Writing for the Professions – Arts & Sciences

Course Code and Section Number: ENGL 3003-09

Oliphant Hall #105 Tu-Th 11:00AM – 12:15PM
Spring 2021

Instructor: Carlos D. Acosta-Ponce

Weekly Lectures: Tuesdays and Thursdays 11:00AM – 12:15PM
Office: Zink Hall 318
Office Phone: (918) 631-2810
Personal Phone: (787) 219-4513
E-Mail: carlos-acostaponce@utulsa.edu
Office Hours: MWF 11:00AM – 1:00PM

Contacting Dr. Acosta-Ponce:

Please contact me via email with questions about course materials or policies. Need help? Just ask! Ask
early; ask often. Last-minute questions are a risk because I’m often too busy to check my mail right
before class or a deadline. An email to carlos-acostaponce@utulsa.edu or an office hours visit can be the
most beneficial, but you could also request an appointment at a time that works better for you. If you
need to reach me urgently, you may text me at between 8am and 5pm.

Take advantage of these opportunities to meet and chat with me. I am here to help you every step of
the way.

Course Description
Adapts principles of good writing to writing situations encountered in the professions. Letters, résumés,
and a full investigative report in the student’s discipline are required.

Learning Outcomes
This course’s student learning outcomes align with the Writing Program Learning Outcomes listed below
and with TU’s Institutional learning Outcome Three: Write and present clearly, practicing the skills of
effective communication across the curriculum.

Writing Program Learning Outcomes

Every student who completes Writing Program courses as part of the Core Curriculum will be able to

1. Demonstrate the values and conventions of academic and professional writing

2. Apply a process-based approach to achieve successful written communication
3. Assess writing situations to read, analyze, and compose texts appropriate for various
purposes, audiences, and genres

ENGL 3003 Student Learning Outcomes

1. Compose a lengthy research report according to the rhetorical conventions in their

discipline
2. Use the writing and research process to participate in research in their field
 3. Complete a research project, communicating information, analysis, and recommendations
to a specific audience in a discipline
Course Texts
• Recommended
o Lunsford, Andrea. Writer’s Help 2.0- Lunsford Version. Bedford/St. Martin’s.
www.macmillanhighered.com/writershelp/Lunsford
• Required
o Markel, Mike and Mike Selber. Technical Communication, 12th ed. Bedford/St. Martin’s,
2018.
o Beam, Gibson, and McCully. Student Guide to Writing for the Professions – A&S.
TopHat/Fountainhead Press, 2018. (online platform and digital textbook

Top Hat (required text)

We will be using the custom-built interactive Top Hat Textbook, Student Guide to the Writing Program
at TU, for this class. You can visit the Top Hat Overview within the Top Hat Success Center which
outlines how you will register for a Top Hat account, as well as providing a brief overview to get you up
and running on the system.

An email invitation will be sent to you by email, but if don’t receive this email, you can register by simply
visiting our course website: https://app.tophat.com/e/401805. Note: our Course Join Code is 401805.

Your textbook will be applied at checkout for $35.50. Don’t worry if you don’t see any content in the
course right away, I will make it available to you as we progress through the semester. Should you
require assistance with Top Hat at any time, due to the fact that they require specific user information
to troubleshoot these issues, please contact their Support Team directly by way of email
(support@tophat.com), the in app support button, or by calling 1-888-663-5491.

Writer’s Help 2.0 – Lunsford Edition online handbook (recommended text)

My online course is open for student registration. Follow these steps to get started. If you need
additional guidance, consult the support site, especially the system requirements which list
recommended browsers.

Go to http://www.macmillanhighered.com/writershelp/lunsford/5731505

Bookmark the page to make it easy to return to (although note the URL will look different due to
security measures).

Enroll in this course using one of the following options:

If you have an access code, select "I have a student access code," enter the code exactly as it
appears on the card, and click Submit.

If you don't have an access code, either purchase a text package that includes one OR click "I
want to purchase access" and follow the instructions.

If you need to start working but can't purchase right away, select "I want temporary access" and
follow the instructions. Please note: Your grades may be linked to your Launchpad account
 username (email address). If you use temporary access, make sure you purchase or register your
code using the same email address for your paid access.

