English 420X, 'Business Writing' Course Description and ...



English 420X, "Business Writing" Course Description and Syllabus

Instructor and Course Information

English 420X, "Business Writing"

Instructor Name: Papia Bawa

Section: 420X 0101, 0201

Office Hrs: By Appointment

E-Mail: purdue420x@

Overview

English 420 teaches students the rhetorical principles and writing practices necessary for producing effective business letters, memos, reports, and collaborative projects in professional contexts. The curriculum is informed by current research in rhetoric and professional writing and is guided by the needs and practices of business, industry, and society at large, as well as by the expectations of Purdue students and programs. All sections of English 420 are offered in networked computer classrooms or exclusively online to ensure that students taking the course are prepared for the writing environment of the 21st-century workplace. The course teaches the rhetorical principles that help students shape their business writing ethically, for multiple audiences, in a variety of professional situations.

Recommended Texts

These text books will enhance your learning experience. Please note that although it is NOT mandatory to use these books,  they are highly recommended.

1. Professional Writing Online 2.0 ( Pearson and Longman). This is an online text book, which means you will  not get a hard copy version. Instead you will be buying a 1 year membership, which will allow you to access the book suing your unique password. This book contains excellent resources related to professional writing and communication.

2. The Thomson Handbook (Comprehensive Edition), by David Blakesley and Jeffrey L. Hoogeveen. Boston: Thomson/Wadsworth, 2008. This book is available at local bookstores and may also be purchased online  through Amazon. You can buy the hardcover or paperback versions. This text provides essential information, examples, and principles for effective business writing

Course Goals

Writing in Context

Analyze professional cultures, social contexts, and audiences to determine how they shape the various purposes and forms of workplace writing, such as persuasion, organizational communication, and public discourse, with an emphasis on

• writing for a range of defined audiences and stakeholders

• negotiating the ethical dimensions of workplace communication

Project Management

• Understand, develop and deploy various strategies for planning, researching, drafting, revising, and editing documents both individually and collaboratively.

• Select and use appropriate technologies that effectively and ethically address professional situations and audiences.

• Build professional ethos through documentation and accountability.

Document Design

Make rhetorical design decisions about workplace documents, including

• understanding and adapting to genre conventions and audience expectations

• understanding and implementing design principles of format and layout

• interpreting and arguing with design

• drafting, researching, testing, and revising visual designs and information architecture

Teamwork

Learn and apply strategies for successful teamwork and collaboration, such as

• working online and face to face with colleagues

• determining roles and responsibilities

• managing team conflicts constructively

• responding constructively to peers' work

• soliciting and using peer feedback effectively

• achieving team goals

Research

Understand and use various research methods to produce professional documents, including

• analyzing professional contexts

• locating, evaluating, and using print and online information selectively for particular audiences and purposes

• triangulating sources of evidence

• selecting appropriate primary research methods, such as interviews, observations, focus groups, and surveys to collect data

• working ethically with research participants

Technology

Use and evaluate the writing technologies frequently used in the workplace, such as emailing, instant messaging, image editing, video editing, presentation design and delivery, HTML editing, Web browsing, content management, and desktop publishing technologies.

Evaluation:

Course Projects and Assignments

1. Online Discussions ( 20%)

These will be conducted online using a web based forum, the details for which will be provided in class. You have 4 online discussions to complete. Each discussion will be worth 100 points with the following allocation:

50 points for initial response

15 points for the first 2 peer responses.

10 points for the third and fourth peer response.

Besides the number of posts your points will also depend on the quality of your responses. Please read the discussion rubric and policies below:

DISCUSSION FORUM POLICIES

Discussion forums are not just 'chat' forums, but viable mediums of exchanging information, and widening your own horizons of learning and thinking critically. They should be used judiciously as a means of self-advancement.

You are expected to participate in all forums.

You are expected to post your response to the initial discussion question/s in order to qualify for grades. If you respond to your peers without submitting your initial response you will not get any points.

DO NOT submit a response before or after the scheduled time and date frame. If you do that your response will get a 0.

Only postings related to the discussion questions, and your associated responses to peers will qualify for grades.

Asking clarifications regarding assignments, exchanging ideas other than the ones related to the assigned questions, or any post that is listed under disqualifications, will not get any points.

An excellent (A) or very good (B) response set (initial and peer) is one where you:

1.     Follow ALL requirements specified in the discussion assignment/activities.

2.     Generate new ideas, and not simply agree or disagree with your peers.

3.     Elaborate upon your ideas instead of just stating them in a few sentences. Give examples wherever you can.

4.     Be accurate in spelling, grammar, and sentence structure.

5.     Do not have any of the issues specified under When your postings can get C or D (60-79) and Disqualifications.

When your postings can get C or D (60-79)

•  You submit insufficient information

• One-liners only

•  Repeat similar ideas/what has been posted by you earlier

• Simply agree or disagree with your peers without giving proper rationalization

• Have many errors of grammar or style

• Have not followed all or some of the requirements for the discussion assignment/activities.

