SYLLABUS FOR ENGLISH 463

  Spring Quarter 2008
Instructor: Dr. Bruce R. Magee

English 463-002
Room: GTM 215
Time: 11:00-12:15 MWF
Home Page: 
http://www2.latech.edu/~bmagee
http://garts.latech.edu/bmagee
E-mail: 
bmagee@LaTech.Edu
Office: GTM 222 
Phone: 257-5494
Hours: 9:00-11:00 MWF 
     12:00-2:00 TTh 
     or by appointment
Textbooks
  • Magee 463 Packet

Course Description

Catalog Data
ENGL 463. 0-3-3. Preq. English 303. The presentation of technical information to technical and non-technical audiences; emphasis on organization, support, and clarity of presentation; effective use of visual materials. (Eligible for graduate credit)

Objective

English 463 is designed to provide both information about and practical experience with communication principles, theory, and strategies as they apply to scientific and technical presentations. The course will highlight the preparation, logistics, and implementation of presentations, the interview process, and critical thinking/reading. Students will participate in short presentations, interview/self-presentations, audience analysis, formal presentations, and evaluation exercises.

Prerequisites

  1. Basic writing skills; knowledge of sentence structure, grammar, and organization. (English 303).
  2. Basic knowledge of a scientific or technical field.
English 463 is a demanding course. Be sure to arrange you schedule so you can spend adequate time for class preparation, researching, and writing.
Computer Usage
Students will prepare graphics for their formal speech using a computer presentation program, such as Powerpoint or Corel Presentations. Our class will also be working on a World Wide Web project.
 
Attendance Requirements
* Bring a 9" x 12" manilla folder to class for me to file your work in.

* KEEP A PAPER COPY OF YOUR PRESENTATION NOTES IN YOUR OWN FILES. It's the cheapest insurance you can buy.

* COMPLETE ANY MAKE-UP WORK BEFORE FINALS WEEK.

Conferences
Conferences are encouraged during the quarter. They will be used to discuss specific writing strengths and/or weaknesses.
Assignments
Press Conference (Group)
15%
Purchasing Recommendation 20%
Job Interview 25%
Final Presentation
30%
Attendance 10%
Total 100%
The grading scale is A: 90-100%, B: 80-89%, C: 70-79%, D: 60-69%, F: 0-59%.
Graduate Requirements:
In addition to meeting the above requirements, graduate students enrolled in the course must prepare an additional presentation on a clearly defined topic related to communication and presentations. It will be worth an additional 20% of your grade.
Graded Material
In the event of a question regarding an exam grade or final grade, it will be the responsibility of the student to retain and present graded materials which have been returned for student possession during the quarter.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
Students needing testing or classroom accommodations based on a disability are encouraged to discuss those needs with me as soon as possible.

Honor Code
In accordance with the Academic Honor Code, students pledge the following: Being a student of a higher standard, I pledge to embody the principles of academic integrity.


 
HOC OPUS, HIC LABOR EST.
PERIOD
LECTURES
ASSIGNMENT DUE
Registration Week: March 5-7
Period 1  Introduction
Week 1: March 10-14
Period 1 Lecture - "Facing Your Fears" / Press Conference Assigned

Period 2 Lecture - "Facing Your Fears" / Press Conference Assigned
Week 2: March 17-21
Period 1

Press Conference (30 minutes per group; 6 minutes per individual)
Period 2

Press Conference (30 minutes per group; 6 minutes per individual)
Week 3: March 24-28
Period 1 PowerPoint Workshop / Purchasing Presentation Review
Period 2 The Personal Evaluation Statement    / Purchasing Presentation Review

Week 4: March 31 - April 4
Period 1
Purchasing Recommendation Presentations / PowerPoint Assignment Due
Period 2

Purchasing Recommendation Presentations / PowerPoint Assignment Due
Week 5: April 7-11
Period 1 Résumé and Application Workshop
Personal Evaluation Statement Due
Period 2 Résumé and Application Workshop

Week 6: April 14-18
Period 1 Résumé and Application Workshop / The Interview Process

Period 2 The Interview Process

Week 7: April 21-25
Period 1
Interviews Begin
Period 2
Interviews
Week 8: April 28 - May 2
Period 1  
Interviews
Period 2 "The Silent Power of Body Language"; Final Presentation Review

Interview Assignment Due
Week 9: May 5-9
Period 1
Final Presentations
Period 2
Final Presentations
Week 10: May 12-16
Period 1
Final Presentations
Period 2
Final Presentations