Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2023 - ENGL 371 D100

Writing: Theory and Practice (4)

Class Number: 2776

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 8 – Aug 4, 2023: Tue, Thu, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Aug 8, 2023
    Tue, 12:00–12:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    30 units or two 200-division English courses. Recommended: One of English 199, 199W, or 214.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Students will engage in theoretically informed practice of writing in various non-academic genres. Emphasis will be placed on the kinds of writing that students are likely to use after graduation. This course may be repeated for credit if a different topic is taught, though students who obtained credit for English 371 prior to Summer 2015 may not take this couse for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

Participants in this course will reflect on the relationships between professional practices in non-academic settings and the genres used to facilitate communication in those settings. We will give special attention to understanding how issues such as the role of the audience, the impact of interdiscursivity, and the importance of ethical considerations contribute to shape the writing practices in corporate, legal, and mass media genres, among others. This reflection will help participants to critically analyze a variety of public documents and develop a set of principles to guide their own writing for non-academic purposes.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

By the end of the course, the participants will have developed knowledge and strategies useful to:

  1. Describe the connection between professional practice and discursive practice
  2. Identify differences between academic writing and technical/business-oriented writing
  3. Define the role of interdiscursivity in the study of public genres
  4. Describe how interdiscursivity shapes public genres
  5. Evaluate the role of the reader in public genres
  6. Explain the role of ethical considerations in public genres
  7. Explain how critical genre analysis may be applied to study public genres such as promotional genres, corporate reports, arbitration reports, and fundraising documents
  8. Identify key style features in technical writing.
  9. Apply genre-based principles to the composition of documents such as corporate communications, technical reports, proposals, and progress reports

Grading

  • Portfolio (3000-3500 words) 40%
  • Team presentation and peer-assessment 30%
  • Self-assessment of participation 10%
  • Exam 20%

NOTES:

During this course, you will be required to access books and other documents to inform your assignments. Some of these resources will be available for you on Canvas. However, you may also need to search for additional reading materials using SFU Library system. Having an active library account will be a requirement to conduct your own bibliographic research.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Acquiring the required texts to do the readings in due time and manner is the student’s responsibility. Participants will be expected to complete required readings since the first week of the course. Therefore, every student will be responsible of planning ahead to acquire the required textbook.

For this course, you will need two textbooks. The first one in the list can be downloaded from SFU library (see link below). The second one must be purchased. Several options to make this purchase are provided below.

You will also need a laptop for every session. If needed, you may borrow one from the Library: https://www.lib.sfu.ca/borrow/equipment/list )



 

 

 

REQUIRED READING:

Bhatia, V. K. (2017). Critical genre analysis: Investigating interdiscursive performance in professional practice. Routledge.

You can access this book through SFU library


Tebeaux, E., & Dragga, S. (2021). The essentials of technical communication (5th ed.). Oxford University Press.

You can buy a paperback or looseleaf copy from various online retailers (amazon, Indigo), or purchase/rent the e-book from these trusted sites recommended by the publisher:

Vital Source

Campus Bookstore


ISBN: 9780197539200

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

IMPORTANT NOTE Re 300 and 400 level courses: 75% of spaces in 300 level English courses, and 100% of spaces in 400 level English courses, are reserved for declared English Major, Minor, Extended Minor, Joint Major, and Honours students only, until open enrollment begins.

For all On-Campus Courses, please note the following:
- To receive credit for the course, students must complete all requirements.
- Tutorials/Seminars WILL be held the first week of classes.
- When choosing your schedule, remember to check "Show lab/tutorial sections" to see all Lecture/Seminar/Tutorial times required.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the semester are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.