WRIT465/Prep for Oral & Written Reports
Spring 2001/ TR 3:30 / KIN 207

[Texts] [Technology] [Communication] [Supplies]
[Goals] [Attendance Policy] [Assignment/Grading Policies]
[Class Procedures] [Revision Policy] [Office Hours] [E-mail and the Web]
[Grading Breakdown] [Academic Honesty and Plagiarism]
[Calendar of Readings and Assignments]
[Companion Website for Bovée & Thill]

Instructor:

Dr. Jo Koster
Office:241 Bancroft
Phone: 323-4557(O); Fax:323-4837
Office Hours: gladly by appointment & W 2:00-4:00
Internet: kosterj@winthrop.edu
Web: http://faculty.winthrop.edu/kosterj  and follow the links to WRIT 465

Texts:    Courtland L. Bovée and John V. Thill, Business Communication Today, 6/e. 
                    (Click on the name of the text to go to the companion website.)
                The Prentice Hall Guide to Writing, current edition.
                Texts are available at the Bookworm. Please bring them to class as requested. They will be supplemented
                with handout packs for specific assignments.

Technology:

Prepare all assignments on a computer using a standard word processing program. Use typewriters or "word processors" only as a last resort, since it's not possible to transfer these files to other machines and at desperate times that may be necessary. Clean, clear print is required; this means laser or ink jet print or a good dark ribbon on a dot matrix printer. Bovée’s Component Chapter A (p. 660 ff.) will be our authority for standard format, and I will expect you to modify any word processing program you use to conform to it.

Communication:

Some assignments in this class will ask you to use e-mail and the Internet. If you have not already done so, go to 017 Tillman to activate your free student account and to the ACC to sign up for printing privileges. If you routinely use another e-mail account on another server (such as Hotmail or AOL), you are responsible for setting the automatic forwarding on your Winthrop e-mail account to forward mail to that address. I use the listing of Winthrop E-mail addresses provided by Information Management to set up the listserv for this class. If you are not on that list or do not have a Winthrop E-mail account, see me immediately so that I can make sure you get added to this list and do not miss any key messages. You should check this account before every class.

Supplies:

A good college dictionary, a closable folder or 3-ring binder for storing all your written work and handouts during the semester, writing materials, a 9" x 12" manila envelope for submitting assignments to me (recyclable), at least two 3-1/2" computer disks; a standard-sized VHS videotape for your oral presentations.

Goals:

Attendance Policy:

Miss four classes and you are on attendance probation, which will lower your grade; miss seven and you fail the course (that's University policy). Each missed class beginning with the fourth counts as 3 points off your final grade. I don't differentiate between unexcused and excused absences. A missed conference or failure to bring in a rough draft when required counts as two absences. Beginning with the second class there will be a daily sign-in sheet; if you don't initial it, I'll count you absent (it's your responsibility to sign in). Lateness of more than 10 minutes counts as an absence.

Assignment/Grading Policies:

You must submit all assignments to pass the class. There are no exceptions. Deadlines are set for a reason and I take them very seriously. Assignments are expected at the beginning of class on the due date. You may submit one late out-of-class assignment during the term, provided that you have made arrangements to do so with me at least one class period before the assignment is due. No assignment will be accepted more than two class periods after the due date without a significant medical excuse. Feel free to use the Writing Center as a resource as you develop your assignments; I look with great favor on writers who take advantage of their services.

Class Procedures:

This class is conducted in a problem-solving manner; that means more hands-on work and fewer lectures. The text is used as a reference book, example repository, and information source; plan on bringing it to class. I expect you to read the assigned work in advance and ask questions about it. The responsibilities lie heavily on your shoulders; be aware. Prepare all assigned out-of-class assignments according to the standards for that particular assignment. If you must make last-minute corrections, use black ink (and be neat). There will be several rounds of conferences in the term; please take advantage of them. Since most professional writing is collaborative, some of your class grade will be derived from team or group projects, while the rest will be determined by your individual effort. I give complete written descriptions of each assignment; please read them carefully and ask me if you have questions about them.

Revision Policy:

You are required to revise substantively certain assignments leading up to the final report; just fixing mistakes does NOT constitute revision. I will put letter grades on an original and up to two revisions of such assignments and average the grades; if you want to revise an assignment even further, I will be happy to help you with it. You have the option of revising other graded written assignments. You have one class period after a graded assignment is returned to submit revisions. When you return a revision, attach it to the original version to make it easier for a reader to see the changes you have made.

By substantial revision I mean that you must do a lot more than just correct any errors in the first version (though of course those should be fixed). Re-vision means re-seeing, re-conceptualizing, re-attacking what you have done. You might change the tone, the organization, the audience appeal, the style, the visual layout--or many combinations of these factors. If you only fix the errors in the original, your revision grade will be D. If you correct the errors and make only cosmetic revisions, your revision grade will be C. To get an excellent revision grade, you must really make an effort that shows. Grades on the revision and original are averaged together.

Office Hours:

Use them (and not just to raid my candy and cookie jars)! If they are not convenient for you, call me and we'll schedule an appointment for a mutually convenient time.

E-Mail & the Web:

I check my accounts every week day and most weekends. Feel free to zap me. If you find material that you think should be added to the online resources on the class pages, please give me the URLs; I'll be happy to have your contributions.

Grading Breakdown:

Grade equivalents on written and oral assignments are as follows: A=93; A-= 90; B+=88; B=84; B- =81; C+ = 78; C = 75; C- =72; D=68; F=60; S=84; U=68. Percent values for each assignment will be posted on the class website. (Please remember that I cannot give plus or minus grades as your final grade.) For the final grade, 91+ = A; 83+ =B; 72+ = C (or S); 65+ = D; below 65 = F; below 72 = U.

Academic Honesty and Plagiarism

I enforce the policies on plagiarism and academic honesty set out in your Student Handbook. Students who submit work that is not their own can expect at minimum to receive an "F" on that assignment, and, in severe cases, may receive an "F" for the class. If you have any questions about what constitutes plagiarism or correct documentation of borrowed material after you have consulted the Prentice-Hall Guide and the English Department’s web page (http://www.winthrop.edu/english/ WritingProgram/plagiar.htm ), please consult with me. I will be very happy to help you understand how to use the work of others ethically and correctly.