Syllabus • Spring 2011 / 1
ENG 114-TN1
Professional Research & Reporting
EDGECOMBE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Course Syllabus • Spring 2011
Instructor InformationInstructor Name / Johanna Owens
Office Phone Number / 252-823-5166 ext 178
E-Mail /
Home Page /
Office Location / 255 Fleming Building ● Tarboro Campus
Office Hours / In TarboroM 5:00–6:00 TTh 10:00–11:00 W 2:00–3:00
In Rocky MountW 8:30–9:00
Other times by appointment
Course Information
Course Section / TN1 / Days/Times of Course / M 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.
Location of Class / 266 Fleming Building
Semester Information
Credit Hours:3 / Contact Hours:3
Class:3 / Lab:0 / Shop/Clinic:0 / Work Experience:0
Course Information
Course Description: This course is the required first course in a series of two designed to develop the ability to produce clear expository prose. Emphasis is placed on the writing process including audience analysis, topic selection, thesis support and development, editing, and revision. Upon completion, students should be able to produce unified, coherent, well-developed essays using standard written English. Students will also be introduced to elementary research and will produce all final papers using word processing programs. This course has been approved to satisfy the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement general education core requirement in English composition.
Textbook:
- Technical Communication: Process and Product,6thed.,Sharon J. Gerson and Steven M. Gerson authors, Pearson Prentice Hall © 2008, ISBN 978-0-13-615475-4
- The Blair Handbook, 5th ed., Toby Fulwiler and Alan R. Hayakawa authors, Pearson Prentice Hall © 2007, ISBN 0-13-193536-4
Pre-requisite(s):
ENG 111 / Co-requisite(s):
none
GENERAL EDUCATION OUTCOMES
Upon degree completion at Edgecombe Community College, the student will
Communicate effectively with verbal and nonverbal messages appropriate to audience, purpose, subject, and format
Comprehend and apply mathematical concepts and interpret numerical data
Research, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information to draw conclusions and respond to problems, scenarios, and arguments.
Use technology to facilitate learning
Demonstrate an understanding of global and cultural diversity, events, and issues
Demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary for entry-level positions or continued education in a field of study
INTENDED ENG 114 LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of the semester, the successful student will have
Written and formatted a variety of work-place and employment communication pieces using effective and appropriate language
Defined a problem or a research question, conducted and analyzed relevant research, and presented findings and conclusions both in writing and speech
Demonstrated in his or her written work the ability to incorporate source material using APA or MLA style
Used oral and listening skills to prepare effective individual and collaborative presentations which incorporate visuals appropriately.
COURSE COMPETENCIES
Upon successful completion of ENG 114, the student will demonstrate mastery of course competencies by:
Planning, writing, formatting, and producing a portfolio of short reports
Planning, writing, formatting, and producing a portfolio of employment communication
Defining a research problem or question, conducting and analyzing relevant research, and presenting findings and conclusions in a proposal or long report format
Participating in group activities and working as a team to produce a portfolio of promotional materials
Preparing and presenting PowerPoint presentation on an approved research problem
ATTENDANCE
From the ECC Catalog: “Students are expected to attend all classes, laboratories, and shop sessions and have full responsibility for accounting to their instructors for absences. Makeup work may be allowed at the discretion of instructors. Students who have missed more than 20 percent of a course will not receive credit for a course. Students are withdrawn form courses by instructors when they have been absent more than 20 percent of the class hours scheduled.”
Note: Attendance begins with the first scheduled day of class.
WITHDRAWAL FROM CLASSES
Students can be withdrawn from a course through one of two methods.
- Students may complete an official withdrawal form from Student Services to withdraw themselves from a particular course. If a student officially withdraws between 10 percent and 75 percent points of class, he or she will receive a grade of W (withdrawn), which is not calculated in the student’s GPA. Students receiving Financial Aid should contact that office prior to dropping a course.
- Students may be administratively withdrawn from a course for not pursuing the learning activities of the class, failing to meet ECC’s Attendance Policy, improper conduct, and other reasons outlined in the Catalog.
