English Technical Communication (ETC)

ETC 200  Introduction to Technical Communication     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

Course Description: Workshop in technical style emphasizing shorter forms of technical writing as well as proposals and reports. Students are introduced to processes for producing documents in workplace, technical, and professional settings. They will also apply word processing software appropriate software for completing work professionally, including basics of graphics, styles, format, and layout. ETC 200 fulfills the second half of the general studies requirement in Written Communications. Prerequisite(s): A grade of C or higher in ENG 104.

CORE 42: MOTR ENGL 110; Technical Writing (attribute MO21)

ETC 210  Introduction to Digital Humanities     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Departmental Discretion.

Course Description: Introduction to creating, publishing and working with information and ideas as they relate to emerging forms of humanities, scholarly production, and digital methodologies. The course introduces the basic vocabulary of concepts and tools in digital humanities, and will acquaint students with critical work, resources in the field, and hands-on experience, including environments and tools for producing, curating, and interacting with knowledge that is "born digital" and lives in various digital contexts. Student projects will integrate the investigation, analysis, synthesis and presentation of information in electronic form.

ETC 224  Web Content and Design     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Fall.

Course Description: Students will learn the elements of effective writing for screen-based textual content in internet and intranet environments, using HTML and appropriate software to create both personal and professional Web sites to gain valuable hands-on experience. Introduces overview of context provider issues, including usability, intellectual property, security, access, database content language, writing and design. Prerequisite(s): ENG 104.

ETC 316  Internship in Technical Communication     Credits: 2-6

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

Course Description: Practical application of technical and organizational communication skills in a professional setting; correlates academic preparation with supervision in a work experience (30 clock hours of work for each hour of credit). May be repeated for a total of 12 credit hours. Prerequisite(s): Junior or senior standing and departmental approval.

ETC 326  Document Design     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Spring.

Course Description: A computer workshop course involving graphic design and production of attractive and effective advertisements, brochures, newsletters, and magazine spreads. The course will provide instruction in design software and computer peripherals such as electronic scanners and digital photography.

ETC 328  Multimedia Authoring     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Spring (odd-numbered years).

Course Description: An advanced class which outlines the history, principles and theories of multimedia. This course examines how elements of text, sound, video, animations and graphics work together to produce electronic products for the Web, CD/DVD and other distribution formats. Students learn appropriate multimedia software to create individual or small group multimedia projects.

ETC 335  Selected Studies in Professional Writing     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Departmental Discretion.

Course Description: Practice in a specific field or genre of professional, technical, or scientific writing. Representative topics: "Science Writing," Writing for the Health Professions," "Report Writing," "Writing White Papers." Prerequisite(s): ENG 108 or ENG 112.

ETC 340  Content and Design for Technical Communication     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Departmental Discretion.

Course Description: Introduction to basic principles of content design for digital environments. Students will learn best practices for document and web layout, planning, drafting, and revision, with an emphasis on creating documents and web content appropriate to professional and organizational communication. Other topics may include usability, intellectual property, security, access, and the use of industry standard tools and software.

ETC 408  Technical Editing     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Departmental Discretion.

Course Description: Emphasis on the role of the editor in organizational settings, including creating successful writer/editor collaboration. Practice in editing documents for grammar, syntax, organization, style, emphasis, document design, graphics, and user-centered design. Introduction to technology for creating, publishing and distributing technical documents.

ETC 420  Technical Documentation     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Spring (odd-numbered years).

Course Description: Practice in creating procedures and instructions. Includes current issues and applications in the production, evaluation, and dissemination of technical documents. Prerequisite(s): ETC 200.

ETC 421  Research and Practice in Technical Communication     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Departmental Discretion.

Course Description: An interdisciplinary perspective applying cultural studies, ethnography, critical linguistics, stylistics, discourse analysis and media studies to technical and professional fields. Includes issues for writing for the global marketplace such as writing for translation and designing materials to comply with conventions and expectations of other cultures. Prerequisite(s): ETC 200.

ETC 424  Instructional Design     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Departmental Discretion.

Course Description: Practice creating and testing instructions, user guides, and training materials for multiple digital platforms such as webhelp, wikis, e-books, and mobile applications. Students will learn skills and concepts such as modular writing, information design, instructional design, and single sourcing. Prerequisite(s): ETC 200.

ETC 450  Independent Research/Project     Credits: 1-5

Typically Offered: Departmental Discretion.

Course Description: Investigation of a research problem, project, or topic on an individual conference basis. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite(s): Minimum of 2.5 GPA in major field and departmental approval.