From: Norbert Elliot, Professor, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences

Welcome Letter for PTC 620: Proposal Writing

If you are reading this memo, then you are trying to find our more about the PTC 620, a graduate seminar in proposal writing.

In any organization, your success depends on your ability to write persuasively. Today, proposal writing is an industry: divisions of organizations are devoted to a single aim: to win competitive awards through compelling documents. This course will prepare you for your role in that challenging world.

We begin in this course by exploring theories of persuasion from ancient to contemporary times, and we will continue our study through modern theories of stakeholder analysis. With this overview in mind, we will then dedicate ourselves to preparing a proposal for a specific audience. While we will analyze sample documents, our major emphasis will be on the development of a proposal that will, hopefully, be used by you in your own organization.

So, how do you know if this particular DL course is for you? Answer each of the following questions by thinking if you strongly agree, agree, don't know, disagree, or strongly disagree with each of the following five statements:

1. I am very familiar with using the computer as a tool of learning. That is, I am fluent with the Microsoft Word and Microsoft Power Point. I am at ease exploring the world wide web. I am able to use the NJIT library for searching and retrieval of electronic sources of information, as well as for interlibrary loan of traditional print sources. And I am able to download and upload documents to a server such as Web-CT.

2. I think that defining a proposal topic, performing the research on that topic, and completing a formal proposal is a kind of exercise that I will find both enjoyable and useful.

3. I enjoy writing about ideas and discussing them in groups.

4. I am committed to distance learning as a mode of education. That is, I am prepared to visit the course website daily and post my observations in discussion groups. If technical problems arise, I will not let these stand in the way of obtaining material and submitting work.

5. I think of myself as a competent writer. That is, I am able to write fluently and persuasively.

If you were able to answer that you strongly agree or agree with each of these five statements, then this course would suit you well. If, however, you were not able to affirm your devotion to this type of seminar, offered in a distance-learning format, then this is not the course for you.

If you elect to take this course, then I would love to have you enroll. So that I can better prepare the course with you in mind, please complete the following agreement and e-mail it to me as soon as your registration is confirmed. As soon as I receive the form, I will write back to you.

Thank you for considering this course.

Course Agreement Form for English 620: Proposal Writing

Date: (Insert Date of Completion)
To: Norbert Elliot, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences (elliot@adm.njit.edu)
From: (Insert Your Name Here)
Subject: Agreement for PTC 620

I am registered for PTC 620.

I have read the NJIT Academic Honor Code and agree to follow its contents. http://www.njit.edu/Student/handbook/98/polinfo/honorcode.html

I have graduate student status.

I have read the syllabus and understand the amount and quality of reading, research, and writing required in the seminar.

I agree to have the required books and CDs in my possession within 24 hours of the first day of class. (I also understand that it is preferable to have these materials in hand before the course begins.)

I understand that I must be an active participant in this course.

I understand the I must submit all assignments on their due date.

Please complete the following questions:
Name (please print):
Email address:
Degree or Certificate Sought::
Expected Date of Graduation:
Preferred Phone Number:
Reason for taking this particular PTC graduate course: