WRTC 100. Reading and Writing Workshop. 3 credits. Offered fall. An introduction to writing process and structure in a workshop setting. This is an elective course for students who want to select an introductory-level college writing course before taking GWRTC 103.
GWRTC 103. Critical Reading and Writing. 3 credits. Offered fall and spring. The course emphasizes the process of constructing a focused, logical, coherent, well-supported thesis or point of view. The students will employ research and formal documentation to produce writing stylistically appropriate to its audience, purpose and occasion. The course also places emphasis on editing for clarity and control of conventions. Instruction in writing and research includes critical analysis of primary and secondary sources through a series of reading and writing assignments. Students are prepared to use reading and writing in their personal, academic and civic lives. GWRTC 103, or its equivalent, fulfills the General Education Cluster One writing requirement and is a prerequisite for all WRTC courses numbered 200 or above.
WRTC 200. Introduction to Studies in Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication. 3 credits. Offered fall and spring. WRTC 200 introduces students to the field of writing, rhetoric, and technical communication. Emphasis is placed on the history of writing as a technology. Primary topics include the role of rhetoric in academic, professional, and public writing contexts; writing for digital environments; and writing for and designing print and online publications. Prerequisite: GWRTC 103 or equivalent.
WRTC 210. Introduction to Technical and Scientific Communication. 3 credits. Offered fall and spring. Introduction to the central components of technical and scientific communication, including technical summaries, definitions, descriptions, instructions, reports, correspondence and proposals. Examines the process of planning, researching, producing and revising technical and scientific communications attuned to specific audiences and directed by clearly defined purposes.
WRTC 211. Written Argumentation. 3 credits. Offered fall and spring. An advanced course in the development and analysis of argumentative strategies across a range of academic, professional and popular writing contexts. Emphasis will be given to classical and contemporary rhetorical theory as applied to the cultural, historical, disciplinary and professional bases for written communication. Prerequisite: GWRTC 102, GWRTC 103, or equivalent.
WRTC 220. Rhetorical Traditions. 3 credits. Offered fall and spring. An introduction to historical rhetoric and its relationship to reading, writing, and speaking in modern contexts. Emphasis will be placed on defining rhetoric -- its traditions, terms, and enduring realms of influence. Prerequisite: GWRTC 102, GWRTC 103, or equivalent.
WRTC 230. Research in Technical and Scientific Communication. 3 credits. Offered fall and spring. Introduction to research methodologies used in technical and scientific communication, covering techniques for collecting information or data through primary and secondary sources. Includes evaluation of information from print and online sources for accuracy, usefulness and credibility, as well as the skillful integration of source material into reports. Fulfills the College of Arts and Letters writing-intensive requirement for the major. Prerequisite or corequisite: WRTC 210.
WRTC 240. Technical and Scientific Editing. 3 credits. Offered fall and spring. Introduction to the central responsibilities of editors when guiding a document through the editorial process, including establishing the need, purpose and scope of a document; developing levels of edit; copyediting; conducting substantive edits; determining document design; editing graphic aids; collaborating with authors; and proofreading. Prerequisite or corequisite: WRTC 210.
WRTC 250. Ethical and Legal Issues in Technical and Scientific Communication. 3 credits. Study of the ethical and legal issues confronted by technical communicators in a range of fields. Examines the role of ethics in the field, the nexus of ethics and the law, ethical theories and critical thinking in moral reasoning, falsification of information or data, ownership of information, confidentiality, copyright and trademark laws, conflicts of interest, and causes of unethical behavior. Prerequisite: WRTC 210, WRTC 220 or permission of the instructor.
WRTC/ENG 290. Intermediate Composition. 3 credits. Offered fall and spring. This course stresses the argumentative and persuasive essay as well as grammar and usage. Prerequisite: GWRTC 102, GWRTC 103, or equivalent.
WRTC 310. Studies in Literacy. 3 credits. Offered fall and spring. An advanced research and writing course designed to explore the important role that literacy plays in society. Students will examine the concept of literacy through historical, political, sociological, educational and cross-cultural lenses. Prerequisite: GWRTC 102, GWRTC 103 or equivalent.
WRTC 311. Rhetorical Analysis. 3 credits. Study of how writers and editors in technical and scientific communication structure the semantics and syntax of language to achieve rhetorical objectives. Examines methods for applying principles of effective rhetoric to the design and writing of documents in the field. Emphasizes extensive textual analysis of rhetorical models and work-world documents. Prerequisite: WRTC 210 or WRTC 220 and WRTC 230, or permission of the instructor.
