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Undergraduate Courses

Arts

ARTS 2010 Introduction to Drawing
2-3-3
Studio course; open to all students.
Regardless of drawing experience, students will develop drawing skills using pencil, ink, and charcoal to master shading, contour, gesture, and perspective techniques.

ARTS 3000 Visual Thinking
3-0-3
Prerequisites: TCOM 2010; either TCOM 2020 or 2030 or concurrently
Study of visual thinking as an alternative to and enhancement of verbal and mathematical thinking. Helps students develop creative problem-solving skills by (1) analyzing types of conceptual blocks, and (2) developing techniques that use order and visual coherence to overcome these blocks. Students may be required to produce graphic solutions to problems; however, prior drawing experience is not required.

Communication Studies

COMM 2000 Business Communication
3-0-3
Prerequisites: ENGL 1102, SPCH 2400
Introduction to the communication skills needed in the business world, learned through exposure to mock business situations. The job search is covered, and emphasis is placed on writing business correspondence and delivering business-related oral presentations.

COMM 2060 International Communication
3-0-3
Prerequisites: TCOM 2010; either TCOM 2020 or 2030 or concurrently
Study of international cultural differences, especially as they influence oral and written communication in the workplace. Cultures will be analyzed using established models. Special topics will vary depending on faculty teaching the course. Required for B.A. in International Technical Communication.

COMM 3050 Journalism
3-0-3
Prerequisite: TCOM 2010; either TCOM 2020 or 2030 or concurrently
Study of technical and scientific reporting, including mass media theory. Emphasis on making technical information understood by a general audience. Students practice many in-house and external forms of writing such as news releases, feature articles, bulletins, brochures, and pamphlets.

COMM 4100 Small Group Communication
3-0-3
Prerequisite: TCOM 2010; either TCOM 2020 or 2030 or concurrently
Study of the theory and practice of group interaction and teamwork as it applies to group process. Focuses on such topics as the function of roles in groups, conflict resolution, leadership in the small group, gender differences, listening and negotiation skills, and managing meetings. A collaborative project and workshop activities reinforce these principles.

COMM 4160 Rhetoric: History, Theory, and Practice
3-0-3
Prerequisite: TCOM 2010; either TCOM 2020 or 2030 or concurrently
Introduction to rhetoric as the relationship between thought and expression. Examines connections between rhetoric and writing, between a public act and a personal thinking process, by exploring classical and contemporary accounts of rhetorical history and theory. Students apply theory to their own writing as they explore the relationship between writers, readers, and subjects and the range of options they have available to them as communicators.

COMM 3000 Oral Communication fot International Students
3-0-3
Prerequisite: ENGL 1101 and Departmental approval
Designed for international students enrolled in ETCMA degree programs, this class addresses the specific needs of non-native speakers in technical and professional communication to allow them to develop the oral communication skills to become effective communicators. Students will read, summarize, and analyze various texts in various genres and make oral presentations. The class promotes spoken language proficiency through small group and individualized instruction in oral communication, complemented by the development of critical reading, listening, and writing skills.

COMM 2400 Public Speaking
2-0-2
A general course in public speaking designed for students with limited experience. This course deals with all aspects of effective planning, preparation, and presentation of different types of speeches. It focuses on basic principles of speech rather than on professional presentations.

COMM 2500 Advanced Public Speaking
3-0-3
Prerequisite: SPCH 2400
The study of principles and methods of selected forms of public speaking and oral presentation for various purposes and audiences. Speaking coverage ranges from speeches for special occasions, argumentation and debate, persuasive speaking, extemporaneous speaking and oral interpretation of literature.

COMM 2510 Intercollegiate Forensics
1-0-1
Prerequisite: SPCH 2400 or concurrently
Training, practice, and participation in individual college forensics events. Repeatable up to a 4-credit maximum.

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English

ENGL 3030 English Grammar for Professional Writing
3-0-3
Prerequisites: ENGL 1102
The syntax of modern English grammar and the study of levels of correctness in Contemporary Standard English for effective writing.

ENGL 4160 Rhetoric: History, Theory, and Practice
3-0-3
Prerequisite: TCOM 2010; either TCOM 2020 or 2030 or concurrently
Introduction to rhetoric as the relationship between thought and expression. Examines connections between rhetoric and writing, between a public act and a personal thinking process, by exploring classical and contemporary accounts of rhetorical history and theory. Students apply theory to their own writing as they explore the relationship between writers, readers, and subjects and the range of options they have available to them as communicators.

