Spring 2025 office hours will be from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays. You can email me or send me a message through Blackboard at any time of any day of the week. Response times to emails are usually from 2 to 24 hours or possibly 48 hours on the weekend. I may not answer email on Sunday.
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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
Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016
Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.
NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.
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ENGL-2311-003 Technical and Business Writing
<p>Prerequisite: ENGL 1301</p>
Intensive study of and practice in professional settings. Focus on the types of documents necessary to make decisions and take action on the job, such as proposals, reports, instructions, policies and procedures, e-mail messages, letters and descriptions of products and services. Practice individual and collaborative processes involved in the creation of ethical and efficient documents.
Student ResourcesStudent Resources Website
Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
The English Department takes plagiarism seriously.
Plagiarism is defined as the following: the use of someone else’s exact words that are neither quoted nor cited; paraphrasing someone else’s words without citing them; or using someone else’s research without citing it.
Student plagiarism in the Amarillo College English Department is internally tracked. To clarify, records will be kept in the Department of those students who have plagiarized. At the beginning of each new semester, the names of students who plagiarized the previous semester will be sent to all English Department faculty.
Plagiarism may receive a penalty of a zero. A subsequent infraction will be deemed a reason for expulsion from the class. At this point, the case will be referred to the Vice President of Student Affairs.
Note: Self-plagiarism will be discussed with the class by each instructor and infractions for such are left up to the individual instructor’s discretion.
Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:
Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact your advisor, the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.
(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)
Online Course
Required Textbook
Strategies for Technical Communication in the Workplace, 3rd edition. By Laura J. Gurak and John M. Lannon. Pearson Publishing. 2016.
Printer Card if you print in the English Writing Lab:
Students will need to use a card to be able to print in the English Writing Lab, Ordway 101. Cards are available for purchase (or to load more credit onto a printing card) in the Math Outreach Center in Durrett and at the library desk on the fourth floor of Ware Student Commons. The cost is five cents a copy, so if students print about a hundred printouts for the class, you it will cost about $5.00 for that printing.
Other Supplies
Students need frequent access to:
If you have computer software difficulties, call 371-5000 immediately for help. As a back-up, computers are available in the English Writing Lab, Ordway Hall and the Ware Commons on the Washington Street Campus. Bring a USB drive to save your work, or work in Google Drive so your work is not lost. Check the English Computer Writing Lab Policies (www.actx.edu/english/) for open hours and other information.
Course Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
English Department Plagiarism Policy (Revised Spring, 2013):
The English Department takes plagiarism seriously.
Plagiarism is defined as the following: the use of someone else’s exact words that are neither quoted nor cited; paraphrasing someone else’s words without citing them; or using someone else’s research without citing it.
Student plagiarism in the Amarillo College English Department is internally tracked. To clarify, records will be kept in the Department of those students who have plagiarized. At the beginning of each new semester, the names of students who plagiarized the previous semester will be sent to all English Department faculty.
Plagiarism may receive a penalty of a zero. A subsequent infraction will be deemed a reason for expulsion from the class. At this point, the case will be referred to the Vice President of Student Affairs.
Note: Self-plagiarism will be discussed with the class by each instructor and infractions for such are left up to the individual instructor’s discretion.
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".
Behavior
CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT: All rules and regulations set forth in the “Student Code of Conduct” section in the current edition of the Students’ Rights and Responsibilities publication will be followed in this course (see link above).
Disrespect will not be tolerated. While students are expected to express their own ideas and opinions in the discussion section of this course, students are also expected to use words that are appropriate for a classroom situation. No cursing, personal insults, or disrespectful language will be tolerated. Violation of this rule will result in the student being barred from using the discussion portion of the course, which will result in the loss of points for discussion contributions
The discussion forums in this class provide a great opportunity for you to practice your technical writing style. Proofread and spell-check your discussion posts, and check your posts and replies for clarity and accuracy. As with emails, avoid using text-message style abbreviations. In addition, proofread your posts for tone. A successful writer is ever-mindful of his/her audience, and your posts should be courteous and professional—even if you are disagreeing with a classmate. Discussion posts with numerous spelling and grammar errors an inappropriate tone will not receive credit.
Other Responsibilities
Grade Determination
Grades will be based on the following system:
A 90-100= high achievement
B 80-89= above average achievement
C 70-79= satisfactory achievement
D 60-69= unsatisfactory achievement
F 0-59= unacceptable
Grade Percentages of Assignments
Grade Breakdown
7 Discussions (2% each) 14%
7 Quizzes (1% each) 7%
Smaller Assignments (editing, critique, ...) 6%
Peer Introduction Asgn. 4%
Email Assignment 3%
Memo of Introduction 10%
Resume 7%
Proposal 10%
Illustration Assignment 5%
Midterm Reflection Asgn. 3%
Peer Edit Formal Report 6%
Formal Report 15%
Final Exam 10%
*Note that some assignments will be worth more points than others. For instance, your recommendation report, a lengthy assignment, will be worth 15% while other smaller assignments will be worth less.
Discussions: For full credit in the discussion forums, your initial thread must be a minimum word count of 150 words, and you must respond to at least two classmates with a thorough response of 50 words for each response.
