Technical Communication Syllabus for 2015-2016
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Instructor Information

Course Information

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (Student Service Center room 119, phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Administrative Drop Policy

N/A

Student Withdrawal Procedures

N/A

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

ETWR-1371-004 Technical Communication

Prerequisites

Course Description

A study of individual habits and skills necessary for employment and advancement in technical industries including preparation of technical documents, skills to ensure job readiness and the effective habits of a successful employee.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

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Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 2 lec, 2 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Johnson-Sheehan, Richard. Technical Communication Strategies for Today, 2e, Pearson, 2015 

Supplies

Student will need access to a computer and the Internet to obtain course material presented through Blackboard.

Required Supplies:

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Student Performance

Course Competencies:

Student will be able to:

·         Demonstrate effective critical reading skills

·         Demonstrate effective critical writing skills

·         Perform internet research and demonstrate information literacy skills

·         Effectively implement study skills

·         Design and create an online career portfolio

Students Rights and Responsibilities: Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal:

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu.

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

 

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

Communication

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The instructor will use AC email as the primary means of communicating with students.  Students are responsible for e-mail messages sent to their AC email account; thus, students are responsible to check their AC email accounts.  The instructor will only respond to emails sent from the student’s official AC email account and that identify the applicable class in the subject line or first sentence of the email.  Further, emails should be professional using proper spelling, grammar, style and format, if the student expects a response.

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Academic Integrity

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Academic integrity is vital.  Any acts of academic dishonesty will be penalized severely.  The instructor has a zero tolerance policy in regard to academic dishonesty.

Grading Criteria

Evaluation and Grades

Each student’s grade will be based upon his/her performance on each of the course sections.  The course has four sections as follows:     

Grading Section	Percentage
Individual Assignments	30%
Collaborations	20%
Participation	30%
Portfolio/Final	20%

 

Grading Scale:  A = 90 to 100, B = 80 to 89, C = 70 to 79, D = 60 to 69, F = Below 60

*Any student with an average grade of 75 or below will be required to attend mandatory tutoring of at least 1 hr. per week. Students that do not show evidence of attending tutoring will not be allowed to submit their final, or participate in the Digital Portfolio Presentation.

 

Participation

Students are expected to participate in class.  Class participation includes: (1) attendance (including tardiness), (2) asking relevant questions, (3) adding to class discussions, (4) participating in any group work, (5) abiding by the Code of Professional Conduct, (6) meaningfully evaluating the work of classmates and otherwise contributing to the educational experience of the class members.

Students’ well-supported opinions are an important element of this class.  Students should express their personal opinions in all written assignments, class discussions and presentations.  However, it is important that students support their views and opinions with facts and logic.  An unsupported opinion is of no value in this class.

 

Homework Assignments

Most lectures will have an associated assignment.  This assignment may be writing a short paper, performing internet research, or solving problems.  For assigned papers, please use Arial 12 point font with double spaced text with one-inch margins.

 

Late Work

Students are expected to complete assignments in a timely fashion.  As part of this course, the “real world” will be simulated as it relates to lateness of assignments.  That is, in the “real world” assignments not completed on time have an associated penalty (i.e. contract bid not accepted).  In class, lateness of assignments will have a 25% late penalty for every day late, up to a maximum of 100%.  For example, assume a 100 point assignment is due Monday.  If the assignment is turned in on Wednesday, the assignment will be graded first as though no penalty existed, then 50 points (50% of 100) will be deducted for being late. 

 

Portfolio

This course will utilize an external online system for students to create and manage a professional portfolio.  The portfolio will have an employment section with a resume and job history for each student.  In addition, it will also have a list of courses with examples of student work with images from laboratory activities.  The third section of the portfolio will be used for the student’s personal interests and community service.  This portfolio will be used throughout the student’s technical education at Amarillo College and will have further requirements and grading in future coursework.  The grading of the portfolio will be based on completeness of information and attention to creating a positive online image that can be used by the student in their pursuit of future employment in their field.

 

Final

The final is designed to assess your understanding of, and the ability to apply, the factual material, theories, and concepts related to the course. The final is comprehensive and will cover the entire course. It will include a final presentation of the students’ online portfolio.

 

Instructor's Statement

As your instructor, I am always willing to discuss your grades with you and explain how your grade was determined.  If a grading error has been made on my part, I am always willing to correct the error.

Attendance

Attendance in a class is regarded as requirement, and obligation for learning. Please remember the deadline for dropping a class at AC is published in the official Amarillo College Schedule of Classes and is October 6.  If you stop attending class and do not officially drop the course by this deadline, you will receive an “F” for the course.

The attendance in the course will be monitored through the sign-in sheets in the classroom/laboratory.  Attendance will affect the participation grade. If a student is late for class, the best grade s(he) can receive for participation is 70.

If a student misses class, it is his/her responsibility to get the notes from a classmate before the next class.

Calendar

Additional Information

Additional Instructor Contact Information

Amarillo College East Campus

Manufacturing Education Center (MEC) 105B

Phone # 806-335-4280 (voice mail)

Email jlterry@actx.edu (best way to contact me)

I will usually return all email within 24 hours, Monday-Friday.  If I do not reply within that time period, please contact me again.

Catalog Year: 2015-2016

Disability Statement: Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (Student Service Center room 119, phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.

Course Title: Technical Communication

Course Name and Number: ETWR 1371

Course Section: 004

Semester: Fall

Prerequisites: N/A

Course Description: Topics address recently identified current events, skills, knowledge and/or attitudes and behaviors pertinent to the technology or occupation and relevant to the professional development of the student.

Department Expectations: All students in Technical Education are expected to abide by the Code of Professional Conduct.  A copy is available on the main content page of the Blackboard course.  Students will not be able to attend courses if not in compliance by the third class day.

Hours: (3 sem hrs; 2 lec, 2 lab)