Syllabus.
English 304 is designed to help you become effective professional writers and communicators before you enter the workplace, so we will focus primarily on analyzing and developing successful strategies for workplace communication. A fundamental assumption of this course is that writing happens in response to a given situation and with a clear communicative purpose. By discussing successful communication strategies and practicing them in a variety of common business forms—letters, memos, informational documents, proposals—we will learn to analyze different writing contexts, meet the needs of various readers, and organize and present material logically and practically.
You can download a PDF version of our course syllabus HERE.
You can download a PDF version of our course syllabus HERE.
Course Policies and Procedures.
Don't hesitate to ask any questions you may have about any of the following course rules. Please review the following:
Academic Integrity. Being a person of integrity in the workplace is crucial. This should be mirrored with your professional writing assignments for this class. Academic dishonesty—taking someone else’s published or unpublished words or ideas and calling them your own—has dire consequences in this class, in the English department, and in WVU as a whole.
The Office of the Provost defines academic dishonesty as "plagiarism; cheating and dishonest practices in connection with examinations, papers, and projects; and forgery, misrepresentation, and fraud. Cheating and plagiarism are condemned at all levels of University life."There will be consequences plagiarism. Please remember, though, that talking over your ideas or getting comments on your writing from friends are not examples of plagiarism, but copying or paraphrasing a friend’s work is. So is taking someone else’s published or unpublished words and calling them your own. This is true whether the text being stolen is from the internet or in paper form, is in the public domain, or represents the private achievement of another student.
Accommodations. If you have a documented learning disability, hearing or vision problem, or any other special need that might affect your performance or participation in the class, please speak with me at the beginning of the semester and contact Disability Services:
West Virginia University Office of Disability Services
G-30 Mountainlair
Phone: (304) 293-6700 Voice/TDD: (304) 293-7740
Email: [email protected]
Attendance. Regular class attendance is absolutely required in this class. In English 304, students are expected to meet the standards of the workplace. If you were absent without reason on multiple occasions, you would likely be fired. If you do not attend class, you cannot perform your job as a student involved in planning, drafting, discussing, or practicing professional writing strategies.
Because of the condense nature of a summer course, you are allowed two absences from class this semester. This includes absences for university events, medical absences, or personal absences. If you are absent more than twice this semester, your grade will be affected. It will be lowered one full letter for three absences, two full letters for four absences, and five absences may result in a failing grade.
If you are sick, have a severe injury, or critical personal problem, take care of yourself and please notify me within 24 hours of the missed class.
If you foresee problems with regular class attendance, you should not take English 304 this semester. Students who are committed athletes during the semester or who are otherwise committed to time-demanding outside projects (jobs, internships, etc.) are strongly urged to schedule English 304 for another time.
Conferences. Occasionally, we will cancel class to hold conferences. You will meet with me to discuss your progress, and you will meet with peers to critique and offer suggestions about their writing. Getting feedback from peers on one's own writing can improve its quality and professionalism. Thus, outside-class conferences have been built into the semester so that you can discuss major projects intensively.
Missing a conference or failing to complete the work assigned for that conference will result in an absence.
Lateness. Keeping appointments is required in the workplace, and I expect that you will come to class on time. It is understandable to run late every once in a while (i.e., once or twice). However, consistent and extreme lateness shows disregard and disrupts the class. Being 10 minutes late three times equals one full absence.
Late Work. All projects are due according to the deadlines outlined on the syllabus. Being absent from class does not necessarily excuse a late assignment submission; because all assignments are submitted electronically, I still expect to receive assignments via eCampus. If there is a problem with any assignment, talk to me before the deadline. Just like in the "real world," events happen that are beyond our control and prevent us from doing what we need to do. Please talk to me about this; I can't help you negotiate deadlines if I don't realize there is a problem.Submitting work late is better than submitting nothing. However, the midterm and final portfolios will not be accepted if they are submitted past the indicated deadline.
Etiquette. Treating others in our class with respect is crucial to your success in English 304. The English 304 work environment should be positive for everyone. Please present yourself professionally so that we may create a workplace culture that promotes mutual respect, positive interactions, and productive time usage.
Computers and Cell Phones. It can be distracting for other classmates if you are browsing the Internet (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, email). Though we will be situated within a computer lab classroom, please refrain from Internet browsing. If asked more than once to stop, you will be asked to leave the class and will be counted absent for the day.
The same rules apply for texting. There is no such thing as an "emergency text," but if you are expecting an emergency call, please let me know before class.
Food and Drink. To protect our computer lab classroom, please finish your snacks and drinks before coming to class. We will observe the “no food and drink” policy within the classroom.
Office Hours. Though I have set office hours, you may also schedule an appointment with me to talk about any questions or comments you have about your progress in the course at any point in the semester. I am also happy to talk with you through email, and I will respond to you (in email or in class) within 24 hours Monday through Friday.
Pre-Requisites. English 101 and 102 are pre-requisites for this course. First- and second-year students should not be registered for English 304.
Social Justice. WVU is committed to social justice. I adhere to this commitment and expect to maintain a positive learning environment based upon open communication, mutual respect, and non-discrimination. WVU does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, disability, veterans status, religion, sexual orientation, color, or national origin. As such, discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated within our classroom. Any suggestions as to how to further such a positive and open environment in this class will be appreciated and given serious consideration.
