ACIT4095 Structure and Style for Effective Engineering Communication in Global Contexts Course description

The course introduces students to the topics of effectives structure and style in engineering communication. Special emphasis is given to the differences between correct grammar and stylistic choices. Close attention is paid to the kinds of linguistic choices writers need to learn to make in order to create effective, actionable, readable, and ethical texts. 

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

No formal requirements over and above the admission requirements. 

Knowledge 

On successful completion of this course the student has: 

• understanding of the difference between grammar and style, particularly between the prescriptive nature of the former and the selective nature of the latter. 

• knowledge of typical structures of engineering genres and texts 

• knowledge of typical stylistic features of engineering genres and texts 

• strategies for making decisions about style and readability while designing technical texts. 

Skills 

On successful completion of this course the student can: 

• effectively structure specialized engineering texts to meet their purposes and reach their intended audiences 

• effectively select and use elements of appropriate writing style in engineering texts 

• consciously use stylistics feature and choices for readability, ethics, and actionability of texts  

General competence 

On successful completion of this course the student can: 

• demonstrate awareness and understanding of the role of writing style and style-related decisions in creating effective texts and in effective communication 

• develop a broader understanding of the limited importance of grammar and other mechanics for effectiveness of writing. 

The content of the course will include the following topics: difference between grammar and writing style; effective linguistic choices for successful engineering communication; achieving readability and actionability in engineering documents; basic techniques for technical editing. The course will also cover the methods, strategies, and techniques for analyzing stylistic features of typical engineering texts. 

This course is run in collaboration with Louisiana Technology University. During the 2024-2025 academic year, the course will be offered online (digitally). The majority of the instruction will take place asynchronously (in Canvas), with periodic 1-hour long synchronous meetings, in Zoom or Teams. 

In line with best teaching practices from the field of professional communication, the following teaching methods will be used (listed here in order of priority and frequency of use): 

• Active learning and flipped classroom methods 

• Peer review and peer-learning 

• Short lectures and presentations by instructor(s), followed by discussions and informal assessments 

The role of the teacher is to be a facilitator and an expert-coordinator of course work, who guides the students through the content of the course.  

1. Three written assignments 

1. 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. 

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

The exam will be a ‘capstone’ written report produced individually, of 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 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. 

For the final assessment a grading scale from A to E is used, where A denotes the highest and E the lowest pass grade, and F denotes a fail. 

Two internal examiners. External examiner is used periodically. The exam grade can be appealed. 

Pavel Zemliensky