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Course Calendar - Fall 2009

 Numbers below link
to weekly lessons		 Tuesday Thursday
1
Definitions
& Documents
 August 25
  • Review of syllabus
  • Discussion of course content
  • Definition of technical communication
  • First assignment of semester
  • Getting-acquainted exercise
 August 27
  • Definition of technical communication
  • Example documents
  • Discussion of readings

Readings due:
  • Chapter 1
2
Reading & Writing		 Sept. 1
  • Presentation on writing processes
  • In-class writing exercise

Work due:
 Sept. 3
  • Discussion of reading strategies
  • In-class design exercise.

Work due:
  • Chapter 3
  • Interview reports
3
Research & Organization
 Sept. 8
  • Library research
  • Internet research
  • Using search engines

Work due:
 Sept. 10
  • Organization of materials
  • Rhetorical arrangement
  • Information architecture

Work due:
  • Research assignment
  • Chapter 10
4
Audience Analysis &
Usability
Sept. 15
  • Audience analysis
  • Usability needs

Work due:
 Sept. 17
  • Presentations of website analyses


Work due:
  • Website analysis
5
Doc Design
& Visuals		 Sept. 22
  • Visual hierarchy & typography
  • Word styles exercise
  • Fill out free time schedule

Readings due:
 Sept. 24
  • Using a grid system
  • Information design
  • Visual rhetoric

Readings due:
  • Chapter 13
6
Project
Management 		Sept. 29
  • Discussion of project management and collaboration
  • In-class exercise on how to make Gantt charts from scratch

Work due:
  • Chapter 5
 Oct. 1
  • Workshop on project management
  • In-class review of collaboration and project software

Work due:
  • None
7
Descriptions/
Explanations		 Oct. 6
  • Definition/description
    group exercises

Readings due:
 Oct. 8
  • Explanation exercise
  • In-class proposal workshop

Readings due:
  • Chapter 16
8
Proposals		 Oct. 13
  • Proposal discussion
  • Proposal peer response workshop

Work due:
  • Draft proposals
  • Chapters 19
 Oct. 15
  • Conference sign-up
  • Continued discussion of proposals

Work due:
  • Final proposals
9
Midterm
Conferences		 Oct. 20
  • MIDTERM EXAM

Readings due:
  • None
 Oct. 22
  • CONFERENCES (No Class)

Readings due:
  • Chapter 18
10
Résumés &
Cover Letters
 Oct. 27
Work due:
  • Drafts of résumé & cover letter
 Oct. 29
  • More peer response on résumé



Work due:
  • Final résumé & cover letter
11
Instructions		 Nov. 3
  • Presentation on instructions
  • Instruction/usability workshop

Work due:
  • Chapter 21
  • Start work on progress reports.
 Nov. 5
  • Oral communication
  • PowerPoint workshop

Work due:
  • Draft of progress report
  • Chapter 17
12
Progress
Reports 		Nov. 10
  • Progress Report Presentations

Work due:
  • Progress reports
 Nov. 12
  • Progress Report Presentations
13
Single
Sourcing		 Nov. 17
  • XML and single sourcing
  • Content management systems

Readings due:
 Nov. 19
  • DocBook demo
  • DITA examples

14
Thanksgiving

 Thanksgiving
15
Formal Reports		 Dec. 1
Readings/work due:
  • Continue projects
 Dec. 3
  • Formal Reports

Work due:
  • Continue projects
16
Workshop
Week		 Dec. 8
  • Project Workshop

Work due:
  • Continue projects
 Dec. 10
  • Project Workshop

17
Final Project

 Final projects due during final exam period:
Tuesday, December 15, 9:45 - 11:45 am