Departmental Course Syllabus

Department: English	Revision Date: Spring 2009
San Antonio College, 1300 San Pedro San Antonio, TX 78212-4299
Course Number and Title: ENGL 2311 Technical Writing
Credit Hours: 3
Instructor: Varies
Office: Gonzales Hall 123	Phone Number: (210) 486-0649 FAX: (210) 486-1509
E-mail: abernal@alamo.edu (department chair)	Web Address: http://www.accd.edu/sac/english/default.htm

Catalog Description:

 

ENGL 2311, Technical Writing is designed to improve the student’s ability to gather and to communicate information in his or her major field. Emphasis is on form and method. Subject matter includes business letters, technical papers, and reports.

 

II.        Pre-requisites, co-requisites and other requirements:

 

English 1301 and 1302

 

III.       Text:

 

Department approved technical writing text which includes assignments pertaining to the information to be covered as specified in the catalog description.

 

IV.       Methods of Instruction:

 

Instruction will consist of lectures, class discussion, reading, writing assignments, collaborative a ssignments, and other means chosen by instructor.

 

V.        Course Content:

 

The course will introduce students to professional writing: letters, forms, instructions, reports, and other types of documents. Instruction will be given including the importance of audience, rhetorical situation, collaboration, and form for professional writing.

 

VI.       LEARNING OUTCOMES : 

 

Learning Outcome 1:

The student will be expected to recognize the particular rhetorical  demands of audience to the appropriate style, purpose, and structure while applying the appropriate modes of expression including informative, persuasive, descriptive, narrative, and scientific and prepare documents in the appropriate format for the writing situation.

Performance Objective and Measurement: Students will prepare and meet the requirements in a series of graded documents, including business forms, letters, reports, and presentations.

 

Learning Outcome 2:

Students will  be expected to read, analyze, synthesize, and discuss various professional materials to understand the process of professional writing as a recursive, connected, and interactive process which includes prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and proofreading.

Performance Objective and Measurement:  Portions of selected projects as well as completed projects will contribute to the grade on the document(s). Students will discuss these criteria in class discussions.

 

Learning Outcome 3:

Students will be expected to understand the proper integration of cited materials and documentation from appropriate style manuals.

Performance Objective and Measurement:  Students will prepare documents that include citations both within the text and on a citation page. Grades will include documentation on appropriate assignments.

 

Learning Outcome 4:

Students will be expected to construct and integrate graphic/visual aids into professional documents.

Performance Objective and Measurement: Students will include graphic/visual aids in specified assignments. Students’ grades will include graphic/visual aids evaluation.

 

SCANS Competencies: See HERE for a list of competencies related to the workplace as outlined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

 

VII.     Course requirements and grade computation:

 

A.        College Requirements:

A written, comprehensive final examination, not to exceed two and one-half hours in length, shall be given at the end of each semester for each course at the regularly scheduled time. Any exceptions to these requirements must be approved by the appropriate dean. Other examinations are given at the discretion of the instructor.

A student who must be absent from a final examination should petition that instructor for permission to postpone the examination. A student absent without permission from a final examination is graded “F.” Postponed examinations result in a grade of “I.” The final exam must be taken within 120 calendar days from the end of the semester or the grade automatically becomes an “F.” (San Antonio College Bulletin, Faculty Handbook - January 1995)

B.         Departmental Requirement:

The student must be required to write a minimum of 2000 words, and at least 60% of a student’s grade in the course shall be based on these writing assignments. Each writing activity should be at least 200 words in length in order for the student to demonstrate usage of the writing competencies.

C.                 Instructor Requirements:

Varies with instructor

 

VIII.  College Policies:

 

A.         San Antonio College does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability with respect to access, employment programs or services.

B.         Students are urged not to bring children to either a class or a lab. Minors under the age of twelve (12) must not be left unattended on campus. College Academic Council - April, 1998

C.        ADA Statement: “As per Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, if accommodation is needed contact the Office of DisABILITY Support Services, CAC 124C, Phone: (210) 733-2347.

D.         A Rapid Response Team exists for the purpose of responding to emergencies. If you have a disability that will require assistance in the event of a building evacuation, notify Disability Support Services, Chance Academic Center 124C, Phone: (210) 733-2347.

E.         Academic Dishonesty: Students may be subject to disciplinary proceedings resulting

in an academic penalty or disciplinary penalty for academic dishonesty. Academic Dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism and collusion. For additional information refer to the “Student Code of Conduct” in the San Antonio College Bulletin.

F.         Students are required to silence all electronic devices (e.g., pagers, cellular phones, etc.) when in classrooms, laboratories and the library. College Academic Council, 01/ 2000.

G.       

Effective Spring Term 2010, student absences will be recorded from the first day the class meets. Regular and punctual attendance in all classes and laboratories, day and evening, is required. Students who are absent for any reason should always consult with their instructors. Course syllabi must provide specific information regarding attendance, including, for courses involving the internet, online activity that constitutes “attendance.” Also, both tardiness and early departure from class may be considered forms of absenteeism. In all cases, students will be held responsible for completion of course requirements covered in their absence. Additionally, it is the student’s responsibility to drop a course for nonattendance.

Course instructors establish policy with regard to attendance in their respective syllabi and may drop a student for excessive absences.  Absences are considered excessive when more than 12.5 percent of the total contact hours of instruction in a semester, including lecture and lab, are missed.  For example, in a three-credit-hour lecture class, students may be dropped after more than six contact hours of absences. In a four-credit-hour lecture/lab class, students may be dropped after more than eight contact hours of absences.  Absences are counted regardless of whether they occur consecutively. In special programs with additional accreditation or certification standards, additional attendance requirements may be enforced but faculty must clearly explain these policies in their syllabi. 

Students who stop attending class for any reason should contact the instructor and the college registrar to officially withdraw from the class. Students may be required to consult with an advisor or designee before dropping. Failure to officially withdraw may result in a failing grade for the course. It is the student’s responsibility to withdraw officially from a class by submitting a completed Withdrawal Form to the Admissions and Records Office.

The following table shows the number of missed class meetings that make up an absence rate approximating 12.5%.

 

H.        San Antonio College is a smoke free campus.

I.          ACCD DPS Emergency Phone Numbers:

ACCD DPS Emergency Phone             (210) 222-0911

ACCD DPS General Phone      (210) 208-8099

ACCD DPS Weather Phone    (210) 208-8189 (For information on college closures)

J.                   Students must also abide by the policies, procedures, and rules set forth in the “Student Code of Conduct” and all other policies set forth in the San Antonio College Bulletin. www.accd.edu/sac/sacmain/schedule/SAC_Bulletin_05-06.pdf