COURSE INFORMATION
- Course Title Professional Communication in Construction Management
- Course Prefix and Number ENC 3254
- Section/Class Number —-/13433, 23435
- Credits 3
COURSE DELIVERY
- Lectures In this course, lectures will delivered live by the instructor via Zoom during the scheduled course meeting times. Attendance is encouraged and expected. No recordings of the lectures will be available.
- Quizzes Weekly quizzes will be given online and should be completed before class on the designated due date.
- Assignments In-class assignments will be given by the instructor. These assignments should be completed in-class when possible, or by the beginning of the next course meeting if additional time is required.
- Exams Course exams will be given online during the scheduled course meeting time.
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
- INSTRUCTOR Andrew J. Wehle
- Office Location 340 Rinker Hall
- Email Address wehleaj@ufl.edu
- Telephone Number (352) 294-0527
- Office Hours TBA
COURSE DESCRIPTION
- (needs to be added)
COURSE OBJECTIVES
- Students will strengthen communication skills needed for success in the construction field. Students will learn to write documents important to the construction industry (proposals, requests for information, scope narratives, memos, letters, meeting agendas, etc.), as well as written correspondence that will be important to their individual careers (resumes and application letters). The course will also focus on oral communication skills by providing practical experiences through interviews and team presentations.
- Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs): Upon completion of the course students will demonstrate their ability to:
- plan, draft, revise, edit, and proofread construction-specific papers (correspondence, requests for information, meeting agendas, scope narratives, and progress reports) [SACS 5, ACCE SLO 1]
- use research, critical thinking, peer collaboration, and problem-solving skills to develop a team proposal [SACS 5, ACCE SLO 1]
- identify and write/speak to specific audiences [SACS 5, ACCE SLO 1, ACCE SLO 2]
- develop academic research skills using library and research databases [SACS 5, ACCE SLO 10]
- summarize, analyze, and synthesize academic sources and other information
- participate in groups as peer reviewers and collaborators
- accurately cite and incorporate others’ ideas and designs into projects [SACS 5, ACCE SLO 1]
- prepare and effectively deliver oral presentations individually and as part of a team [SACS 5, ACCE SLO 2]
- develop and present a resume, application letter, and interview tailored to a specific internship position [SACS 5, ACCE SLO 1]
PREREQUISITES
- Junior standing in major required.
REQUIRED TEXT(s)
- none
REQUIRED MATERIALS/SUPPLIES/FEES
- none
WEEKLY SCHEDULE OF TOPICS AND ASSIGNMENTS
WEEK Topic/Assignment 1 Topic X xxxxx / Assignment: Write a brief … 2 Topic X xxxxx / Assignment: Write a brief … 3 Topic X xxxxx / Assignment: Write a brief … 4 Topic X xxxxx / Assignment: Write a brief … 5 Topic X xxxxx / Assignment: Write a brief … 6 Topic X xxxxx / Assignment: Write a brief … 7 Topic X xxxxx / Assignment: Write a brief … 8 Topic X xxxxx / Assignment: Write a brief … 9 Topic X xxxxx / Assignment: Write a brief … 10 Topic X xxxxx / Assignment: Write a brief … 11 Topic X xxxxx / Assignment: Write a brief … 12 Topic X xxxxx / Assignment: Write a brief … 13 Topic X xxxxx / Assignment: Write a brief … 14 Topic X xxxxx / Assignment: Write a brief … 15 Topic X xxxxx / Assignment: Write a brief … 16 Topic X xxxxx / Assignment: Write a brief …
METHODS OF GRADE DETERMINATION
- Attendance
- For every three absences, your final grade will be lowered one-half grade. The reason for this policy is simple: unlike some of your classes, this is a skills-based course. In other words, practice makes all the difference to writing and speaking skills; the more you write, or speak in public, the better you become at these tasks. Consequently, the effects of this course are cumulative and frequent absences will affect your progress and success dramatically. Even if you have an excused absence, you should make every attempt to turn assignments in on time.
- The policy of the University Writing Program is that if you miss more than six periods during the term, you will fail the entire course.
- Tardies: Three tardies count as one unexcused absence. Please be on time to class.
- Requirements for class attendance and make-up exams, assignments, and other work in this course are consistent with university policies that can be found at: catalog.ufl.edu/UGRD/academic-regulations/attendance-policies/
- Participation
- Students should bring current assignments/projects to each class, ready to work. On the days that we write in class, you are expected to work for the entire class period.
- Cell phones should be turned off/silenced during class.
- Writing Assignments (counts as a 6,000 word university writing requirement course)
- Memo and Email revision In this assignment, students revise poorly written email messages and memos using effective writing strategies learned in class. (300 words)
- Writing Situations Students are given two situations typical of the construction industry (an accident has occurred on the job site, a worker must be disciplined, materials have not been delivered, etc.). Role-playing as a supervisor, the student must inform another party of the situation, choosing the proper format and wording to convey the message in the most effective manner. (600 words)
- Resume and Application Letter Students create a resume and application letter to use to apply for a construction internship. (500 words)
- Annotated Bibliography Students locate eight sources to be used for the proposed assignment and write annotations for each source. (800 words)
- Request for Information (RFI) Using proper formatting, students create an RFI seeking clarification from an architect regarding building specifications. (150 words)
- Proposal Working in teams, students plan, design, and write one-third of a 50-page proposal in response to a Request for Proposals (RFP). (4,000 words)
- Scope of Work Each student writes a detailed description of a specific job he or she will complete as part of a building contract between his or her company and the client. (300 words)
- Meeting Agenda Each student plans and writes an agenda for one in-class team meeting. (250 words)
- Progress Report Team members compose a memo to the team leader regarding progress on proposal; leader writes memo to instructor. (200 words)
- Exams ….
