Course Syllabus

The North Central Texas College (NCTC) Course Syllabus provides the following as required by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB):

1. a brief description of the course including each major course requirement, assignment and examination;
2. the learning objectives for the course;
3. a general description of the subject matter of each lecture or discussion; and
4. any required or recommended readings. 

Contact information for the instructor is also provided. The Course Syllabus also provides institutional information to indicate how this course supports NCTC’s purpose and mission. Information specific to a particular section of the course will be included in the Class Syllabus and distributed to enrolled students. 

Course Title:  Technical Writing
Course Prefix & Number:  ENGL2311	Section Number:101	Term Code: Spring 2017
Semester Credit Hours:  3	Lecture Hours:  48	Lab Hours:
Course Description (NCTC Catalog): The study of the fundamentals of clear writing in general.  A study of presentations of technical information to non-technical audiences through samples of such writing and through practice in specific tasks, such as process analyses, object descriptions, instructions, reports, manuals and business correspondence.
Course Prerequisite(s):  ENGL1301
Course Type: ·        Academic General Education Course (from Academic Course Guide Manual but not in NCTC Core) ·        Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course ·        WECM Course

 

 

Name of Instructor:	Gabrielle MV Fletcher
Campus/Office Location:	Gainesville 502G
Office Telephone Number:	ext 4392
Primary Email Address:	CANVAS
Secondary Email Address:	gfletcher@nctc.edu

 

Name of Chair/Coordinator:	Kristen Weinzapfel
Office Location:	Gainesville – Room 120
Telephone Number:	940-668-3342
E-mail Address:	kweinzapfel@nctc.edu

 

REQUIRED OR RECOMMENDED COURSE MATERIALS

The Essentials of Technical Writing.  2nd edition, by Elizabeth Tebeaux and Sam Dragga.   

     Oxford UP, 2011.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS, EVALUATION METHODS AND GRADING CRITERIA

• Classwork – 25%
• Guest Speaker Discussions & Reflections -10%
• Instruction Manual: 15%
• Research Proposal: 5%
• Research Report: 30%
• Oral Presentation: 10%
• Cover Letter and Resume: 5%

INSTITUTIONAL LEARNING GOALS

• A quality general education curriculum in all associate degree programs.
• Quality freshman and sophomore level courses in arts and sciences which parallel the lower division offerings of four-year colleges and universities.
• Quality technical programs leading directly to careers in semi-skilled and skilled occupations, and quality technical education programs up to two years in length leading to certificates and associate degrees.
• Quality programs and services in support of adult literacy and basic skills development as a mean of workforce enhancement and expanding access to higher education.

PROGRAM PURPOSE STATEMENT

NCTC seeks to implement its goal of providing quality freshman and sophomore level courses in arts and sciences that parallel the lower division offerings of four-year colleges and universities by offering a coherent sequence of courses with appropriate breadth and depth to prepare student for transfer to a university.

DEPARTMENTAL PURPOSE STATEMENT

The Department of English, Speech, and Foreign Language provides quality instruction to students pursuing their academic and career goals.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. Compose, revise, and edit various technical discourses (i.e., memoranda, letters, brochures, short and long reports, proposals, and operation manuals) that demonstrate appropriate content and organization.
2. Analyze the audience, purpose, and occasion in various technical discourses.
3. Determine the appropriate textual and graphic layout and design of technical discourses.
4. Write technical discourses that demonstrate appropriate technical writing style:  i.e., a clear, precise, and concise language and sentence structure that is free from spelling and punctuation errors.
5. Synthesize and document research findings by utilizing an appropriate documentation system (i.e., MLA, APA).

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Financial Aid, Scholarships, and Veterans Services: The Financial Aid Office is responsible for administering a variety of programs for students who need assistance in financing their education.  The first step for financial aid is to complete a FAFSA.  For more information, please visit your nearest Financial Aid Office. 

Disability Accommodations: The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides accommodations for students who have a documented disability. A disability is anything that can interfere with learning, such as a learning disability, psychological challenge, physical illness or injury. Accommodations may include extra time on tests, tests in a non-distracting environment, note taker in class, etc. On the Corinth Campus go to room 170 or call 940-498-6207.  On the Gainesville Campus go to room 110 in the Administration (100) Building or call 940-668-7731 ext. 4321.  North Central Texas College is committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, ADA Amendments Act of 2009, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-112).