If you have problems registering, purchasing, or logging in, please contact Customer Support.
You can reach a representative 7 days a week:
• through the online form
• by chat
• by phone at (800) 936-6899

Additional Materials:
Laptop computer or smart device you can easily type on (highly recommended!)
Access to MS Word and Google Drive
Online Course Portal (Harvey)

Announcements, quizzes, course materials, and attendance and grade records will be kept on Harvey,
TU’s online course portal. You can access Harvey at http://harvey.utulsa.edu, or by downloading the
Blackboard app to your smartphone.

Required Coursework
In order to receive credit for this course, all work must be completed. KEEP ALL OF YOUR WORK FOR
THE ENTIRE SEMESTER. It is your record of your achievement and a reference of what you have
studied. You will be held responsible for material covered in missed classes.

Grade Breakdown (points system) - Subject to change

50 Weekly Discussion posts on Harvey*

100 - Job Application Materials: cover letter and resume
150 - Summary Report Memorandum
100 - Website Evaluation
150 - Informational Report
300 - Research Proposal
150 – Final Video Presentations
1000 – Total possible points

*You will write a 150-200-word reflection on the week’s classes, what you have learned, or
anything that you have found interesting in connection to our course. You will also be required
to give a short reply to at least two of your classmates’ posts. I will set up a discussion board on
Harvey under the Course Content section. These posts will begin on the second week of class
and will be due every FRIDAY at MIDNIGHT. These posts count towards 5% of your grade, and
to neglect them could mean the difference in borderline grades.

Conferences and Office Hours

You will meet with me in one-on-one writing conferences this session. Conferencing is required by the
Writing Program and, since they replace class meetings, attendance is mandatory. I also encourage you
to meet with me during my office hours. If you need to see me outside of those hours, please send me
an email to set up a time.
Grading Scale: The University of Tulsa uses the following percentage-to-letter grading scale:

Letter Grade Percentage

A 90 – 100%
B 80 – 89%
C 70 – 79%
D 60 – 69%
F 00 – 59%

Reviewing Your Grade

You should follow your progress by checking the grade center on Harvey. If you have any questions
about your grade during the semester, please see me during my office hours or send me an email.

Turning in Writing Assignments

All assignments will be submitted on Harvey. You must complete all the required annotations, outlines,
and/or rough drafts and submit them with the final draft. Also, you must submit digital copies of all
sources referenced in your writing with quoted/cited material highlighted.

Revision Policy
You will have one chance to revise major written assignments to improve your work and raise your
grade by 10% maximum; you will have 2 business days to complete revision work and resubmit the
document. In order to earn the points, you must make all changes I suggested in editing marks and
comments, highlight or underline those changes in the revised copy, and include a note explaining what
you changed and why. The fastest way to do this is to make a copy of the final draft in Word and then
turn on Track Changes under the Review menu. Note that I provide written feedback on all assignments,
and so it will take several days for me to grade work.

Attendance and Tardies

Since this course is writing intensive, missing class will result in missing crucial information and practice.
Missing even one class can cause you to miss important information and possibly put you behind. If you
are going to be absent for any reason, send me an email, text, or tell me personally if possible. This way
we can make sure you can keep up with the work. I am perfectly aware that we are living in uncertain
times and that individual circumstances can change suddenly and without warning. If you are willing to
be open and honest with me, I am willing to work with you to get you through this. I will also record the
virtual lectures and keep them on Harvey in case you miss any of these.

When you attend class, I expect you to be here when you are here. By this, I mean that you should
always come to class having read the material and being prepared to discuss it. I also mean that you
should not be on your phone, or asleep, etc. Your choosing to attend tells me that you are here to learn,
discuss, contribute, and share.

Finally, don’t be late. It is disruptive and disrespectful to me and your classmates. If you have to be late,
please do your best to let me know ahead of time.

Many in-person courses are designated as such because they require in-person elements that
cannot be substituted. If you get ill and are attending in-person classes, please fill out
the Online Access Request form and Student Success will work with you and your instructors to
determine if there is a way to meet course expectations online.

