Upcoming Courses
Summer 2024
Proposal Writing
English 5314
Online Asynchronous
Instructor: Dr. Roundtree
Description/Goals:
This course introduces students to grant writing and management as a form of technical communication. It will help students understand the complexities of grantsmanship, from the beginning process of grant-seeking to the end process of grants management post-award. It will provide students with an opportunity to experience writing grants. Students will learn the process of identifying prospective funders, developing relationships with funders, understanding the basics of writing grants, submitting proposals, teamwork, and follow-up. They will learn to analyze audiences and use rhetorical strategies across the grant writing cycle. Students will explore the wide array of funding opportunities through federal, state, and local grantors and learn to interpret funding announcements as extensions of public policy and organizational ethos. They will apply lessons learned to write and prepare grant proposals. The course is writing-intensive but strengthens presentations and introduces proposal-related software. Students will participate in group discussions, web board responses, online research, and asynchronous exercises. The course is asynchronous but will offer optional chats every week
Books:
- The Grant Writing Guide: A Road Map For Scholars. ISBN 9780691231891
- Grant Writing For Dummies. ISBN 9781119869071
- LinkedIn Learning
Evaluation
- Weekly discussion posting and video presentations in FlipGrid
- Book review
- Proposal
Office: JCK420
Phone: 512-245-6881
Email: AKR@txstate.edu
Fall 2024
Language Problems in a Multicultural Environment
English 5300.001
Online Asynchronous
Instructor: Dr. Octavio Pimentel
Description/Goals:
This course addresses issues of power and diversity regarding racially minoritized groups and languages. This class takes a cultural studies approach to understanding issues concerning language in the United States and the politics that surround them, with special attention given to the state of Texas. Students will be encouraged to use critical theories to examine, and in some cases, take social actions against current inequitable language policies and practices in the United States.
Furthermore, this course provides an introduction to many of the prevalent issues in the language field. Special attention will be given to language policies, legislation, politics, and practice. This class will specifically examine language theories, philosophies of language, bilingual/multilingual politics, issues of power, the racialization of linguistic minorities, and language identity. This class will also examine how language is thought about, legislated, and treated in Texas communities and schools.
Required Text
Baker-Bell, April. Linguistic Justice: Black Language Literacy, Identity, and Pedagogy,
NCTE-Routledge Series, 2020. Print.
Gómez, Laura E. Inventing Latinos: A New Story of American Racism, The New York
Press, 2020. Print.
Hooks, Bell. Feminism is for Everybody: Passionate Politics 2nd edition, Routledge, 2014. Print.
Miller, sj. Teaching, Affirming, and Recognizing Trans, and Gender Creative Youth: A
Queer Literacy Framework, Palgrave Macmillan, 2016.
Format:
Primarily discussion, with some background lectures and presentations by
students and instructor. Because of the seminar format, well-informed and thoughtful discussion is expected of all participants.
Evaluation:
- 25% Teaching
- 30% Discourse Analysis Assignment
- 35% Research Paper Assignment
- 10% Professional Electronic Presentation
For more information: email op11@txstate.edu or Phone: 512.245.3723
Visual Rhetoric
English 5307.001
Online Asynchronous
Instructor: Dr. Pinfan Zhu
Description/Goals: This class covers the theory and practice of editing with a particular focuson on the role of professional editors working in the field of technical communication. In this class, we will learn and practice reader-focused editing, effective author-editor relationships, and software tools used for editing. As a result of taking this class, students will be prepared to guide authors through the planning and development of written communications, perform a comprehensive copyedit of professional and technical communications, and oversee the online or print publishing process as an editor-manager.
Books:
- Charles Kostelnick Designing Visual Language: Strategies for Professional Communicators,2nd ed.
- Carolyn Handa. Visual Rhetoric in a Digital World. A Critical Source Book. 2004.
- Online Readings
Evaluation:
- 15% Reading responses
- 15% Exercises from chapters
- 10% Forum Responses
- 20% Two short analytical papers
- 15% Graphic and image projects
- 10% Quizzes
- 15% Document Design Project
Office: Room 018, Flowers
Phone: (512) 245 -3013
Email: pz10@txstate.edu
Foundations of Technical Communication
ENG5311.001
Online Asynchronous
Instructor: Dr. Miriam F. Williams
Course Overview:
Foundations of Technical Communication is an introduction to technical communication history, theory, and practice. At the end of the course you will be able to do the following:
- Discuss technical communication history, practices, theories, and research methods
- Discuss the relationship between theory and practice in technical communication
- Negotiate various definitions of technical communication and evaluate the legitimacy of these definitions
- Improve your knowledge of an Adobe Creative Cloud software application
- Use common genres of technical communication to communicate your understanding of an Adobe Creative Suite Software application
Textbook:
Keywords in Technical and Professional Communication edited by Han Yu and Jonathan Buehl, available free/open access here: https://wac.colostate.edu/books/tpc/tpc/
*Other open access journal articles and forthcoming book to be assigned
Subscription for the Semester: Adobe Creative Cloud for Students ($20/month student option)
Format: Asynchronous in Canvas
Evaluation:
Project I – Project Proposal 20%
Project II – Mid-Semester Status Report 20%
Project III – Instructional Manual 20%
Project IV – Instructional Video 20%
Discussion Forums – 20%
Email: mfw@txstate.edu
Power and Ethics in Technical and Professional Communication
English 5313.002
Online Asynchronous
Instructor: Dr. Christopher Dayley
Course Description: Because of their influence on the communication process, technical and professional communicators wield power. With power comes the responsibility to use that power ethically. However, what is and is not ethical, and how to design communication ethically is often debated. This seminar course will discuss the power professional communicators possess, basic ethical theories related to that power, and how to make ethical decisions based on a personal and professional code of ethics.
