Course Catalog

TCOM 1110: Community Service

1 credit hours, 1 class hour

Proposing and then reporting in writing on a semester‐long community service activity with any nonprofit organization. To be graded S/U. May be repeated for credit.

 

TCOM 1120: Orientation to Technical Communication

1 credit hours, 1 class hour

Guest speakers introduce students to the myriad activities and career paths of technical communicators.

 

TCOM 1130: Visual Communication 

3 credit hours, 3 class hours

This course supports students’ personal and professional development by exploring the principles and practices of visual communication, and communication and graphic design. Students learn best practices for creating human-centered, ethical, appealing, and effective visual communication—from presentations and data displays to signage, posters, and tutorials—for research, education, and industry. Working individually and in groups, students create various small graphic and communication design projects that aspire to make a difference. By the end of the course, students showcase their work in a professional online portfolio.

TCOM 2110: Elements of Editing

3 credit hours, 3 class hours; Prerequisite: ENGL 1120

Grammar review. Description of types and levels of editing. Responsibilities of editors. Use of editing and proofreading symbols, usage guides, style guides, and style sheets. Production aspects of editing. Practice in online and hard copy editing of short manuscripts.

 

TCOM 2120: Branding and Social Media

3 credit hours, 3 class hours; Prerequisites: ENGL 1120

This course helps students build their brand identity and apply the process to an organization of their choice. It also helps students harness the power of social media to build and consolidate both a personal brand and that of organizations. Video editing and critical media analysis are included in this course. This class prepares students to make branding and social media an integral part of their day-to-day activities.

TC 301: Writing Theory and Practice

3 credit hours, 3 class hours; Prerequisites: ENGL 1120 or consent of instructor

In this advanced composition course, we explore processes and theories from fields such as rhetoric, composition, and technical communication. Multiple genres of writing are discussed, from reflective to research writing. 

 

TC 315: Philosophy of Digital Communication

3 credit hours, 3 class hour; Prerequisite: ENGL 1120 or consent of instructor

A philosophical and historical overview of the shift to digital modes of communication; explores the impact of this digital shift on culture, identity, communication, unity, and the production of knowledge. (Same as PHIL 315.) 

 

TC 321: Internship

3 credit hours; Prerequisites: TC 2120 and 2120; ENGL 341; and consent of TC faculty

Work during a school term or the summer in a technical communication or media field, such as writing, gathering data, or production work, for an onor off campus publications agency. To receive credit, students must have their internships approved in advance by the TC faculty. Students produce a report about their internship program. 

 

TC 351: Web Design

3 credit hours, 3 class hours; Prerequisites: TC 1130

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of web design, including principles of usability, aesthetics, and interactivity. Students will learn and apply current web design theories and relevant technology tools to practical course projects. 

 

TC 371: Publications Management

3 credit hours, 3 class hours; Prerequisites: TC 2120 or consent of instructor

Theory and practice of meeting managerial responsibilities. Topics include communication in organizations, management and supervision, project management, technology and professional communication, legal and ethical issues, and contract employment. Includes a collaborative research project using ethnographic methods.

 

TC 330/330D: Risk, Crisis, and Nonprofit Communication

3 credit hours, 3 class hours; Prerequisites: ENGL 1120 or consent of instructor and advisor

Environmental, geopolitical, societal, economic, and technological risks (World Economic Forum) and crises can affect corporations, industry, non-profit organizations, governments, science and education, anywhere in the world. While many of these threats cannot be stopped, their likelihood and impacts can be reduced through communication. In this active-learning, problem -based class, students follow and critically analyze situations of risk and crisis in for-profit and non-for-profit organizations. They learn how to develop and implement risk and crisis communication plans for for-profit and non-for-profit organizations. Students apply their knowledge and skills in a risk or crisis communication project for a for-profit or non-for-profit client of their choice, and develop a portfolio of their work. 

TC 403: Rhetoric and Video Games

3 credit hours, 3 class hours; Prerequisites: ENGL 1120 or consent of instructor (for graduate level, Graduate Standing or consent of Instructor) 

A reading and discussion-heavy course that focuses on the critical study of video games as a medium for communication, design, culture, and ideologies. Our primary methodological focus will be the application of rhetorical theory as a critical lens through which we examine video games as a medium. Course readings will begin with Ancient Greek rhetoric and move through modern rhetoric. Students will have the opportunity to produce both critical academic writing using video games and rhetorical theory and a creative project practicing components of game development. 

 

TC 404: Design Thinking for Innovation Lab

3 credit hours, 3 class hours

This class hones students’ creativity and critical thinking skills to make innovative design solutions to products and services. This course introduces students to the “design thinking mindset”, process and tools needed in this approach. The class also addresses user needs and there is an emphasis on working on client-based problems. This hands-on lab class prepares students to more easily guide strategies and actively contribute to decision -making processes in research, education and industry. 

