Mar 29, 2024  
2019-2020 General Catalog 
    
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English: Technical Communication and Rhetoric Emphasis - BA, BS


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College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Department of English

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  • For more information about English, Technical Communication and Rhetoric Emphasis, see the English Department website.
  • Following is a sample four-year plan. Please note that student-specific plans may differ.
  • Admitted students must meet with an academic advisor. Current students should also meet with an academic advisor and logon to Degree Works  to check student-specific program progress.

 

Minimum University Requirements

Total Credits 120

 

Grade Point Average (most majors require higher GPA)

2.00 GPA
Credits of C- or better 100 Credits of upper-division courses (#3000 or above) 40
Total USU Credits 30 Upper-division USU Credits 20
USU Credits within the Major 10 Credits in Minor (if required) 12
Credits in Major see below Credits in American Institutions 3
General Education Requirements   see link University Studies Depth Requirements   see link
NOTES: highest Math Requirement for this degree is Quantitative Literacy  of student’s choice

 

Admissions Requirements for this Program

New freshmen Admitted to USU in Good Standing

 

Transfer students from other institutions or other programs at USU 2.5 GPA

First Year

 Fall Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

 

Spring Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

ENGL 1010: Introduction to Writing: Academic Prose (CL1)   3     ENGL 2010: Intermediate Writing: Research Writing in a Persuasive Mode (CL2)   3    
Breadth Requirement 3   ENGL 2600: Literary Analysis   3    
Breadth Requirement 3   Breadth Requirement 3  

* Any Quantitative Literacy (QL)   course, but STAT 1040 or 1045 are recommended.
 
3   Breadth Requirement 3  
Elective Course 3   Elective Course 3  
TOTAL CREDITS: 15   TOTAL CREDITS: 15  

Comments

 

Comments

Second Year

 Fall Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

 

Spring Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

ENGL 3400: Introduction to Technical Communication (CI)   3     ENGL 1410: Elements of Grammar   3    
ENGL Core Cultural Exploration Course 3   ENGL 3410: Technical Communication Technologies   3    
Breadth Requirement 3   Quantitative Intensive (QI)   3  
Breadth Requirement 3   Breadth Requirement  3  
Elective Course 3   Elective Course 3  
TOTAL CREDITS: 15   TOTAL CREDITS: 15  

Comments

 

Comments

 

Third Year

 Fall Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

 

Spring Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

ENGL 3460: Rhetorical Theory   3     ENGL 3450: Methods and Research in Professional and Technical Communication   3    
Depth Life and Physical Sciences (DSC)   3   ENGL Linguistics Course 3  
ENGL Technical Writing Upper Division Course 3   ENGL Technical Writing Upper Division Course 3  
Depth Social Sciences (DSS)   3   ENGL Technical Writing Upper Division Course 3  
Elective Course 3   Elective Course 3  
TOTAL CREDITS: 15   TOTAL CREDITS: 15  

Comments

 

Comments

 

Fourth Year

 Fall Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

 

Spring Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

ENGL 5430: Technical Communication Capstone (CI)   3    

ENGL Internship Course or ENGL Upper Division Elective Course  *

3  
ENGL Technical Writing Upper Division Course 3   ENGL Technical Writing Upper Division Course 3  
Elective Course  3   Elective Course 3  
Elective Course 3   Elective Course 3  
Elective Course 3   Elective Course 3  
TOTAL CREDITS: 15   TOTAL CREDITS: 15  

Comments

 

Comments

* Internship (ENGL 4900) strongly recommended.

 

Credits in Residence


Students must complete 21 credits of major-applicable coursework at Utah State University.

Course Requirements


Core/Explore Requirements (9 credits)

Students must complete 9 credits of exploration courses. Students must choose one course from each section: culture, literature, and writing. 

Students should complete the exploratory requirements as early as possible.

Professional and Technical Writing Emphasis


Minimum GPA for Admission: 2.5 within all English courses (other than ENGL 1010 ENGL 2010 , CLEP, AP, etc.); 2.5 USU cumulative (including courses taken for another USU major); 2.5 career total (including transfer credits) for new transfer students

Minimum GPA for Graduation: 2.75 within major courses; 2.0 USU cumulative; 2.0 career total

Minimum Grade Accepted: C in courses taught by major, B- in ENGL 1410 ENGL 3400 , and ENGL 3410  (up to 3 credits with pass/fail grades allowed for internship)

Number of required credits:42

Other Requirements: Grammar Challenge Exam (score of at least 80 percent) or ENGL 1410   

This emphasis prepares students for career opportunities in various writing-related careers in professional organizations.   The emphasis consists of: (1) a theoretical foundation in rhetoric and linguistics, enabling students to assess writing situations and meet the rhetorical exigencies they will face in the workplace; and (2) writing practice in a variety of contexts with a range of technological tools, preparing them to design, write, and edit professional documents.

Students begin their studies by completing two introductory professional writing courses familiarizing students with professional writing and the current technologies used in all levels of text production.  These courses, ENGL 3400  and ENGL 3410 , are prerequisites for the rest of the major and must be passed with a grade of B- or better for the student to continue in the program.  In addition, students will take two courses addressing rhetorical issues and research methods in professional communication, as well as one course in linguistics.

Students then take five major courses, including professional editing, document design and graphics, writing for digital media production, social justice, and project management.  Students may also take courses focusing on more specific forms of writing, such as proposals, websites, and marketing materials. We encourage and can help procure internships, which provide students with an opportunity to learn through hands-on experiences in a variety of organizations.  Students complete the program by taking a capstone course, in which they design and construct portfolios, explore professional opportunities, and prepare to begin their careers.  For more information, visit the Technical Communication and Rhetoric website at http://techcomm.usu.edu/.

Note:  As soon as possible, students in this emphasis should acquire a mastery of word processing and desktop publishing programs.

A. Diversity Requirement


All English majors are required to take one course that examines the experiences, perspectives, literatures, cultures, and/or creative expressions of underrepresented and/or marginalized communities. For this requirement, the USU English department includes communities who have been underrepresented or marginalized due to race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, disability and/or the intersections of these identities in conjunction with one another and with class.

B. Exploratory Requirements (9 credits)


  • Literature (3 credits)
  • Culture (3 credits)
  • Writing (3 credits)

H. Internship/English Elective (3 credits)


If you have taken a professional and technical writing course to fulfill your Exploratory Requirement, then take at least 3 credits of ENGL 4900 - Intership/Cooperative Work Experience (recommended option) OR select one English elective course numbered 3305 or higher (includes courses in creative writing, professional and technical writing, literature, linguistics, folklore, and American studies).

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