WRTC 320. Writing in the Public Sphere. 3 credits. Offered fall and spring. Students will conduct a rhetorical examination of written texts that influenced and brought about change in the public sphere. Prerequisite: GWRTC 102, GWRTC 103, or equivalent.
WRTC 322. Making a Difference: Service Learning Writing. 3 credits. Offered fall. Using readings and community service, this course explores political and social activism through writing and rhetoric. Combines theory and writing with hands-on projects in the community Prerequisite: GWRTC 102, GWRTC 103, or equivalent.
WRTC 325. The Rhetoric and Practice of the Personal Narrative. 3 credits. Examination of the rhetorical elements of personal narrative within the broader context of creative nonfiction. Students will read examples of personal narratives ranging from essays to longer memoirs and autobiographies, in order to examine questions related to purpose, audience, voice, and style. Discussion will include what makes a piece of writing personal, what makes it a narrative, and types of personal narrative, as well as ways to make personal narrative more effective by using fictional techniques, such as scenes, dialogue, conflict, and sensory detail. Prerequisite: GWRTC 102, GWRTC 103, or equivalent.
WRTC 330. Intercultural Technical and Scientific Communication. 3 credits. Introduction to effects of culture on technical and scientific communication, both in print and online, including a consideration of audience, context, language, page or screen design, graphics and use of color. Examines basic models of culture used in intercultural communication including management considerations, teamwork and translation issues. Prerequisites: WRTC 210 or WRTC 220 and WRTC 230.
WRTC 331. Technology and Writing. 3 credits. Offered once a year. An advanced research and writing course that explores the interrelationships of technology, literacy and society. Students will examine the influences of past, present and future technological innovations on our practices as readers and writers. Students may have the opportunity to compose in hypertext and multi-media environments. This course is writing-intensive. Prerequisites: GWRTC 102, GWRTC 103, or equivalent.
WRTC 340. Teaching Writing. 3 credits. Offered fall and spring. The course introduces students to the major philosophies, theories, and pedagogies of teaching writing. Special attention is devoted to such practical matters as understanding and developing effective writing assignments, methods of responding to student texts-in-progress and evaluating writing. Prerequisite: GWRTC 102, GWRTC 103, or equivalent.
WRTC 341. Composing Processes. 3 credits. Students will learn current composing theories through reading and responding to the major theorists in the field. Students will study the foundational principles of writing processes as applicable to pedagogical, academic, and professional contexts. Prerequisite: GWRTC 102, GWRTC 103, or equivalent.
WRTC/SCOM 343. Contemporary Rhetorical Theory and Practice. 3 credits. A research-infused course that familiarizes students with the major theories, trends, and figures in contemporary rhetoric. Students will study the foundational principles of contemporary rhetorical theory and their applications in academic, professional, and civic contexts. Prerequisite: GWRTC 102, GWRTC 103, or equivalent.
WRTC 345. Tutoring Writing. 3 credits. Offered fall and spring. This writing-intensive course integrates the theory and practice of tutoring writing in academic settings and is suited for preparing tutors and teachers who will use writing across the disciplines. The course includes an internship in a campus writing center and provides students opportunities to develop as writers, scholars and professionals. Students will be eligible for, but not guaranteed, employment in a university writing center. Prerequisites: GWRTC 102, GWRTC 103 or equivalent; WRTC 210 or WRTC 220; or permission of instructor.
WRTC 350. Science and Technology in Literature. 3 credits. Exploration of the ongoing dialogue between science, technology and literature through the reading of literary responses to the effects of such technologies and resulting social phenomena as machine production, urbanization, quantum mechanics, computerization, genetic engineering and the alienation of the worker. Prerequisites: WRTC 210 or WRTC 220 and WRTC 230, or permission of the instructor.
WRTC/SCOM 351. Visual Rhetoric. 3 credits. Offered fall and spring. A study of the rhetorical foundations of visual and verbal arguments in academic disciplines and popular culture. Students will analyze and produce visual and verbal arguments in a variety of rhetorical contexts. Prerequisites: GWRTC 103 and any 100-level communication studies course or permission of the instructor.
