Course Syllabus

UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON TACOMA
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM

TBGEN 311 "Special Topics: A Writer's Workshop"

Winter Quarter, 2001

Instructor: Evelyn S. Zent, M.S.
Class Times: Thursdays 2:00-4:05 pm
Office Hours: By appointment
Office: DOU #410
Office Phone: 692-5630(message only)
Fax: 692-4523
E-Mail: ezent@u.washington.edu

Course Description

The ability to communicate effectively in writing is one of the most important skills for educational and career success. TBGEN 311 is designed to improve your understanding and application of techn iques and skills in professional and academic writing. It is meant to help students of all levels of experience and skill improve their writing in various formats, including letters, memos, reports and essays. The primary goal of this course, then, is twofold: (a) to provide students with practical information about the essentials of writing that can be applied to both academic and professional contexts; and (b) to improve students ' writing skills by providing frequent opportunities for practice in the various components of writing.

TBGEN 311 will cover information about writing from the prewriting stages of planning and organization through actual writing, and revision and editing. The course is organized around the actual steps and components of the writing process. The order in which the material is covered in this course will model the sequence of steps one would follow in actual practice when faced with a writing task. Thus, we will begin with prewriting techniques that will help you sharpen and refine your writing object ives. Next, we will cover principles of organization that will help you arrange and structure information effectively to meet your specific writing objectives. We will then move to the basics of actual composition, including sentence and paragraph const ruction, that will help you write in coherent and grammatically correct form. Finally, we will cover revising, editing and proofreading techniques that will help you improve the overall quality of the documents you prepare.

Specific Course Objectives

Upon completion of TBGEN 311 you should be able to:

    1. Understand and effectively apply the steps in the writing process.
    2. Write coherent and grammatically correct sentences.
    3. Write unified, coherent, adequately developed paragraphs.
    4. Adapt writing goals and styles to various audiences to achieve appropriate writing style and content.
    5. Understand and apply the principles of organization to effectively outline information and ideas.
    6. Use editing and revising techniques to improve writing quality.
    7. Understand and apply connecting devices to enhance document clarity, unity and coherence.

    Course Format, Structure and Procedures

    TBGEN 311 has been prepared using an on-line format that will allow students to access course materials remotely. We will meet in the classroom once a week. D uring each session, we will discuss materials corresponding to that week's subject matter (see "Course Outline and Schedule"). In each classroom session we will cover the most important informational content on the given topic for that week. Students wi ll then be given the remaining class time to work on exercises corresponding to the week's particular topic (see "Course Activities and Assignments").

    Students are required to review course materials (see "Instructional Materials") prior to each week's class session. The outline of weekly topics can be found in "Course Outline and Schedu le." We will discuss these materials in class and you will be asked to offer input about them. Following each session, students are required to complete the corresponding "Activities and Assignments" (available only on this web site) and submit them in class during the next week's session. NOTE: It is each student's responsibility to complete and submit the activities and assignments on this web site. These assignments WILL NOT be available in any other format, so st udents must be proactive about accessing, completing and turning in the assignments using this on-line format.

    Grading Procedures

    This course will be graded using a "pass-fail" format. There are two requirements for passing the course: (1) students must adequately complete the assignments and activities required for each giv en week; and (2) students must pass a post-course assessment which will evaluate competency in each of the areas covered in the course. Inadequate performance in any of these three areas will constitute a failing grade in this course.

    Expectations

    (1) The course will be discussion-oriented and collaborative in nature. In class I will provide an overview of course materials, but I will also ask you for questions, ideas and examples.

    (2) We will cover a broad spectrum of material in a short period of time. Therefore, it is vital that you keep up on the assigned instructional materials, be prepared to discuss materials in class, and plan ahead to complete the assignments and activ ities. The "Course Outline and Schedule" provides a breakdown of each weekly topic.

    (3) I will do my best to create a comfortable, productive environment. I only ask that you show respect for me and your fellow students by being prompt, coming to class prepared, listening to others without interruption, and constructively participat ing in class discussions and activities.

    (4) All activities and assignments should be submitted in professional, type written form. Each set of assignments is due in class one week after we have discussed the instructional materials for that particular topic. For example, we will be discussing Document Planning and Writing Purpose Statements in class during Week 2, and you should submit the activities and assignments for Document Planning and Writing Purpose Statements Week 3. (see "Course Activities and Assignments").

    (5) All of the class sessions, instructional materials, and activities and assignments are designed with the sole purpose of helping you improve your writing skills. Students who actively participate in the course should feel confident in their abilit y to pass the post-course assessment.

    (6) All students are expected to do their own work in this class. Additionally, plagiarism in any form will not be tolerated. Examples or plagiarism include, but are not limited to, the failure to cite references appropriately and "double dipping" (submitting your own work as original when it has been submitted to fulfill other course objectives.)

    (7) In the event of inclement weather, the most efficient ways to receive information about class cancellation or campus closure are to: (1) call 383-INFO; or (2) check your email for messages from me or check UWTBIZ. Please do not call the main Business Program number.