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Current Courses 2007-2008 |
| Numerical Listing of Semester Courses in Rhetoric & Technical Communication All courses are 3 credits unless otherwise specified |
| HU5001 Proseminar in Rhetoric and Technical Communication An introduction to the scholarly issues, goals, and methods across the disciplinary areas represented in the Rhetoric and Technical Communication program. 1 credit, fall and spring. |
| HU5002 Rhetoric, Composition, and Literacy Studies This course considers key theoretical, pedagogical, and historical issues and events that have linked the fields of rhetoric, composition, and literacy studies. Prerequisite: graduate standing or permission of the instructor. |
| HU5003 Technical Communication and Technology Studies This course considers key historical, pedagogical, practical, and theoretical issues in technical communication, scientific communication, and technology studies. Considerable attention is paid to practice and of technical communication and technology in academic and non-academic settings. Prerequisite: graduate standing or permission of the instructor. |
| HU5004 Communication in Cultural Contexts This course surveys key issues in how cultural contexts and processes of communication affect representation, understanding, and practice. Prerequisite: graduate standing or permission of the instructor. |
| HU5005 Knowledge and Inquiry in the Humanities This course considers a range of methods, methodologies, and approaches to research that inform scholarship in the RTC program, and provides grounds for future work. Approaches may include qualitative, ethnographic, quantitative, rhetorical, feminist, historiographic, hermeneutic, literary, and interpretive methods. Prerequisite: graduate standing or permission of the instructor. |
| HU5010 Organizational Communication Theoretical review of the role of communication in organizations. Emphasizes critical interpretive approaches. Prerequisite: graduate standing or permission of the instructor. |
| HU 5011 - Technology, Culture, and Communication (T) Examines philosophical and theoretical concepts for understanding the cultural role of technology such as causality, determinism, progress, identity, agency, articulation, assemblage, social space, control, and change. |
| HU 5012 - Communication Theory (C) Traces the development of communication theories. Emphasizes interactions among theoretical, political, historical, and socio-cultural factors. |
| HU5020 Composition Theory An introduction to such issues in composition theory as the relationships of thought to language, of spoken to written language, of reading to writing, of writing to learning, and of process to product. Prerequisite: graduate standing or permission of instructor. |
| HU5021 Literacy Theory and Research A study of the social, cultural, and ideological implications of literacy practices using a variety of historical, theoretical, and ethnographic accounts. Prerequisite: graduate standing or permission of the instructor. |
| HU5030 Linguistic Analysis The study of linguistic theories and methods for analyzing oral, written, and/or electronic texts. Topics may include how societies construct and are constructed through language; gender, ethnicity, power, class, and region in sociolinguistic variation; theories of discourse; pragmatics; semantics; and methods, ethics, and coding in data collection and analysis. Prerequisite: graduate standing or permission of instructor. |
| HU5040 Reading Literature An introduction to theoretical perspectives on the reading of literature in the context of considerations of particular literary texts. Will also include some discussion of the reading of non-literary texts. Prerequisite: graduate standing or permission of the instructor. |
| HU5050 Intercultural Communication A critical examination of cross-language and cross-cultural equivalences and differences through the study of acculturation, values, traditions, role expectations, perceptions, stereotypes, and gender issues as well as other verbal and on-verbal problems and issues of communication. Emphasizes the dimensions of communication within a comparative cultural context. Prerequisite: graduate standing or permission of the instructor. |
| HU5060 Issues in Social, Legal, and Political Philosophy An introduction to diverse issues in social, political and legal philosophy. Topics may include: the justification of social and political institutions; liberalism and its critics; democracy and consent; analysis of basic political and legal concepts; the nature of law and legal interpretation; critical evaluation of legal practices and theories. Prerequisite: graduate standing or permission of the instructor. |
| HU5070 History and Theory of Rhetoric I History and theory of rhetoric, focusing on ancient times but extending into the Middle Ages. Prerequisite: graduate standing or permission of the instructor. |
| HU5071 History and Theory of Rhetoric II History and theory of rhetoric, focusing on modern times but extending back to the Renaissance. Prerequisite: graduate standing or permission of the instructor. |
