English Technical Communications/Journalism 422:
Organizational and Promotional Writing
MWSC Division of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Department of English, Foreign Languages, & Journalism

Spring 2003

Dr. Kaye Adkins
Office: 222J Eder
Phone: 271-5967
Email: kadkins@missouriwestern.edu
Office Hours: 9:00-10:50 MWF and by appointment

Required texts and materials:
Newsom & Carrel, Public Relations Writing
Newsom & Carrell, The Public Relations Writing Exercise Book
Brusaw, et al., The Business Writer's Handbook OR Handbook of Technical Writing
(Choose the appropriate handbook based on your major and career goals. Plan on keeping this book as part of your professional library.)
Two 3.5" floppy disks or one Zip disk

Recommended: An email account

About the course: This course is designed to prepare students for work in Public Relations or Promotions Departments in organizations. As much as possible, I will tailor readings, discussion, and assignments to the interests, experience, and education of the students in this class. My goals for this class are to prepare students to

This course also meets two LAS Areas of Focus. As an LAS writing course, this class will increase student learning, improve student writing, and initiate students into forms of written communication common in public relations writing in organizations. As an LAS computer literacy course, this class will make students familiar with appropriate computer technology, especially word processing, electronic communication, and technology used in professional presentations. We will also discuss the implications of changing technology for public relations.

Assignments: These goals will be met through reading assignments, class discussion, and formal and informal writing assignments. Students should bring their textbooks, handbooks, and computer disks with them to class every day. There will be three major assignments. The first of these will be a Proposal. The second will be a Promotional Presentation, a group project that will be due during the time set aside for the final exam period. Finally, each student will be required to present an Analysis ofThree Web Sites. This analysis will include a five minute oral presentation an an evaluation report. These will be presented during the first ten minutes of each class period. In addition, there will be shorter assignments in response to cases in the textbook, brief homework exercises, and in class assignments to practice writing under the kinds of deadlines found on the job.

Grading: In organizations, there is a variety of writing. Thus, this class will include varied writing assignments. Grades on individual assignments will depend on how well the assignment fulfills the needs of its rhetorical situation. In business, there is no tolerance for grammar and spelling errors. When you put something on paper, you have provided a concrete representation of yourself. Your professionalism is in black and white, in someone's file, for future reference. Therefore, I will expect all work that you turn in to me to meet the highest standards of professional writing. All out-of-class assignments should be typed or printed in letter quality, and formatted as indicated in the Handbooks. Students enrolled as Honors students will be expected to turn in excellent work, and will write longer major assignments. Grades will be weighted as follows:
 
Web page analysis 10%
Proposal 20%
Daily work (individual and group) 15%
Short case-based writings 20%
Participation and preparedness 15%
Team presentation & project 20%

Absences: Students missing four class periods will have their semester grade lowered. If you must be absent and you know in advance, please talk to me about it and we will arrange for you to make up your work before you miss class; otherwise, talk to me when you return. I understand that many of you have work and family responsibilities, but you should make success in your college courses your priority. Your classes are "more important" than your job, so you should arrange your schedule accordingly. Moreover, it is expected that you have arranged your family life so as to permit you to meet all of your educational responsibilities.

Academic honesty-"Since honesty in the classroom is required, cheating, plagiarism, or knowingly furnishing false information to the college constitutes a violation." Policy Guide II, B, C.  During the semester, we will discuss problems of intellectual property, proper credit, and
professional settings.

Disabilities-Please let me know during the first week of class about any physical handicap or learning disability if you need special help or accommodation in order to do your best work.

Disclaimer-I try to adapt each of my classes to the needs and interests of the students. This means that the Schedule of Assignments may change.