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Technical Writing Programs in the United States

Technical Writing Programs in the United States Bob Bergland Missouri Western State College St. Joseph, Missouri, USA bergland@griffon.mwsc.edu Overview Differences between Technical Communication and Business Comm. Departmental location of TC and BC Varieties of Tech Comm programs

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Technical Writing Programs in the United States

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  1. Technical Writing Programs in the United States Bob Bergland Missouri Western State College St. Joseph, Missouri, USA bergland@griffon.mwsc.edu

  2. Overview • Differences between Technical Communication and Business Comm. • Departmental location of TC and BC • Varieties of Tech Comm programs • Audience discussion of differences between European Tech Comm and Business Comm programs

  3. Differences between Business and Tech. Comm. in the US • Business Communication focuses more on memos, resumes/cover letters, reports • Business Communication often stresses oral skills more • Business Communication students are typically business majors; occasionally English, communication or computer

  4. Differences between Business and Tech. Comm. in the US • TC students are usually a mix of engineering, computer and English majors (depending on school) • TC puts more emphasis on product documentation and utilizing technology in writing (page design, graphics, Web)

  5. Differences between Business and Tech. Comm. in the US • While schools usually offer only 1-2 BC courses, many schools offer full undergraduate degree programs in TC • Some schools offer master’s and PhD programs in Scientific/Technical Communication

  6. Location of Business Communication • Often found in English Department (with literature and writing courses) • Also often found in Business Department • Sometimes offered within Communication Department or within each division/department/school

  7. Location of Technical Communication • Most often found in English Department (or within a Humanities Division, if the school is tech oriented and does not have an English Department • Occasionally taught within Engineering Department or School

  8. Varieties of Professional/Technical Comm Programs • Technical Communication only • English/Technical Communication hybrid • Professional Writing/Communication • Cutting edge programs/new trends

  9. Technical Communication Only • Contains only Tech Comm and related courses (journalism, graphic design) • May have emphasis/concentration areas in foreign languages, computer science, commercial art • Example: Southern Polytechnic State U.

  10. Tech Comm/English hybrid • Contains between one-third and two-thirds Technical Communication courses • Includes courses in literature and language • Found more often in smaller schools • Located in English department • Example: Missouri Western State

  11. Professional Writing • Often with the “Writing” rather than “Communication” name • May include more courses from other disciplines • Often includes journalism and creative writing courses • Example: Purdue University, Millikin

  12. The Cutting Edge/Trends in TC Degree Programs • Switch from print to focus on wide range of media (Web/CD/DVD/Video) • Degrees in Communication/Information Design • Interdisciplinary degrees involving English, art, engineering, computer science, communication/video and music programs • Examples: Renssalaer, Carnegie Mellon

  13. Discussion • Strengths/Weaknesses of these various programs? • Effects of school/departmental history on development of Tech Comm programs, courses • Differences between US and European models for programs, courses in Tech Comm? Business Comm?

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