- Make-up ….
GRADING
- Grading Scale
Written Assignments Memo revision 30 Points Email revision 30 Writing Situation 1 35 Writing Situation 2 35 Resume/Application Letter 100 Annotated Bibliography 100 RFI 25 Progress Report 50 Scope of Work 25 Meeting Agenda 25 Draft of proposal section 50 Team Proposal 150 Quizzes 20 Speaking Assignments Courtroom Scenario 50 Interview 100 Lead Team Meeting 25 Proposal Presentation 150 TOTAL 1000 POINTS -
Letter Grade A A- B+ B B- C+ Numeric Grade 93-100 90-92.99 87-89.99 83-86.99 80-82.99 77-79.99 Points 930-1000 900-929 870-899 830-869 800-829 770-799 Letter Grade C C- D+ D D- E Numeric Grade 73-76.99 70-72.99 67-69.99 63-66.99 60-62.99 0-59.99 Points 730-769 700-729 670-699 630-669 600-629 0-599 - Course grades have two components. To receive Writing Requirement credit, a student must receive a grade of C or higher and a satisfactory completion of the writing component of the course. UWP policy further stipulates that to receive a C or higher in the course, the Writing Requirement must be met.
- UF grading policies for assigning grade points: catalog.ufl.edu/UGRD/academic-regulations/grades-grading-policies/
GENERAL POLICIES
- Course Specific ….
- Course Conduct Students are expected to arrive to class on time and behave in a manner that is respectful to te instructor and to fellow students. Please avoid the use of cell phones and restrict eating to outside of the classroom. Opinions held by other students should be respected in discussion, and conversations that do not contribute to the discussion should be held at minimum, if at all. Rude and disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated.
- Tech Support For issues with technical difficulties for E-learning, please contact the UF Help Desk at:
- helpdesk@ufl.edu
- (352) 392-HELP (4357)
- https://lss.at.ufl.edu/
- Honor Code UF students are bound by The Honor Pledge which states, “We, the members of the University of Florida community, pledge to hold ourselves and our peers to the highest standards of honor and integrity by abiding by the Honor Code. On all work submitted for credit by students at the University of Florida, the following pledge is either required or implied: “On my honor, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid in doing this assignment.” The Honor Code (sccr.dso.ufl.edu/process/student-conduct-code/) specifies a number of behaviors that are in violation of this code and the possible sanctions. Furthermore, you are obligated to report any condition that facilitates academic misconduct to appropriate personnel. If you have any questions or concerns, please consult with the instructor or TAs in this class.
- Accommodating Students with Disabilities Students with disabilities who experience learning barriers and would like to request academic accommodations should connect with the disability Resource Center by visiting disability.ufl.edu/students/get-started/. It is important for students to share their accommodation letter with their instructor and discuss their access needs, as early as possible in the semester.
- Academic Resources
- E-learning technical support: Contact the UF Computing Help Desk at 352-392-4357 or via e-mail at helpdesk@ufl.edu
- Career Connections Center: Reitz Union Suite 1300, 352-392-1601. Career assistance and counseling services career.ufl.edu.
- Library Support: cms.uflib.ufl.edu various ways to receive assistance with respect to using the libraries or finding resources.
- Teaching Center: Broward Hall, 352-392-2010 or to make an appointment 352-392-6420. General study skills and tutoring. teachingcenter.ufl.edu
- Writing Studio: 2215 Turlington Hall, 352-846-1138. Help brainstorming, formatting, and writing papers. writing.ufl.edu/writing-studio
- Student Complaints On-Campus: sccr.dso.ufl.edu/policies/student-honor-code
- On-Line Students Complaints: distance.ufl.edu/student-complaint-process
- Health and Wellness
- U Matter, We Care: If you or someone you know is in distress, please contact umatter@ufl.edu, 352-392-1575, or visit umatter.ufl.edu to refer or report a concern and a team member will reach out to the student in distress.
- Counseling and Wellness Center: Visit counseling.ufl.edu or call 352-392-1575 for information on crisis services as well as non-crisis services.
- Student Health Care Center: Call 352-392-1161 for 24/7 information to help you find the care you need, or visit shcc.ufl.edu.
- University Police Department: Visit police.ufl.edu or call 352-392-1111 (or 9-1-1 for emergencies).
- UF Health Shands Emergency Room / Trauma Center: For immediate medical care call 352-733-0111 or go to the emergency room at 1515 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, FL 32608; ufhealth.org/emergency-room-trauma-center.
- Course Evaluations Students are expected to provide professional and respectful feedback on the quality of instruction in this course by completing course evaluations online via GatorEvals. Guidance on how to give feedback in a professional and respectful manner is available at gatorevals.aa.ufl.edu/students. Students will be norified when the evalutation period opens, and can complete evaluations through the email they receive from GatorEvals, in their Canvas course menu under GatorEvals, or via ufl.bluera.com/ufl. Summaries of course evaluation results are available to students at gatorevals.aa.ufl.edu/public-results.
Disclaimer
- This schedule of work is provided as an initial guide and will very likely undergo changes as the semester progresses. For actual dates, consult the course Canvas website.