Writing for Engineering 

The City College of New York

English 210-07: (Section M) / Fall 2020 Syllabus

Course Site: https://wfe210m.commons.gc.cuny.edu/

Instructor: Nicholas Otte               Class Time: Tu/Th 11:00-12:15pm

Email: notte@ccny.cuny.edu         Office Hours: Tues 1:00-2:00 (phone/zoom), or by appt.

 

Welcome to Writing for Engineering!

In this course we will explore and practice various forms of technical writing specific to the engineering profession. We will read and discuss texts and share ideas on engineering principles, technology, technical communication and explore ideas rooted in real world issues. Most of all, we will actively communicate through writing, express ourselves and share ideas, to more effectively connect with one another and pursue our individual goals.

All assignments, large and small, should reflect thoughtful engagement with the work of this course and be composed with care. This means reading carefully, responding appropriately, providing evidence and citation where necessary, proofreading, and always communicating with the utmost respect for everyone in the course. This is a class where you will use written language to better represent yourself and your ideas, and in that way form a meaningful and supportive community of thinkers and doers like yourself.

Please read the information below carefully to understand the expectations and requirements of our class, which may be different from other online classes you’ve experienced. This will make clear many of your questions and ensure there are no surprises. Don’t get overwhelmed, we will talk (write) through all of this, step by step, as we go. Read carefully, write carefully, and invest yourselves in the work of this course and you will be successful.

Course Requirements

• Class Discussions

There will be no full class zoom sessions in this class. Instead, the majority of our communication will through on blackboard discussion forums. This is all about writing, so we will be doing just that: writing!

 

A typical day in this course will consist of posting within a Blackboard discussion forum. Prompts will be posted on the morning of class days (Tues/Thurs), and each student will need make a written response that day same day (250 words or more). This means that while we won’t have real-time class sessions, you will need to check in to our blackboard site at least twice a week. You will also respond to at least two of your peers in each forum before the week is over.

These discussion posts and responses will count toward your attendance and participation. If you miss a post, it’s the same as leaving an empty chair in a classroom. Without these posts you cannot pass. Please alert me, via email, about any difficulties in accessing our discussions. We are all dealing with unique and challenging circumstances, and I am ready and willing to work with everyone to ensure your success.

• Assignments

There will be five writing assignments over the course of this semester: a Technical Description, a Collaborative Memo, a Lab Report, an Engineering Proposal, and finally each student will createa Self-Assessment essay, reflecting on the work of the course overall. All of this work will be presented in a final digital portfolio.

Many of these assignments will include drafts, peer review, and revisions. All of this will be made clear as we begin, but feel free to explore the assignment descriptions on the course site under “assignments.”

You will also keep a reflective journal, where you will write freely about the material covered that week. In this 16 week course, each student will make a minimum of 10 journal entries. Your journal will be located on your own personal CUNY Academic commons site, and will eventually become home to a final portfolio.

***This is a Zero Textbook Cost course. All assigned readings will be made available via Blackboard. There will be no exams.

Grading

• Discussion Forums & Peer Review – 20%
• Technical Description – 10%
• Memo – 10%    
• Lab Report – 15%
• Engineering Proposal – 20%
• Reflective Journal – 10%  
• Final Portfolio/Self-Assessment – 15%   

 

 

Course Policies

All students are expected, first and foremost, to treat each other with respect and dignity. Hateful speech or ill treatment of others will be met with zero tolerance. It it is our collective duty to make sure we communicate safely and respectfully. For further information on campus conduct, please see: CCNY’s Statement on Community Standards.

• Attendance & Participation:

Students are expected to engage with every week of this course. Participation conflicts must be stated ahead of time, excepting only cases of serious emergency.

If a student misses more than four discussions, the final grade will be dropped by one half letter (from 90 to 85, for example) for each additional absence. If you miss seven discussions, you will not be able to pass the course! If special circumstances or difficulties arise, please see me during office hours. I’m happy to work with you to help you successfully complete this course.

• Late Assignments:

Assignments should be submitted on time. Submitting promptly and being on time is key to academic success (and success in life, really). A late assignment will drop one half letter grade for each day it is late. After 5 days it will receive a zero.

• Plagiarism:

Plagiarism is unacceptable. No exceptions. The importance of this rule and the reasons for it will be discussed in class, but more information can be found here: CUNY Policy on Academic Integrity.

 

Lastly

Any questions or concerns? Please email me. We are all working through and adjusting to these strange times, and your success is my top priority. This class deals with specifics, but it is also a chance to explore the uses and gifts of writing, to represent yourself authentically, and to practice skills that will benefit you, no matter what path you choose. Give this course your respect, attention, and dedication, and you will have no problem moving forward toward your goals, whatever they may be!