ACIT4085 Introduction to Genres in Global Engineering Communication Course description

This course is an introduction to the topic of genres in engineering communication. Engineering writing genres are typical kinds of writing and types of documents commonly produced and read by engineers and other technical professionals. The course will emphasize the state-of-the arts research-based understanding of writing genres and functions first and forms second. This means that typical engineering writing genres should be taught as texts that mediate or solve workplace problems. Their typical structures and forms have developed due to their primary functions. Understanding this and being able to match an appropriate form with a purpose will enable students to create effective texts.

This course is designed and run in collaboration with Louisiana Technology University.

Language of Instruction: English

No formal requirements over and above the admission requirements.

Knowledge

On successful completion of this course the student has:

• understanding of the fundamentals of current writing genre theory, particularly the idea that genres fulfill functions and are not just formulaic texts

• understanding of how the structure and form of common engineering genres, including but not limited to the technical report, the proposal, and others, is connected to the purpose, intended audience, and context of the document.
• familiarity with the typical structural components of typical engineering writing genres and with the functions those components serve

Skills

On successful completion of this course the student can:

• analyze instances of typical engineering writing genres for purpose, audience, context, and structure
• produce effective texts in typical specialized engineering genres, such as the technical report, the proposal, and others
• critically reflect on their choices of content and structure during the creation of such texts

General competence

On successful completion of this course the student:

• can demonstrate a broad understanding of the main purposes, functions, and features of typical writing genres in the technical workplace.
• has awareness off and is able to discuss some of the principal country and culture-specific genre features which are influenced by local professional cultures

• Current theories and frameworks for the understanding of genre theory and general and its application to engineering communication.
• Analysis of typical engineering communication genres
• Detailed coverage of the concept of "genre as function" and the idea that structure and form of a document in a given genre is subordinate to its purpose and to the problem it mediates.
• Techniques for analyzing typical engineering communication genres and reflection on them.

This course is run in collaboration with Louisiana Technology University (LTU).

If students from LTU are participating in the course, teaching sessions will be online (digital). The majority of the instruction will take place asynchronously (in Canvas), with periodic 1-hour long synchronous meetings, in Zoom or Teams.

In the event that there are no LTU students participating in the course, teaching sessions will be a mixture of on campus and digital (one meeting per week in the classroom and one assignment per week due online).

The following required coursework must be approved before the student can take the exam:

1. Three written assignments (written individually and in teams)
2. Weekly reading response and peer-review assignments. A minimum of 75% (9 out of 12) out of the reading response and peer-review assignments must be approved.
3. A minimum of 80% attendance. Students who do not meet this requirement will not be allowed to sit the exam.

Detailed description of all assignments will be provided to the students in Canvas.

The exam will be a ‘capstone’ written report in groups (max 5 students), between 5000 and 6000 words.

Students will be provided with a detailed description of the task. Both the quality of the final text and each student's contribution to the group effort will be assessed.

The students’ different contributions must be reflected in the submitted work. Normally, all members of the group receive the same grade, but in exceptional cases, individual grades may be assigned within groups after further assessment. In such cases, all students in the relevant group will be informed that grades will be given individually before the grades are published.

The exam can be appealed.

New/postponed exam: In case of failed exam or legal absence, the student may apply for a new or postponed exam. New or postponed exams are offered within a reasonable time span following the regular exam. The student is responsible for applying for a new/postponed exam within the time limits set by OsloMet. The Regulations for new or postponed examinations are available in Regulations relating to studies and examinations at OsloMet.

All aids are permitted, provided the rules for plagiarism and source referencing are complied with.

Grade scale A - F

One internal examiner. External examiners are used periodically.

Professor Pavel Zemliansky