Lawrence Tech - Technical and Professional Communication

COM6103 Foundations of Technical Communication
Prerequisite: Admission to the MSTPC Program

This course offers an overview of the fundamental techniques, theories, and research from a variety of fields that relate to the study and practice of technical communication. It covers the historical and social context of technical communication, technical discourse analysis, as well as issues in usability, audience reception, visual, and oral communication.

COM6443 Rhetoric of Technical Communication
Prerequisite: COM6103 or permission of the instructor

This course addresses the rhetorical dimension and impact of technical communication upon diverse audiences. The rhetorical aspects of technical communication are explored with special attention given to verbal technical communication (both written and oral), visual technical communication, web design, and other electronically mediated communication.

COM6453 Research Methods and Applications
Prerequisite: COM6103 or permission of the instructor

This course focuses on the examination of the materials available for research in technical and professional communication. Also emphasized are the analysis and application of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches to research. Evaluating and reporting research results are integral to course discussions and presentations.

COM6473 Advanced Publication Design
Prerequisite: COM6103, COM5963 or COM3473, or permission of the instructor

This course emphasizes the layout and design of technical and professional documents, presentation support materials, and electronic media. Also, a review of current research on the effects of text and visual media is conducted.

COM6553 Advanced Interpersonal Communication
Prerequisite: COM6103 or permission of the instructor, Corequisite: COM6453

This course explores the theories and applications of interpersonal communication as it relates to professional environments. Effective listening, perception, verbal and nonverbal communication, conflict management, and leadership skills are emphasized.

COM7203 Technical Communication Practicum
Prerequisite: Permission of the Program Director or advisor.
(This course may be taken twice for a total of six credits.)

This course offers students the opportunity to select one of six supervised project options in technical and professional communication. Among these options are the preparation and presentation of a scholarly work, a curriculum development project, and design of a communication campaign

ELECTIVES
(4 courses, totaling 18 semester hours)

COM5963 Web Site Design
Prerequisite: COM6103 or permission of the instructor

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the principles and practices relating to content and graphic design for web sites. Students analyze the design process and examine technical and usability factors affecting presentations on the Web.

COM6543 Technical and Professional Editing
Prerequisite: COM6103 or permission of the instructor

This course focuses on professional editorial techniques, which lead to the application of editing skills to a variety of rhetorical situations and media.

COM6943 Online Communication
Prerequisite: COM6103 or permission of the instructor

This course covers the techniques and skills required for designing and publishing help systems and Web sites. It also examines the dimensions and strategies of computer-assisted communication.

COM6963 Multimedia Design and Analysis
Prerequisite: COM6103 or permission of the instructor

This course covers skills for incorporating multimedia techniques (integration of text, sound, graphics, animation, and video) in technical and professional communication projects. Students also examine the value and potential of multimedia strategies, and the role of the technical communicator in implementing these strategies.

COM6123 Professional Presentation Strategies
Prerequisite: COM6103 or permission of the instructor

This course examines rhetorical modes, including political, motivational, and professional persuasive strategies. It includes the study of structured reasoning, debates in technical professions, and public/social argumentation. After individual evaluation, students will deliver a comprehensive presentation to be critiqued by a professional audience.

COM6563 Advanced Nonverbal Communication
Prerequisite: COM6103 or permission of the instructor

This course explores the complexities of nonverbal communication, which extend to gender and culture. It examines the practices, power, and dynamics of this form of communication, which includes body language, proxemics, chronemics, and facial cues.

COM6483 Managing Organizational Communication
Prerequisite: COM6103 or permission of the instructor

This course focuses on the management of communication programs and campaigns in a variety of organizational frameworks. Students gain familiarity with traditional and innovative approaches to shaping organizational structures and communication teams. They also analyze the various organizational roles and responsibilities of technical and professional communication managers. The impact of emerging technologies on communication is also studied.

COM6493 Communicating Across Cultures
Prerequisite: COM6103 or permission of the instructor

In this course, current readings in intercultural and international studies will be analyzed. Among the topics given special emphasis are globalization and localization in business practices, computer-mediated communication, and comparative analysis of world norms, practices, and biases. Students will conduct individual research projects focusing on current issues in intercultural communication.

COM6463 Team Problem Solving and Decision Making
Prerequisite: COM6103 or permission of the instructor

This course explores the theories of problem solving and decision making in the workplace. Students will examine case studies, leadership skills, and conflict management in relation to theoretical precepts.

COM7103 Special Topics Courses
Prerequisite: COM6103 or permission of the instructor

These courses investigate a wide range of current theories and practices in technical and professional communication. Examples include the following:

Publication and Graphic Design Software Applications
Medical Writing
Proposal Writing
Legal Writing
Rhetorical Analysis and Presentation
Ethical and Rhetorical Issues in Documentary Film
Advanced Business and Professional Communication

For more information about the MSTPC course requirements, please contact the Program Director at (248) 204-3656, or at stavish@ltu.edu .