INSTRUCTION
Course Package
ENG 136
TECHNICAL PROFESSIONAL WRITING
PRESENTED AND APPROVED: MAY 4, 2012
EFFECTIVE - FALL 2012-13
MCC Form EDU 0007 (rev. 10/07/11)
INSTRUCTION
Course Package
Prefix & Number ENG 136
Purpose of this submission: Update
If this is a change, what is being changed?
(Check all that apply)
Course Title: Technical/Professional Writing
New
Change/Updated
Retire
Update Prefix
Course Description
Title
Course Number
Format Change
Credits
Prerequisite
Competencies
Textbook/Reviewed Competencies-no changes
needed
Does this course require additional fees?
No
Yes If so, please explain.
Is there a similar course in the course bank?
No
Yes (Please identify)
Articulation: Is this course or an equivalent offered at other two and four-year universities in Arizona?
No
Yes (Identify the college, subject, prefix, number and title: Arizona Western College (ENG
110 Technical Writing), Arizona Central College (ENG 121 Applied Technical Writing), Chandler-Gilbert
Community College (Eng 111 Technical/Professional Writing), Cochise College (ENG 179 Applied
Technical Writing), Dine College (ENG 180 Technical Writing), Estrella Mountain Community College
(ENG 111 Technical/Professional Writing), Gateway Community College (ENG 111
Technical/Professional Writing), Glendale Community College (ENG 111 Technical/Professional
Writing), Maricopa Community College (ENG 111 Technical/Professional Writing), Mesa Community
College (ENG 111 Technical/Professional Writing), Northland Pioneer College (ENL 109 Technical
Writing), Paradise Valley College (ENG 111 Technical/Professional Writing), Phoenix College (ENG 111
Technical/Professional Writing), Rio Salado College (ENG 111 Technical/Professional Writing),
Scottsdale College (ENG 111 Technical/Professional Writing), South Mountain College (ENG 111
Technical/Professional Writing), Yavapai College (ENG 136 Technical Writing). ASU – ENG Department
Elective, NAU – Elective, and UA – ENGL-ENGV Dept Elective
Is this course identified as a Writing Across the Curriculum course?
No
Yes
Course Textbook, Materials and Equipment
Textbook(s)
Current
edition:
Seventh
Software/
Equipment
Title
Author(s)
Publisher
Technical Communications: Process and Product
Gerson, Sharon and Steven Gerson
Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall
Title
Author(s)
Publisher
Handouts, audiovisual materials, etc. as determined by the instructor
Course Assessments
Description of Possible Course Assessments (Essays, multiple choice,
etc.)
MCC Form EDU 0007 (rev. 10/07/11)
A formal paper of at least 1000 words is
required. An additional 1500 required words
may be satisfied by any combination of papers,
INSTRUCTION
Course Package
Exams standardized for this course?
Midterm
Final
Other (Please specify): The instructor may, at his or her discretion,
employ some combination of the following methods to evaluate
student mastery of the subject matter: quizzes, exams, oral reports,
written assignments, research papers, special projects, attendance,
class participation, etc.
Where can faculty members locate or access the required standardized
exams for this course? Not applicable.
Student Outcomes: Identify the general education goals for student
learning that is a component of this course.
Check all that apply:
1. Communicate effectively.
a.
b.
Read and comprehend at a college level.
Write effectively in a college setting.
2. Demonstrate effective quantitative reasoning and
problem solving skills.
3. Demonstrate effective qualitative reasoning skills.
4. Apply effective methods of inquiry.
a. Generate research paper by gathering information
from varied sources, analyzing data and organizing
information into a coherent structure.
b. Employ the scientific method.
5. Demonstrate sensitivity to diversity.
a. Experience the creative products of humanity.
b. Describe alternate historical, cultural, global
perspectives.
Office of Instruction Use only:
CIP Code:
ONET Code:
Minimum Qualifications:
MCC Form EDU 0007 (rev. 10/07/11)
response essays, reading journals, revisions, or
in-class or online writing assignments to be
compiled into a writing portfolio. At the
instructor’s discretion, the following areas may
also be evaluated: quizzes, in-class or online
reading and writing exercises, participation, and
individual conferences relative to the formal
paper assignment.
Are exams required by the department?
No
Yes
If Yes, please specify:
Method of Assessment
In-class or online discussions and reading and
writing exercises; quizzes; essay exams; papers.
In addition, one or more team activities
requiring negotiation, peer review, and
presentation skills.
In-class or online discussions and reading and
writing exercises; quizzes; essay exams; papers.
In addition, one or more team activities
requiring negotiation, peer review, and
presentation skills.
In-class or online discussions and reading and
writing exercises; quizzes; essay exams; papers.
In addition, project activities involving project
management including timelines and
coordination between teams.
Group presentations requiring original inquiry
and research on ethical issues facing the
technical or professional writer.
In-class or online discussions and reading and
writing exercises; group presentations; quizzes;
essay exams; papers.