 

TC 405: Science Writing

3 credit hours, 3 class hours; Prerequisites: ENGL 1120 and at least junior standing or consent of instructor

This course provides an overview of science writing genres designed to reach multiple audiences (e.g., specialists, policymakers, students, the public, etc.), with an emphasis on nonspecialist audiences. Course topics include, but are not limited to, the rhetorical history of science communication, popular science writing and science journalism, and public information for research groups and facilities (e.g., press releases, websites, science blogs). This course is ideal for TC students interested in working for one of New Mexico’s many national labs and researchfacilities and for students in the sciences interested in improving their scientific communication skills. This course involves a service learning project providing students with opportunities for publication. Shares lecture with TC 505, with additional expectations for graduate credit.

 

TC 411: Persuasive Communication

3 credit hours, 3 class hours; Prerequisites: English 1120 or Consent of Instructor (for graduate level, Graduate Standing or Consent of Instructor) 

This course introduces rhetorical theory and persuasive techniques for communication from promotional documents to grants. Students gain practical experience in design, writing, and illustrating promotional texts. A central focus of the class is on preparing and submitting a real world grant proposal, and introduces writing for both government and small foundation grants. 

 

TC 416: International Professional Communication

3 credit hours, 3 class hours; Prerequisites: ENGL 1120 or consent of instructor and advisor 

Producing efficient and effective information for audiences situation in different geographic locations is a major concern of companies and organizations, both large and small. This course develops the knowledge and skills needed to analyze and solve the problems posed by a world that is increasingly diverse, interconnected, and driven by knowledge, technology and the capacity to learn and adapt to new and ever changing contexts and situations. During the course, students will produce artifacts that demonstrate development and accomplishments as an international professional communicator. Shares lecture with TC 512, with additional expectations for graduate credit.

 

TC 420: Senior Seminar

3 credit hours, 3 class hours; Prerequisites: TCOM 2120 and senior standing in the Technical Communication program 

Readings in professional journals and discussion of current issues in technical and professional communication. Taught as a seminar with students presenting papers. Research leading to proposal for TC 422, Senior Thesis. 

 

TC 421: Documentation and Client Project Management

3 credit hours, 3 class hours; Prerequisites: English 1120 or Consent of Instructor 

This course discusses the development and writing processes of professional communication documents, which can include computer/software documentation, websites, videos, policy and procedural manuals and instructions. Students gain practical experience working on an in-depth documentation project with real-world clients and developing Materials for users. Usability testing and individual project management are also a part of this course.

 

TC 422: Senior Thesis

3 credit hours, 3 class hours; Prerequisite: TC 420

Initiation, production, and presentation (oral and written) of an original research project in technical communication. 

 

TC 491, Directed Studies

1–3 credit hours, as arranged; Prerequisites: TCOM 2110 and 2120, or consent of instructor and advisor

TC 501, Experiential Learning Project

2 credit hours

As a capstone project, students in the Graduate Certificate will develop an independent project that results in 40 hours of work. This requirement can assume the form of a TC‐related project at the student’s work or a community organization (e.g., a documentation project, a promotional video, a grant proposal and/or fundraising project, etc.)

 

TC 505, Science Writing

3 credit hours, 3 class hours; Prerequisites: Graduate Standing

This course provides an overview of science writing genres designed to reach multiple audiences (e.g., specialists, policymakers, students, the public) with an emphasis on nonspecialist audiences. The course is useful both to students pursuing a career as a professional science or technical writer and to students in the sciences hoping to improve their communication skills. Course topics include, but are not limited to, popular science writing (e.g., writing for mainstream magazines and newspapers) and public information (e.g., press releases, websites, science blogs, informational videos). The course involves a service learning project providing students with opportunities for publication.

 

TC 511, Persuasive Communication

3 credit hours, 3 class hours; Prerequisites: Consent of instructor

Instruction in theories and practices of effective persuasive communication. Course content will include extensive audience analysis and planning, drafting, and revising persuasive documents, with a heavy emphasis on funding and research proposals, for targeted audiences.

 

TC 512, International Professional Communication

3 credit hours, 3 class hours; Prerequisites: Graduate Standing

Producing efficient and effective information for audiences situated in different geographic locations is a major concern of companies and organizations, both large and small. This course develops the knowledge and skills needed to analyze and solve the problems posed by a world that is increasingly diverse, interconnected, and driven by knowledge, technology, and the capacity to learn and adapt to new and ever changing contexts and situations. Students will compile a professional portfolio demonstrating development and accomplishments as an international professional communicator. Shares lecture with TC 316, with additional expectations for graduate credit.

 

TC 521, Professional Writing Workshop

3 credit hours, 3 class hours

Emphasis on the development and writing processes of professional communication documents, which might include computer/software documentation, websites, videos, policy and procedural manuals. Students gain practical experience working on an in‐depth documentation project with clients and developing materials for users.

TC 561, Data Visualization

3 credit hours, 3 class hours; Prerequisites: Graduate Standing or Consent of Instructor

STEM professionals constantly visualize data both mentally and physically. Understanding how different professionals and fields visualize data is critical to improving professional communication. In this course, students learn how to observe STEM professionals at work, analyze and interpret the results, and apply them in their own work. Shares lecture with TC 361, with additional expectations for graduate credit.

 

TC 589, Special Topics

3 credit hours, 3 class hours