| HU5080 Computer Applications in Technical Communication An examination of how industry and educational institutions employ computers to create, design, and distribute information. Emphasis will be placed on such topics as interactive computer-assisted instruction, computerized telecommunications, word processing, document design, and graphics. Prerequisite: graduate standing or permission of the instructor. |
| HU5081 Writing Applications in Technical Communication A writing-intensive course focusing on special writing assignments for professional technical communicators, such as company annual report narratives and internal magazine articles, especially articles focusing on scientific and technical research. Prerequisite: graduate standing or permission of the instructor. |
| HU5090 Writing Literary Nonfiction Writing and editing nonfiction for publication in Blue Ice Anthology, a general interest journal published in the Department of Humanities. Course includes study of theory and techniques of literary nonfiction. Prerequisite: graduate standing or permission of instructor. HU5091 Writing for Publication Practice in writing to the requirements of professional publications and in identifying the rhetorical considerations of writing for different publications. Prerequisite: graduate standing or permission of instructor. |
| HU5091 Writing for Publication |
| HU5092 Grammar and Editing for Professionals An examination of the text-based decisions professional editors make as they write and polish manuscripts for publication. This course will include readings in the theoretical and ethical dimensions of language, syntax, and linguistics. Through practice on real documents, students will obtain strategies for text editing, acquire a professional vocabulary for communicating effectively with authors, and sharpen their grammar and proofreading skills. Prerequisite: graduate standing or permission of the instructor. |
| HU5100 Qualitative or Quantitative Humanistic Research Methods Course will address qualitative or quantitative methods. Field Methods in the Humanities: The three foundations of qualitative methods; participant observation, interviews, and cultural text analysis. Students will conduct preliminary research projects. Quantitative Methods of Inquiry: philosophical foundations of empirical research, structure of quantitative inquiry, modes of observation, and data analysis. Prerequisite: graduate standing or permission of the instructor. |
| HU5110 Backgrounds of Critical Theory Study of the major critical theories that have influenced contemporary theories such as feminist theory, postmodern theory, cultural studies, critical pedagogy, and discourse theory. The course focuses on primary texts in marxist theory, structuralism and poststructuralism, and phenomenology, and introduces students to the challenges of reading theoretical texts and texts in translation. Prerequisite: graduate standing or permission of the instructor. |
| HU5111 Critical Perspectives on the Environment Philosophical, rhetorical, literary or cultural studies approaches to the environment. Topics may include one or more of the following: environmental communication and advocacy; environmental ethics, law, and philosophy; environmental literary texts; etc. Prerequisite: graduate standing or permission of the instructor. |
| HU5112 Critical Perspectives on Science and Technology Philosophical, rhetorical, literary or cultural studies perspectives on science and technology. Topics may include one or more of the following: philosophy of science, philosophy of technology, rhetoric of science, rhetoric of technology, etc. Prerequisite: graduate standing or permission of the instructor. |
| HU5113 Cultural Studies Introduction to the theoretical history, methods, and practice of cultural studies. Includes the influence of literary humanism, Marxism, structuralism, subcultural studies, feminism, postmodernism, articulation theory, Deleuze and Guattari. Prerequisite: graduate standing or permission of the instructor. |
| HU5114 Introduction to Visual Representation A critical survey of selected theoretical, philosophical, and methodological issues that inform various disciplinary perspectives on the study of the visual such as sociology, film and television theory, communication, and art history. Prerequisite: graduate standing or permission of the instructor. |
| HU5115 Literacy, Technology, Society, and Education This course examines the linkage between technology and literacy in the United States and the ways in which this linkage has been established in public schools, workplace programs, or university settings. Prerequisite: graduate standing or permission of the instructor. |