Technical Communication

TCOM 2010 Technical Writing
3-0-3
Prerequisite: ENGL 1102
Introduction to organization, style, and mechanics of technical and professional writing. Includes practice in writing such typical documents as technical descriptions, instructions, proposals, and recommendation reports. Emphasis placed on planning, organizing, and writing reports; designing visual aids; and editing. Among other assignments, at least one complete technical report is required.

TCOM 2020 Foundations of Technical Communication
3-0-3
Prerequisite: ENGL 1101
Introduction to technical communication through a survey of the field’s evolution and current status; its theoretical foundations, key concerns and issues, core competencies and specializations, and the technologies and societal trends that will impact the work of technical communicators in the future. Emphasis is placed on developing a strong professional identity and in beginning the process of career planning.

TCOM 2030 Research in Technical Communication
3-0-3
Prerequisite: ENGL 2010
Introduction to research methods used by practitioners and scholars in technical communication. Students explore the relationship between theory and research and learn how to design and carry out empirical studies using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Emphasis is placed on the research methods used in workplace settings to design user-centered information products and to test their usefulness and usability.

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TCOM 3010 Science Writing
3-0-3
Prerequisite: ENGL 1102
Examination of the types of writing produced in various scientific professions. Depending on the semester, possible topics may include one or more of the following: environmental writing, public policy documents, and other scientific documents.

TCOM 3015 Environmental Writing
3-0-3
Prerequisite: ENGL 1102
Close study of global and more localized environmental issues, including air, water, soil, biotic communities, and impact on and by humans. Students will read works on the relationship between technology, human population, and the environment and will write essays, give an oral report, and complete a research project on environmental topics.

TCOM 3020 Proposal Writing
3-0-3
Prerequisite: TCOM 2010; either TCOM 2020 or 2030 or concurrently
Theory and practice of writing proposals for business, industry, and non-profit organizations, with emphasis on in-house planning and external grant-seeking proposals. Course covers persuasion theory and strategies while leading students step-by-step through the proposal development process. Students develop skills in gathering and evaluating information, analyzing audiences, collaborating with peers and clients, building persuasive arguments, writing clearly and cogently, and designing visually effective documents.

TCOM 3030 Instructional Design
3-0-3
Prerequisite: TCOM 2010; either TCOM 2020 or 2030 or concurrently
Course introduces and applies systematic instructional design and instructor-led training. Students will study a major model of instructional design and apply it to develop and refine a unit of instruction. Students will prepare and deliver a training lesson, participate in team instructional design activities, and evaluate the training developed and presented by other students.

TCOM 3040 Writer's Workshop
3-0-3
Prerequisite: ENGL 1102
Course that gives students practice in writing for various audiences, purposes, and contexts. In addition to a workshop forum, this class provides an introduction to contemporary, practical theories of writing.

TCOM 3045 Fundamentals of Information Design
3-0-3
Prerequisite: TCOM 2010
Introduces students to the principles and best practices of effective information design for both print and electronic media. Includes such topics as information types, information categorization and hierarchies, types of organizational patterns, message and document genres, structural markup languages, structured information design and technologies, content management, and single sourcing.

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TCOM 3193 Introduction to Drawing
2-3-3
Studio course; open to all students.
Regardless of drawing experience, students will develop drawing skills using pencil, ink, and charcoal to master shading, contour, gesture, and perspective techniques.

TCOM 3901-3903 Special Topics
variable credit-1 to 3 hours
Prerequisite: Consent of the department chair
Special topics in communications. Offered by the program at its discretion.

TCOM 4000 Professional Editing
3-0-3
Prerequisites: TCOM 2010; either TCOM 2020 or 2030 or concurrently
Development of skills in proofreading, copyediting, and comprehensive editing. This course addresses issues of style, content, organization, and visual design.

TCOM 4030 Foundations of Graphics
3-0-3
Prerequisite: TCOM 2010; either TCOM 2020 or 2030 or concurrently
An introduction to the fundamental elements and principles of graphic design and application of these concepts to page design and layout. Study of elementary color theory. Introduction to production techniques and current software applications.

TCOM 4040 Applied Graphics for Technical Communicators
3-0-3
Prerequisite: TCOM 4030 or concurrently
This course examines the role of graphics in technical and professional communication. Students develop competency in desktop publishing,
digital image editing, and vector-based graphics applications. Students complete practical projects tat use typography, photographs,
illustrations, engineering drawings, and data graphics. Projects focus on the role of graphics as both an independent communication and as
support for text-based media used in business, industry, education, and training.

