SYLLABUS FOR COMM 210-PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL WRITING

 

 

 

Term:  Spring 2004 (January 11-April 19) TF 8:50-10:20 AM

Course Number: COM 210 A

Instructor:  Dawn T. Muhammad, M.A., M.S., Ph.D. Candidate

Office:  504

Office Phone: 219-473-4350; (Illinois) 773-721-0202, ext. 350

Cell Phone: 708-785-3296

E-mail: dmuhammad@ccsj.edu                             

Office Hours:  M, R—8:00am-12:00pm

                         

 

Instructor Biography: My name is Dawn Muhammad. I am currently the Director of the Communication Program here at Calumet College of St. Joseph.  Prior to CCSJ, I was the Campus College Chair for General and Professional Studies at the Chicagoland Campuses of the University of Phoenix (UOP) in The Artemis School. Prior to UOP, I worked at a plethora of colleges and universities in an adjunct capacity.

 

My educational background consists of a B.A. in Communications, an M.A. in Corporate Communications, an M.S. in Human Resource Management and a Graduate Certificate in Training and Development. I am currently working on my Dissertation for my PhD in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. After that, I plan to pursue my J.D. As you can see, I have a passion for lifelong learning and it is my hope to instill that in my students, as well. The wise say the best way to learn is to teach so...

 

Course Description: This course is designed to give the student the skills necessary to be a professional writer in the 21st century workplace and in the age of online information.  The emphasis is on practical writing for the workplace and on presentation of technical information to various audiences.  Styles of writing may include proposals, reports, case observations, and business letters.

 

Textbook:  Public Relations Writing (7th Edition)- Form & Style Doug Newsome & Jim Haynes

 

Blackboard Site:

 

 

 

 

 

Course Outcomes:

 

·        Compose and deliver confident, well organized, and sufficiently documented written communication documents.

·        Adapt message appropriately to target audience(s).

·        Give evidence of a clear, identifiable purpose.

·        Design a logical, coherent organizational structure.

·        Use credible and varied supporting materials.

·        List content sources.

·        Use appropriate language.

·        Deliver the speech confidently and conversationally.

 

Learning Strategies: Lectures, handouts, individual speeches, group critiques, reading of textbook chapters, quizzes, small and large group activities.

 

 

Assessment:

Final Portfolio                                                                                   40 % of grade

Class participation/weekly discussion questions/attendance     20 % of grade

Bi weekly assignments                                                                     40 % of grade

 

 

Grading Scale:  A student’s final grade is based on holistic evaluations of the above components; no point system is used.  Students will receive letter grades on their assignments based on checklists of specified criteria for content, organization, and delivery.   Late assignments are normally docked one letter grade. 

 

Format for Written Assignments:  Outlines should be done on standard 8-1/2 by 11 paper.  Name, date, and type of speech should be placed in the upper right hand corner; title in upper center; specific purpose below title. 

 

Class Policy on Attendance:  Normally, because of the laboratory nature of this course, missing more than two weeks (four sessions) of class will lower a student’s final grade one letter or at the discretion of the instructor.  This policy does not distinguish between excused and unexcused absences.  A student is responsible for material covered and assignments given in any class missed. 

 

Class Policy on Electronic Devices: Cell phones, beepers, and pagers are to be turned off during class.  Exception:  unusual circumstances cleared with instructor ahead of time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class Date

 

Assignment

JANUARY 11

 

ICEBREAKERS, INTRODUCTION OF THE COURSE

JANUARY 14

 

Chapter 1

JANUARY 18

 

 

JANUARY 21

 

Chapter 2

JANUARY 25

 

COVER LETTER & RESUME DUE

JANUARY 28

 

Chapter 3

FEBRUARY 1

 

 

FEBRUARY 4

 

Chapter 4

FEBRUARY 8

 

PRESS RELEASE DUE

FEBRUARY 11

 

Chapter 5

FEBRUARY 15

 

 

FEBRUARY 18

 

Chapter 6

FEBRUARY 22

 

CRISIS COMMUNICATION PLAN DUE

FEBRUARY 25

 

 

MARCH 1

 

MIDTERM EXAMINATION

MARCH 4

 

Chapter 7 & 8

MARCH 8

 

CASE STUDY DUE

MARCH 11

 

Chapter 9 & 10

MARCH 15

 

 

MARCH 18

 

Chapter 11 & 12

MARCH 22

 

BUSINESS PROPOSAL DUE

MARCH 25

 

NO CLASS-EASTER BREAK

MARCH 29

 

Chapter 13 & 14

APRIL 1

 

 

APRIL 5

 

REPORTS DUE

APRIL 8

 

Chapter 15

APRIL 12

 

 

APRIL 15

 

Chapter 16

APRIL 19

 

COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAMINATION-

PORTFOLIOS DUE

 

 ** Each week you will be required to answer discussion questions based on the Chapter we are currently covering.  Detailed information concerning each assignment will be posted regularly.

