GeorgiaSouthern University  PBAD7120 - Written Communication for Public Managers

Thursdays, 5-6:15pm (Online)
Fall 2002
Dr. Janice Walker
jwalker@gasou.edu

Instructor | Course Description | Required Texts | Required Materials | Honesty | Attendance | Grades | Disclaimer | Assignments

Instructor Information
Dr. Janice R. Walker 
Department of Writing and Linguistics 
Georgia Southern University 
P. O. Box 8026 
Statesboro, GA  30460
Office: Newton 2222-A
Telephone: (912) 871-1327
Office Hours: M/W 1:00-3:15 pm 
Online Office Hours Fridays, 5-6:15pm
Email: jwalker@gasou.edu
Home Page: http://www2.gasou.edu/facstaff/jwalker/
Course Description
This course is being taught online through WebCT.  Before you will be allowed to log into WebCT, you must first know your User ID and PIN from your WINGS account. Your User ID for WebCT will be the same as your User ID for WINGS and will remain the same throughout the semester. Your WebCT password will correspond to the PIN number you currently use to log into WINGS. Please be aware that if you change your WINGS PIN after August 13, there will be approximately a 24-hour delay before you will be able to log into WebCT with the new WINGS PIN.

Teaches students the formats, styles, and techniques for effective writing in a public sector organization.  Attention will be given to memoranda, speech writing, reports, press releases, evaluations and recommendations, form letters, and individualized letters of response to citizen requests and complaints.

This section, taught online in WebCT, focuses on the kinds of writing typically required in the public sector, including workplace writing (such as memos, letters, reports), public writing (press releases, brochures, Web sites, etc.), legal writing (regulations, ordinances), etc.  Specific assignments will be designed to target the specific needs of students as determined by the Instructor in consultation with students.

I will be available online to provide individual assistance or answer questions throughout the semester.  Assignments may be completed early if students desire, since content will be available online, or students may choose to complete assignments by agreed-upon due dates.

This course will be beneficial for anyone working in the public sector or related fields who desires to improve their written communication skills with an awareness of the impact of technologies on how we communicate.
 
Required Texts

Required Text:

Recommended Text:
Any good college dictionary.
Honesty
All members of the academic community recognize the necessity of being honest with themselves and with others.  The integrity of the educational experience is diminished by cheating, plagiarizing, lying, and employing other methods of deceit or dishonesty.  (See Student Conduct Code for definitions of Academic Dishonesty, including cheating and plagiarizing.)  The need for honest relations among all members of the community is essential.  Students will be held responsible for academic integrity and honesty in all work done in this course.  The instructor retains the right to set the minimum academic penalty for dishonesty in the course.
Attendance
Attendance is required at the first class meeting.  You may attend the first meeting online in the WebCT chat room for this course, or you may attend in person if you need help (contact the instructor for meeting location).
Grades
Grades are assigned as follows: 




F
 90-100 
 80- 89 
 70- 79 
 60- 69 
 Below 60
Discussion Forum 
Writing Assignments 
Quizzes 
 
10 % 
70 % 
20 % 
 
Disclaimer
All assignments in this syllabus are subject to change, depending on the instructor's assessment of students' needs.  It is the student's responsibility to obtain missed assignments, handouts, changes to the syllabus, and other course-related information.

Inappropriate use of computer resources can result in students losing their accounts, failure of a class, or legal repercussions.  Inappropriate use includes but is not limited to illegal access of information (hacking), using someone else's account without authorization, tampering with the settings on Georgia Southern University's writing lab computers, uploading, downloading, or installing pirated software or files, and viewing or distributing pornographic or otherwise offensive materials using Georgia Southern's facilities.  If you are unsure whether or not a specific use is allowed, contact Computer Services.
Assignments
The schedule of assignments is a tentative one and is provided only for planning purposes.  Students are expected to check the schedule frequently for changes, and to complete all assigned readings and coursework as shown by the dates listed.  Additional information on assignments may be added to this site and/or discussed in class.  It is the student's responsibility to find out any assignments or information missed as a result of tardiness or absence.  (See also Attendance policy above).

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Last modified 6 August 2002 by Janice R. Walker.

The content of personal and other unofficial home pages is not sanctioned by Georgia Southern University and does not represent official information or opinions of the University. jwalker@gasou.edu is solely responsible for the contents of this page.


If I'm online, you can send me an instant message with this link.  However, if you don't have Yahoo! Messenger, I won't be able to reply.
You can also contact me with AOL Instant Messenger  (Kiwi3) , or MSN Instant Messenger (mywabbit) if I'm online.  And, of course, there's always email.