DISQUALIFICATIONS

Your posting will receive a 0 if you:

Post or respond to issues relating to grades or grading policies. (Any such issues must be communicated via e-mail)

Post or respond in a derogatory or critical fashion to questions relating to assignments or assignment policies. You may ask questions relating to understanding assignments or exchanging ideas about them.

Engage in inappropriate (use slang terms, talk of issues unrelated to the discussion, use rude or derogatory terms) conversation.

Post before or after the stipulated week and time frame.

 Post peer responses only, without completing the initial discussion assignment.

   The due dates for all assignments are available in the class session section of the course website.

It is your responsibility to read all instructions carefully and follow them accordingly. In case of any doubts, please ask questions at least a day (24hours) BEFORE the assignment is due.

2. Class Work (25%)

Unless otherwise specified, all class work assignments are scheduled to be be completed in class. You have 8 class work assignments to complete. Each class work will be directly related to the materials covered in the lectures. Each class work will be worth 100 points.

3. Reflections Project (25%)

This project has an extended time frame, and you will be completing 3 reflection assignments over the entire semester. Each assignment unit will be worth 100 points. The final version will be the percentage aggregate of all 3 assignments. For this project, you will be asked to 'reflect' on your learning experiences in this class. You will be required to respond to questions relating to the materials covered in the class lectures and knowledge gained from peer interaction through discussions. This will be done in several stages, as we progress through the semester. It is strongly advised that you do out of class research to further enhance your understanding of these materials. Your points will depend on the following:

 

1.  Detailed description and expression of your understanding of the subject/materials covered in class

2. Accurate description of what you learned through peer interaction

3. Demonstration of appropriate research you conducted to increase your knowledge and understanding of the subject/materials

4. Display of good command over the language, appropriate proofreading, ability to follow all the directions of the assignments

 

4. Group Project: (30%)

For this project (the details will be available in the course web site), you will work collaboratively in project teams on a client-based service-learning project that teaches you to manage complex writing challenges in real contexts that matter. You will learn principles of project management, collaboration, document cycling, and client-based research. Because you will work with real clients--either in the community or online, you will also learn important principles of professional and ethical communication. The project is worth 300 points (100 for Peer Reviews, 150 for Final Version, 50 for presentation)

The project will also involve submitting a formal draft. Although the draft does not have any points attached to it, it is mandatory to submit it. If you do not submit the draft you will not receive any points for the final version.

Grading

|Online Discussions |20 |

|Class Work Assignments |25 |

|Reflections Project |25 |

|Group Project |30 |

|Total |100% |

All major assignments will be graded on the standard letter-grade scale: A=100-90 B=89-80 C=79-70 D=69-60 F=59 or below. 

Class Participation, Reading Responses, Peer Reviews

A large portion of your grade will be based on

• How well you implement the guidelines and best practices for posting comments and creating reading responses, as presented on our course site

• The degree to which your your peer reviews and responses offer insightful feedback and suggestions

• The degree to which your assignment responses  demonstrate learning of the course content.

• The degree to which your discussion responses and comment posts engage with and contribute to the learning of others in the course.

Technology Requirements

In order to participate fully in the course, you should already be able to use the technology platform and applications listed below. 

• Mac OS System or Windows XP or Vista

• Microsoft Office (Word and PowerPoint) or Mac Office (Word and Keynote)

• Web Browser (e.g., Firefox, Safari, Netscape Communicator, or Internet Explorer)

• Email Program (e.g., Purdue Webmail, Outlook, Eudora, Thunderbird, Gmail, etc.)

Technology Responsibilities

Familiarity with certain technologies is crucial for participation and success in the course. If you need any assistance now or at any point during the semester, please do not hesitate to ask.

During the semester, you'll need regular access to the Internet and email. Because the course home page is the main locus of the class community, you are responsible for reading and keeping current with all content posted there, including what has been submitted by both the instructor and your fellow students. You'll be responsible for configuring your system to access course materials, to read course email and participate in online discussions, and to submit your work. Very early in the semester, you will be asked to demonstrate that you can meet these responsibilities:

• Register for the course website and complete your profile information.

• Post a message about yourself and your interests

• Read the course description and calendar, then ask questions when you are uncertain about requirements or activities.

• Set up your @purdue.edu email or an alternative that you can access regularly and reliably

• Become proficient sending and receiving email attachments, resolving file compatibility issues, and following email decorum.

• Check the course calendar daily for the timely completion of assignments.

• Become more proficient with unfamiliar computer technologies and applications, such as the creation of PDF files.

• Maintain back-up copies of all assignments via your home directory, disks, USB drives, or CDs.

