CATALOG COURSE DESCRIPTION

In this second semester composition course, students develop and sharpen critical thinking and writing skills, applying them to materials from business and the professions with an emphasis on evidence-based analysis, evaluation, interpretation, and persuasive presentation.

PREREQUISITE: A passing grade of C in EGL 101

EXPECTED COURSE OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to

Plan, organize, and write in cogent, standard English: business letters, memoranda, reports of various types, résumés, employment, employment-related correspondence, and other business documents.

Write in clear, concise style appropriate to audience, context, purpose, and writer’s role.

Use correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, and mechanics, and apply conventions of business writing and documentation.

Produce professional-looking, current, standard formats for business letters, memoranda, reports, and other documents.

Collect, select, analyze, interpret, and organize data, and use it appropriately in business communications.

Conduct primary and secondary research, and present this information in a formal documented report.

Integrate visuals, headings, and other graphics into business communication.

Explain cross-cultural, ethical, and legal considerations pertinent to business communication.

Give an effective oral presentation (may include oral reports, employment interviews).

Work effectively in a collaborative or team communication situation

REQUIREMENTS

Reading assigned sections of the text before coming to class
Attending classes regularly and on time and participating in class activities
Completing writing assignments according to the directions provided and submitting them on time
Working responsibly in collaborative tasks

TEXT

Thill, John V and Courtland L. Boveee. Excellence in Business Communication. Sixth

Ed. Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005.

You will also need

A dictionary: a standard desk dictionary
A handbook: any handbook used in our composition courses
A computer diskette/flash drive for your assignments

RESEARCH PROJECT

You will be working collaboratively (in teams of two or three) on a research project. The project will require primary and secondary research and MLA style of documentation. You will be submitting a proposal/work plan, a working bibliography, and a progress report as you work on the project. You will also be required to make an oral presentation to the class using PowerPoint. If you have never used the software, it is a good opportunity to learn, and I am sure some of your classmates would be able to assist you. Attendance at the formal oral presentations is required (for the presenters as well as the other members of the class).

GRADING

Final grade will be computed as follows:

Miscellaneous writing assignments 50%

Research project

Project proposal and progress report 5+5%

Group final report (group grade) 10%

Oral report presentation (individual) 10%

30%

Mid-term 10%

Final exam 10%

CLASS POLICIES

Attendance: No more than three unexcused absences are allowed in a semester. You are responsible for obtaining all information and assignments for any class missed and for submitting assignments on time. If possible, let me and your group members know in advance if you must be absent so that arrangements can be worked out. Missing a class always counts as an absence even if you have an official excuse or a doctor’s note. More than three absences will lower your final grade. Two late arrivals (more than ten minutes) count as one missed day. If you miss nine or more class meetings, you will fail the course.
Assignments not submitted on time get a full letter grade lowered for each class meeting they are late; after three class meetings, a late assignment automatically receives a failing grade. If there are extenuating circumstances, please discuss the problem with me and obtain an extension in advance.
All assignments submitted must be typed. Always save the text on a disk to facilitate revision and easy availability in case of loss of documents.
No eating or drinking (except bottled water) is allowed in class. Please turn off the cell phones/ beepers before you enter the classroom.

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES

Students requesting academic accommodations are required to contact the Disability Support Services Office (M-1042) or call (301) 322-0838 (voice) or (301) 322-0122 (TTY) to establish eligibility for services and accommodations. Students with documented disabilities should discuss the matter privately with their instructors at the beginning of the semester and provide a copy of their Student/Faculty Accommodation Form.

CODE OF CONDUCT

The Prince George's Community College Code of Conduct defines the rights and responsibilities of students and establishes a system of procedures for dealing with students charged with violations of the code and other rules and regulations of the college. A student enrolling in the college assumes an obligation to conduct himself/herself in a manner compatible with the college's function as an educational institution. Refer to the 2005-2006 Student Handbook, beginning on page 41, for a complete explanation of the code of conduct, including the Code of Academic Integrity and the procedure for dealing with disruptive student behavior.

CODE OF ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

The college is an institution of higher learning that holds academic integrity as its highest principle. In the pursuit of knowledge, the college community expects that all students, faculty, and staff will share responsibility for adhering to the values of honesty and unquestionable integrity. To support a community committed to academic achievement and scholarship, the Code of Academic Integrity advances the principle of honest representation in the work that is produced by students seeking to engage fully in the learning process. The complete text of the Code of Academic Integrity is in the 2005-2006 Student Handbook (pages 42-45) and posted on the college's website.

DELAYED COLLEGE OPENINGS

When the college announces a delayed opening, all classes with at least 45 minutes of class time remaining at the time of the opening will be held. For example, in the event of a 10 a.m. opening, a 9:30-10:45 a.m. class will be held. This procedure applies to all credit classes.

