Syllabus: WRIT 465.006 Preparation of Oral and Written Reports

TR 9:30 - 10:45 Bancroft 270

Dr. Cynthia H. Macri                                                                            Office hours: MW 3:15 – 4:15 p.m.

Office: Bancroft 265; 323-4562                                                       TR 10:45 - 11:45 a.m., or by appointment

macric@winthrop.edu                                                                        Webpage: http://faculty.winthrop.edu/macric

Course Description:

This oral- and writing-intensive course simulates the kinds of communication tasks found in the workplace: producing appropriate, correct, and effective documents and oral presentations customized for particular audiences on short deadlines. The major focus of the class is on creating and presenting a long feasibility study or business plan based on a series of shorter assignments. Students also learn to use electronic communication tools effectively and develop a customized resume and job application package. There are frequent graded short writing assignments, revision assignments, electronic assignments, and oral presentations. Prerequisite: Junior standing.

Course Goals:

1.      To gain experience writing for different audiences, such as those encountered in business and government

2.     To gain mastery of basic stylistic techniques in both written and oral presentation

3.     To gain experience developing a major written report from initial proposal through final draft

4.     To learn editing and revising skills

5.     To gain familiarity with the basic formats for reports

6.     To gain experience with the use of figures and illustrations for reports

7.     To gain experience gathering information without relying on library sources

8.     To gain experience using current technology in the most rhetorically effective manner

Student Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

1.     Communicate to multiple professional audiences clearly and effectively through both written and verbal modes.

2.   Create an effective and appealing cover letter and resume for use in the job market.

3.   Apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to a variety of research methods including interviews, field research, and literature surveys.

4.   Apply time management skills to specific tasks.

5.   Identify and use professional writing format strategies currently adopted in business and industry.

6.   Manipulate statistical and numeric data into appropriate graphic formats using various software applications.

7.   Identify weaknesses in their writing and apply appropriate revision processes to strengthen communication  

This course also fulfills the Touchstone Program Goal One: To communicate clearly and effectively in standard English, and Goal Three: To use critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a variety of research methods.

University-Level Competencies (ULCs):

Approved by Faculty Conference in October 2010, Winthrop’s University-Level Competencies (ULCs), identify learning outcomes that apply across all undergraduate programs and that all Winthrop graduates attain. These capacities are essential preparation for working productively and living meaningfully in the contemporary and emerging world. By the end of this course, students will further develop their skills to meet all four ULCs.

Competency 1: Winthrop graduates think critically and solve problems. Winthrop University graduates reason logically, evaluate and use evidence, and solve problems.  They seek out and assess relevant information from multiple viewpoints to form well-reasoned conclusions. Winthrop graduates consider the full context and consequences of their decisions and continually reexamine their own critical thinking process, including the strengths and weaknesses of their arguments. 

Competency 2: Winthrop graduates are personally and socially responsible. Winthrop University graduates value integrity, perceive moral dimensions, and achieve excellence.  They take seriously the perspectives of others, practice ethical reasoning, and reflect on experiences. Winthrop graduates have a sense of responsibility to the broader community and contribute to the greater good. 

Competency 3: Winthrop graduates understand the interconnected nature of the world and the time in which they live. Winthrop University graduates comprehend the historical, social, and global contexts of their disciplines and their lives. They also recognize how their chosen area of study is inextricably linked to other fields. Winthrop graduates collaborate with members of diverse academic, professional, and cultural communities as informed and engaged citizens. 

Competency 4: Winthrop graduates communicate effectively. Winthrop University graduates communicate in a manner appropriate to the subject, occasion, and audience. They create texts – including but not limited to written, oral, and visual presentations – that convey content effectively. Mindful of their voice and the impact of their communication, Winthrop graduates successfully express and exchange ideas.

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Text: Alred, Gerald J., Charles T. Brusaw, and Walter E. Oliu. Handbook of Technical Writing 11^th ed. Boston: Bedford, 2015.

