english 461schedule
spring 2009

Schedule will be updated frequently; check back often for updates.

Week 1 January 13 Introduction to class; Terri Gross Fresh Air segment
  January 15

Introduction to the Field

Technical Communication Industry read all of this site--all six parts.

Society for Technical Communication explore this site thoroughly

Jobs

Updated job info : WA
Click link for Technical Writers (#6) to get more information--national trends are interesting--plus you can find out more information (like wages) by going to the bottom of the page and choosing more search parameters.

Updated job outlook

After reading all of the above, compose a 2-page analysis of what the field of Tech Comm is all about and what kinds of activities a person in this field might engaged in. In addition, compare what you thought Tech Comm was all about before reading these pieces to what you know after reading them. You must reference all four works in this analysis. Bring your completed analysis to class today. We will discuss your insights, share analyses, and you will hand this analysis in.
 Week 2 January 20

Peeples: Introduction to book (1-6) and Chapter 1 “What is Rhetoric?” (Skip p. 37-40)
In your own words, briefly summarize the three main issues in Technical and Professional Writing introduced by Peeples. Answer these questions following sections of Chapter 1: Question 2, p.19; Question 2, p. 37; Question 3, p. 43.
.pdf of Introduction
  January 22

 Peeples--Chapter 2 Introduction; Faigley: 47-60; Miller 61-70
Faigley outlines three "perspectives for research." Briefly summarize each of the three, then outline why which of these perspectives Faigley believes is more appropriate for technical writing.
Miller thoroughly analyzes the idea of "practical." In your own words, summarize her discussion.
Faigley.pdf
Miller.pdf

Miller and Faigley in-class notes
Week 3 January 27 Ericsson sick - no class; note updated schedule below
  January 29 Peeples--Slack, et al: 80-98; finish Faigley/Miller project; begin discussion of Slack. New job update
 Week 4 February 3

Indepth discussion of Slack; in-class writing
  February 5 Peeples--Chapter 3 Introduction; Driskill: 105-121. Focus on the sources of meaning Driskill discusses and pay close attention to the graphics inlcuded.What models of communication (transmission, translation, articulation) come into this article? What kind of research is Driskill advocating--individual, textual, and/or social? Communication models
Week 5 February 10

Katz (122-146); Answer Question 3 on page 146. Project #1 assignment

  February 12 Peeples--Chapter 4 Introduction; Peeples--Katz: 184-202; in your own words explain the "ethics of efficiency" (use references to the article in your explanation).
 Week 6 February 17 Ornatowski: 172-183
  February 19 Project #1 due; Group Think video and discussion
 Week 7 February 24 Peeples--Porter: 202-218;
  February 26  Project #2 assignment
 Week 8 March 3  Read Peeples--Johnson: 287-317 subway map
  March 5 Project #2 due. Brief presentations of projects--informal--and discussion of different approaches taken. Introduction to Project #3.
 Week 9 March 10 Out-of-class work on Project #3
  March 12 Out-of-class work on Project #3
Spring Break   No Class
Week 10 March 24 Project #3 presentations
  March 26 Susan Mings video conference: Mings bio
Week 11 March 31 Capstone Project
  April 2 Capstone proposal due
Week 12 April 7 Blog update due by 10:00 pm
  April 9 Blog response due by 10:00 pm
Week 13 April 14 Blog update due by 10:00 pm
  April 16 Blog response due by 10:00 pm
Week 14 April 21 Blog update due by 10:00 pm
  April 23 Blog response due by 10:00 pm
Week 15 April 28 Capstone Presentations
  April 30 Capstone Presentations