Scheduled Course Offerings
Spring 2008
- Online Course
Jan. 21 - May 16, 2008
CRN 30298
Course Information
This course stresses clarity and accuracy in written communication
appropriate for technical fields, both in print and electronic
forms. Students will gain the skills necessary to research, write,
edit effective content, and divide content into sections and
organize those sections into a navigational structure. Students
will also learn how to convert narrative data into visual elements
and how to present such information accurately. Topics include
formal and informal reports, letters, instructions, and the design
elements of the technical writer’s job. This course satisfies Cerro Coso's graduation
requirement for "Language and Rationality: English Composition." This course can be taken in lieu of ENGL C070.
To do well in this class you should plan to dedicate between 8-12 hours per week to class activities, homework, and assignments (This assumes a 16-week Fall or Spring semester. Summer semesters are of a shorter duration, which increases the weekly workload.)
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be
able to
- Describe significant aspects of the technical communication
environment, such as ethical and legal considerations, collaboration,
and communication tools.
- Analyze audience and purpose.
- Evaluate, interpret, summarize, and abstract information
from research and apply a documentation system, such as MLA.
- Write and revise technical compositions for readability,
clarity, conciseness, exactness, and freedom from major and
minor grammatical errors.
- Differentiate between features and benefits and write effective
content to enhance the marketability and persuasiveness of
communications.
- Create information graphics and/or tabular data to communicate
technical information.
- Divide a large body of information into meaningful units
and organize those units into a hierarchy of relationships.
- Use principles of visual design to create usable documents.
- Collaborate with others in the development of original content.
Course Requirements
Students must have their textbook and software the first day of class. If you anticipate any shipment delays from a particuluar retailer, you should find an alternate source that has the product in stock and ships overnight.
Requisite Skills
Students should have reading and writing skills of Level 1 Reading and Level 2 Writing. If you have questions, contact a Counselor for assistance.
Students should have strong skills in computer and internet use, however. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- opening, saving, and managing files and directories
- installing software, plug-ins, and fonts
- troubleshooting operating system errors
- navigating the Web
- researching the Web
- sending and receiving e-mail with attachments
Take this quiz to see if you are ready for an online course.
Textbook
- Burnett, E. (2004). Technical Communication. Heinle; 6th edition. ISBN 10: 1413001890
Software
- Microsoft Word and Excel 2000 or higher (or equivalent word processing and spreadsheet software)
System and Connectivity Requirements
Both Windows and Macintosh platforms are acceptable.
Assignments
An online class entails 4 required asynchronous student activities:
- Completing textbook reading assignments
- Reading text-based lectures
- Completing tutorials, quizzes, assignments, and project
- Participating on the class discussion board, including several collaborative critiques
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