Student Success: The Student Success Center is designed to help all students at NCTC develop tools to achieve their academic goals.  This program also links students to FREE tutoring, including a Writing Center, a Math Lab, and free 24/7 online tutoring and helps new students acclimate to college by providing computer lab services for prospective students.  All students are invited to visit the Student Success Center on Gainesville Campus go to rooms 114 or 111. 

Last day to Withdraw: Last day to drop a class with grade of “W” is April 6^th. 2017.

Student Rights & Responsibilities: NCTC Board policy FLB (Local) Student Rights and Responsibilities states that each student shall be charged with notice and knowledge of the contents and provisions of the rules and regulations concerning student conduct.  These rules and regulations are published in the Student Handbook published in conjunction with the College Catalog.  All students shall obey the law, show respect for properly constituted authority, and observe correct standards of conduct.

Scholastic Integrity – Plagiarism:  Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but not be limited to cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.  See Student Handbook “Student Rights & Responsibilities: Student Conduct [FLB- (LOCAL)]” #18. Disciplinary Actions [Student Handbook, p. 164, #5] “When cheating, collusion, or plagiarism has occurred beyond any reasonable doubt, the instructor may give the student or students involved an “F” on a particular assignment or in the course. [See Scholastic Dishonesty FLB (Local)] The instructor shall make a written report of the incident and of the planned action to his Department Chair.  The Department Chair shall report the incident and action to appropriate instructional dean who shall review the case, notify the student and, if necessary, take further action.  This may involve either probation or suspension of the student or students in question. If such disciplinary action is deemed necessary, the Dean of Student Services shall be notified, and the action shall be taken through that office.”

Plagiarism, which should be avoided at all costs, includes the following student actions:

1. Turning in someone else's ideas, opinions, theories, or work as your own;
2. Unintentionally or inadvertently turning in someone else's ideas, opinions, theories, or work as your own as the result of failing to document sources both internally and in the Works Cited;
3. Copying words, ideas, or images from someone without giving credit; Failing to put a quotation in quotations marks;
4. Giving incorrect information about the source of information, quotations, or images;
5. Changing words but copying the sentence structure of a source without giving credit; and/or
6. Copying so many words, ideas, or images from a source that it makes up the majority of the student's work, whether or not the student gives credit.

Please be aware that I take plagiarism very seriously.  You may not have another person write, type, edit, or revise any parts of your Writing Assignments.  You may not use someone else’s Writing Assignment or buy one from a “professional” source.  You may not use material on the internet or in print sources without documenting it.  Failure to follow the proper guidelines for documentation constitutes plagiarism. 

Considering the severity of the issue, if you ever have any questions or concerns regarding plagiarism, please consider this an open invitation to visit with me about the issue. If I discover that a student has committed intentional plagiarism, the Writing Assignment that has plagiarized materials will receive a zero, and I will recommend to the English Department Head that the student fail the course.

ADDITIONAL COURSE INFORMATION: EVALUATION OF MAJOR WRITING ASSIGNMENTS

• “A” Work:  This writing is excellentand demonstrates excellence in development, organization, style and tone, and mechanics. There is clear evidence of the writing process (invention, drafting, revision, editing, and proofreading).  
• “B” Work: This is good work and delivers substantial information—that is, substantial in both quantity and interest-value. It is well-developed and unified around a clear organizing principle that is apparent early in the piece. There is evidence of the writing process.  
• “C” Work: This is an average piece that is generally competent in its development, organization, style and tone, and mechanics.  It meets the needs for the assignment, has few mechanical errors, and is reasonably organized and developed. This piece also shows some evidence of the writing process. 
• “D” Work:  This is below-average work that lacks develop and/or is not effectively organized to facilitate reader’s understanding.  The paper also shows little or no evidence of the writing process. 
• “F” Work:  This work fails in all aspects of the evaluation criteria.  There is no evidence of the writing process and the paper fails in all aspects of development, organization, style, and mechanics.

 

OTHER AREAS OF CONSIDERATION

Attendance Requirements: 

Regular attendance and active, prepared participation of all students is essential. Students who miss more than 20% of the course (equivalent to three weeks/6 days in a standard semester) will receive an F and may be dropped from the course at the instructor's discretion.  It is truly your responsibility to drop yourself.  Again, the last day to drop with a "W" is April 6, 2017. There are no "excused" absences in college. In-class/quiz grades may not be made up. If for any reason you are not able to attend class when an assignment is due, you may make arrangements to turn in the assignment on, or before the due date.  Be prepared to honor this rule if you must miss class due to extra-curricular activities or other school-related events.   If emergency circumstances warrant consideration, you will need to speak to me on an individual basis and outside of class documentation for accidents, court appearances, and other emergency type situations need to be presented to the instructor for consideration. Appointments and making up tests in another class are not viable excuses. In addition, I DO NOT take late work of any kind.

