Links

• Moodle
• Calendar

Course Description

Writing to diverse audiences about scientific and technological subjects within a variety of persuasive contexts. Prerequisite: completion of the university writing foundation requirement. 4 credits.

General Education Outcomes

• General Education Writing Intensive
• Cross-cutting capacities:
  • Effective Communication
  • Information Literacy

Texts

• Anne M. Penrose and Steven B. Katz. Writing in the Sciences: Exploring Conventions of Scientific Discourse. 3rd ed. Allyn & Bacon Series in Technical Communication. Longman, 2009. ISBN: 978-0205616718.
• Other readings will be provided.

Course Policies

• Technology. Technology excuses are generally not viable in this class. You are responsible for practicing sound data management, thoroughly testing your work before and after submission, and taking all other reasonable precautions for putting up with technology.
• Communication. You are responsible for keeping up with your oakland.edu email account and the Moodle announcements forum for this course.
• Late work. Late work is generally not accepted.
• Email queries. I am always happy to answer your questions by email, but I reserve the right not respond to questions whose answers are readily available from the course webpage, on the Moodle site, in assignment descriptions, etc.
• Public use of your work. The grades you earn in WRT 3081 are confidential. However, the texts you produce in this class may be shared with your classmates as a part of our regular peer review process. You should always assume that the work you compose in this class is public, not private.
• The writing center. The Oakland University writing center is open to OU students, faculty, and staff in all disciplines. The center offers consultants to help you develop your drafts during any stage of the writing process. Appointments may be scheduled online.
• Plagiarism. All work in this class must meet the standards of Oakland University's Academic Conduct Regulations.
• Preferred names and pronouns. If you do not identify with the name that is listed with the registrar or prefer a certain pronoun, please notify me.
• This syllabus. I reserve the right to revise this syllabus throughout the semester.

Assignments

There will be four major assignments in this class, listed below, which are due on the dates listed in the course calendar. You must complete all of these assignments to receive a passing grade. The assignments are as follows:

1. Analyzing Scientific Reports
2. Science Writing Assignment
3. Instructions Assignment
4. Health Communication Project

Grading

I will give grades (0.0, 1.0–4.0) for all graded assignments in this class. The final grade is determined as follows:

ADA Notice

Students with disabilities who may require reasonable accommodations should contact Oakland University’s Disability Support Services office for assistance:

• Phone: (248) 370-3266
• TTY: (248) 370-3268
• Fax: (248) 370-4989
• Email: doss@oakland.edu.