English 436-001
Writing for Information Technology
Instr: Van Pelt, William
Office: CRT 505; 229-4326
e-mail: vanpelt@uwm.edu ; http://www.uwm.edu/~vanpelt/
Office hours: TBA
Course Information: T; 3:30-6:10pm; CRT 127
Course Description
Theory, methods, and practice in writing clear, concise technical instructions; audience analysis, customer requirements, information architecture, training materials, web projects, and emerging technology discussion topics. In addition to individual writing and revising, assignments will include intensive commentary on your peers' writing and collaborative projects on Web site evaluation, design, and development. This course prepares students for technical writing, editing, and professional communication in the workplace. Your final project will involve designing and creating a Web site on a topic of your choice, either related to your workplace and career expertise, your academic interests, an area of expertise of interest to you, or a technical communication topic developed in consultation with the instructor. No advance knowledge of HTML or Web design is required: you will learn all the technical tools and information you need to create an appealing, user-friendly, and educational Web site in the required course assignments leading up to the final Web site design project. The course writing assignments and final Web project will make excellent writing samples for your professional portfolio when applying for jobs or coming up for employee performance reviews.
Prerequisites: jr standing; English 206(P) and 435(P) or consent of instructor.
Course affiliations include: Communication, Related Courses; Translation Certificate Program; course is 3 Credits (Undergraduate only for Spring 2007).
