This is an archived course. A more recent version may be available at ocw.mit.edu.

Calendar

SES # TOPICS KEY DATES
1

Introduction

Technical Writing Style

In-class Writing Sample

2

What is Technology? What is Ethics?

Case Discussion: The Hyatt Regency Walkways Collapse

3

Discussion of "Can Technology Replace Social Engineering?"

Technical Writing Style (cont.)

Overview of Formal Paper 1: Explanation of a Term

Reading response due
4

Workshop: Reading Response

Introduction to Writing the Memo

Peer review workshop on reading response
5

Discussion of Carson's "The Obligation to Endure"

Case Discussion: XYZ Hose Company And The Case Of The Bursting Hose

Memo 1 due
6

Review of Drafts of Formal Paper 1

Correspondence: Letters and Cover Letters

Draft of formal paper 1 (definition paper) due
7

Case Discussion: Chernobyl

Discussion of "The Science of Scientific Writing"

Correspondence: Letters and Cover Letters (cont.)

Final draft of formal paper 1 (definition paper) due
8

Correspondence: Letters and Cover Letters (cont.)

Workshop: Cover Letter and Resume

Discussion of Eishtain and Karpati Readings

Preview of Next Major Assignment (Formal Paper 2: Critical Review)

Draft of cover letter and resume due

Peer review workshop for cover letter and resume

9

Individual Conferences, Goals, Scheduling

Case Discussion: DNA Structure

Discussion of Formal Paper 2: Critical Review

Final draft of cover letter and resume due
10

Workshop: Critical Review

Overview of 6 Articles

Overview of APA Citation Format

Draft of formal paper 2 (critical review) due

Peer review workshop on formal paper 2 (critical review)

11

Structuring the Critique

Writing a Summary

Citing Sources

Memo 2 due
12 The Abstract (Types of Abstracts, General Guidelines, Pieces of an Abstract) Final draft of formal paper 2 (critical review) due
13

Review Student Written Abstracts

Case Discussion: Tacoma Bridge Collapse

General Introduction to the Literature Review

Abstract due

Three potential topics for formal paper 3 (literature review) due

14

Case Discussion: Bhopal Disaster

Overview of Assignment Requirements for Formal Paper 3: Literature

Overview of Sample Literature Reviews

15 Library Visit Introduction to formal paper 3 (literature review) due
16

Overview of (More) Sample Literature Reviews

Structuring the Paper (Writing the Introduction, Body, and Conclusion)

17

Workshop: Literature Review

Case Discussion: The Ford Pinto Case

First draft of formal paper 3 (literature review) due

Peer review workshop on formal paper 3 (literature review)

18

Review of First Drafts (Abstracts, Section Headings, and Background vs. Content in a Literature Reviews)

Proposals: What is a Proposal?

19

Introduction to Debate Assignment

More on the Proposal Assignment

Technique for Writing Concisely

Final draft of formal paper 3 (literature review) due
20

Case Discussion: Whistleblowing

Requirements for the Proposal Assignment

Memo 3 due
21

The Debate

Workshop on Abstract, Background, and Problem Statement

Introduction (abstract, background, and problem statement) for formal paper 4 (proposal) due
22

Workshop: Proposal

Strategies for Effective Visual Aids

Case Discussion: Columbia Shuttle Disaster

Draft of formal paper 4 (proposal) due

Peer review workshop on formal paper 4 (proposal)

23 Individual Conferences Presentation visual aid due
24 Debates
25 Debates (cont.) Final draft of formal paper 4 (proposal) due
26

Overview of the Course

Course Evaluations