Late Work Policy:

Assignments should be turned in on time in accordance with deadlines specified in assignment
instructions, on drop boxes, and in the syllabus course calendar, with required related drafts submitted
beforehand to receive full credit. Late assignments are accepted as long as you request an extension in
writing, explain the reason for your request (at least in general), and set up a revised deadline with me.
The requirement to write twenty pages of revised writing means that outlines and early drafts must be
turned in before or along with the final draft of each paper, as each assignment indicates. Assignments
with no outline or rough drafts will not be accepted.

Nota Bene
While I am more than happy to answer emails with questions about specific parts of assignments, please
do not contact me to make sure your work is “OK,” especially right before a deadline. This is not fair to
me or the other students, and you will receive much better help if you meet with me during my office
hours or make an appointment with a tutor in the Writing Center.

Wearing a Face Mask or Face Covering

For the Spring 2021 semester, wearing a face mask or face covering is required in all TU buildings,
including during in-person classes, in-person labs, and all other gatherings. The requirement to wear a
face mask or face covering in TU buildings is reflected in the Student Code of Conduct. If you come to
class without a face mask or face covering, you will be asked to leave class and return with a face mask
or face covering. All students will be provided with an initial supply of reusable masks and there will also
be a supply of disposable masks for students’ use in designated pick-up locations across campus while
supplies last. If you refuse to wear a face mask or face covering during an in-person class or other event
on-campus, you will not be permitted to enter or stay in the class and may be referred to the Dean of
Students who will address this as a disciplinary issue.
The University is committed to safety. In the majority of situations, people who cannot wear a face mask
or face covering because of a disability/medical condition should make plans for remote access. Any
person who believes they have a disability that prevents them from wearing a face mask or face
covering as required, and believes they need physical access on campus, must apply for a disability
accommodation. The University will review such requests and make determinations about any
reasonable accommodations. Please reach out to request disability accommodations
to studentaccess@utulsa.edu or 918-631-2315.

PEOPLE WHO ARE HERE TO HELP

Writing Center (https://utulsa.mywconline.com)

The university provides resources to help you as you work to successfully complete your written
assignments. You should use these, especially the Writing Center on the 3rd floor of McFarlin Hall
(above the coffee shop). Staff can help with finding habitual grammatical errors, improving thesis
statements, generating ideas, developing paragraphs, and improving style. You should register and make
appointments at https://utulsa.mywconline.com. Appointments available online.

McFarlin Library https://utulsa.edu/mcfarlin-library/

McFarlin Library, TU’s “Academic Town Square,” provides students and faculty with access to millions of
information resources (books, journals, multimedia, etc.) that support teaching learning and research in
all academic disciplines at TU. These include hundreds of thousands of electronic resources, such as e-
books, journals, and reference databases, that can be accessed via the TU campus network anytime day
or night. The library’s experienced research staff are willing, able and available by email, text, phone or
in person to assist students in learning the “ins and outs” of academic research to support the
development of writing skills as well as critical thinking skills that are essential to doing good college
level work. Appointments available online.

Student Success Team - https://utulsa.edu/student-academic-support/

All students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with and take advantage of services provided by
The Student Success Team, including Student Access, Student Success Coaching, and tutoring. To
request a student success coach to improve study skills, email successcoaches@utulsa.edu. To request a
tutor, email tutoring@utulsa.edu.

Student Access - https://utulsa.edu/student-academic-support/disability-services/

Students who have or believe they may have a disability and would like to set up accommodations
should contact Student Access within the Student Success Team to discuss their needs and facilitate
their rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act and related laws. Student Access provides private
consultations to any student. Contact Student Access staff by email at studentaccess@utulsa.edu or by
phone at 918-631-2315. The online application for accommodations may be obtained here. Student
Access staff will assist students in the implementation of approved accommodations. Students who
qualify for accommodations should meet with the instructor privately (during office hours or by
appointment) as soon as possible to arrange for their needs and obtain support for the class.

