Technical and Professional Communication Theory and Pedagogy  

syllabus :: schedule :: assignments
 

Technical/Professional Communication Curriculum Review

Overview
This project has three parts, which combined, will provide you with an overview of approaches to curricula and pedagogy in undergraduate technical and professional communication courses. This work will, in turn, serve as a critical foundation for your final course project: construction of your own detailed syllabus. You will review a commonly used textbook, examine a syllabus taught at another institution, and analyze a sample assignment. If you plan to teach this course in the future, you may also want to conduct an informal interview with a current instructor, but this is not required.

1. Textbook Review
 In part one, you will work with a partner to review one of the most commonly used texts for undergraduate technical and professional communication. I will provide you with sample texts to choose from, though you may propose an alternative. This prompt will guide your reflection and analysis of the textbook and will help you to illustrate the major points of your review. The more specific you are in providing examples to back up your ideas, the more useful this review will be in in deciding whether the text is appropriate for use in English 203, 218, or 318.

To facilitate our discussion of these texts and to better share these reviews as an information resource, please use the prompt to address the questions listed below in detail AND post your review to the appropriate discussion thread in Canvas.

  • Course at NMSU (Eng 203, 218, 318) for which are you reviewing this text:

  • Summary of the overall structure and organization of the text:

  • Analysis of the material and approach this text takes in relation to the expectations, trends, and research of the field:

  • Listing of the content/subject matter and genres the text includes (also discuss the support these would offer for common undergraduate assignments):

  • Tone and ethos the text establishes with students (use specific examples to illustrate):

  • Availability and usefulness of pedagogical material in the text or in accompanying online resources (i.e. case studies, activities, assignments) and its relevance and value to everyday classroom practice:

  • Justified recommendation about possible adoption of this text (provide examples to support your recommendation):

2. Common Assignments Review
As you begin reviewing syllabi from undergraduate technical and professional communication courses at other institutions, you will find and analyze an assignment/project you could envision using or modifying in your own class. As you examine the project selected for this assignment, keep in mind the disciplinary and pedagogical concerns that have been raised in our course readings. These will help you to consider the benefits, drawbacks, and connections your project has for students.

To facilitate our discussion of assignments and to better share these reviews as an information resource, please address the questions listed below in a detailed 2-3 page review AND post this to the appropriate discussion thread in Canvas.

  • the project's goals (both pedagogical and professional)
  • how the project fits with the concerns of the field
  • the benefits completing this work would have for students
  • any drawbacks to or necessary modifications needed for this project
  • instructor's name, affiliation and link to syllabus/online materials

To begin your search for common assignments and syllabi for undergraduate technical and professional communication courses, you may want to visit some of the following online syllabi posted by instructors at other institutions. Click here to see the list. You can also look at syllabi used by instructors at NMSU that are on file in the main English Department office.

 

3. Syllabi Review
In part three of this assignment, you will choose two syllabi for undergraduate technical/professional communication courses at other institutions to review. Before settling on the syllabi you will analyze, be sure to look at a range of materials to see the diversity of approaches taken.

To facilitate our discussion of syllabi and assignment sequences, please address the questions listed below in a detailed 2-3 page review AND post this to the appropriate discussion thread in Canvas.

  • what are the overall goals/objectives of each course and how do they differ?
  • what are the major topics and genres the syllabi cover and how do they differ?
  • what is the tone and ethos the syllabi establishes with students and in what ways is the value of the course conveyed to students?
  • in what ways do each of the syllabi address the major concerns and research issues of the field?
  • what can you tell about the pedagogical approach this instructor takes in teaching this course?
  • what questions or critiques do you see with these syllabi?
  • what is the instructor's name, affiliation and URL for each syllabus?