Course syllabus for Tutoring and supervising technical communication: improving the communication of colleagues

The course syllabus contains changes
See changes

Course syllabus adopted 2021-10-18 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameHandleda och leda teknisk kommunikation: att förbättra kollegors kommunikationsförmåga
  • CodeFSP071
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerSPRAK
  • Education cycleSecond-cycle
  • DepartmentCOMMUNICATION AND LEARNING IN SCIENCE
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

The course round is cancelled. For further questions, please contact the director of studies
  • Teaching language English
  • Application code 99113
  • Maximum participants20
  • Minimum participants10
  • Open for exchange studentsYes

Credit distribution

0114 Written and oral assignments 7.5 c
Grading: TH		 4 c3.5 c

In programmes

Examiner

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Eligibility

General entry requirements for Master's level (second cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

English 6 (or by other approved means with the equivalent proficiency level)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Course specific prerequisites

Documented tertiary education in English such as FSP046; LSP505  or corresponding courses. For admission, a diagnostic test and/or an application portfolio may be required.

Aim

The course aims to prepare participants for a professional context of working with colleagues to improve language and communication in projects that involve advanced as well as popular communication of technical or scientific content.  The course also aims to establish the pedagogical tools and awareness required for effective supervision or tutoring of technical communication. The course provides the necessary background to work as a peer tutor in Chalmers Writing Centre (CWC)

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

  • effectively tutor students' communicative projects / assignments in technology related fields/disciplines
  • supervise colleagues and staff in their professional contexts of communicating technical content and information
  • self-assess and improve their own ability to communicate technical content effectively for multiple purposes and audiences
  • work as a peer tutor in Chalmers Writing Centre (CWC)

Content

The course consists of four main components in technical communication. The four components cover theory and analysis, improving one's own technical communication, tutoring practice, and finally planning and pursuing technical communication projects. Therefore, the course seminar contains a component of discussing and analysing samples of technical communication and recurring components and contexts of technical communication in general. This analysis draws on genre theory, activity theory, new rhetorics, and action learning lenses on communication. The subsequent two components provide the core of the course and focus on the participants improving their own technical communication and acquiring an ability to facilitate their peers' or colleagues' improvement of technical communication. The remaining component of the course offers a possibility for participants to define and develop a technical communications project within the scope of the course.

Organisation

The course meets twice a week for a four-hour seminar. In the second quarter, a portion of the seminar time is used for supervising the participants' technical communications projects. Within the seminar participants are also organised in different learning teams based on discipline, direction and focus.

Literature

The main literature on the course is the e-book resource for technical communication provided via the library.

Gillespie & Lerner, The Longman Guide to Peer Tutoring, Second Edition. (2008). New York: Pearson-Longman
An English learners' dictionary, like Macmillan English Dictionary for Advanced Learners (2nd edition) or Longman Exams Dictionary
Additional literature to be communicated via the course activity in pingpong

Recommended:

Anderson, Paul V. Technical Communication - A reader-centered approach. International student edition. Sixth Edition. (2007). Boston: Thomson-Wadsworth

Examination including compulsory elements

Portfolio assessment. The portfolio is compiled from the student's learning journal and the various compulsory assignments focussing on the analysis of technical communication; planning and implementing tutoring or supervision of technical communication; and the specific exploration of a more detailed study of facilitating technical communication within a defined area of academic or professional relevance. All assignments are feedbacked but only projects and the portfolio are graded fail, 3, 4, or 5.

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.

The course syllabus contains changes

  • Changes to course rounds:
    • 2021-10-29: Cancelled Changed to cancelled by PA
      [Course round 1] Cancelled