COLLEGE RESOURCES and SERVICES

Student Assessment Services Center (Testing Center)

Bladen Hall, Room 100 301-322-0090

(www.pgcc.edu/pgweb/pgdocs/student_services/student_assessment_services.htm) Check the web site for hours and policies and procedures.

Tutoring and Writing Centers (www.pgcc.edu/students/tutoring_writing_grammar)

Bladen Hall, Room 107 Stop by or call 301-322-0748 to make an appointment.

The Tutoring Center can help you in many courses with free one-on-one or group tutoring.

The Writing Center offers one-on-one tutoring for all students who are working on a writing assignment in any course.

Student Development Services 301-322-0886

(www.pgcc.edu/pgweb/pgdocs/student_services/index-sds.htm)

Student Development Services has various programs that provide students with mentoring, advising and individual counseling. Call or check the website for more information.

Library (www.pgcc.edu/library)

Accokeek Hall General information: 301-322-0105

Circulation services: 301-322-0475

Reference services: 301-322-0476

The Library provides a range of library and media services.

Refer to the web site for hours and more information about the services.

Campus Bookstore (www.pgcc.edu/pgweb/pgdocs/bookstore.html)

Largo Student

If something is not clear to you, please ask. You can reach me at 301-322-0592. If I am not available, please leave me a message indicating where and when I can return your call. You can also e-mail me at lkapai@pgcc.edu. I look forward to sharing a rewarding semester with you.

Spring 2006	Writing for Business: Calendar	Assignments to be completed at home
January 24	Introduction to the course In-class writing	Browse through the text and read Chapter 1 Prepare an oral presentation (no more than 3 minutes) introducing yourself to your class
January 26	Student introductions Discussion of Chapter 1 Assignment 1(handout): due Feb.7: peer review; revised version due Feb. 9	Read Chapters 4 and 5.
January 31	Discussion of Chapter 4	Review Chapter 4; complete assigned exercises
February 2	Discussion of Chapter 5	Review Chapter 5; complete assigned exercises
February 7	Discussion of Chapter 6; Assignment 1: peer review	Review Chapter 6; prepare for quiz on Chapters 1, 4-6
February 9	Due: Assignment 1 Quiz and group work	Read Chapters 2 and 3
February 14	Discussion of Chapters 2 and 3 Assignment 2: direct request letter: Feb. 23 peer review; due February 28	Read Ch. 7
February 16	Discuss Chapter 7	Review Chapter 7
February 21	Group discussion and exercises	Read Chapter 8
February 23	Discuss Chapter 8 Assignment 2: peer review
February 28	Due: Assignment 2 Group work: exercises on usage/style etc.	Read Chapter 10
March 2	Assignment 3: claim adjustment letter: due March 9 Bring two copies.	Catch up with your assigned readings
March 7	Form teams for research project (draft due: April 18; final report due April 25) Discussion of proposal writing; research techniques. Proposal/work plan due March 21	Team members to begin work on proposal/work
March 9	Meet in M 3088. Submit one copy of the claim adjustment letter to me and exchange the other with a classmate to prepare a response: this is Assignment 4. The task must be completed in class.
March 14	Mid-term	Teams to continue work on proposals
March 16	Meet in the library for a presentation on resources available for research	Finalize proposal and work plan
March 21	Proposal/work plan due Working bibliography: due March 30	Read Chapter 11
March 23	Meet in the library. Time to prepare working bibliography. Instructor will be available to answer any questions.	Review Appendixes A and B
March 28	Documentation styles Working bibliography format	Collect information
March 30	Due: Working bibliography	Collect information Sample research paper in Ch. 12, pp. 403ff
April 4	Conferences	Continue to work on the report
April 6	Progress report due (individual submission) Preparing oral presentations Visual aids in presentations Sign up for conferences	Read Chapter 13
April 10-16	Spring Break—no classes
April 18	Draft due: groups must meet with me as scheduled
April 20	Conferences as needed Schedule oral presentations of the report	Read Chapter 14 Résumé and application letter: due Dec. 6
April 25	Final report due Oral presentations
April 27	Oral presentations continued	Read Chapter 15
May 2	Résumé and application letter
May 4	Mock interviews
May 9	Résumé/application letter due Final exam: meet in M 3088

· All written assignments are due at the beginning of the class period

· Read assigned chapters before coming to class

· Expect unannounced quizzes periodically

List of Assignments

Points Date due

Memorandum: A problem on campus or the workplace 10

Direct request letter 10

Proposal for the project (group grade) 05

Working bibliography (group task)

Claim adjustment letter 10

Reply to the claim adjustment 10

Project progress report (individual grade) 05

Completed documented written report (group grade) 10

Oral report presentation (individual grade) 10

Résumé and application letter 10

Mid-term 10

Final exam 10

Grade Scale

Total your scores and use the following table for percentage to calculate your final grade.

90+

89-80

79-70

69-60

Below 60