ENC 6261: Professional and Technical Communication Theory
DESCRIPTION
What does theory actually mean? How do technical and professional communicators (both academics and practitioners) use theory? What types of theories are used in PTC and to what end?
These are the guiding questions we will discuss and examine as we review existing literature in PTC and related fields, as well some foundational theoretical texts in rhetoric (and related fields). We hope to move toward a solid understanding of what theory is, what it does, when it should be used, and what are the ultimate ends of a theoretical orientation. We will approach PTC theory from a broad perspective and move to a narrow approach based on student interests and student goals.
Outcomes
By the end of class, students will:
- demonstrate knowledge of research in professional and technical communication, offering a judicious assessment of theories that draws on appropriate research to support argumentative claims
- identify a significant topic of interest to the field of professional and technical communication, establish its importance and need for research by incorporating and using theory, and develop an argument (or work toward an answer of a workplace problem).