Winter
Quarter Classes for Technical Communicators Offered by UC Extension
By
Michelle Petersen, VP Professional
Development
Many of us know that UC San Diego and UC Riverside offer Certificates in Technical Communication through their University Extension programs. However, did you know that you can take technical communication classes through these campuses without enrolling in the Certificate program? Classes for Winter 2004 start in January.
UCSD Technical Communication Courses (Winter 2004)
Course: Critical
Thinking for Technical Communicators
Teacher: Bonni Graham
Course Dates: January 7-March 3
Description from the UCSD Extension Web site:
"This course explores how decisions made before the writing process begins can have unexpected ramifications. Students will examine their thinking processes—how they use reason to solve problems, form opinions, and make decisions—in order to improve them. They will practice identifying key questions and assumptions, assessing interpretations and conclusions, and applying criteria and standards to analysis. Course will be taught through lectures, discussions, and technical writing exercises and projects."
Course:
Information Design for Technical Communicators
Teacher: Steve Margolin
Course Dates: February 10-March 16
Description from the UCSD Extension Web site:
"Professionals who produce technical communications—whether they are technical writers, Web and graphic designers, trainers, or engineers—can benefit from knowledge of document design. In broad terms, document design is the integration of words and pictures to help readers satisfy their goals for using the document. We will study how to use clear writing, analysis of the audience's needs, legibility of typography, design of spatial cues, and the interplay of words and pictures to create documents, printed or electronic, that readers understand and respond to aesthetically and emotionally."
To enroll in these classes or to view the entire course catalog, visit the UCSD Extension Web site:
You may also enroll over the phone by calling UCSD Extension at (858)534-3400.
UC Riverside Technical Communication Courses (Winter 2004)
Course: Managing
Technical Communication Projects
Teacher: Sharon Burton
Course Dates: January 12-March 29
Description from the UC Riverside Extension Web site:
"This course focuses on the management of technical writing projects. The entire process of technical documentation of projects is examined, including determining the project scope, developing the information plan, estimating page counts, planning milestones and ensuring quality. Creating and updating project plans, documentation plans and content plans are also covered."
Course:
FrameMaker: Software for Creating Technical Documents
Teacher: Bonni Graham
Course Dates: January 24-February 28
Description from the UC Riverside Extension Web site:
"This course provides hands-on instruction in one of the most essential tools in the field of technical writing today: Adobe FrameMaker. With FrameMaker, writers can create and manage complex multichapter documents with significant cost reduction, and the handling and creation of tables of contents, indices, cross-references, tables of figures, bibliographies, and other document components can be automated. FrameMaker can also turn documentation into HTML pages and Adobe PDF files."
To enroll in these classes or to view the entire course catalog, visit the UC Riverside Extension Web site:
You may also enroll over the phone by calling UC Riverside Extension at (909)787-4105 or toll-free (800)442-4990.
