B 320-Advance Writing in Professional Contexts
Course Outcomes
Students will learn to do the following:
- Apply critical reading and thinking skills to texts.
- Write coherent, clear, and cogent arguments.
- Conduct appropriate, effective primary and secondary research.
- Support claims with specific, logical reasoning based on evidence to make an argument.
- Understand how to craft writing to fit the needs of various audiences.
- Produce quality writing and explain what makes it effective.
Course Description
Advanced Writing in Professional Contexts introduces the fundamentals of rhetorical principles and writing practices using a number of typical business situations. During the course, students will produce effective business letters, memos, reports, and employment packages. This will prepare students for the demands of business careers that require significant time reading, drafting, and revising written communication.
Prerequisites
- FDENG 101
- 22 credits completed
Course Structure and the BYU-Idaho Learning Model
As in all BYU-Idaho courses, the structure of this course is founded on the BYU-I Learning Model. It utilizes the following elements: Prepare, Teach One Another, and Ponder/Prove. Those elements will be implemented in the following ways:
Prepare
This occurs individually as you review resources and prepare drafts of written assignments.
Teach One Another
Interacting with others to discuss course content provides an opportunity to deepen your understanding of writing principles. In each week of the course, you will teach one another by reviewing your peers' writing. As you conscientiousley provide and receive feedback, your writing skills will improve.
Ponder/Prove
You will demonstrate writing proficiency in the course in the following ways:
- Grammar quizzes
- Weekly writing assignments
- Portfolio writing assignments
Course Expectations
The following are recommendations for success in this class:
- B 320 is designed for students in business and business-related fields including: accounting, business, communication, computer information technology, computer science, construction management, economics, exercise science, financial economics, and health care administration. Students without this background in business concepts and language will have difficulty understanding and completing assignments in this course.
- The BYU-Idaho standard for the student workload in courses is 3–4 hours per week per credit hour. Thus, you should plan to spend at least nine hours per week on this course. You may need to spend more, depending upon your own learning style and skill set.
- Read all material on every course page.
- Plan your time so that you work consistently throughout each lesson.
- Many assignments are long term. It is critical that you not only focus on what is due in the current week, but also on unit assignments that are due in future lessons.
- One of the advantages of taking a professional writing course is that the world around you is your laboratory. As you learn concepts in the course, you should apply them to course assignments, in other courses in the College of Business and Communication, and in all of your professional communication with faculty and potential employers.
- This course also builds on itself; that is, you will be required to use previous principles and concepts in successive assignments and applications.
Required Materials
- Access to a computer with an internet connection and appropriate technical setup Test your setup by following the instructions in the Technical Setup section of the Orientation to Online Learning page found in the Introduction Lesson.
- Microsoft Word software If you do not already have access to this software, you may download it for free from the BYU-I University Store. Go to http://www.byui.edu/information-technology/helpcategories/microsoft-office for instructions on how to do this for PC and Mac.
- Elements of Style, 4th Edition. Authors: William Strunk, Jr. and E.B. White ISBN: 978-0205309023 Caution: Several editions of this text exist. If you purchase an older edition, some of the required readings will not be available in your copy.
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Required Accounts
You will be required to have a LinkedIn account and create content for that account. LinkedIn is a business-oriented social network.
You will be required to create a NoRedInk account for your weekly grammar quiz.
Grading Policies
You will be graded on a linear scale (not curved). An "A" requires dedication and mastery of subject matter. Just completing the minimum expectations does not denote "A" effort. You will need to take the time to study, apply, and understand these topics (such that you could teach a section of this course on your own) in order to get an "A."
Grading Scale
This course will use the following standard BYU-Idaho grading scale:
| 93% - 100% = A | 80% - 82% = B- | 67% - 69% = D+ |
| 90% - 92% = A- | 77% - 79% = C+ | 63% - 66% = D |
| 87% - 89% = B+ | 73% - 76% = C | 60% - 62% = D- |
| 83% - 86% = B | 70% - 72% = C- | below 60% = F |
Grade Breakdown
| Gradebook Item | Percentage |
| Grammar Quizzes (NoRedInk) | about 15% |
| Portfolio Writing Assignments | about 47% |
| Weekly Writing Assignments | about 20% |
| Peer Review Assignments | about 18% |
Late Work Policy
Late work will not be accepted. Review How to Understand Due Dates to make sure your understand how due dates work in the course.
Tutoring
Tutoring options for online students are available through the Academic Support Centers. You can arrange to receive help from the BYU-Idaho Writing Center tutors using a variety of means: email, chat, and live conferencing. Receiving one-on-one feedback and guidance about your writing will significantly improve your ability. Tutors can help you with specific questions about a paper or a frequent problem or issue you may be encountering in your writing.
University Policies
Read the University Policies documents (found in the Course folder>University Policies), which include Student Honor, Students with Disabilities, Sexual Harassment, and Complaints and Grievances.
Honor Code
Following the Honor Code is of great importance as you strive to be a disciple of Christ. Your commitment to live the Honor Code will contribute to the whole BYU-Idaho community. Your actions should be respectful and should foster an environment where all can feel the Spirit.
BYU-Idaho's Dress and Grooming standards apply to all students, including those taking classes online. By adhering to the Honor Code you will create a learning environment, "consistent with the ideals and principles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." For more detailed information, see the Honor Code webpage.
Services for Students with Disabilities
The BYU-Idaho catalog addresses the needs for services for students with physical and academics disabilities. If you have any specific needs that relate to this policy, please discuss them with your instructor through email.
Academic Honesty
BYU-Idaho students should seek to be completely honest in all their dealings. Please review the Honor Code Agreement in the course that talks about academic integrity. Students must complete their own work and be evaluated for that work. They should avoid academic dishonesty and misconduct in all its forms, including but not limited to plagiarism, fabrication or falsification, cheating, and other academic misconduct. (BYU-Idaho Student Catalog, pg. 45, BYU-I Honor Code)
The instructor will be responsible to investigate any incident of academic dishonesty or misconduct, determine the circumstances, and take appropriate action. Both intentional and unintentional plagiarism are reported to the Honor Office.
Getting Started
Each week, you should begin the lesson by reading through the week in the order listed, paying attention to the due dates to plan your work for the week. You should take this approach, as opposed to relying on the Upcoming Events section of your I-Learn calendar. The calendar provides useful reminders, but should not be your primary means of navigating through the course.
It is important that you understand the approach to online learning that is used at BYU-Idaho. Familiarize yourself with this by viewing the Orientation to Online Learning page.