WVU Writing Center. The WVU Writing Center is a great place to receive additional feedback from trained peer tutors on your ideas and written work. You can visit the center at any stage of the writing process: from brainstorming and drafting to revising. The Writing Center is located in G02 Colson Hall, and summer hours are 11:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M. Monday – Friday. Call (304) 293-5788 to schedule a free appointment or to ask questions. For more information about what the Writing Center can offer, please visit <http://english.wvu.edu/centers/centers/writing_center>.
Academic Integrity. Being a person of integrity in the workplace is crucial. This should be mirrored with your professional writing assignments for this class. Academic dishonesty—taking someone else’s published or unpublished words or ideas and calling them your own—has dire consequences in this class, in the English department, and in WVU as a whole.
The Office of the Provost defines academic dishonesty as "plagiarism; cheating and dishonest practices in connection with examinations, papers, and projects; and forgery, misrepresentation, and fraud. Cheating and plagiarism are condemned at all levels of University life."There will be consequences plagiarism. Please remember, though, that talking over your ideas or getting comments on your writing from friends are not examples of plagiarism, but copying or paraphrasing a friend’s work is. So is taking someone else’s published or unpublished words and calling them your own. This is true whether the text being stolen is from the internet or in paper form, is in the public domain, or represents the private achievement of another student.
Accommodations. If you have a documented learning disability, hearing or vision problem, or any other special need that might affect your performance or participation in the class, please speak with me at the beginning of the semester and contact Disability Services:
West Virginia University Office of Disability Services
G-30 Mountainlair
Phone: (304) 293-6700 Voice/TDD: (304) 293-7740
Email: [email protected]
Attendance. Regular class attendance is absolutely required in this class. In English 304, students are expected to meet the standards of the workplace. If you were absent without reason on multiple occasions, you would likely be fired. If you do not attend class, you cannot perform your job as a student involved in planning, drafting, discussing, or practicing professional writing strategies.
Because of the condense nature of a summer course, you are allowed two absences from class this semester. This includes absences for university events, medical absences, or personal absences. If you are absent more than twice this semester, your grade will be affected. It will be lowered one full letter for three absences, two full letters for four absences, and five absences may result in a failing grade.
If you are sick, have a severe injury, or critical personal problem, take care of yourself and please notify me within 24 hours of the missed class.
If you foresee problems with regular class attendance, you should not take English 304 this semester. Students who are committed athletes during the semester or who are otherwise committed to time-demanding outside projects (jobs, internships, etc.) are strongly urged to schedule English 304 for another time.
Conferences. Occasionally, we will cancel class to hold conferences. You will meet with me to discuss your progress, and you will meet with peers to critique and offer suggestions about their writing. Getting feedback from peers on one's own writing can improve its quality and professionalism. Thus, outside-class conferences have been built into the semester so that you can discuss major projects intensively.
Missing a conference or failing to complete the work assigned for that conference will result in an absence.
Lateness. Keeping appointments is required in the workplace, and I expect that you will come to class on time. It is understandable to run late every once in a while (i.e., once or twice). However, consistent and extreme lateness shows disregard and disrupts the class. Being 10 minutes late three times equals one full absence.
Late Work. All projects are due according to the deadlines outlined on the syllabus. Being absent from class does not necessarily excuse a late assignment submission; because all assignments are submitted electronically, I still expect to receive assignments via eCampus. If there is a problem with any assignment, talk to me before the deadline. Just like in the "real world," events happen that are beyond our control and prevent us from doing what we need to do. Please talk to me about this; I can't help you negotiate deadlines if I don't realize there is a problem.Submitting work late is better than submitting nothing. However, the midterm and final portfolios will not be accepted if they are submitted past the indicated deadline.
Etiquette. Treating others in our class with respect is crucial to your success in English 304. The English 304 work environment should be positive for everyone. Please present yourself professionally so that we may create a workplace culture that promotes mutual respect, positive interactions, and productive time usage.
Computers and Cell Phones. It can be distracting for other classmates if you are browsing the Internet (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, email). Though we will be situated within a computer lab classroom, please refrain from Internet browsing. If asked more than once to stop, you will be asked to leave the class and will be counted absent for the day.
The same rules apply for texting. There is no such thing as an "emergency text," but if you are expecting an emergency call, please let me know before class.
Food and Drink. To protect our computer lab classroom, please finish your snacks and drinks before coming to class. We will observe the “no food and drink” policy within the classroom.
Office Hours. Though I have set office hours, you may also schedule an appointment with me to talk about any questions or comments you have about your progress in the course at any point in the semester. I am also happy to talk with you through email, and I will respond to you (in email or in class) within 24 hours Monday through Friday.
Pre-Requisites. English 101 and 102 are pre-requisites for this course. First- and second-year students should not be registered for English 304.
Social Justice. WVU is committed to social justice. I adhere to this commitment and expect to maintain a positive learning environment based upon open communication, mutual respect, and non-discrimination. WVU does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, disability, veterans status, religion, sexual orientation, color, or national origin. As such, discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated within our classroom. Any suggestions as to how to further such a positive and open environment in this class will be appreciated and given serious consideration.
WVU Writing Center. The WVU Writing Center is a great place to receive additional feedback from trained peer tutors on your ideas and written work. You can visit the center at any stage of the writing process: from brainstorming and drafting to revising. The Writing Center is located in G02 Colson Hall, and summer hours are 11:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M. Monday – Friday. Call (304) 293-5788 to schedule a free appointment or to ask questions. For more information about what the Writing Center can offer, please visit <http://english.wvu.edu/centers/centers/writing_center>.