| HU5116 Rhetorics of Difference/Alterity A critical examination of discourses, theories and representations of "otherness" or "difference" according to race, gender, sexuality, class, age, nationality, ethnic background, and other socio-cultural categories. May include discussion of issues of self-representation within and among groups, the rhetorics of exile or diaspora, colonial and post-colonial constructions of identity and difference, etc. Prerequisite: graduate standing or permission of the instructor. |
| HU5117 Theories of Language Study of major theories of language that have influenced contemporary work on discourse, language, and literacy. The course focuses on language theorists from one or more of a variety of disciplines, such as philosophy, linguistics, literary studies, psychology, anthropology, and rhetoric. Prerequisite: graduate standing or permission of the instructor. |
| HU5118 Theories of Pedagogy Contemporary theories of pedagogy that influence current approaches to teaching writing, including feminist pedagogy, critical pedagogy, liberatory pedagogy, and psychological and developmental approaches to pedagogy. Prerequisite: graduate standing or permission of the instructor. |
| HU5900 Independent Study Guided research under the direction of a member of the graduate faculty. Open to master's students in RTC only. Variable credit. May be repeated for a total of 6 credits. Prerequisites: 18 credits of previous work, or permission of the Director of Graduate Studies. Students must file a plan of study and receive the Director's and faculty member's approval before registering for the class. |
| HU 5901 Directed Reading Directed reading in a focused area under the direction of a member of the graduate faculty. Variable credit. May be repeated for a total of 6 credits. Prerequisites: 18 credits of previous work, or permission of the Director of Graduate Studies. Students must file a plan of study and receive the Director's and faculty member's approval before registering for the class. |
| HU 5902 Internship Work experience under the direction of a member of the graduate faculty. May be conducted on or off-campus. Work off-campus requires additional direction by an off-campus supervisor. Variable credit. May be repeated for a total of 6 credits. Prerequisites: 18 credits of previous work, or permission of the Director of Graduate Studies. Students must file a plan of study and receive the Director's and faculty member's approval before registering for the class. |
| HU5931 Oral, Written, and Visual Communication Pedagogies A year-long study of pedagogical techniques, technologies, evaluation, and assessment. Topics may include practical strategies and theories for effective teaching of rhetorical analysis, reflective speaking practices, critical visual design, and composition. Required of all graduate teaching instructors in their first year of teaching. |
| HU5932 Practicum in Teaching Technical Communication GTAs who teach undergraduate classes in technical and scientific communication meet weekly to discuss strategies for teaching the course, to read pertinent material, and to develop policy. Veteran GTAs mentor GTAs new to the course. |
| HU5933 Practicum in Modern Language Pedgagogy Discussion and development of effective pedagogical practices and reading of research, scholarship and theory of modern language pedagogy. GTAs will observe modern language classes regularly and reflect on their own and others' practices. Required of all GTAs in the RTC program in their first year of language teaching at MTU. |
| HU5990 Thesis Individual research of scholarship under the direction of a graduate faculty advisor. Open to master's students in RTC only. Variable credit. May be repeated for a total of 6 credits. Prerequisites: 18 credits of previous work, or permission of the Director of Graduate Studies. Students must file a plan of study and receive the Director's and faculty member's approval before registering for the class. |
| HU5991 Special Projects Individual projects under the direction of a graduate advisor. Open to master's students in RTC only. Variable credit. May be repeated for a total of 6 credits. Prerequisites: 18 credits of previous work, or permission of the Director of Graduate Studies. Students must file a plan of study and receive the Director's and faculty member's approval before registering for the class. |
| HU6001 Special Topics in RTC The study of special topics in rhetoric, technical communication, and the humanities. Variable credit; may be repeated for a total of 9 credits. HU6010 Special Topics in Communication In-depth examination of topics in communication. May be repeated for a total of 9 credits. Prerequisite: graduate standing or permission of instructor. |
| HU6010 Special Topics in Communication In-depth examination of topics in communication. May be repeated for a total of 6 semester credits. |
| HU6020 Special Topics in Composition In-depth examination of theoretical perspectives on composing. May include discussion of current-traditional, expressivist, social constructionist, and postmodern perspectives. May be repeated for a total of 9 credits. Prerequisite: graduate standing or permission of instructor. |
