This page will list the tool-based technical communication courses offered by the English Department during Fall semester.
This section will list the tool-based courses offered for Undergraduates pursuing a Minor in Technical Communication.
ENG 214 – Introduction to Editing
As the name suggests, this is a basic beginner level course for students to learn about editing. Students who are interested in learning the basics of editing and how editing is done using MS Office and Adobe tools are encouraged to take this course.
Students’ Perspective: Undergraduate students feel that this course gave them a very clear idea into the field of editing. Students mentioned that the best thing about this course is that they got to learn about AP Style.
ENG 314 – Technical Documentation Design and Editing
This course is an extension to ENG 214. Through this course students can learn about layout design and editing techniques for technical documents. Students can learn more about the tools used to edit graphs, tables, and create templates for technical documents. Apart from this, there is great emphasis on desktop publishing and hence students are also exposed to tools like Photoshop, InDesign, and basic of XML. This is a required course for students who are graduating with a minor in Technical Writing.
Students’ Perspective: Students mentioned that the tools taught in this course help them a lot in getting a co-op or an internship. They mentioned that learning InDesign and the basics of Photoshop is of great help to them. Apart from that they also enjoyed the assignments on editing a handbook and writing a set of technical instructions.
To get more details about getting a minor in Technical Writing, visit the course website.
Other than the courses offered in the English department, students can also opt for tool-based courses offered by the Communication Department and College of Design at NCSU.
Here’s a list of electives offered during Fall semesters.
COM 267 – Media Writing, Theory and Practice
This is an upper level communication course. It is offered as an elective to students from other departments who want to learn more about media based writing and the software used for it. Juniors and Seniors are encouraged to take this course.
This course teaches students the basics of news writing, blogging, creating a podcast, and creating a digital portfolio.
COM 307 – Digital Audio Production
Digital Audi Production, as the name suggests teaches students abut the basics in the area of audio production. It is an introductory level course offered to undergraduate students who wish to learn about audio editing techniques. This course will be of great help to students who wish to learn about Sound Engineering and Technology and how to manipulate sound.
COM 357 – Digital Video Production
Digital Video production course is targeted at students who wish to learn the basics of how a video is made and what are the basics of producing a video. In this course, students are taught how to come up with a script for a video, learn the fundamentals of operating a camera, and what kind of software can be used to edit videos.
COM 407 – Advanced Digital Audio
This is an advanced level course that students can opt if they had earlier opted for COM 307. This course will teach students about advanced multi-channel techniques for audio production. Along with this students will also be given a chance to learn about scripting and producing an audio based project entirely.
GD 417: Information and Publishing Design Systems
This course is offered as an elective by the College of Design. This course helps students learn about typographic language, writing, and reading with attention to advanced grid, form, and font systems in the design of multi-page documents, as well as issues of production and printing.
Note: Students from other departments need to get permission from the Department Head before enrolling for this course
More information about the courses offered in the Communication Department can be found in the course catalog.
List of tool-based courses offered to Graduate students in the MSTC Program:
ENG 517: Advanced Technical Writing, Editing, and Document Design
This is a Master’s level course offered to students and teaches them the basics of audio, visual making and editing techniques. The course also touches about the concept of HTML and PHP. The course extensively uses Adobe Creative Suite to make students learn the concepts of documentation design and editing techniques. This is a required course for the Master’s students in the MSTP Program.
Students’ Perspective: Students feel that this is one of the most important courses in the MSTC Program since it offers them a wide variety of tool-based courses that are used in the industry. Apart from this, students have particularly found learning WordPress, Audacity, and editing techniques the most beneficial part of this course.