Gustav Verhulsdonck
New Mexico State University
Department of English
MSC 3E, PO Box 30001
(505) 646-3931
gustav@nmsu.edu

English 218 - Technical and Scientific Communication

This course emphasizes professional development in terms of writing, presentations, and critical thinking skills. This class is intended to teach various aspects of technical and scientific communication , i.e. resume and cover letter writing, document design, usability, web authoring, and feasibility/empirical report writing. The assignments in the class are primarily focused on furthering your communicative practices and experiences in document design, visual and textual rhetoric, online communication, teamwork, oral presentations, and general ethical practices in technical and scientific communications. You will have to create a job application letter and curriculum vitae, review and analyze a professional document in a  journal used in your field of studies, create a tutorial that explains a set of instructions to a user, create a website, and finally, write a community-based group proposal that helps to solve a communicative need or issue of a particular social organization within the community.

Course Description

This course is designed to help you become proficient at technical communication in both academic and professional settings. Individually and collaboratively, you will produce a variety of documents designed to help you:

  • Develop critical thinking

  • Develop a professional writing style

  • Understand what constitutes effective document design

  • Create online content for specific purposes

  • Produce quality documents in a team setting  

  • Gain experience in a variety of desktop applications that will enhance your communicative practices  

  • Gain experience in creating and delivering oral presentations

Required Text and Materials

  • Johnson-Sheehan, R. (2005). Technical Communication Today. New York: Longman.

  • 2 floppy disks, formatted for PC (one for projects, the other as backup save – remember to always save your projects on a floppy, because computers are known to crash)

  • A binder for storing projects

  • Folder with pockets that you will use throughout the semester when turning in projects

Optional Text

  • Alred, et al. Technical Writer’s Handbook. 7th edition. Boston : Bedford/St. Martin's, 2003.

Additional Requirements

Official NMSU e-mail account (these can be requested through ICT)

Prerequisite

Successful completion of English 111 or its equivalent is a prerequisite for enrolling in English 218.

 © 2004 Gustav Verhulsdonck