Interpersonal Violence-Title IX Statement

Title IX makes it clear that violence and harassment based on sex and gender is a Civil Rights offense
subject to the same kinds of accountability and the same kinds of support applied to offenses against
other protected categories such as race, national origin, etc. If you or someone you know has been
assaulted, harassed, stalked, or if you have questions about violence prevention there are several
resources available to you:

Office of Violence Prevention: 918-631-2324

Coordinator Kelsey N. Hancock,
TU Counseling and Psychological Services: 918-631-2200
Campus Security: 918-631-5555
Domestic Violence Intervention Services: 918-631-2965
or 24-hour line 918-746-5763
Tulsa Police Department: 918-596-9222
The University of Tulsa’s Policy on Sexual Misconduct:
If you have other questions that are not answered here, please visit our webpage, or call the Violence
Prevention Coordinator at 918-631-2324. They will be happy to answer any questions and provide you
with the resources you need. Every student on our campus has the right to resources, please come
forward and ask questions, report, and help us eradicate interpersonal violence by stopping the silence
surrounding it. More resources at https://utulsa.edu/sexual-violence-prevention-education/.
Plagiarism and Academic Misconduct
Plagiarism is grounds for failure of this (or any other) course and dismissal from the University. Rules
against plagiarism are meant to ensure that students are applying themselves freshly to every
assignment, that they are completing their own assignments, and that they are respecting the
intellectual property of others. In an environment where writers work closely with one another, it is
important to understand the boundaries between collaboration and plagiarism. You are expected to
present your own work, properly documented. Keep all of your preparatory work (drafts, notes, and
prewriting) for each assignment. I may freely question you about work that does not seem to be your
own.

Plagiarism is presenting as one’s own efforts the work of someone else without proper
acknowledgement of that source. Plagiarism is presenting as one's own efforts the work of someone
else without proper acknowledgment of that source. Exact copying is to be enclosed in quotation marks
with an appropriate indication of its origin. Paraphrasing, wherein the basic sentence structure,
phraseology, and unique language remain the same, is also plagiarism. The failure to acknowledge
unique, unusual, or new ideas and facts not the product of one's own investigation or creativity is
plagiarism. When in doubt in a particular course on these matters, it is the student's responsibility to
seek guidance from the instructor of the course.

We will discuss various types of plagiarism early in the semester. If at any time you have questions
about crediting information and documenting sources, please ask the instructor. We will discuss your
rights and responsibilities within an academic community, how to present and document your own
work, and ways to distinguish carefully between your ideas and those of others.
Please note that the definition of plagiarism refers to all work (homework, rough drafts, journals posted
on Harvey).

Students must sign a statement provided by the instructor that indicates that they understand the
concept and the consequences of plagiarism.

At a minimum, students who cheat will receive "no credit" (a score of zero) on the assignment in
question; but students may also be dismissed from the course and automatically assigned a grade of F.

Relevant Academic Misconduct Policies

Henry Kendall College of Arts and Sciences https://portal.utulsa.edu/colleges/arts-and-
sciences/FacultyAcademicForms/Undergraduate-Academic-Misconduct-Policy[1].pdf
Collins College of
Business https://portal.utulsa.edu/colleges/business/SiteAssets/SitePages/Academic%20Misconduct/Ac
ademicMisconductPolicy-10-16-2016%20(1).pdf
College of Engineering and Natural Sciences https://portal.utulsa.edu/colleges/engineering-and-natural-
sciences/_layouts/15/start.aspx#/SitePages/ENS%20Undergraduate%20Academic%20Misconduct%20P
olicy.aspx
Oxley College of Health Sciences https://portal.utulsa.edu/colleges/health-
sciences/Policies/CHS%20Academic%20Misconduct%20Policy.pdf
College of Law https://portal.utulsa.edu/colleges/law/Shared%20Documents/TU_Law_Honor_Code.pdf
Graduate
School https://portal.utulsa.edu/colleges/graduate/Shared%20Documents/Graduate%20School%20Aca
demic%20Misconduct%20Policy-%20August%202017.pdf
Tentative Class Schedule

I reserve the right to alter this document in any way to meet the evolving demands of the course. For
your benefit and mine, I try to be as flexible as possible in this course. I will inform you of any changes,
and the most updated copy of this syllabus can always be found on Harvey. The schedule, and the
details given in the schedule, will change in response to the specific needs of our class. Changes are also
noted by announcements on Harvey and/or via email. Please pay attention to updates given in class and
posted on Harvey.