TCOM 4045 Foundations of Multimedia
3-0-3
Prerequisites: TCOM 2010; either TCOM 2020 or 2030 or concurrently
A study of the foundations of multimedia including theory, planning, scripting, storyboarding, and production. Students will submit research work on the theory of multimedia.

TCOM 4050 Advanced Graphics Tools for Technical Communicators
2-3-3
Pre- or co-requisite: TCOM 2010 and TCOM 4030
With hands-on instruction, self-paced tutorials, and real-world projects, this course teaches students how to use digital image editing tools to create and edit both raster and vector graphic images. Includes such software tools as Photoshop and Illustrator.

TCOM 4070 User Documentation
3-0-3
Prerequisite: TCOM 2010; either TCOM 2020 or 2030 or concurrently
Introduction to the process and principles of writing manuals, with emphasis on user manuals. Students write and produce all or part of a manual. Course includes study of structured writing. Course also includes discussion of (1) production issues and (2) theory relevant to designing usable, readable manuals.

TCOM 4120 Usability Testing
2-3-3
Prerequisites: TCOM 2020, TCOM 2030, TCOM 4030
Study of the relevant research and practical application of usability testing as part of product development. Includes strategies for planning, conducting, and analyzing a test. Teams will perform tests and report results from an actual test in a usability lab.

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TCOM 4130 Online Documentation
3-0-3
Prerequisite: TCOM 2010; either TCOM 2020 or 2030 or concurrently
Study of the design and development of effective online Help systems and Web-based documentation. Presents principles of usable online information design, task-based user analysis, and advanced tools and technologies for developing and delivering online information products, including single-sourcing, SGML, and XML. Students design and develop an HTML Help system. Instruction will be provided in the use of RoboHelp and alternative HTML Help authoring tools. Students entering the course without basic HTML knowledge will be expected to learn the basics of HTML on their own.

TCOM 4135 Fundamentals of Website Design
3-0-3
Prerequisite: TCOM 2010; either TCOM 2020 or 2030 or concurrently
Study of effective information design and delivery for websites. Covers principles and best practices for creating usable websites and teaches students fundamentals of HTML, use of HTML authoring tools, webpage writing and editing, Web graphics and multimedia elements, and website architectures and content management. Students work individually and in teams to design and develop websites. Some classroom instruction is provided in basic HTML and XHTML coding, the composition of cascading style sheets, and the use of DreamWeaver and FrontPage.

TCOM 4170 Video Production
3-0-3
Prerequisites: TCOM 2010, TCOM 4030; either TCOM 2020 or 2030 or concurrently
Introduction to the role and use of video production for technical and professional communication. Topics include scripts, storyboards, shot selection, continuity, lighting, sound, in-camera editing, and fundamental post-production techniques. Students will complete at least two assigned videos as individual or team projects. This course is double-listed for both undergraduate and graduate students. Graduate students will be required to complete additional work that emphasizes theory and research over application. Thus they must demonstrate a higher level of learning than undergraduates.

TCOM 4600 Independent Study
3-0-3
Prerequisites: Twenty-one hours of TCOM courses and at least a 3.0 GPA
A directed study for an undergraduate student who wishes to pursue a special interest in technical and professional communication not covered in the curriculum. The student submits to the TCOM Undergraduate Program Coordinator a proposal that clearly defines the course of study and the benefits to be obtained. The proposal, which must be submitted at least one semester prior before taking the course, must be approved by the student’s advisor and the TCOM faculty committee. Upon approval, the student is assigned a faculty advisor.

TCOM 4700 Internship
3-0-3
Prerequisite: Junior standing
An opportunity for students to apply principles and techniques of technical and professional communication in a specific organization. The student is responsible for finding an internship, but the program will help in the effort. The student must submit a written proposal describing the internship according to program guidelines. Each internship is monitored by the student's advisor.

For more guidelines, see Internship.

TCOM 4800 Project Portfolio
3-0-3
Prerequisite: Senior standing, completion of 24 hours of TCOM courses.
Course examines portfolios as professional tools for technical communicators. The course includes portfolio and writing theory along with a collaborative workshop environment. Students develop a professional portfolio of sample documents based on course project, internship experiences, and/or work history. In addition, students write a reflective paper examining their growth and maturity as technical communicators. Interviewing techniques, resume writing, and the job search process are included in the course.

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The English, Technical Communication, and Media Arts Department is a part of Southern Polytechnic State University and can be contacted at TCOM@spsu.edu.
1100 South Marietta Parkway  Marietta, GA 30060-2896
Tel: (678) 915-7202  FAX: (678) 915-7425