Any student who drops or is dropped from this class after the 75 percent point in the semester will receive an F.
GRADE COMPOSITION & EVALUATION
The course will be divided into four units (see below), each with several assignments incorporating readings and tests as well as written, oral, and group activities.
Unit / Chapter Readings & References- Professional Communications
- Research and Reports
- Promotional Materials
- Employment Communications
ECC uses a 7-point grading scale (A = 93–100, B = 85–92, C = 77–84; D = 70–76; F = 69 or below), and yourfinal course grade will be assigned accordingly. The composition of your grade will be based on the following structure:
ENG 114 • Professional Research & ReportingSyllabus • Spring 2011 / 1
Exams and Quizzes20%
Homework/Class Activities20%
Oral Presentations20%
Written Projects40%
ENG 114 • Professional Research & ReportingSyllabus • Spring 2011 / 1
Grades will be written on returned assignments and available through secure access on the instructor’s faculty home page at . Students are encouraged to keep all graded assignments in one folder until the end of the semester.
The following rubric will be used to evaluate written assignments, unless otherwise noted.
GRADE / DESCRIPTIONA / Your supervisor would gladly send this document with no edits. This document would make you stand out among other employees. You might even get a raise or promotion!
B / Your supervisor would send this message with minor edits; document has a few grammatical, mechanical, organizational, content, and/or format errors.
C / This document contains several grammatical, mechanical, organizational, content, and/or format errors. It needs major editing before it could be sent.
D or F / This document does not meet prescribed standards and/or has too many errors.
ASSIGNMENTS
- Include your name, class, date, and assignment title on all submitted work.
- Assignments must be typed and double-spaced in 11- or 12-point font with 1-inch margins. Font size may vary for headings and other conventions of good document design.
- Assignments and presentations must be submitted/presented on the assigned day unless and only unless arrangements have been made prior to that particular class meeting. Students may receive accommodations for no more than one assignment during the semester; again, that is only if arrangements are made with the instructor prior to class. Such assignments will only be accommodated within one week of the assignment’s due date.
- You must be present to have the opportunity to complete in-class activities and quizzes (no make-ups for these activities).
ONLINE RESOURCES
The textbook has a fabulous companion Web site ( that offers a multitude of activities and resources. We will use this Web site throughout the semester. Please familiarize yourself with it and set up your profile so that you can easily submit assignments to your instructor as requested.
The ECC Library has access to NC LIVE, an electronic database of academic journals for students to access for class assignments. The database can be accessed on any campus computer by going to the campus Web site and clicking on LRC/Library Services. When the LRC page appears, scroll down and select NC LIVE from the middle list of resources. If you are accessing NC LIVE away from campus, you must enter the current password (farmwide—all lowercase).
Another excellent resource for this course and others is the SIRS database which is also available on the LRC/Library Services Web site. Off-campus, please enter the usercodeNC0980H and password 27886 when prompted. Please note that this code is case sensitive.
STATEMENT OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
The college recognizes its responsibility under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to provide equal access to education for students with disabilities. Support services are available to the hearing impaired, visually impaired, orthopedically handicapped, learning disabled, and other health impaired. A student who is in need of special circumstances should contact Student Services. Documentation of a disability must be on file at the College before accommodations can be provided.
Students who would like to request accommodations for this class under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) should contact ECC’s Student Support Specialist in Student Services. Contact should be made early in the semester.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY AND PLAGIARISM
Cheating, plagiarism, and other forms of inappropriate behavior are considered serious offenses and are prohibited in all course assessments, assignments, and standardized tests. Students who exhibit such behaviors will be subject to disciplinary action. Plagiarized or copied assignments as well as undocumented work will result in a grade of 0 for the assignment and possibly an F for the course.
See the Student Handbook for further details of this policy or read the document online at
CLASS CONDUCT
All students are responsible for upholding the Student Code of Conduct, which can be read in the College Catalog and Student Handbook. ECC students are expected to display the qualities of courtesy and integrity that characterize the behavior of adults.
