Fall 2007 CM 402-01 / EH 401-01/501-01, Theory and Practice in Technical Communication

Professor:Dr. Rose Norman
Office: Morton 222B (256/824-2373; fax 824-2387).
Office Hours: Mon., Tues., 1-5 pm; Wed., Fri., 8:30 am-12:30 pm; Thurs., 1-2:30, and by appointment
Email: normanr@uah.edu 

Catalog Description

Explores the relationships between common practices in technical communication and the theories that legitimize those practices.  Introduces students to research and theories about fundamental issues in technical communication.  May then become the basis for further graduate study in technical communication.            3 credit hours
Prerequisites:   Graduate or advanced undergraduate standing; for undergraduates, CM/EH 301 and CM/EH 302 are strongly recommended..         
                               
Course Objectives

Content
·     To orient students to key issues in technical communication. (assessment tool: midterm and final exams)

Critical Thinking
·     To explore relationships between common practices in technical communication and the theories that legitimize those practices.  (assessment tool: research report)

Written Communication
·     To practice communication principles studied (assessment tools: research report)
 

Textbooks

  1. Johnson-Eilola, Johndan, and Stuart A. Selber, eds.  Central Works in Technical Communication.  New York: Oxford, 2004.  Available at the UAH bookstore.
  2. Required outside readings, available online with login and password (provided in class).
    http://mortonweb.uah.edu/english/articles/501/
    3.
Requirements
  • Research Project Proposal (3-5 typed pages, double spaced; due week 5)
  • Research Report (10-12 typed pages, double spaced; due week 13)
  • Exams on Assigned Reading
  • Oral Report on Project (up to 15 minutes; during last week of term; handouts required)
  • Oral Report on a Research Article (graduate students only) – present material and lead discussion on a research article from the files provided, or get an article approved for presentation
    •

Grading
Assignment Graduate Students Undergraduates
Proposal 10%

10%
Research Report  30% 30%
Exams (midterm and final) 30% 40%
Oral Report (research)  10% 10%
 Oral Report
(outside reading)  		10% NA
Miscellaneous* 10% 10%

*Miscellaneous category includes attendance, class participation, in-class writing, oral presentations on assigned readings, and written peer review critiques.  Each student will be assigned to summarize one of the required readings, and graduate students will also critique another required reading.

Assignment Schedule (doc format)

Policies

Turnitin.com

Oral Report Guidelines

Useful Web Links

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