ACIT4085 Introduction to Genres in Global Engineering Communication Emneplan

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.

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 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

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.

Completed Master’s degree (120 ECTS credits) or equivalent education level.

Upon completing the course, the candidates are expected to have gained the following learning outcomes (knowledge, skills, and general competence).

Knowledge

The candidate:

• can contribute to the development of new knowledge, new theories, methods, interpretations and forms of documentation in how social frameworks and traditions influence individual practices
• can evaluate the expediency and application of different methods and processes that involve human interactions and interaction between people, artefacts, and technologies
• has in-depth knowledge of the challenges that individuals face in everyday technology

Skills

The candidate:

• can formulate problems, plan and carry out research with innovative technology and engage individuals in the process
• is able to use multiple perceptions in explorative and systematic processes
• has developed aesthetic awareness, in order to discover and utilize existing surroundings for physical and mental activation
• can evaluate environmental contributors to sense of coherence such as comprehensibility, manageability and meaningfulness
• can manage complex interdisciplinary digital and physical tools and processes, separately and in combination
• can solicit requirements of people to enhance their well-being by ways of transdisciplinarity and co-design

General Competence

The candidate:

• can identify new relevant ethical issues
• can solicit and evaluate innovative technological solutions
• is able to analyse how institutions, traditions and individual approaches can enable change and sustainability
• can communicate research about Sustainability and Well-being through recognized Norwegian and international channels

Lectures and workshops, both theoretical and practical.

Active participation in the seminars is necessary to adequately understand the course material and themes. Participation is therefore mandatory, and candidates are expected to attend all days of teaching and required to attend at least 80 percent of teaching days. In special cases of documented illness, the course leader may accept exceptions to this requirement. In these cases, lack of participation can be substituted with alternative arrangements such as active reading of the relevant syllabus literature. Course requirements are assessed as confirmed or not confirmed. The course requirement must be completed and confirmed within the given deadline in order to have the right to submit the final exam.

The course requirements are:

• Each candidate will arrange a practical workshop relevant to the PhD project, alone or in collaboration with other candidates. In addition, participation in a number of the other workshops is mandatory.
• 80 % attendance is required.