Assignment Criteria
Most writing assignments will have a grading rubric that will set forth the criteria for grading.
Tutoring
TUTORING: You can use SMARTHINKING (click), online tutoring available through the AC website. Be advised that the Smartthinking tutoring service has a 2-3 day turnaround, so you need to submit work well before the due date to be sure to receive timely feedback from a tutor.
If you are near the AC campus, you are welcome to visit the Writers' Corner (click) located in Ordway Hall to get help with your assignments. You may also submit work online to the Writers' Corner.
Assignment Submission and Late Work
Assignment Submission:
Late work will not be accepted. Because this is a fast-paced 8-week course, you must complete assignments by the due date. Any assignment turned in after the due date at midnight is late. I understand that technical problems occur and life issues sometimes interfere with assignments, but I am counting on your commitment to this class despite life's setbacks. When you can, work on assignments ahead of their due dates. If a situation arises that interferes with your turning in work in a timely manner, please email or call me.
Assignment Due Dates: Exact due dates for assignments are not specified on this syllabus. Please check your lessons and Blackboard course calendar for exact assignment due dates.
Administrative Drop Policy: Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016
"Attendance" in an Online Course
Log in every day or at least every other day. Class schedules may change or important class information may be shared. Participation is extremely important. All assignments, quizzes, and discussions are due by midnight of their due dates (See Blackboard Calendar for exact dates). Lack of participation and submission of assignments in a timely manner will be taken into account when the final grade is determined. You hurt yourself when you fall behind schedule.
Students are expected to participate actively in this online course. Participation means:
Withdrawal
An online course can be demanding for students. Since you are not in class, you must discipline yourself to read the text, participate in discussions, and complete other assignments on time. I hope you are committed to this process. If you are, you should succeed in this class. That said, I also hope you know that a real person (that's me!) is here to grade your assignments, monitor your progress, adjust due dates and assignments accordingly, and answer any questions you may have.
If during the semester you consider dropping, please check with me first for an alternate plan that protects your investment in this course and gives you an opportunity to complete it. Remember that the deadline for drops this semester is 12/6/17.
Withdrawing early from a class could affect scholarship or financial aid monies. Check with a counselor or advisor before you withdraw from any class.
Students who wish to withdraw from a class must:
Course Outline
Click on the course calendar link within the course for assignment due dates.
This outline gives you an idea of which chapters will be read and when major assignments are due. Check your class calendar in Blackboard for specific due dates.
This course outline is subject to change, so regularly check your Blackboard course calendar and email for updates.
ENGL 2311 - 8 WEEK ONLINE COURSE SCHEDULE – 10/23-12/14/17
Week 1. Workplace Writing and Technical Communication and Audiences. Emails
Read Chapters 1, 3, and 18.
Discussion 1 and Quiz 1 due
DUE: Peer Intro and Email Assignments.
Week 2. Technical Communication Style and Structure. Memos and Letters.
Read Chapters 5, 6, and 10.
Discussion 2 and Quiz 2 due
DUE: Memo of Introduction Due.
Week 3. Design of Technical Documents. Informal Reports. Proposals.
Read Chapters 8, 15, and 17.
Discussion 3 and Quiz 3 due.
DUE: Proposal for Formal Report
Week 4. Visuals and the Research Process.
Read Chapters 2 and 7.
Discussion 4 and Quiz 4 due
DUE: Illustration Assignment and Midterm Reflection Assignment
Week 5. Formal Reports and Summaries.
Read Chapters 14 and 16. Review Appendix A.
Discussion 5 and Quiz 5 due.
DUE: Peer Edit Draft of Formal Report with front and end matter, and peer edit another’s report.
Week 6. Oral Presentations. Ethics. Instructions and procedures.
Read Chapters 4, 13, and 21.
Discussion 6 and Quiz 6 due.
DUE: Final Draft of Formal Report with front and end matter.
Week 7. Resumes and Other Employment Materials
Read Chapter 9.
Discussion 7 and Quiz 7 due.
DUE: Resume.
Week 8. Course Wrap-up.
Final Exam Week
Assignment Due Dates: Exact due dates for assignments are specified in the Blackboard course calendar.
Assignment Criteria
Most writing assignments will have a grading rubric that will set forth the criteria for grading.
Assignment Submission:
Late work will not be accepted. Because this is a fast-paced 8-week course, you must complete assignments by the due date. Any assignment turned in after the due date at midnight is late. I understand that technical problems occur and life issues sometimes interfere with assignments, but I am counting on your commitment to this class despite life's setbacks. When you can, work on assignments ahead of their due dates. If a situation arises that interferes with your turning in work in a timely manner, please email or call me.
Final Exam:
Information about final exam will be posted in Blackboard.
Course Content and Work
This course uses Blackboard, a word processing program, and email for course content and for submitting work. Students must submit work and communicate through these programs in order to pass this course. You might need to use additional programs such as Google, Excel, or another program to create certain documents for this class. Some work is completed and submitted outside of the class meeting times.
10/18/17 5:38 AM
10/18/17 6:09 AM