Texas Tech Graduate Courses in Technical Communication, Fall 2007

Distance Courses (section 270/1 or 370/1, ~6:00 – ~7:30 p.m.)  [Descriptions below]

Note: All online students register for section 270 or 71 except non-Texas-resident online doctoral students, who register for section 370 or 71.

On-campus Courses [Descriptions below]

All offerings from 1998 to the present are archived here.

Descriptions

English 5060 (Dr. Rice): History and Theory of College Composition

English 5060 is a 1-3 variable credit course which provides an introduction to the history and contemporary theories of composition and rhetoric studies. The course begins from the premise that good teachers are reflective teachers, and good teachers of writing are reflective teachers of writing. Students examine and reflect on the development of the field of composition over the last 40 years, focusing on seminal articles that represent the discipline. Students study readings about integrating basic writing, service-learning, online writing, revision, research writing, proofreading and editing, portfolios, and assessment rubrics within the context of composition in general and TTU's composition program specifically. And just as the field of composition integrates new media tools in its construction, presentation, and assessment, so too will students in this course. http://richrice.com/5060

English 5060 (Dr. Rickly): History and Theory of College Composition

English 5363: Research Methods in Composition and Technical Communication

http://www.faculty.english.ttu.edu/baake/5363/default_5363_syllabus_2005.htm

English 5364: History of Rhetoric

English 5364 in the fall of 2007 will cover an historical period in the study of Rhetoric often overlooked, that which falls between classical Rhetoric (400 BC-400 AD) and the rise of neo-classical Rhetoric in the nineteenth century. Modern attitudes toward Rhetoric were strongly influenced by these “middle years,” which set the stage for the creation of university English departments in the mid-nineteenth century. The course will begin with a brief review of classical Rhetoric and continue through the writing and educational theories of, among others, Augustine, Boethius, Christine De Pizan, Geoffrey of Vinsauf, Erasmus, Peter Ramus, Francis Bacon, John Locke, David Hume, and Hugh Blair. An interesting addition will be Cheryl Glenn’s Rhetoric Retold: Regendering the Tradition from Antiquity Through the Renaissance. Other texts for the course include J. J. Murphy’s Rhetoric in the Middle Ages: a History of Rhetorical Theory from Saint Augustine to the Renaissance, and Bizzell and Herzberg’s The Rhetorical Tradition: Readings from Classical Times to the Present, 2nd Edition (2006). Students will contribute regularly to a wiki discussion of the principal ideas arising in 5364 and write a term paper further researching the subject.

English 5371 (Dr. St. Amant): Foundations of Technical Communication (online)

The purpose of this course is to provide you with the foundational knowledge needed to become a member of the academic field of technical communication. This foundation includes an understanding of major trends and concepts in the field and familiarity with key scholars and central works in the field. This knowledge base also involves a familiarity with the genres and venues scholars use to share ideas with individuals in academia and industry. To achieve these objectives, you will complete a series of required readings, formal assignments, and class discussions. These activities will provide you with an introductory understanding of what the field of technical communication is, how it has changed and will continue to change, and how you can effectively participate in or contribute to this field.

Required Text: Johndan Johnson-Eilola and Stuart A. Selber, eds. Central Works in Technical Communication. Oxford University Press, 2004. (ISBN: 0-19-515705-2)

Syllabus for Previous Version of Course (Fall 05): http://www.faculty.english.ttu.edu/stamant/ENGL5371/

English 5371 (Dr. Barker): Foundations of Technical Communication (Onsite)

This course takes a foundational approach to the field of technical communication that will prepare students for future work in this program and in the field.  This course provides all the background information you need to answer the following question will be provided:  "What would the world be like without technical communication?"  Not only that, you will be able to answer it well and with authority.  We will cover the elements of knowledge making represented by research methods, workplace subjects and issues, and genres and media that constitute the field of technical communication.    We will also look at the theoretical perspectives that guide our work and teaching, including traditions of rhetoric, social theories, and media theories.  The course will also prepare you to look to the issues that technical communication faces as a growing field:  the interaction of industry practitioners and academic practitioners.  Assignments will focus on reflective analysis of readings, discussions, and collaborative and individual projects.

Required Texts:

Johnson-Eilola, Johndan and Stuart A. Selber, eds. Central Works in Technical Communication. Oxford University Press, 2004. (ISBN: 0-19-515705-2)

Mirel, Barbara and Rachel Spilka, eds.  Reshaping Technical Communication:  New Directions and Challenges for the 21st Century, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 2002 (ISBN: 0-8058-3517-2

Syllabus for Previous Version of Course: http://www.faculty.english.ttu.edu/barker/5371

English 5371 (Dr. Baehr): Foundations of Technical Communication (Online)

This course takes a foundational approach to the field of technical communication that will prepare students for future work in this program and in the field.  This course provides all the background information you need to answer the following question will be provided:  "What would the world be like without technical communication?"  Not only that, you will be able to answer it well and with authority.  We will cover the elements of knowledge making represented by research methods, workplace subjects and issues, and genres and media that constitute the field of technical communication.    We will also look at the theoretical perspectives that guide our work and teaching, including traditions of rhetoric, social theories, and media theories.  The course will also prepare you to look to the issues that technical communication faces as a growing field:  the interaction of industry practitioners and academic practitioners.  Assignments will focus on reflective analysis of readings, discussions, and collaborative and individual projects.

English 5373: Technical Manuals

English 5374:  Technical Editing

In this class, students will learn how to edit technical documents, from proofreading for errors at the surface to ensuring that the document contains appropriate content, organization, and visuals for its audiences. Students will also learn how to use traditional editing marks, editing functions within word processors, and principles of layout and design. Finally, students will learn about the profession of editing and develop pieces to support their careers.

http://www.faculty.english.ttu.edu/Eaton/current_stu/curr_stud_main.htm

English 5375: Document Design

To get a sense of the syllabus for 5375 in fall 07, please see the following site, which holds the fall 06 syllabus for that course: https://teachingtechcomm.pbwiki.com/DocDesignFall06. Use this password: ttutcr.

English 5377:  Theory and Research in Health Communication

Materials available at http://www.amykoerber.com/Moodle. You can log in as guests without a password.

English 5377-270/370: Intercultural Communication

Through a variety of lectures, discussions, in-class exercises, and graded assignments, you will gain an understanding of how culture can affect presentation styles and expectations–-particularly in relation to online communication. Through this multi-part approach, you will gain an understanding of foundational concepts in intercultural communication, acquire the skills needed to communicate with members of other cultures, and learn how to apply your knowledge and skills in the design of materials-–particularly online materials-–for audiences from different cultures.

Required Text: Geert Hofstede and Gert Jan Hofstede. (2005). Cultures and Organizations, Software of the Mind: Intercultural Cooperation and Its Importance for Survival 2nd ed. New York: McGraw Hill. (ISBN: 0-07-143959-5)

Syllabus for Previous Version of Course (Summer 06): http://www.faculty.english.ttu.edu/stamant/ENGL5377/