In this online course, you will learn and practice various communication strategies and genres of technical and professional writing. You will compose and design larger documents like manuals, reports, and proposals as well as smaller documents like memos, letters, descriptions, and instructions. You will learn to use strategies of audience-analysis, organization, style, and page layout to develop documents that address specific rhetorical situations. This course is designed for students who want to study technical and professional writing as part of their career preparation in engineering, business, social service, medicine, science, or other technical fields.

Each week, you will be required to read a lecture that will inform you about assignments as well as provide information on different topics. You are also required to participate in weekly discussions. Participating actively in discussions is the way you show your attendance. Discussions also allow you to interact with other students and to build your understanding of course material. In the same way that you may be dropped for failing to attend a regular class, if you miss more than four discussions, you may be dropped from the course.

Students should expect to spend 6-10 hours per week on this course. This includes readings, viewing course content, completing homework assignments, posting to the discussion area, etc. All information for the course will be posted on WebCT. It is the student's responsibility to check their WebCT account three or more times a week in order to keep up with course work. However, students can chose which days and what time of day to log onto WebCT.

Course Prerequisites: You must have completed English 101 and 102 before taking English 219, unless your ACT or SAT scores exempt you from taking those courses. You have an option to submit a writing proficiency portfolio in lieu of taking English 102 if you received a B or higher in English 101. But in order to take English 219, you must contact Birgit Schmidt-Rosemann by email and she must notify your instructor that you have enrolled in the writing proficiency portfolio. There are no exceptions.

Note: Microsoft Word and Adobe Acrobat are required for online course.

Textbook:Technical Communication Today, Richard Johnson-Sheehan, Longman, 2004.

Open Houses: Open Houses will be held during the first week of class to give students a chance to better understand the requirements of the course and how to use WebCT effectively. If students can't attend one of the open houses, they must arrange to meet with their instructor in person or by phone during the first week of class.

Open Houses will be held in the Technology and Education Center (TEC Building). This building is part of the Education Department complex of buildings that are east of Zimmerman Library. You can enter the center by going to Travelstead Hall.

Open Houses will be held on the following dates and times. Please note the correct room #:
Tuesday, January 18th at 2pm Room 100
Wednesday, January 19th at 10am Room 200
Thursday, January 20th at 7pm Room 200
Friday, January 22nd at 11am Room 200

Projects: This class is your opportunity to practice informal and formal writing. You will do formal writing in assignments. You will do informal writing by posting discussion responses. The following table explains the projects and what they are worth in the final grade.