Fall II
Monday - Thursday, 9:15 - 10:30 a.m.
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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
The Tutoring for Success policy applies to any student whose grade or performance in the course falls below a departmentally determined minimum threshold. In either of those cases, the instructor will direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. Under this policy, the instructor will follow specific departmental guidelines governing the use, duration, and grade component of the tutoring need.
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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-2311-002 Technical and Business Writing
Prerequisite: ENGL 1301
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
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:
Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me
You can also contact 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
The entire textbook is online and available in the Blackboard course. You do not need to purchase a textbook for this class. Optional: A Rhetoric Handbook for English 1301, 1302, and 2311. |
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 on the Washington Street Campus. 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:
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).
Be respectful and courteous. While students are expected to express their own ideas and opinions in 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 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.
For full discussion credit, your initial thread must be the minimum word count specified on the discussion, and you must respond to at least two classmates.
Other Responsibilities
Grade Determination
Grades will be based on the following system:
A 90-100=high achievement (895 – 1000 points)
B 80-89= above average achievement (795 – 894 points)
C 70-79= satisfactory achievement (695 – 794 points)
D 60-69= unsatisfactory achievement (595 – 694 points)
F 0-59= unacceptable (0 – 594 points)
Grading Scheme
Assignment Categories |
Percentage of Overall Grade |
Quizzes |
10% |
Discussions and Miscellaneous Discussions in Blackboard Minor Assignments: Outline, Job Ad Analysis Miscellaneous activities |
20% |
Major Writing Assignments Proposal: A persuasive document written to your instructor requesting permission to research your careers for the employment outlook report and detailing your plans for the scope, methods, and audience of your report. Infographic: A practice in using text and visuals to accurately convey information in a way that is clear, concise, meaningful, and engaging for an audience. Employment Outlook Report Final Draft: Multi-page formal researched report that includes front and end matter. Report details the findings of your research about a career in a way that is clear, organized, and purposeful. Peer Review Report: One-page report in memo format the responds to one classmate's EOR rough draft. Report makes suggestions for improvement as well as points out things the classmate has done well in his/her rough draft. * Letter: Application letter to a potential employer that describes your interest in the position and your primary qualifications OR claim letter to an organization requesting recompense for a purchase or service. * Resume: Document detailing your education, work history, and other qualifications for a potential employer. * May not be required in summer course. |
60% |
Final Exam In-class writing response to prompt.
|
10% |
TOTAL |
100% |
Assignment Criteria and Feedback Policy
A rubric is provided for each writing assignment that will set forth the criteria for grading.
Timely instructor feedback is important for student success. However, writing assignments often take time to grade, and I strive to give helpful comments on each assignment. To that end, I will make every effort to grade your written work quickly. Major writing assignments will be graded within 5 days from the due date.
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.
Online tutoring is also available at the Writers' Corner.
Assignment Submission and Late Work
Assignment Submission:
Major writing assignments will receive a 10% penalty per day. After three days, late work will not be accepted. Minor, in-class assignments cannot be made up. Because this is a fast-paced 6-week course, you must complete assignments by the due date. Please check the course calendar for specific due dates. 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.
Attendance in an Online Course
Students are expected to participate actively in an online class. Participation means:
If during the semester you consider dropping, you must check with me first. The deadline for withdrawal is on the Amarillo College Calendar.
NOTE: Withdrawing early from a class could affect scholarship or financial aid monies.
Course Outline
Please note that this outline is subject to change.
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.
Week 1 |
|
Chapter(s) and Quizzes |
Introduction, Chapter 1 and 3 |
Assignment(s) |
Proposal |
Week 2 |
|
Chapter(s) and Quizzes |
Chapters 2 |
Assignment(s) |
Job Ad Analysis |
Style |
Emphasizing the positive: discussion |
Document Design |
Design Basics and Visual Hierarchy |
Week 3 |
|
Chapter(s) and Quizzes |
Chapters 4 and 8 |
Assignment(s) |
Infographic |
Style |
Using plain language: activity |
Week 4 |
|
Chapter(s) and Quizzes |
Chapters 5 and 10 |
Assignment(s) |
Outline for Employment Outlook Report |
Style |
Avoiding sexist and biased language: activity |
Document Design |
Using headings |
Week 5 |
|
Assignment(s) |
EOR rough draft due Peer Review Report for EOR draft EOR final draft due |
Style |
NA |
Week 6 |
|
FINAL EXAM |
Take final exam by Wednesday at 11 p.m. |
Final Exam
Information about final exam will be posted in Blackboard and discussed in class.
06/29/22 9:07 AM
06/29/22 9:07 AM