WRTC 355. Digital Rhetoric. 3 credits. A research and writing intensive course devoted to the theory and practice of rhetoric in digital environments. Students will examine current philosophies and approaches to digital and multimedia composing and develop multimedia, multi-genre, and interactive works. Prerequisites: GWRTC 103, WRTC 200 AND WRTC 240, WRTC 210 or WRTC 211, or permission of the instructor.
WRTC 360. Instructional Design and Training. 3 credits. Introduction to principles of instructional design, especially as they are applied to technical and scientific training programs in the public and private sector. Emphasizes audience analysis, client relations, oral presentation skills, training tools, integration of visual aids and evaluation techniques. Includes both online and in-person approaches to training. Prerequisites: WRTC 210 or WRTC 220 and WRTC 230.
WRTC 395. Practicum. 1-2 credits per semester, repeatable up to 6 credits. Offered fall and spring. Students will engage in practical experience opportunities in the field of Writing, Rhetoric, and Technical Communication. Students may apply no more than 3 practicum credit hours toward completion of WRTC major or minor requirements. Prerequisites: GWRTC 103 or equivalent and permission of instructor.
WRTC/ENG 396. Advanced Composition. 3 credits. Offered fall and spring. Extensive exercises in expository writing, with emphasis on rhetorical types of composition, designed to develop sophistication of style in the student's writing. Prerequisite: GWRTC 102, GWRTC 103, or equivalent.
WRTC 400. Special Topics Seminar in Rhetoric and Writing. 3 credits. Offered fall and spring. A focused, in-depth study of specific areas or subjects in rhetoric and composition. Topics may pertain to issues relevant to the discipline, to the study of particular rhetorical theories and practices or to the study of significant figures in the field. Seminars may be repeated for credit when course content changes. Prerequisites: WRTC 210 and WRTC 220, or permission of instructor.
WRTC 410. Government Writing. 3 credits. Study of writing genres from a variety of fields within government. Examines the purposes, audiences and formats unique to government publications. Directs students in writing original and editing existing government documents. Prerequisites: WRTC 210 or WRTC 220, WRTC 230, and WRTC 240; or permission of the instructor.
WRTC 411. Legal Writing. 3 credits. Study of central components of legal writing, such as the use of legal search tools; representation of facts and evidence; statutory and secondary authority; legal periodicals; citation form; and drafting letters, memoranda, and case briefs. Addresses such key rhetorical elements of legal documents as clarity and conciseness of style, coherent and unified organization, level of diction, jargon, passive voice and errors in person. Prerequisites: WRTC 210 or WRTC 220, WRTC 230, and WRTC 240; or permission of the instructor.
WRTC 412. Medical Writing. 3 credits. Study of the theory and practice of writing about technical and scientific information in medical and health science fields. Examines the role of the medical writer in medical and health care professions, the ethical issues involved in medical writing, and writing clear and concise documentation. Emphasizes writing about medical practices for non technical audiences such as patients and their families. Prerequisites: WRTC 210 or WRTC 220, WRTC 230, and WRTC 240; or permission of the instructor.
WRTC 413. Proposal Writing. 3 credits. Study of the planning and writing of proposals with emphasis on informal (i.e., business) proposals. Covers proposal strategies that address central components of a successful proposal. Students work on real and client-based proposals. Prerequisites: WRTC 210 or WRTC 220, WRTC 230, and WRTC 240; or permission of the instructor.
WRTC/SCOM/WMST 420. Feminist Rhetorics. 3 credits. Surveys key women figures in classical and contemporary rhetorical traditions and challenges the strategies used to historicize this tradition from feminist perspectives. Explores diverse feminist rhetorical discourses informed by race, sexual orientation, ethnicity and social class. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing.
WRTC 421. Studies in Cultural Rhetorics. 3 credits. Offered fall and spring. The course will investigate the ways in which definitions of our identity (including class, gender, race and ethnicity, sexuality, nature, and religion, among others) acquire cultural significance through written and symbolic expression. Students will examine a variety of different "texts" from a range of theoretical perspectives. Prerequisites: WRTC 210 and WRTC 220, or permission of instructor.
WRTC 430. Style and Stylistics. 3 credits. An advanced writing intensive study of stylistic history, theory and practice. The course acquaints students with the origins and history of different writing styles, current stylistic theory and practice, and gives them the opportunity to write in different styles, including experimental ones. Students will analyze the relationship between rhetoric and writing style and analyze and produce stylistically diverse pieces of academic, public, and personal writing. Prerequisites: WRTC 210 and WRTC 220 or permission of instructor.
