From: Norbert Elliot, Professor, Department of Humanities

Welcome Letter for English 640

If you are reading this memo, then you are trying to find our more about English 631: Health Communication. The seminar focuses on the following: the use of communication strategies to inform and influence individual and community decisions regarding health; the multidimensional nature of health communication; understanding empirical research in health communication; employing behavioral theories in health communication; employing rhetorical theories in health communication; employing legal and ethical concerns in health communication; understanding the communication of risk and uncertainty; and designing health campaigns. Students will be required (a) to research and prepare a health communication strategy for use in a specific context and (b) to design an accompanying print or hypertext document to be used that context.

So, how do you know if this particular DL course is for you? Answer each of the following questions by stating 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, Microsoft Power Point, and Microsoft Excel. 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 reading a textbook about various aspects of health communication, reading no fewer than six additional books, and analyzing no fewer than twenty peer-reviewed articles is an appropriate load for a graduate seminar.

3. I enjoy writing about complex social 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 persuasively and to document sources of information using MLA format, and I am confident I can complete the assigned work in the course in the assigned time frame.

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 subject matter, offered in a distance-learning format, then this is not the course for you.

If you elect to take this course, then I would be pleased 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 Eng 631

Date: (Insert Date of Completion)
To: Norbert Elliot, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Humanities (elliot@adm.njit.edu)
From: (Insert Your Name Here)
Subject: Agreement for Eng 631

I am registered for Eng 631.

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 realize that I will have to make very frequent use of the library in this seminar. If books must be obtained through inter-library loan, then I agree to make requests well in advance of an assignment's due date. I also agree to make sure I am equipped to use NJIT's on-line secure resources.

I understand that I will have to submit all assignments in MLA format.

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: