COM 2001 - Writing for the STEM Disciplines

3 lecture hours 0 lab hours 3 credits

Course Description
This course focuses on technical communication, especially report structure, document design, and visual rhetoric. Emphasis is on presenting information in a way that is appropriate for primary and secondary audiences. Students learn to integrate relevant visuals into reports, including graphical representations of data with clear captions. They also learn and practice strategies for effective collaboration. Attention is given to secondary research methods of database literature searches and writing literature reviews. This course meets the following Raider Core CLO requirement: Communicate Effectively and Collaborate Successfully. (prereq: COM 1001) (quarter system prereq: GS 1001 or GS 1010H or GS 1001C or GS 1001E)

Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

Define and practice key strategies to communicate effectively in STEM professions
Identify a document’s purpose, scope, audience, and genre
Adapt message(s) and document structure to different audiences and purposes
Practice concise writing that conveys a central idea and uses appropriate support
Construct and contextualize appropriate visuals to convey a message clearly
Conduct secondary research (using APA style of documentation), particularly the review of literature and documentation of sources
Engage in recursive and collaborative writing processes using appropriate technology (includes providing and receiving feedback, editing for clarity, proofreading, and document management)
Employ strategies for successful team collaborations
Give team presentation
Read data and datasets as text and understand ethical responsibilities in communication
Understand the logical relationships between data, results, and conclusions

Prerequisites by Topic

Create clear thesis statements to guide the content of the writing
Construct logical, organized arguments with appropriate transitions

Course Topics

Rhetorical elements of communication: audience, purpose, scope
Structure and content of a technical report
Principles of page layout and design
Visual representation of data or concepts
Data and datasets as text
Technical communication style (accuracy, clarity, conciseness, word choice, and responsiveness)
Unified paragraphs, introductions, and conclusions
Academic and professional research
Recursive and (cloud-based) collaborative writing
Team presentations

Coordinator
Dr. Tammy Rice-Bailey

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COM 2001 - Writing for the STEM Disciplines