COMS 3302 Professional and Technical Communication

Spring 2009

Instructor: Stacy Salmon Office: FA 263 Phone: 817-272-0501 E-mail:

Office Hours: Tues/Thurs 11-12; Wed 10-11 (or by appointment) Mailbox: Box 19107

(UTA policy states that all students/faculy/staff use UTA e-mail for official university correspondence.)

Textbook

Guffey, M.E., (2007). Essentials of Business Communication. (7th ed.). Mason, OH: Thomson South-Western.

DVD

Sony (for Handycam) DVD + RW 1.4 GB --you will need one 30 minute DVD

**The instructor reserves the right to change ANY information contained in this document. Adequate notice will be given to students in the event any changes are required.

Course Objectives

The objective of this course is to provide an overview and practical understanding of the principles of interpersonal and organizational communication. The course will provide a foundation for improved oral and written communication and increased effectiveness in word use and writing style. Focus will be given to letter, memo and resume writing. In addition, speaking assignments will provide opportunities to gain oral communication experience.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The University of Texas at Arlington is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation; reference Public Law 92-112-The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. With the passage of federal legislation entitled Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), pursuant to section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, there is renewed focus on providing this population with the same opportunities enjoyed by all citizens.

As a faculty member, I am required by law to provide “reasonable accommodations” to students with disabilities, so as not to discriminate on the basis of that disability. Student responsibility primarily rests with informing faculty of their need for accommodation and in providing authorized documentation through designated administrative channels. Information regarding specific diagnostic criteria and policies for obtaining academic accommodations can be found at www.uta.edu/disability. Also, you may visit the Office for Students with Disabilities in Room 102 of University Hall or call them at 817-272-3364.

Student Support Services

The University of Texas at Arlington supports a variety of student success programs to help you connect with the University and achieve academic success. They include learning assistance, developmental education, advising and mentoring, admission and transition, and federally funded programs. Students requiring assistance academically, personally, or socially should contact the Office of Students Success Programs at 817-272-6107 for more information and appropriate referrals.

Bomb Threats

If anyone is tempted to call in a bomb threat, be aware that UTA will attempt to trace the phone call and prosecute all responsible parties. Every effort will be made to avoid cancellation of presentations and/or tests, caused by bomb threats. Unannounced alternate sites will be available for these classes. Your instructor will make you aware of alternate class sites in the event your classroom is not available.

Drop Policy

It is the responsibility of the student to initiate the drop policy. Students need to go to his/her “major” department to drop a class. For example, if you are a HISTORY MAJOR and you want to drop a MATH class, you need to go to the HISTORY DEPARTMENT to drop your class. This is a new rule as of Summer 2006.

Academic Integrity

It is the philosophy of The University of Texas at Arlington that academic dishonesty is a completely unacceptable mode of conduct and will not be tolerated in any form. All persons involved in academic dishonesty will be disciplined in accordance with University regulations and procedures. Discipline may include suspension or expulsion from the University

“Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, collusion, the submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person, taking an examination for another person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student or the attempt to commit such acts.” (Regents’ Rules and Regulations, Series 50101, Section 2.2)

Attendance Policy

As you will soon find in the professional world, punctuality and attendance are vital to success. Likewise, students should attend class to learn theory and practical applications of writing and speaking. In addition to learning and applying theory, your attendance is crucial as you will serve as support/audience for your peers during oral presentations.

Attendance will be taken each day at the beginning of class (within the first 5 minutes). If you are not in class when I take attendance you will be counted absent. Each time you are counted absent, 3 points will be deducted from your point total for the course. This can greatly impact your grade (for example, missing 3 classes will take 9 points from your points total at the end of the semester). However, if you have perfect attendance (meaning you miss for NO reason) you will receive 10 points extra credit at the end of the semester. It is your responsibility to bring in any official documentation for excused absences (see “Late Work/Missed Speeches” below).

Late Work/Missed Speeches

Late and/or missed assignments, exams, and speeches will not receive credit unless a valid official/original documented excuse (official college business, documented illness, or documented COMPELLING personal difficulty) is provided. If you miss an exam in one of these RARE instances, you must be prepared to take the exam immediately upon your return and provide the official/original documentation from a credible source to excuse your absence the next scheduled class period.

You are responsible for any notes and assignments you may have missed during your absence.

(Keep this worksheet. You may be quizzed over this material during the semester.)

Grading Scale

Possible Points Your Points

Exam 1 50 points Exam 1 _____ points

Exam 2 50 points Exam 2 _____ points

Exam 3 100 points Exam 3 _____ points

Quizzes/ 30 points Quizzes/ _____ points

In-class assignments/ In-class assignments/

Class participation Class participation

Bad News Letter 25 points Bad News Letter _____ points

Informative Speech 100 points Informative Speech _____ points

Informative Peer Evaluation 10 points Informative Peer Evaluation _____ points

Resume/Cover Letter/ 100 points Resume/Cover Letter/ _____ points

Company Research Company Research

Group Written Proposal 100 points Group Written Proposal _____ points

Group Persuasive Oral Report 75 points Group Persuasive Oral Report _____ points

Group Oral Peer Evaluation 10 points Group Oral Peer Evaluation _____ points

Total 650 points Your total _____ points

Grading Scale

A 10 point grading scale will be used (90% is the lowest A, 80% is the lowest B and so on). The following scale is for this class:

585-650=A

520-584=B

455-519=C

390-454=D

389 and below=F

Suggested Calendar for Professional and Technical Communication

Spring 2009

Day Topic/Activity Reading Assignment

1/20 Class Introduction/Orientation Syllabus

1/22 Building Your Career Success with Communication… Ch. 1

1/27 Building Your Career Success… & Communicating Ch. 1 & 11

in Person, in Meetings, …

1/29 The Job Search, Resumes, and Cover Letters Ch. 13 Assign Resume

2/3 Employment Interviewing and Follow-Up Messages Ch. 14

2/5 Wrap up Ch. 13 and 14

2/10 Exam 1 (Ch. 1, parts of 11, 13 & 14)

2/12 Creating Business Messages Ch. 2

2/17 Improving Writing Techniques Ch. 3 Resume Due

2/19 Revising and Proofreading Business Messages Ch. 4

2/24 Exam 2 (Ch. 2, 3, & 4)

2/26 Direct Letters… & Persuasive Messages Ch. 6 & 7

3/3 Negative Messages Ch. 8 Assign Bad News Letter

3/5 Making Effective & Professional Oral Presentations Ch. 12 Assign Informative Speech

3/10 Making Effective & Professional Oral Presentations Ch. 12 Bad News Letter Due 3/12 Making Effective & Professional Oral Presentations Ch. 12

***3/16-3/20 Spring Break-no class

3/24 Proposals and Formal Reports Ch. 10 Assign Group Report

3/26 Proposals and Formal Reports Ch. 10

3/31 Prep. Day for Informative Speeches

4/2 Informative Speeches

***4/3 Last day to drop a class

4/7 Informative Speeches

4/9 Informative Speeches

4/14 Informative Speeches

4/16 Groups meet in class

4/21 Group report work day

4/23 Group Report Presentations---All written reports due

4/28 Group Report Presentations

4/30 Group Report Presentations

5/5 Wrap up

5/7 Prepare for Final

Final Exam: Tuesday, May 12 8-10:30am