Course Number: TECH 101
Course Title: Technical Communications II
Credit Hours: 3 Vector: 2-0-2
Course Description
Building on the communication, teamwork and learning principles that form the basis of effective communication, this course refines and applies these skills to three important areas of technical communication: academic argumentation, cooperative presentations and professional portfolio development.
Prerequisite: TECH 100
Recommended: None.
Corequisite: None.
Special Instructions: None.
Course(s) to be dropped if this course is approved:
TECH 107-1 Process Elements: Effective Communication II
TECH 108-1 Process Elements: Team Dynamics II
TECH 109-1 Process Elements: Learning & Information
II
This course consolidates three 1-credit module-based (5 week) courses into a single 3-credit semester-based course.
Will this be a required or elective course in the curriculum; probable enrolment when offered?
Indicate Semester and Year this course would be first offered and planned frequency of offering thereafter.
Which of your present CFL faculty have the expertise to offer this course? Will the course be taught by sessional or limited term faculty?
Gibson, McBain
Are there any proposed student fees associated with this course other than tuition fees?
Is this course considered a `duplicate' of any current or prior course under the University's duplicate course policy? Specify, as appropriate.
Note: Senate has approved (S.93-11) that no new course should be approved by Senate until funding has been committed for necessary library materials. Each new course proposal must be accompanied by a library report and, if appropriate, confirmation that funding arrangements have been addressed.
Provide details on how existing instructional resources will be redistributed to accommodate this new course. For instance, will another course be eliminated or will the frequency of offering of other courses be reduced; are there changes in pedagogical style or class sizes that allow for this additional course offering.
This course will use the resources already in place for the three 1-credit modules it replaces.
Does the course require specialized space or equipment not readily available in the department or university, and if so, how will these resources be provided?
No.
Does this course require computing resources (e.g. hardware, software, network wiring, use of computer laboratory space) and if so, describe how they will be provided.
No new resources are required by virtue of this course consolidation.
In this section students will learn to:
In this section students will learn to:
The goal of Foundational Communications II is to continue to build on the basic communication and learning principles developed in the first term. Students learn the form and process of academic and professional writing and presentation. Through the use of dialogical techniques, argumentation and cooperative presentation, students continue to develop their teamwork and professional communication skills, including the use of effective peer evaluation techniques and self-assessment strategies. This term is delivered in three sections, Academic Argumentation, Cooperative Presentations, and the Professional Portfolio, designed to provide students with a solid and practical foundation in academic and professional communicational practices.
Learning the structure of argumentation is an important academic skill. This section of the course builds on foundational communication techniques learned in Tech 100 by providing the essential elements needed to construct sound academic reasoning and argument. Throughout this section, students construct a thesis, arguments and counter-arguments, conduct research, and practice academic documentation skills in team environments. Students develop writing skills and expand their critical thinking skills through weekly critique and work-shopping sessions.
In traditional debate, participants address an issue in order to refute their opponent. In conflict resolution, participants build on, and add value to, their respective points of view. This part of the course will expand on the team dynamics explored in Tech 100 through a course project focusing on resolving team conflict using a non-adversarial approach. The win/win approach will be stressed, with an opportunity to engage in on-going constructive dialogue, where creative response rather defeating one another is rewarded. At the end of this section, teams will deliver an oral presentation demonstrating a win/win approach to conflict resolution.
As the term comes to an end, students review and evaluate their progress throughout the year, by developing an online portfolio. The portfolio building process asks students to reflect on their communication, time management, critical thinking, teamwork, creative and personal development skills, and to provide evidence (artifacts) of learning over the term. At the end of the course, students will produce an online portfolio, complete with resume and cover letter, useful for Co-op program applications and other employment and educational opportunities.
Delivery Method: Mixed Collaborative (MC)
Learning Activities and Evaluation
*Please note these are the minimum expectations for each course on a weekly basis.
Students are evaluated on weekly participation in on-line discussions and class sessions, individual and team papers and assignments. The final course mark will be a letter grade.
Texts, Resources & Materials
Text: Hacker, Diana (2001). A Canadian Writer’s Reference, 2nd ed. Ont: Nelson Thomson Learning.
Platform Requirements: PC
NOTE: these outlines are drafts and are subject to change. Official textbook list should be consulted.