Students are also expected to arrive on time and not to leave before the end of class. Late arrivals and early departures (which are distracting to both professor and students) will be recorded and every two instances will count as one absence.   I expect students to be punctual.  This is your responsibility.  I will refrain from locking the door until it appears that you cannot seem to make it to class on time.  If the door is locked, don’t knock…you aren’t coming in- you are absent.  Getting up and leaving in the middle of class to check your phone, go to the bathroom, and other little trips are rude to your peers and your instructor.  Please take care of your business before or after class.  I find it ridiculous to have to even mention it here, but clearly there must be some precedents or I wouldn’t have bothered, right?  Read this: http://collegemisery.blogspot.com/2010/11/tale-of-cursed-commode.html

 Really, this all boils down to…This is college where YOU have chosen to be here, so be a mature adult and considerate to others and everything will work out fine.

Classroom Decorum - A college classroom is a place of learning. Behavior that is disruptive or hostile will not be tolerated. The professor reserves the right to dismiss any student from the classroom, either temporarily or permanently. Students should consult the "Student Handbook" section of the College Catalog in order to acquaint themselves with the student code of conduct.

Elements of Professionalism:

• Prepare and participate meaningfully in discussion
• Be proactive. (A proactive student exhausts all available resources of information before contacting me. In other words, read the assignment sheet closely before e-mailing me to ask how many sources are required in your paper, and if you are unsure how to cite a source, look it up in your handbook or a credible, online source—such as The Purdue Owl or a handbook.)
• Consider the quality (and effort) of required drafts, notes, and daily assignments.
• Turn in writing assignments on-time and as assigned.
• Mind the quality and tone of email correspondence.

Web site – for additional help, support and directions, check out the class in Canvas.  www.nctc.edu  How do I access my course online?  Students can access Canvas from the college homepage, or directly by typing https://nctc.instructure.com into their browser. Every student is provided a Canvas account with a username and password. Use your NetID username (ex. DoeJ123456) and password (student ID number) to access Canvas. If you register early, your NetID is available the week before classes begin. If you register during regular or late registration, it is available approximately 24 hours after you register. Go to MyNCTC to retrieve your username.     http://www.nctc.edu/eLearning_Department/FAQ.aspx

Workshops - Drafts will have peer evaluation in class. We will spend time talking about papers and how to improve them. You will be placed in small peer editing/revising groups, and you will be responsible for giving each member in your group a copy of your paper. We will discuss how to analyze and give appropriate feedback. Your failure to participate (bring a draft) or attend these conferences will reduce your class work grade dramatically each time you miss: 0 for not attending; D for attending but no paper, C for attending with a paper that is weakly presented and an average job on peer review; B for attending with a completed, well-worked draft & doing a good job on peer reviews; A or higher for attending with a completed, well-worked draft & doing an excellent job on peer reviews. These workshops are a means by which you can get feedback and learn how to improve your writing skills.

Rough Drafts: For instruction manual and research report, you will be required to show evidence of the writing process by presenting several rough drafts.  If you do not show evidence of the writing process, I will not evaluate your work.

Writing Assignments: All major writing assignments are required.  If you fail to turn in one of the major assignments (i.e., resume, instruction manual, proposal, research report, oral presentation), you cannot pass the course.  I reserve the right to administratively drop any student who does not submit all major assignments.

We will be developing your writing skills throughout the semester. Each paper will have similar skills that I will expect to see improvement on, as well as specific skills that you will need to show you have mastered. Grading will get harder as we progress. Papers will have a specific minimum length requirement. No paper will be accepted (that is a 0) without revised and edited draft(s), and papers not submitted to turnitin.com = automatic F.

All papers are to be typed, double-spaced, 12-point font, New Times Roman, with one-inch margins, and correct headings.   I will take points off if you do not follow these directions. Be sure to have a folder with your final paper, drafts, peer reviews, and brainstorming/invention in the right hand side of your folder to turn in to class. 

Your Name
Professor Fletcher
ENGL 1301.your section
The date 

Title (centered)

* Many community college students live complex lives, however, and students may ask for one 24-hour extension on a normal deadline (with no penalties incurred) to be considered provided that they contact the professor in advance of the deadline (not at the time it is due or after) to inform her of the situation, provided the reason is legitimate and documented.  If you are ill, there is no reason why you cannot have someone turn your paper in for you.  Your paper should already be completed.