of the Student Code of Conduct to the Dean of Student Success for investigation. Specific student rights, responsibilities, and appeal procedures are listed in the Student Code of Conduct at: Student Code
Important Links
▪ Bellevue College E-mail and access to MyBC
All students registered for classes at Bellevue College are entitled to a network and e-mail account.