77851778Communications for Service
Course Information
Description
This course builds college level reading and writing skills. Students build and strengthen skills through vocabulary development, word analysis, outlining and critical thinking. Students also learn the steps of the writing process, documentation, grammar and punctuation. All materials are contextualized for service careers such as fire protection, criminal justice, early childhood education and human services.
Total Credits
4
Course Competencies
  1. Apply advanced active reading strategies for complex texts
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, oral presentation, quiz and/or test
    Criteria
    Use visual features of text such as headings, bolded print, graphics and text structures to aid in comprehension
    Adjust reading strategies and speed to match set purpose
    Describe the overall structure (e.g., chronology, comparison, cause/effect, and problem/solution) of events, ideas, or information in a text or part of a text
    Utilize a note-taking system
    Comprehend texts, of appropriate complexity, independently and proficiently
    Interpret a range of culturally diverse printed and electronically generated materials

  2. Use academic and domain-specific vocabulary to comprehend and communicate complex ideas
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, quiz and/or test
    Criteria
    Determine the meaning of words and phrases accurately, used in various sources of communication
    Vocabulary choice is accurate when choosing a word or phrase important to comprehension
    Interpret common Greek and Latin affixes accurately, as clues for the meanings of words

  3. Infer meaning from various sources using text evidence
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, quiz and/or test
    Criteria
    Inferences are logical and supported by evidence
    Identify implied main ideas/central points based on text evidence
    Meaning is interpreted/inferred accurately

  4. Explain how stated and implied main ideas are supported by details
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, oral presentation, quiz and/or test
    Criteria
    Distinguish between main idea, major and minor details in a variety of texts
    Locate stated main idea or central point of a variety of texts
    Distinguish the patterns and organizational structures of main ideas in texts
    Locate text evidence to support implied main ideas
    Summaries of main ideas and major details are accurate

  5. Apply critical thinking skills
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, quiz and/or test
    Criteria
    Identify where two or more texts provide conflicting information and disagree on matters of fact or interpretation
    Evaluate the quality of information sources
    Distinguish between facts and opinions

  6. Apply rules of sentence mechanics
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, oral presentation, quiz and/or test
    Criteria
    Write complete sentences
    Apply capitalization rules
    Use commas in dates and in lists
    Use end punctuation
    Use a variety sentence structures—sentence types, introductory words and phrases
    Punctuate different types of sentences (commas, semicolons, quotation marks, etc.)
    Edit sentences for intended meaning
    Use parts of speech correctly
    Use proper subject/verb agreement
    Edit for consistency of verb tense
    Correct irregular verb errors
    Use proper pronouns
    Correct fragments and run-on errors

  7. Examine social expectations for written expression; audience, purpose and tone
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, quiz and/or test
    Criteria
    Identify the different purposes of writing
    Recognize variations of English as legitimate forms of expression in verbal or written formats
    Differentiate between academic and workplace forms of written communication and informal written communication
    Identify audience for various texts
    Identify the purpose for various texts
    Evaluate intended tone for various texts
    Evaluate effectiveness of various texts
    Apply strategies of audience, purpose, and tone in written product
    Apply standards of sector-specific communication forms to written product
    Apply strategies for effective, inclusive, and positive communication in written product
    Identify strategies for completing writing tasks in a timely manner

  8. Create written documents
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, quiz and/or test
    Criteria
    Use the writing process: prewriting, writing, revising, proofreading, and submitting
    Written document communicates ideas clearly
    Topic of written document/essay is relevant to self and audience
    Prewriting document includes information in the form of an organized outline
    Written document includes topic sentences in structured paragraphs
    Written document provides adequate, relevant support in paragraphs
    Written document uses transitional words or phrases and patterns of organization
    Written document follows the structure of an essay
    Differentiate between thesis statements and topic sentences
    Apply rhetorical forms to written expression
    Apply sector-specific occupational format to written expression
    Apply strategies for revision/editing

  9. Acquire basic strategies for giving, receiving, and incorporating feedback
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, tutor or peer session
    Criteria
    Recognize terminology needed for verbal or written feedback
    Distinguish forms of feedback
    Determine appropriate feedback in given situations
    Practice strategies for giving positive verbal or written feedback
    Practice strategies for responding to verbal or written feedback
    Incorporate feedback into your written product

  10. Write evidence-based documents utilizing the writing process
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, quiz and/or test
    Criteria
    Written document includes credible source material
    Written document is not plagiarized
    Written document includes a Works Cited page in MLA style
    Written document includes accurate paraphrasing, summarizing and/or quoting using MLA style
    Written document includes direct and indirect quotations

  11. Acquire basic technology skills
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, skill demonstration
    Criteria
    Apply standard text formatting to written product
    Navigate various Blackboard tools: blogs, journals, emails, wikis, discussion board, online live classroom, tests/quizzes, and uploading written product
    Use Internet browser to locate research sources
    Use library databases to locate research sources