Goals: By the end of the course students will
- Understand how technical and professional communicators get and use power
- Be able to identify and describe basic ethical theories
- Understand their role as ethical decision-makers and how to evaluate their decisions based on a personal and professional code of ethics
- Show how the decisions technical communicators make can have an impact the lives of others
Books:
Dombrowski, P. M. (2000). Ethics in technical communication. Boston: Allyn and Bacon. Markel, M. H. (2001). Ethics in technical communication: a critique and synthesis. Westport, CT: Ablex Pub.
Evaluation:
- Weekly discussion posts (25%)
- Group project (25%)
- Personal Code of Ethics (25%)
- Class Presentation (25%)
Office: Flowers Hall 133
Phone: 512-245-7800
Email: c_d470@txstate.edu
Content Marketing
English 5314.001
TBD
Instructor: Dr. Scott Mogull
Descriptions/Goals:
Content marketing focuses on providing useful information about a topic that stimulates audience interest in products, services, and organizations. In practice, content marketing does not overtly sell a product or service, but rather leverages a variety of media—such as blogs, websites, videos, social media, and PR campaigns—to promote audience awareness and knowledge of a topic or need that is addressed by the organization. In this class, students will learn the principles of content marketing and integrated marketing communication to develop and publish content that educates specific audiences about an issue of concern. Additionally, we will examine the genres and rhetorical strategies used to promote products and services. Finally, we will explore the ethics of multimedia awareness campaigns that fit an organization’s objectives. After covering this material, students will select a content marketing campaign to analyze and provide suggestions for improvement.
Books: No required textbooks. Readings of articles and book chapters will be available through Canvas.
Evaluation: This class includes the following: class discussions, activities to practice content marketing, class paper analyzing a content marketing campaign (of a product, service, non-profit agency, or public service awareness campaign), and a course reflection.
Office: FH 137
Phone: (512) 408-3365
Email: mogull@txstate.edu
Coding for Technical Communicators
ENG5314.002
Asynchronous Online
Instructor: Jas D. James
Course Overview:
This course is designed to equip technical communicators with essential coding skills to create and manage digital content effectively. Throughout the course, students will be introduced to HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and React, enabling them to develop interactive and dynamic web-based materials. The course begins with an exploration of HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), the foundational language for creating web pages. Students will learn how to structure content using HTML elements, including text formatting, lists, links, and images. Emphasis will be placed on understanding semantic markup and best practices for accessibility and SEO (Search Engine Optimization). Subsequently, students will delve into CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), focusing on the design and layout aspects of web development. They will learn how to style HTML elements, customize typography, utilize CSS selectors, and implement responsive design principles to ensure content displays optimally across various devices and screen sizes. As the course progresses, students will be introduced to JavaScript, the programming language of the web. They will learn fundamental concepts such as variables, data types, control structures, and functions. Through hands-on exercises and projects, students will gain proficiency in using JavaScript to enhance interactivity and user experience on web pages. Furthermore, students will be introduced to React, a popular JavaScript library for building user interfaces. They will learn how to create reusable components, manage state and props, handle events, and implement routing in single-page applications. By the end of the course, students will have developed a solid foundation in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and React, empowering them to create engaging and interactive digital content tailored to the needs of diverse audiences in technical communication contexts. They will be equipped with the skills necessary to collaborate effectively with developers and other stakeholders in multidisciplinary teams, bridging the gap between technical expertise and effective communication in the digital realm.
Textbook: Clean Code: By Robert C. Martin
Format: Asynchronous in Canvas
Required Software and Technology: Free to Download/To be Announced
Evaluation:
- Project I – Project Proposal & HTML Base (Part 1 of cumulative project) 20%
- Project II – Design and CSS (Part 2) 20%
- Project III – Addition of Javascript (Part 3) 20%
- Project IV – Completed React Project 20%
- Discussion Forums – 20%
MATC courses are open to MATC students, on a first-come, first-served basis. Register on CatsWeb as soon as registration opens to secure your spot. Contact Dr. Chris Dayley (c_d470@txstate.edu) with advising/degree audit questions. Instructions for non-MATC students: Contact Taylor Cortesi (tc1224@txstate.edu) to be authorized to add an MATC course. To allow new MATC students to enroll in courses, non-MATC students will be informed of the possibility to take MATC courses a month prior to classes starting in the Spring. Note: MATC courses wait lists are not managed on CatsWeb—they are managed by the MATC Program director and Taylor Cortesi.
If you are not sure about the method of delivery (online, online asynchronous, face-to-face), contact the instructor for the course to confirm.