WRTC 450. User Documentation. 3 credits. Study of theory and practice on computer documentation for end users. Emphasizes documentation design and production, online documentation, usability testing, and writing of users' guides. Prerequisites: WRTC 210 or WRTC 220, WRTC 230, and WRTC 240; or permission of the instructor.
WRTC 451. Publications Management. 3 credits, Addresses the management, preparation and editorial policy of professional publications. Students collaborate to examine managerial and editorial responsibilities such as defining editorial policy and management roles, and creating document publication schedules. Page preparation in Adobe InDesign will be covered. Prerequisites: WRTC 210 or WRTC 220, WRTC 230 and WRTC 240, or permission of director.
WRTC 452. Student Publications. 3 credits. Addresses the management, preparation and editorial policy of professional publications, with an emphasis on participation in the creation of significant technical communication work. Students collaborate on editorial policy and management roles, create publication schedules, review and edit submissions for publication, and collaborate with authors. Students will use Microsoft Project. Prerequisites: WRTC 210 or WRTC 220, WRTC 230, and WRTC 240 or permission of director.
WRTC 455. Managerial and Entrepreneurial Communication. 3 credits. Advanced study of the function of technical communication in management. Students learn to conduct research about business cultures and to select communication channels for technical and scientific messages. Students develop communications for supervising, managing, and representing technical or scientific communication units within various types of industrial and knowledge development organizations. They learn to measure and communicate the value added to an organization through technical communication. Prerequisites: WRTC 210 or WRTC 220, WRTC 230, and WRTC 240; or permission of instructor.
WRTC 460. Beginning Topics in Online Publication. 3 credits. Beginning study and creation of online publications, including Web sites. Introduces graphics programs used by Web designers. Emphasizes principles in designing and coding. Prerequisites: WRTC 210 or WRTC 220, WRTC 230, and WRTC 240. Approval of the director required.
WRTC 461. Intermediate Topics in Online Publication. 3 credits. Intermediate study of online publications, building upon the skills and knowledge gained in WRTC 460. Emphasizes the tools for creating, assessing and maintaining electronic data. Prerequisite: WRTC 460 or approval of the director.
WRTC 462. Advanced Topics in Online Publication. 3 credits. Advanced study of online publications. Emphasizes advanced design and coding techniques using current materials and skills. Prerequisite: WRTC 461 or approval of the director.
WRTC 480. Special Topics in Technical and Scientific Communication. 1-3 credits. Advanced course work focusing on a topic in technical and scientific communication not covered in sufficient detail in normal course offerings. Courses can include practical, theoretical, literary or pedagogical topics in technical and scientific communication. May be repeated when course content changes. Prerequisites: WRTC 210 or WRTC 220, WRTC 230, and WRTC 240; or permission of instructor. Approval of the director required.
WRTC 481. Beginning Web Theory and Design. 3 credits. Beginning study of Web theory and design, such as audience, purpose, structure, accessibility, content and its components, design and its components, and usability. Emphasizes design principles for online technical publications. Prerequisites: WRTC 210 or WRTC 220, WRTC 230, and WRTC 240. Approval of the director required.
WRTC 482. Advanced Web Theory and Design. 3 credits. Advanced study of Web theory and design. Focuses on the business of Web design. Emphasizes theories of evaluating, revising and maintaining Web sites; searching for the Web developer job; negotiating client contracts; creating the Web team; managing the Web project; and learning the advantages and disadvantages of various technological tools technical communicators use on the job. Prerequisite: WRTC 481 or approval of the instructor.
WRTC 490. Advanced Independent Study in Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication. 1-3 credits. Individualized projects in writing, rhetoric, and technical communication. Available only to junior or senior majors, though exceptions may be made at the directors discretion. May be repeated with the director's approval when course content changes. Prerequisites: WRTC 210 or WRTC 220, WRTC 230, and WRTC 240; or permission of the instructor. Enrollment is contingent upon faculty and departmental approval.
WRTC 495. Internship in Technical and Scientific Communication. 3 credits. Work-world experience within industry, government or the university in technical or scientific communication. Designed to allow students to incorporate field experience with WRTC course work through internships in government, business, industry or education where they can observe communication processes and apply effective written, interpersonal and public communication skills. Prerequisites: WRTC 210 or WRTC 220, WRTC 230, WRTC 240, and permission of the instructor. Should be taken in senior year and cannot be repeated.
WRTC 499. Honors. 6 credits. Offered fall and spring. Year course.