Given the current global pandemic, it is possible that TU may quickly pivot to remote learning for most
coursework. Plans for Remote Learning: Given the current global pandemic, it is possible that TU may
quickly pivot to remote learning for most coursework. In the event that this occurs, you will be notified
via e-mail through your TU e-mail address. For this class, I will communicate with you via e-mail what
our specific plans are for remote learning. We will utilize HARVEY for synchronous and/or asynchronous
course discussions, group work, and assignment submission.

Date Assignments and Reading due What you should know

Week 1 Online lecture on Collaborate Introduction to the course,

Tu 1/19 at 11AM course policies, etc.

Get books!!! What is technical

communication? What are your
legal and ethical
responsibilities? What are
technical documents and why
are they useful?
Th 1/21 Online lecture on Collaborate Plagiarism and academic
at 11AM honesty

Reading and Writing due: Audience, genre and purpose

Syllabus, Student Guide sections
Pre-class Survey, Introduction,
and Plagiarism; Markel & Selber
chapters. 1, 2, 3 & 15.
Tu 1/26 Online lecture on Collaborate Academic vs. Professional
at 11AM Writing

Reading and Writing due:

Student Guide section on
Academic Versus Professional
Writing

Th 1/28 Online lecture on Collaborate Applying for a job. Writing a

at 11AM cover letter and a résumé.

Writing due: drafts of cover Follow examples on Student

letter and resume Guide section on
Correspondence and Résumés
Tu 2/2 First day of in-person lectures
at Oliphant Hall room 105 at
11AM

Reading Due: Markel and Selber

chapter 19
Th 2/4 In-person lecture at Oliphant
Hall room 105 at 11AM

Writing due: Final drafts of cover

letter and resume

Tu 2/9 In-person lecture at Oliphant Summarizing and synthesizing

Hall room 105 at 11AM information

Reading due: Student Guide

section on Summary and
Informational Reports; Markel &
Selber ch. 19 and appendix on
summarizing p. 617;
Th 2/11 In-person lecture at Oliphant Informational writing and its
Hall room 105 at 11AM uses

Reading due: Markel & Selber

ch. 14 & 17

Tu 2/16 Writing due: First Draft of

summary report of Arianna
Huffington’s How to Succeed?:
Get More Sleep
Th 2/18
Tu 2/23 Writing due: Final Draft of
summary report of Arianna
Huffington’s How to Succeed?:
Get More Sleep
Th 2/25
Tu 3/2 Writing due: First Draft of
Informational Report
Th 3/4
Tu 3/9 Writing due: Final Draft of
Informational Report
Th 3/11
Tu 3/16 Writing due: Evaluation of the Collaborative Writing
City of Tulsa’s COVID 19 website
[first draft] At this point in the class, I would
(https://www.cityoftulsa.org/covid- like students to choose partners
19) for group work in groups of 2 or
3
Th 3/18
Tu 3/23 Writing due: Evaluation of the
City of Tulsa’s COVID 19 website
[final draft]
 (https://www.cityoftulsa.org/covid-
19)
Th 3/25 Reading due: Markel & Selber Writing and presenting
ch. 6; Student Guide section on proposals
proposals
Tu 3/30 Reading due: Markel & Selber
chapters 7 and 16; Student
Guide section on Instructional,
Analytical and Recommendation
Reports
Th 4/1 Reading due: Markel & Selber
chapters 8 and 19
Tu 4/6 Reading due: Markel & Selber
ch. 9 and 21
Th 4/8 One on one meetings
Tu 4/13 One on one meetings
Th 4/15 Writing due: First Draft of
Research proposals
Tu 4/20-Th 4/22 SPRING BREAK

Tu 4/27 Work on video presentations

Th 4/29 Work on video presentations

M 5/3 Writing due: Final Draft of

Research proposals (by
11:59PM)
DAY OF FINAL EXAM (TBA) SUBMIT video presentations
via HARVEY by noon