Lawrence Tech - Technical and Professional Communications

COM0074 SUMMER WRITING WORKSHOP
Prerequisite: Placement. An intensive four and one-half week course focusing on basic reading and writing skills, grammar, sentence structure, paragraphing, essay organization, and revision. Structured as a workshop and much of the work in class will include group writing and reading practice. Students who receive a grade of “C” or better will be placed into English Composition (COM1103). Lect. 4 hrs. 4 hours credit

COM0075 UNIVERSITY COMPOSITION 1
Prerequisite: Placement. First in a two-part intensive writing sequence. Principles of English Composition are emphasized, with a focus on writing short expository essays that follow the conventions for sentence structure, paragraphing, word choice and punctuation. Extensive writing and reading practice is required, as well as scheduled conferences with instructor. Lect. 5 hrs. 5 hours credit

COM0094 ENGLISH FUNDAMENTALS
Prerequisite: Placement. Principles of English composition are emphasized. Focus on basic writing skills, grammar, development of thesis statements, topic sentences, transitional words and phrases, supporting paragraphs, and essay organization. Extensive writing practice is required. Lect. 4 hrs. 4 hours credit

COM0104 ENGLISH FUNDAMENTALS FOR NON-NATIVE SPEAKERS
Prerequisites: Placement. A version of English Fundamentals designed to address the specific needs of non-native speakers of English. English grammar, usage and style. Extensive practice in basic writing skills and in the writing of essays. Lect. 4 hrs. 4 hours credit

COM1001 UNIVERSITY SEMINAR
Prerequisite: 0. Development of effective study skills including using textbooks, acquiring listening and note-taking skills, using library and computer resources, managing time, and preparing for and taking exams, and participating in group projects. Lect. 1 hr. 1 hour credit

COM1002 UNIVERSITY STUDIES SEMINAR
Prerequisites: 0. Development of college-level study methods including analysis of textbooks, listening and note-taking skills, library and computer abilities, and examination techniques. Short reading and writing assignments to familiarize the student with grading standards and procedures. Nature and role of universities in a diverse and computer-driven society. Replaces COM1001 for University Studies students. Lect. 2 hrs. 2 hours credit

COM1075 UNIVERSITY COMPOSITION 2
Prerequisite: COM0075. The second in a two-part intensive writing sequence. Fundamental skills of reading, reasoning, and writing are emphasized. Focuses on reading and analysis of literature and upon basic writing skills such as thesis, organization, support and development of ideas, and documentation. Expository essays and a research paper are required as well as scheduled conferences with the instructor. Satisfies English Composition requirement for Universiy Studies students. Lect. 5 hrs. 5 hours credit

COM1103 ENGLISH COMPOSITION
Prerequisite: Placement, COM0074, COM0094, or COM0104. The basic principles of English composition and the development of ideas in written work. Fundamentals of research techniques are emphasized. Extensive readings and frequent themes are required. Lect. 3 hrs. 3 hours credit

COM2103 TECHNICAL AND PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION
Prerequisite: COM1103 or COM1075. Training in a systematic method for producing effective technical communication, written reports, letters, and memos as well as oral presentations. Lect. 3 hrs. 3 hours credit

COM2113 SPEECH
Prerequisite: 0. Principles of individual and group speaking. Emphasis on group speaking situations and argumentative speaking. Lect. 3 hrs. 3 hours credit

COM2443 INTRODUCTION TO RHETORIC AND LOGIC
Prerequisite: COM2103. The origins of rhetoric and logic with special emphasis on the discipline as a practical, productive art. Analysis of reasoning and fallacies; theory of logic and rhetoric; Venn diagrams and syllogisms. Critical examination of texts. Formal logic and rhetoric in oral and written presentations. Lect. 3 hrs. 3 hours credit

COM3103 ADVANCED PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION
Prerequisite: COM2103. Use of a variety of oral and written communication skills in various business and professional applications. Most course work done in groups. Use of computer technology and graphics. Lect. 3 hrs. 3 hours credit