In addition, each of you should find, borrow, or purchase a user’s guide to grammar, punctuation, and documentation.  The book store stocks Rules for Writing by Hacker and Sommers (look near the WRIT 101 books).

 Attendance:

Students are expected to attend class. An absence for any reason is counted as a class missed.

Three absences will reduce the final grade by five points. Four absences will reduce the final grade by ten points. Any student who misses more than four classes will receive an F for this course.  Students who are tardy to class must see me after class or the tardy will count as an absence.  Two tardies count as one absence.  STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANYTHING THAT TOOK PLACE IN CLASS DURING THEIR ABSENCE.

Please be courteous and make sure you take care of all personal needs before class begins. You are expected to remain seated in class for the duration so as not to disrupt and distract from your classmates’ learning environment.

Work standards:

 Rough Draft Conferences:

Toward the end of the semester, you will be required to meet with me in my office for a conference on the rough draft of your final project. You will be responsible for signing up for a conference time, coming on time to your appointment, and bringing a full rough draft of Part 2 of your project.  Anyone who misses his/her appointed time or does not bring a full rough draft of Part 2 will automatically earn three absences.

 ASSIGNED ACTIVITIES:                                                                                                      

BEFORE YOU MAIL OR DISTRIBUTE ANY WORK IN CONNECTION WITH ANY ASSIGNMENT, I MUST CHECK AND APPROVE IT (e.g. inquiry letter and survey).

 Detailed instructions for all assignments will be provided in class, and in many cases sample documents will be posted on my website.

Grading Standards

 Revision Policy:

You may choose to revise any graded document other than the major project. Both the revised copy(ies) and the original graded copy of the document must be turned in together, and the grades will be averaged to attain a final grade. You may choose to revise an assignment up to two times; however, any revision must be submitted within one week of its return and before rough draft conferences begin. 

Students with Disabilities:

Winthrop University is dedicated to providing access to education. If you have a disability and require specific accommodations to complete this course, contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS) at 323-3290. Once you have your official notice of accommodations from the Office of Disability Services, please inform me as early as possible in the semester.

Conduct:

Student code of conduct:  As noted in the Student Conduct Code:  “Responsibility for good conduct rests with students as adult individuals.” The policy on student academic misconduct is outlined in the “Student Conduct Code Academic Misconduct Policy” in the online Student Handbook (http://www.winthrop.edu/uploadedFiles/studentconduct/StudentHandbook.pdf).  More explicit policies relative to a specific discipline/department may also be posted in a syllabus. 

Final Examinations

Winthrop University policy requires that all classes meet during their scheduled final examination period. This schedule can be found on the Records and Registration webpage at http://www.winthrop.edu/uploadedFiles/acadschedule/Exams-Fall.pdf. In addition, personal conflicts such as travel plans and work schedules do not warrant a change in examination time. You are responsible for checking the time of your final examination and for making arrangements to be there.

Technology Requirements: I conduct most of my business with students using email. If you do not have an email account, go to 15 Tillman immediately to set it up. All class email will be sent to your campus email address, so make sure you set it to forward to any off-campus account you use (e.g. comporium, gmail, yahoo, etc.) You must have a working Winthrop mailbox email address by the third day of class. All students must subscribe to the class listserve and check regularly for messages. If you added the course after August 120, 2016, please go to http://www.winthrop.edu/technology/default.aspx?id=7081 and follow the instructions to subscribe.

The Office of Victims Assistance: The Office of Victims Assistance (OVA) provides services to survivors of sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and stalking as well as educational programming to prevent these crimes from occurring. The staff assists all survivors, regardless of when they were victimized in obtaining counseling, medical care, housing options, legal prosecution, and more. In addition, the OVA helps students access support services for academic problems resulting from victimization. The OVA is located in 204 Crawford and can be reached at (803) 323-2206. In the case of an after-hours emergency, please call Campus Police at (803)323-3333, or the local rape crisis center, Safe Passage, at their 24-hour hot-line, (803)329-2800. For more information please visit: http://www.winthrop.edu/victimsassistance/