Cell Phones & Texting
Cell phones must be on silent mode or turned off during class.(This is a college-wide policy.)If there is a compelling reason why you must have access to your cell phone during class on an occasional basis, you must obtain permission from the instructorprior to that class meeting. Even with the instructor’s permission, cell phones must be set to vibrate, not ring, during class time, and certainly tosilent if students are making presentations that particular class meeting.
Text-messaging in class will not be tolerated.It is a distraction, obviously, to you, but also to other students and to the instructor.
Students who disregard any part of this policy may be asked to leave the classroom for the remaining class time. Abuse of this policy constitutes disruptive behavior and may lead to being dropped from the class.
Academic Dishonesty & Plagiarism
Cheating, plagiarism, and other forms of inappropriate behavior are considered serious offenses and are prohibited in all course assessments, assignments, and standardized tests. Students who exhibit such behaviors will be subject to disciplinary action. The Student Handbook provides further details of this policy (
Plagiarized or copied assignments as well as undocumented work will result in a grade of 0 for the assignment and, likely, an F for the course.
OTHER IMPORTANT REMINDERS
- Only students are permitted in ECC classrooms. Your ID badge should be displayed at all times while you are on campus and in classrooms.
- On-campus computer labs and libraries are equipped with a print management system. You must set up your student ID to work with the print management system and have your ID with you to print on campus. B/W copies are 10¢ each; color copies (library only) are 25¢ each.
- ECC’s Curriculum Learning Center is very helpful for students needing assistance with specific subject areas. If you feel you need extra help, contact the tutorial staff. ECC’s CLC has two locations to serve students. In Tarboro, it is located in Building C, Room 5. In Rocky Mount, it is located in 148 Barnes Building.
- If you have an urgent situation, please call the instructor at 252-823-5166 ext. 178 and leave a detailed message. Be sure to discuss missed coursework and the situation with your instructor upon returning to class.
- In the event of inclement weather, students should check the Web site ( call the switchboard at 2528235166, or watch local television stations to determine if class will be held. The decision to delay classes or close the college during inclement weather is the responsibility of the college president or his/her designated representative. The decision is made by 6:30 a.m. if a situation arises. Further information can be found in the Student Handbook.
ENG 114 • Professional Research & Reporting
Syllabus • Spring 2011 / 1
READING/ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE
The following is a schedule of reading assignments and major project/presentation due dates. The instructor reserves the right to amend the schedule with appropriate notice to students.
MON / Discussion on these chapters / Major AssignmentsJ 10 / TC 1–2, Appendix / Diagnostic Grammar Assessment
J 17 / NO CLASS—MLK DAY
J 24 / TC 3–4, 6 / Country Presentation & Memo
J 31 / TC 14 / Article Summary / Unit 1 Exam
F 07 / TC 5, 8
F 14 / TC 10, 15 / Topic Request Memo
F 21 / TC 16–17
F 28 / TC 9 / Trip Report following Interview
M 07 / Progress Report / Grammar Exam
M 14 / TC 18
M 21 / Formal Proposal
Presentation / Unit 2 Exam
M 28 / TC 13 (8–10)
A 04 / Flier
PSA
Brochure / Schedule/Agenda
Unit 3 Exam
A 11 / TC 7 (8, 10, 18) / Evaluative Memo
Job Advertisement
A 18
A 25 / NO CLASS—EASTER HOLIDAY / Letter of Application
Résumé
M 02 / Mock Interview / Unit 4 Exam
Unit / Chapter Readings / Major Assignments
- Professional Communications
Country Presentation and Memo
Diagnostic Grammar Test
Chapter Quizzes and Unit Exam
- Research and Reports
Trip Report following Interview
Progress Report
Formal Proposal
Presentation
Chapter Quizzes and Unit Exam
- Promotional Materials
PSA (recorded)
Brochure
Schedule/Agenda
Evaluative Memo
Chapter Quizzes and Unit Exam
- Employment Communications
Letter of Application
Résumé
Mock Interview
Chapter Quizzes and Unit Exam
Exams and Quizzes20%
Homework/Class Activities20%
Oral Presentations20%
Written Projects40%