ENGL 480Communication Design for Writers

3 credits · English · Penn State

This course explores visual design, non-verbal communication, and software packages used in professional settings to most effectively present written communications. ENGL 480 Communication Design for Writers (3) ENGL 480 is a course designed to familiarize students with an integrated theory of the roles that visual, verbal, and non-verbal communication play in the production of professional documents using the technologies and software applications most widely used in many organizational settings. To this end, the course will focus on employing non-verbal design elements (color, photographs, graphics, page layout, typography, paper) to develop effective communications tailored to a variety of media, audiences, and purposes using software packages such as Quark XPress, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Excel. Emphasis will be placed on producing clear, insightful, polished, professional documents, both individually and as part of a team.As part of the course, students can expect to a.) Understand the theories, elements, and principles of visual and non-verbal communication. b.) Appreciate the roles of the audience, purpose, and context in planning and composing documents. c.) Value the role of ethos, pathos, and logos when planning and composing documents. d.) Learn basic skills in a variety of software packages most widely used in the professional world. e.) Design and compose a variety of documents for a variety of audiences that display their writing and design skills. f.) Demonstrate through their documents an understanding of the theories of visual, verbal, and non-verbal communication. g.) Assess their own strengths and weaknesses as writers and designers. h.) Demonstrate the ability to reflect critically on their own and others' discourse practices. i.) Gain an understanding of the role and scope of other professionals and other disciplines in creating professional communications.