COM3453 RESEARCH PRINCIPLES AND METHODS
Prerequisite: COM2103. Examination of principles and methods of gathering information for technical and scientific research projects from print-based, computerized, and electronic resources (including the Internet), and from interviews. Bibliographic methods and accepted forms of documentation also introduced. Lect. 3 hrs. 3 hours credit

COM3463 COLLABORATIVE COMMUNICATION
Prerequisite: COM2103 or instructor’s permission; COM2113. Intensive examination of small group communication focusing on the role and procedures of groups in the professional world. Group theory, power structure, teamwork, critical analysis, leadership styles, and problem solving. Lect. 3 hrs. 3 hours credit

COM3473 DOCUMENT DESIGN
Prerequisite: COM2103. Emphasis on the concepts of layout and design of technical documents, documents for publication, presentation support materials, and electronic media. Lect. 3 hrs. 3 hours credit

COM3483 PRESENTATION MEDIA
Prerequisite: COM2103; co-requisite: COM2113. The systematic design, production, and use of presentation media. Emphasis on developing business-oriented presentations using traditional multimedia presentation support. Lect. 3 hrs. 3 hours credit

COM3543 TECHNICAL EDITING
Prerequisites: COM2103, COM2443. Application of technical editing skills, including substantive editing, copy editing, and proofreading. Evaluating text and visuals for specialized audiences. Lect. 3 hrs. 3 hours credit

COM3553 INTERPERSONAL AND NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION
Prerequisite: COM2103. Overview of interpersonal communication and focus on relations in the professional world. Listening skills, nonverbal communication, language analysis, conflict management, and intercultural communication. Lect. 3 hrs. 3 hours credit

COM4111-3 INTERNSHIP OR SENIOR PROJECT
Prerequisite: Junior/Senior standing and permission of advisor. Under the supervision of an advisor, students apply knowledge gained in course work to a practical work environment, through an internship with a local company or a specially designed work project. Student’s progress evaluated through a task log, project or work portfolio, final report, and evaluation report. 1-3 hours credit

COM4121-3 INTERNSHIP OR SENIOR PROJECT 2
Prerequisite: COM4113. Continuation of COM4113. 1-3 hours credit

COM4133 MULTIMEDIA STUDIO
Prerequisite: COM2103; co-requisites: COM3473, COM3483. Study and application of multimedia hardware, software, and design techniques. Emphasis on design techniques, industry standards, and application in business and industrial environments. Lect. 3 hrs. 3 hours credit

COM4143 DESKTOP PUBLISHING
Prerequisites: COM2103, COM3473. Application of the principles of document design using computerized desktop publishing software to produce print-based publications. Students work in groups to design and produce short print and electronic pieces (newsletter, brochure, etc.) for specialized audiences. Lect. 3 hrs. 3 hours credit

COM4153 WRITING PROPOSALS
Prerequisites: COM2103, COM2443, COM3543. The basic principles of writing proposals that seek organizational support and funding. Methods for identifying funding sources and analyzing the needs of the target audience. Lect. 3 hrs. 3 hours credit

COM4963 SEMINAR IN COMMUNICATIONS
Prerequisites: COM2103, Junior standing, and permission of the program director. Intensive study of a technical communication topic. Readings, written assignments, and group work will support the course theme. Lect. 3 hrs. 3 hours credit

COM4991-3 DIRECTED STUDY IN TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION
Study of a special topic under the direction of a member of the department. 1-3 hours credit

COM5963 WEB SITE DESIGN
Prerequisites: COM3473 and COM4143, or COM6103, or permission of instructor. A comprehensive introduction to the principles and practices of effective content and graphic design for web sites. Application of techniques and software tools for organizing web site information and for writing and editing texts presented in this digital communication medium. Lect. 3 hrs. 3 hours credit