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Technical Communication

Overview Degrees/Certificates Courses Faculty

Man sitting with one hand on his laptop keyboard and the other holding a pen

Technical Communication an interdisciplinary course of study designed to prepare students for employment as professional writers and communicators in a variety of media intended to instruct and inform audiences.

The degree program includes substantial course work in writing, information design, editing, page design, online help development, website creation, and the use of industry standard applications.

The certificate offers an interdisciplinary program of courses in Technical Communications, Art/New Media, and Computer Information Systems to prepare students for a variety of technical writing and professional communication careers. The certificate includes the theory, writing skills, design background, and computer applications knowledge needed for jobs in technical communication.

Technical communicators find employment in medical, scientific, high tech, business, university, and government settings. They may write white papers, tutorials, reference and procedure manuals, help systems, user assistance video scripts, grants and proposals, and more.

Division Dean Kirsten Corbin
Department Chair Heidi Bennett
HomeBase Business HomeBase
Phone (916) 484-8361
Email bcsclerk@arc.losrios.edu

Certificate of Achievement

Technical Communications Certificate

This certificate offers an interdisciplinary program of courses in Technical Communications, Art/New Media, and Computer Information Systems to prepare students for a variety of technical writing and professional communication careers. The certificate includes the theory, writing skills, design background, and computer applications knowledge needed for jobs in technical communication.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2024

Certificate Requirements

Course Code	Course Title	Units
ARTNM 352	Design for Publication (3)	2 - 3
or CISA 330	Desktop Publishing (2)
CISA 305	Beginning Word Processing (2)	2 - 3
or BUSTEC 310	Introduction to Word/Information Processing (3)
CISW 300	Web Publishing	3
TECCOM 300	Introduction to Technical/Professional Communication	3
TECCOM 310	Writing Digital Content	1
TECCOM 330	Writing Technical Manuals	1
A minimum of 3 units from the following:		3
BUS 100	English for the Professional (3)
BUS 310	Business Communications (3)
CISW 321	Web Site Development using Dreamweaver (3)
Total Units:		15 - 17

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

analyze audience information needs.
compose concise, clearly written professional documents organized with the audiences' needs in mind.
design print and online resources that communicate organizations' values, enhance readability, and are easy to use.
demonstrate basic skills in the use of word processing, page design, and web design applications.
evaluate organizations' communication goals and needs based on technical writing principles.

Career Information

Technical Communication (TECCOM) Courses

TECCOM 300 Introduction to Technical/Professional Communication

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:BUS 100 or 310 with a grade of "C" or better
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course emphasizes principles of reader-centered writing for the workplace, focusing specifically on aspects of technical and professional communication. It covers the writing of documents used in businesses, academia, industry, and government. These documents may include memos, letters, brochures, instructions and procedures, proposals, grants, technical and informational reports, web sites, blogs, and product documentation. This course is formerly known as ENGWR 342.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

analyze audience to refine the purpose and content of effective technical communication.
research, collect, and evaluate technical and organizational information.
identify the characteristics of effective print and online communication.
compose business documents suited for the appropriate audience and topic.
write clear and concise definitions, descriptions, and instructions.
use graphics to enhance written communication.
describe specific content and structure used in effective reports, proposals, and grants.

TECCOM 310 Writing Digital Content

Units:1
Hours:18 hours LEC
Prerequisite:BUS 100, BUS 310, ENGWR 300, or TECCOM 300 with a grade of "C" or better
Advisory:ARTNM 352, CISA 305, and CISW 300 with grades of "C" or better
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course emphasizes the writing of digital content for the workplace and for technical and business disciplines. It covers audience analysis, online formats, research techniques, and concise, grammatical writing. This course is formerly known as ENGWR 344.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

evaluate the different types of digital content and choose formats appropriate for the writing purpose.
write reader-centered digital content for different audiences.
evaluate writing for conciseness and correctness and apply principles of technical writing.
collect, evaluate, and organize technical and organizational information used to write digital content.
use graphics and visual aids to enhance digital content.

TECCOM 330 Writing Technical Manuals

Units:1
Hours:18 hours LEC
Prerequisite:BUS 100, BUS 310, ENGWR 300, or TECCOM 300 with a grade of "C" or better
Advisory:ARTNM 352 and CISA 305 with grades of "C" or better
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course is designed for professionals in all fields who need to design, create, and revise user and reference manuals in print or online formats. The course offers strategies for audience and task analysis, product learning, document design, drafting, procedure writing, and revision. Word processing, desktop publishing, and/or online tools are used to produce a print or online manual. This course is formerly known as ENGWR 352.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

describe audience, tasks, purposes, and contexts of user and reference manuals.
use word processing, desktop publishing, and/or online tools to create user and reference manuals.
compose user or reference manuals in concise, user-oriented language that effectively addresses the audience's tasks and purposes.
choose effective visual aids for manuals.
evaluate and revise manuals to enhance usability.