| HU6040 Special Topics in Literature Advanced study of topics in American, British, and world literature. May be repeated for a total of 9 credits. Prerequisite: graduate standing or permission of instructor. |
| HU6050 Special Topics in Modern Languages and Literatures Advanced study of topics in modern languages and literatures. May include intercultural studies of non-English literature and film around an integrated theme, the study of non-English fiction and non-fiction with special attention to theoretical and critical approaches, or more applied studies such as language for special purposes, second-language acquisition, and translation. May be repeated for a total of 9 credits. Prerequisite: graduate standing or permission of instructor. |
| HU6060 Special Topics in Philosophy Advanced study of selected topics in philosophy. Possible topics include philosophy of literature, philosophy of mind, continental European philosophy, analytic philosophy, theories of truth, philosophical issues in cognitive science, and contemporary feminist philosophy. May be repeated for a total of 9 credits. Prerequisite: graduate standing or permission of instructor. |
| HU6070 Special Topics in Rhetoric Advanced study of special topics in rhetorical theory or history, such as women in rhetorical history, the sophists, nonwestern rhetorics, Aristotelian rhetoric, cultural backgrounds to the history of rhetoric, and rhetorical criticism. May be repeated for a total of 9 credits. Prerequisite: graduate standing or permission of instructor. |
| HU6080 Seminar in Technical Communication May include study of the theoretical backgrounds of technical communication, the history of technical communication, rhetoric of technical communication, technical communication program administration, and technical communication pedagogy. May be repeated for a total of 9 credits. Prerequisite: graduate standing or permission of instructor. |
| HU6110 Special Topics in Contemporary Critical Theories Study of particular contemporary theoretical perspectives that are influential in rhetoric and technical communication research. Topics might include cultural studies, theories of representation, feminist theory, Marxist theory, postmodern theory or intensive study of influential individual theorists. May be repeated for a total of 9 credits. Prerequisite: graduate standing or permission of instructor. |
| HU6111 Special Topics in Gender Studies An inquiry into the ways in which gender is constituted within and affects rhetorical, representational, and communicative processes, situations, and structures. May be repeated for a total of 9 credits. Prerequisite: graduate standing or permission of instructor. |
| HU 6112 - Special Topics in New Media (T) A study of the design and evaluation of interactive texts on the computer, with emphasis on critical and theoretical issues raised by the visuality, shifting word-image ratio, and interactivity possible on computer screens. |
| HU6114 Special Topics in Visual Representaiton A critical examination of selected topics in visual representation, with an emphasis on the theoretical, industrial, cultural, international and national, and aesthetic contexts that inform an understanding of particular visual media. May include genre studies of such visual forms as advertising or documentary, audience analysis, reception theory and theories of spectatorship, gender and visual representation, etc. May be repeated for a total of 9 credits. Prerequisite: graduate standing or permission of instructor. |
| HU6900 Independent Study Guided research under the direction of a member of the graduate faculty. Open to doctoral students in RTC only. Variable credit. May be repeated for a total of 6 credits. Prerequisites: 18 credits of previous work, or permission of the Director of Graduate Studies. Students must file a plan of study and receive the Director's and faculty member's approval before registering for the class. |
| HU6901 Directed Reading Directed reading in a focused area under the direction of a member of the graduate faculty. Open to doctoral students in RTC only. Credit varies according to the nature of the reading. Variable credit. May be repeated for a total of 6 credits. Prerequisites: 18 credits of previous work, or permission of the Director of Graduate Studies. Students must file a plan of study and receive the Director's and faculty member's approval before registering for the class. |
| HU6902 Internship Work experience under the direction of a member of the graduate faculty. Open to doctoral students in RTC only. May be conducted on or off campus. Work off campus requires additional direction by an off-campus supervisor. Variable credit. May be repeated for a total of 6 credits. Prerequisites: 18 credits of previous work, or permission of the Director of Graduate Studies. Students must file a plan of study and receive the Director's and faculty member's approval before registering for the class. |
| HU6990 Doctoral Research By arrangement with the instructor directing the PhD dissertation. |
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