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Editing Government, Business, and Technical Information, ETWR 2379
Course Master Syllabus
Business & Technical Communications Department


CIP CODE Area 23.1101
Course Level Sophomore Level
Course Number ETWR 2379 (formerly POFT 1307, ETWR 2371)
Course Title Editing Government, Business, and Technical Information

Hours Credit: 3
Lecture Hours: 3
Lab Hours: 0

Prerequisite Working knowledge of at least one word processing system, ENGL 1301, and ENGL 2311, or program approval.

Method Three-hour lecture/discussion each week

Description ETWR 2379 Editing Government, Business, and Technical Information: Editing and layout processes, with emphasis on accuracy and fairness, including the principles and techniques of design. Designed to give students a working understanding of the role of the technical editor as collaborator and decision maker in the entire publication process. Topics include online editing, revising, hypertext, graphics, visual design, and project estimating.

Textbooks Carolyn Rude. Technical Editing, current edition. New York: Longman.

ETWR 2379 SCANS Competencies Please go to www.austincc.edu/mkt/scans.htm#whatis for a complete definition and explanation of SCANS. This list summarizes the SCANS competencies addressed in this particular course.

Resources
1.1 Manages Time
1.2 Manages Money
Interpersonal
2.1 Participates as a Member of a Team
2.2 Teaches Others
2.4 Exercises Leadership
2.5 Negotiates to Arrive at a Decision
Information
3.1 Acquires and Evaluates Information
3.2 Organizes and Maintains Information
3.3 Uses Computers to Process Information
Systems
4.1 Understands Systems
Technology
5.1 Selects Technology
5.2 Applies Technology to Task
Basic Skills
6.1 Reading
6.2 Writing
6.3 Arithmetic
6.5 Listening
6.6 Speaking
Thinking Skills
7.1 Creative Thinking
7.2 Decision Making
7.3 Problem Solving
7.4 Mental Visualization
7.5 Knowing How to Learn
7.6 Reasoning
Personal Qualities
8.1 Responsibility
8.2 Self-Esteem
8.3 Sociability
8.4 Self-Management
8.5 Integrity/Honesty


Instructional
Methodology
See specific instructor’s syllabus


Course Rationale This course is an introduction to editing technical documents. It covers the basics of copy marking, copy editing, proofreading, and comprehensive editing documents such as technical reports, procedures, user manuals, progress reports, proposals, and other writing that is of a technical nature.

Objectives &
Outcomes
  • Develop an understanding of editing and its role in document development, publications, and use.
  • Edit effectively on a range of editing tasks and documents.
  • Develop a style sheet.
  • Edit electronically.
  • Explain editorial comments technically and confidently.
  • Write clear, concise, tactful editorial summaries.
  • Develop productive attitudes and habits.
  • Prepare for your role as a professional and for ongoing learning once the course is complete.

Grading System Your instructor will provide specific information about how you will be graded in this course.

Course Policies Departmental policies for Incompletes, Attendance, and Withdrawal are as follows:

Incomplete Policy: An incomplete (I) will be granted to a student in rare circumstances. Generally, to receive a grade of I, a student must have completed all examinations and assignments to date, be passing, and have personal circumstances that prevent course completion that occur after the deadline to withdraw with a grade of W.

Attendance Policy: All students are expected to attend classes. Non-attendance will have an impact on the student’s grade.

Withdrawal Policy: It is the student’s responsibility to withdraw from a course. Instructors are allowed to withdraw students but students must not rely on their instructor to withdraw them if they wish to withdraw.

Austin Community College policies for Academic Freedom, Scholastic Dishonesty, Student Discipline, and Students with Disabilities are as follows:

Academic Freedom Statement: Each student is strongly encouraged to participate in class. In any classroom situation that includes discussion and critical thinking, there are bound to be many differing viewpoints. These differences enhance the learning experience and create an atmosphere where students and instructors alike will be encouraged to think and learn. On sensitive and volatile topics, students may sometimes disagree not only with each other but also with the instructor. It is expected that faculty and students will respect the views of others when expressed in classroom discussions.

Scholastic Dishonesty Statement: Acts prohibited by the College for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, and unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work. Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their thought, research or self-expression. Academic work is defined as, but not limited to tests, quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper; projects, either individual or group; classroom presentations, and homework” (Student Handbook, 2002-2003, p. 32). Penalties for scholastic dishonesty will depend upon the nature of the violation and may range from lowering a grade on one assignment to an F in the course and/or expulsion from this institution.

Student Discipline Statement: Classroom behavior should support and enhance learning. Behavior that disrupts the learning process will be dealt with appropriately, which may include having the student leave class for the rest of that day. In serious cases, disruptive behavior may lead to a student being withdrawn from the class. ACC's policy on student discipline can be found in the Student Handbook, 2002-2003, p. 32.

Students with Disabilities Statement: Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological disabilities. Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Office for Students with Disabilities on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes. Students are encouraged to do this three weeks before the start of the semester” (Student Handbook, 2002-2003, p. 14).