If at any time you have problems accessing the Internet from home, you'll need to find a public lab or connection point. Problems with computers will not be an excuse for falling behind or failing to complete required assignments. If your Internet service goes down, use another computer. If your computer breaks, use another computer. In other words, find a way to complete the assignments on time. Because computer problems are a fact of life, always work to complete your assignments early and make frequent backups to multiple media.

Collaborative Work

Teamwork is a required component of the course. You and your project team members are responsible for updating one another and me about assignment development and progress. In addition, you also are responsible for negotiating together all aspects of your work, including planning, drafting, revising, file managing, and scheduling of assignments. When a collaborative project is assigned, you will receive explicit guidelines for successful collaboration. Individual group members will complete Collaborative Evaluation Forms. For more information about good principles of collaboration, see the brochure, Group Work and Collaborative Writing . 

Attendance

Attendance is required at all scheduled electronic and face-to-face (F2F) meetings. Since you will be working in project teams much of the semester, you also will be required to attend any scheduled out-of-class meetings with your team to complete course assignments. Three absences may result in your final grade being lowered by as much as a letter grade. More than three absences can result in a failing grade for the course. Excused absences may be granted for religious holidays or university-sponsored events, provided you make a written request to me no less than two weeks in advance and that you complete any required work before the due date. Being excessively or regularly late for class or team meetings, both electronic and F2F, can also be counted as an absence. Please note that medical emergencies/reasons pertain primarily to your health, and not that of your kith and kin.

Punctuality is of utmost importance in this class. If you are more than 5 minutes late, you will not get attendance for that day. These late days will count towards the general attendance policy, which means that if you are late for 3 or 4 days you will lose letter grades or get F.

Disruptive/Unacceptable Behavior or Demeanor:

 Dignity and decorum MUST be maintained at all times in the class room.

The following constitutes disruptive/unacceptable behavior in class:

1-      Talking to your classmates while the lecture is in session.

2-      Giving answers that are rude, derogatory, have no bearing on the subject being discussed, or in any way disrupt the flow of the lecture is session.

3-      Speaking out of turn or before another person has finished responding in a group discussion.

4-      Whistling, passing rude comments or any other disruptive conduct.

5-      Being loud and/or disrespectful to other students or the instructor.

6-      Any other behavior that the instructor finds disruptive to the class or diminishing its dignity.

7- Any other communication with the instructor or peers (emails, notes, discussions) that is considered disrespectful or threatening by the instructor.

8- Using the lab computers when the class is in session to do personal work, or work that is not related to or required for the scheduled class sessions for the course.

 

Any student who engages in this kind of behavior will face disciplinary action, including, but not limited to the following:

1-      Asked to leave the class.

2-      The incident being noted in his or her records.

3-      Losing a full alphabet grade. For example, an A grade will be reduced to a B grade.

 

Academic Integrity

Purdue students and their instructors are expected to adhere to guidelines set forth by the Dean of Students in "Academic Integrity: A Guide for Students," which students are encouraged to read here:



The preamble of this guide states the following: "Purdue University values intellectual integrity and the highest standards of academic conduct. To be prepared to meet societal needs as leaders and role models, students must be educated in an ethical learning environment that promotes a high standard of honor in scholastic work. Academic dishonesty undermines institutional integrity and threatens the academic fabric of Purdue University. Dishonesty is not an acceptable avenue to success. It diminishes the quality of a Purdue education, which is valued because of Purdue's high academic standards."

Academic dishonesty is defined as follows: "Purdue prohibits "dishonesty in connection with any University activity. Cheating, plagiarism, or knowingly furnishing false information to the University are examples of dishonesty." [University Regulations, Part V, Section III, B, 2, a] Furthermore, the University Senate has stipulated that "the commitment of acts of cheating, lying, and deceit in any of their diverse forms (such as the use of substitutes for taking examinations, the use of illegal cribs, plagiarism, and copying during examinations) is dishonest and must not be tolerated. Moreover, knowingly to aid and abet, directly or indirectly, other parties in committing dishonest acts is in itself dishonest." [University Senate Document 72-18, December 15, 1972]"

If you have any questions about this policy, please ask.

In Case of a Campus Emergency

In the event of a major campus emergency, course requirements, deadlines and grading percentages are subject to changes that may be necessitated by a revised semester calendar or other circumstances. You can acquire updated information from the course website, by emailing me, or by contacting me through the English Department at 765-494-3740.

Late Work

This course has a NO MAKEUP and NO LATE WORK policy. However, If a serious and unavoidable problem arises, you should contact me in writing prior to the deadline to determine whether or not an extension for the work will or will not be granted. Please note that merely informing me of such a problem does not grant you extension. I reserve the right to determine if your situation warrants exemption or not.

Excused absences may be granted for religious holidays, medical reasons on production of a doctor's note, or university-sponsored events, provided you make a written request to me,  and that you complete any required work before the due date, except in case of medical emergencies.

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