 

 

The above schedule is subject to change, with notice given in class.

 

 

Classroom Decorum:  Students should act toward each other in a cooperative, constructive, respectful manner.  Personal or derogatory remarks are out of place.  One person talks at a time.  Sleeping and socializing are out of place during class. 

 

Students are expected to come to class on time.  Leaving and re-entering the room during class is not permitted except in unusual circumstances.  Food is not allowed in the classroom except for use in Demonstration speeches.  

 

The instructor first gives a student who engages in any inappropriate behavior a verbal warning.  If the behavior continues, the instructor may ask the student to leave the class.  To be allowed back in, the student must first meet with the instructor, acknowledge that the behavior is inappropriate, and agree not to engage in it again.  If the student continues to exhibit offending behavior, the instructor may request an administrative withdrawal, which requires approval by the Academic Dean. 

 

Center for Academic Excellence:

Tutoring assistance is free to all students of Calumet College of St. Joseph. Call the Center for Academic Excellence (CAE), to make an appointment at 473-4287. The Center has experienced and well-trained tutors in most subject areas to help students who are struggling in a course or who are doing well and would like to do better. Regular weekly tutoring sessions are likely to improve your grade.

 

Statement of Plagiarism:

If an instructor or other Calumet College of St. Joseph personnel find that a student has plagiarized or been involved in another form of academic dishonesty, the instructor or other personnel may elect to bring the matter up for judicial review. The maximum penalty for any form of academic dishonesty is dismissal from the College. The procedures for judicial review are listed under the section of CCSJ handbook that addresses student grievances.

 

Please note: Calumet College of St. Joseph subscribes to Turnitin.com and all papers can and may be submitted for checks on plagiarism from the Internet/Electronic sources/Databases.

 

Citation Guidelines:

Calumet College of St. Joseph adheres to citation guidelines as prescribed by the particular discipline (i.e., MLA, APA, and Chicago Manual of Style or Turabian).  My preference, of course is APA.  All of these guidelines are available in the Calumet College of St. Joseph library or bookstore.  These texts outline how to cite references from a variety of sources, including electronic media.

 

 

 

Withdrawal from Classes Policy:

After the last day for class changes has passed (see College calendar), students may withdraw from a course in which they are registered with permission from the faculty member conducting the course. A written request detailing the reason(s) for the withdrawal must be filed with the Registrar. The Registrar must

receive written request for withdrawal by the last day of classes prior to the final examination dates specified in the catalogue. Written requests may be mailed to the Registrar or faxed to the College fax number 219-473-4259. Students are to make note of the refund schedule when withdrawing from courses. The request is forwarded to the faculty member, who makes the final determination to accept or deny the request. If the request is honored, the student will receive notification of official withdrawal; if denied, the notification will indicate why the withdrawal is disallowed.

 

“I” (“Incomplete”) grades:  “I” grades because of missing assignments are not automatic but must be requested.  Requests should include the reason for the missing work and the plan to make it up.

 

Statement of Plagiarism:

If an instructor or other Calumet College of St. Joseph personnel find that a student has plagiarized or been involved in another form of academic dishonesty, the instructor or other personnel may elect to bring the matter up for judicial review. The maximum penalty for any form of academic dishonesty is dismissal from the College. The procedures for judicial review are listed under the section of CCSJ handbook that addresses student grievances.

 

Calumet College of St. Joseph adheres to citation guidelines as written in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, Fourth Edition. A copy is available from the Calumet College of St. Joseph bookstore. This text outlines how to cite references from a variety of sources, including electronic media.

 

Administrative Withdrawal

To protect a student from failing a course, a faculty member may initiate an administrative withdrawal of a student who misses two or more consecutive weeks of classes.

 

Academic Alerts

In an effort to keep you informed of serious problems affecting your ability to pass this course, students who are in jeopardy of not passing may receive an Academic Alert to notify them of the situation and the remedial actions they should take to put them in good academic standing.

 

School Closing Information:

 

              Internet:                                 http://www.ccsj.edu

           

http://www.EmergencyClosings.com

Facility: Calumet College of St. Joseph

Phone: 219.473.4770

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