Professional Writing for Communication Arts

Course Syllabus
1.Course Code:
2. Number of Credit:
3. Course Title:
4. Faculty/Department:
5. Semester:
6. Academic Year:
7. Names of Instructors:

2 Credits
5508-315
Professional Writing for Communication Arts
Faculty of Communication Arts English Program
Second Semester
2014
Section 1- Sean Balme
Section 2- Chris Chapman
Section 3- Zrs Gamboa
Section 4- Frank Simpson

8. Condition (Pre-requisite):
9. Type of Course/Status:
10. Program Title:
11. Level:
12. (Class) Contact Hours:
13. Course Description:

5500-246
Elective
Bachelor of Arts in Communication Management
Undergraduate, Third Year
2 hours
Focuses on business report writing and proposals.
Also includes practice in writing articles based on
news reports, feature stories, advertisements, movie
reviews, synopsis, and briefings.

14. Course Outline:

14.1 Course Objectives:
By the end of this course, students should be able to do the following:
1. Research, collect, analyze and present information in a professional manner for print media,
business, and the World Wide Web.
2. Concisely express information in terms of both description and personal opinion in an analytical
fashion.
3. Identify and understand the characteristics of effective business reports and proposals.
4. Understand and produce articles, reviews and reports for the Internet.
5. Effectively present information in a visual format via diagrams, charts, and graphs.

14.2

Course Contents:

This course focuses on important skills necessary to succeed in both business management and professional
writing for print and online media. Specific tasks and instruction will facilitate students abilities to write
detailed business reports and proposals for the business management side. In addition, students will be given
writing practice relevant to print media such as: synopsis and reviews of popular movies, news reports,
advertising and press releases. Students will work in groups and individually on the selected print media
and business writing tasks. Tasks may be assigned in class, as homework, or online. Students are expected
to acquire information and knowledge from different sources and media, analyze, summarize and finally
present important points and issues.

14.3

Class Management/Method of Instruction

Brainstorming
Small group/class discussion
Lecture
Information search via internet, library or other sources
Individual and Group work
Online modules and tasks

14.4

Instructional Media:
Textbook: Business Communication, 8th ed., by A.C. Krizan, et al, Southwestern, 2008
(required)
Movies, videos, magazines and newspapers
Online modules and tasks
Additional exercises supplemented by teachers to suit the needs of students in each class.

14.5

Assignment through Network System

14.5.1 Assigning and Submitting Method
In-class Assignment and E-mail
14.5.2 Learning Management System
Consultation

14.6

Evaluation
The final grade received for the course will be based on the following components.
14.6.1 Assessment of Writing Proficiency
Mid-term exam
Final Exam
14.6.2 Assessment of Classroom Activities and Tasks
Class Assignments
Final Project
Participation

40%
20%
20%
60%
30%
25%
5%

Assessment
The assessment of this course is criterion-referenced. Each portion of the marks is calculated by its weight
before a final grade, of an eight-letter grade system, is awarded to each student.
15.

Reading List
15.1 Required Text: Business Communication, 8th ed., by A.C. Krizan, et al, Southwestern, 2008

16.

Course Evaluation
16.1 Teaching-Learning Evaluation
Students are required to complete a questionnaire to evaluate the teachers instruction and their
learning during the course. Students are also required to complete a questionnaire to rate the
materials they have learned as well as give comments and suggestions on how the course materials
should be improved.
16.2
Discussion Promoting Desirable Attributes of CU Graduates
In-class and outside of class activities lead to the promotion of collaborative work as well as
development of effective expression in English, especially writing. Students are also encouraged
to become more independent, analytical learners through the assignment of writing tasks to be
completed outside of class. All the skills required can be of great benefit to their present studies,
future career and lifelong learning.

Course Content and Schedule

Session Date
1
Jan 8

Tasks
Housekeeping
Community issues, problems and challenges
Identifying the Problem and Scope
Read Chapter 10: Research and report writing
University Sports Week (No Class)
Research Gathering and Report Formatting
Assn. 1- Problem and scope report due (5%)
Evaluating Information and Citing Sources
Read Chapter 11: Proposals, plans and special reports
Primary Research
Assn. 2- Secondary research report due (5%)
Planning the Final Proposal
Assn. 3- Work plan and survey due (5%)
Visual Aids
Read Chapter 12: Visual aids
Mid-Term exam (20%)

Jan 15

3
4

Jan 22
Jan 29

Feb 5

Feb 12

Feb 19

Feb 26

Mar 5

10

Mar 12

11

Mar 19

Analyzing primary research

Proposing solutions
Assn. 4- Primary research report due (5%)

12

Mar 26

Formal proposals

13

Apr 2

Assn. 5- Solutions report due (5%)

14-15

Apr 9
Apr 16

Assn. 6- Present study and proposal (5%)

16

Apr 23

Final draft of formal written proposal due (30%)

Review for final exam

17

Apr 30

Final exam (20%)

Assignments and Tasks

The purpose of the course is to prepare students to write a formal written proposal. All materials studied in
and out of class will be geared to achieving that aim.
The schedule above is subject to change by the Instructor. Assignments submitted late may be penalized.
Withdrawal
The last day to withdraw from this course is February 27, 2015.
Plagiarism Statement
Plagiarism is defined as stealing the language, ideas, or thoughts from another and representing them as
ones own original work. Quoting outside sources is permitted and encouraged, of course, provided you
acknowledge them correctly. Plagiarized assignments will receive a failing grade. Consult your Instructor if
you have any questions.