INSTRUCTION
Course Package
COURSE INFORMATION
Initiator: Kata Alvidrez and Dan Pund
Date of proposal to Curriculum Sub-Committee: 5/4/12
Effective Semester/Year
Fall 2012
Spring
Summer
Prerequisite will be reflected in the 2013-14 catalog.
Prefix & Number: ENG 136
Full Title: (100 character limit)
Technical/Professional Writing
Short Title: (30 character limit)
Catalog Course Description: Develops writing skills with an introduction to the general principles of business
and technical writing, including the writing process, various writing formats, research, and special concerns
related to written communication in the workplace.
SUN Course Number:
Credit Hours: 3
Lecture Hours: 3
Lab Hours: 0
Prerequisite(s) Appropriate score on assessment test or successful completion of PCS 021 and TRE
089.
Co-requisite(s)
Intended Course Goals
By the end of the semester, students will be able to:
1. Explain the differences between technical writing and other forms of written communication including
the principles of audience and purpose analysis, syntax, and document design.
2. Complete the process of a job search and apply the appropriate writing skills in resumes, cover letters,
and application letters.
3. Demonstrate an appreciation for the critical nature of writing in professional rhetorical situations
requiring clarity, conciseness, accuracy, readability, coherence, and organization in technical writing.
4. Demonstrate the use of appropriate etiquette in electronic communications with various audiences
including high tech versus low-tech audiences, lay versus expert audiences, and internal versus external
audiences.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the formal elements of organizational communications including
analytical reports, project proposals, formal memorandums, business letters, white papers, and internet
platform documents such as web pages and blogs.
6. Apply and work within the ethical, social, and professional constraints of audience, style, and content
for writing situations within an organization (recognizing chain of command and reporting relationships
as factors) as well as between the organization and the public.
7. Identify the appropriate means of communication including the use of formal and informal voice,
appropriate vocabulary, written communications format (memorandum, business letter, email or fax,
and/or reports), and oral communications format (telephone, face-to-face, and web-enhanced
presentation) for a set of common organizational situations.
8. Produce a portfolio of effectively designed and written business documents demonstrating mastery of
the formal elements of technical writing including effective graphics as appropriate.
MCC Form EDU 0007 (rev. 10/07/11)
INSTRUCTION
Course Package
MCC Form EDU 0007 (rev. 10/07/11)
INSTRUCTION
Course Package
Course Competencies and Objectives
By the end of the semester, students will be able to:
Competency 1 Students will explore the differences between technical writing and other forms of written communication.
Objective 1.1. Explore the purpose of technical writing.
Objective 1.2. Describe the importance of technical writing.
Objective 1.3. Develop skills for collaborative projects, written and oral.
Objective 1.4. Identify the reasons for differentiating communication styles including voice, vocabulary, and format in
various organizational situations.
Competency 2 Students will analyze the three steps to the writing process and their purpose.
Objective 2.1. Develop prewriting techniques.
Objective 2.2. Practice writing drafts.
Objective 2.3. Comprehend editing functions and importance of syntax and document design.
Objective 2.3. Master the principles of audience and purpose analysis.
Competency 3 Students will examine and assess seven major objectives through their own writing as well as professional
models.
Objective 3.1. Clarity.
Objective 3.2. Conciseness.
Objective 3.2. Accuracy.
Objective 3.3. Readability.
Objective 3.5. Coherence.
Objective 3.6. Organization.
Objective 3.7. Ethics.
Competency 4 Students will practice recognizing and involving various audiences.
Objective 4.1. High tech audiences.
Objective 4.2. Low-tech audiences.
Objective 4.3. Lay audiences.
Objective 4.4. Expert audiences.
Objective 4.5. Internal audiences.
Objective 4.6. External audiences.
Competency 5 Students will analyze and write basic business documents.
Objective 5.1. Formal memorandums.
Objective 5.2. Business letters.
Objective 5.3. Summaries.
Competency 6 Students will study the process of job searches and apply the appropriate writing skills.
Objective 6.1. E-mail.
Objective 6.2. Letters.
Objective 6.3. Resumes.
Competency 7 Students will explore effective use of graphics.
Objective 7.1. Purpose.
Objective 7.2. Design and layout.
Competency 8 Students will practice etiquette in electronic communication, focusing on e-mail in the workplace.
Competency 9 Students will analyze and develop skill in writing a variety of specialized documents.
Objective 9.1. Technical descriptions.
Objective 9.2. Instructions and manuals.
Objective 9.3. Various reports, including proposals, analysis, and research.
Objective 9.4. Oral presentations.
Objective 9.5. White papers.
Competency 10 Students will explore the ethical, social, and professional constraints of audience, style, and content for
writing situations within an organization.
Competency 11 Students will produce a portfolio of sample business documents demonstrating mastery of the formal
elements of technical writing, audience awareness, organization, and design.
MCC Form EDU 0007 (rev. 10/07/11)
INSTRUCTION
Course Package
Competency 12 Students will practice editing skills that lead to concise, clear communication.
MCC Form EDU 0007 (rev. 10/07/11)