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the PPW Certificate |
 Course
Descriptions
These are more
detailed course descriptions than those provided by PeopleSoft.
To see when courses are available, consult the schedule of classes
(via the Pitt portal) for the term you are interested in.
Engcmp
400. Written Professional Communication
3 credits
In this course we will examine the contexts for and rhetorical dimensions
of a variety of professional documents, including those documents
students produce in the course itself. Major assignments include
a set of career materials (resume, cover letter, career report);
a correspondence packet that addresses a conflict; a proposal; and
a longer report based on research and analysis. As we engage in
this work we will explore the nature of professionalism, common
features and efforts (enabling and disabling) of professional discourse,
and strategies for negotiating the "borders" of specialized
and non-specialized discourse. This course is offered Fall, Spring,
and Summer terms and during both Summer sessions. Prerequisite:
Students must have completed their Composition requirement (Engcmp
200 or equivalent) before taking this course.
Engcmp
410. Writing in the Legal Professions 3
credits
This course focuses on the rhetoric of law and the ways that legal
texts create a culture and a world through the language and arguments
they employ. Students interested in law, rhetoric, and questions
of cultural construction should find this course of interest. The
course will use literacy texts and the works of legal scholars to
consider how arguments, evidence, testimony, assertions, assumptions
and judgments constitute a set of public issues and values. This
course is offered during Fall and Spring terms. It is often offered
during a summer session as well. Prerequisites: Students must have
completed their Composition requirement (Engcmp 200 or its equivalent)
before taking this course.
Engcmp 420. Writing for the Public 3
credits
This course explores the theory and practice of writing that serves
the public interest. Public writing is crucial in the nonprofit
sector, serving every kind of cause: safety and health, political
activism, the environment, animal rights, the arts. It also takes
the form of writing that facilitates communication between government
and its policies and those people who are impacted by those policies.
Many of those who write for the public are working to make a difference
in the world. The course will explore the ethics of writing for
the public, the impact of rhetorical contexts on writing, and how
writing and revision can allow you to understand a problem or issue
in a new way. We'll use examples of public writing, theoretical
articles, and the work of students in the class to inform our discussion.
Students can expect to write proposals; press kits; editorials;
informational Web sites; articles; and complex documents that incorporate
photos and other visual elements, sidebars, and feature articles.
Since we will see writing as part of a conversation with a larger
world, students will report on an event they attend, interview a
professional in a field that interests them, and identify and regularly
read on or more sources of information: professional journals, media
outlets, research studies, or other materials. This course is offered
during Fall and Spring terms. It is also offered as a summer session
course occasionally. Prerequisite: Students must have completed
their composition requirement (Engcmp 200 or its equivalent) before
taking this class.
Engcmp
510. Narratives of the Workplace 3 credits
This course invites students to examine, in writing and
through class discussion, the diverse workplace narratives that
appear in poetry, non-fiction, fiction, and contemporary film and
television. Students will write about the ways in which these narratives
apply to, or affect, the contemporary world of work, addressing
questions such as: Where do our ideas and perceptions about work
come from? What do we learn about the culture of certain work, professional
or otherwise, from these narratives? What are the distinctions between
professional and working class positions and do they still apply?
What role do corporate narratives play in contemporary society and
how do they serve to govern the workplace and the educational experiences
students gain in school and in college? The course will also ask
students to consider the kinds of work and workplace cultures they
expect to enter when they graduate, and to explore the implicit
connections between education and work. This course fulfills a W
requirement. Coursework includes a series of papers, annotated readings,
and a final documentary project. This course is offered during Fall
term. Prerequisite: Students must have completed their composition
requirement (Engcmp 200 or its equivalent) before taking this class.
EngCmp
515. Persuasive Writing in Advertising and Fundraising
3 credits
How can we best communicate with others in order to persuade
them? How can we promote a position or product while maintaining
high ethical standards? Advertising and fundraising require the
same kinds of persuasive work, though they serve different rhetorical
contexts; advertising takes place in for-profit settings, while
fundraising takes place in nonprofit settings. Both attempt to influence
the decisions people make about the money they spend, the attitudes
they have, and the issues that shape our society. In this course,
students will analyze and create the kinds of persuasive writing
used in the fields of fundraising and advertising. Coursework will
involve readings, discussion, brief papers that analyze and critique
work done in the fields, a presentation to the class, and an original
written project that can become part of a student's portfolio to
show prospective employers. Students will have opportunities to
have their work reviewed in class, to participate in discussions
with people currently working in the fields, and to revise their
written pieces for a final portfolio. This course is offered during
Fall and Spring terms. Prerequisite: Students must have completed
their composition requirement (Engcmp 200 or its equivalent). It
is strongly recommended that you also take Engcmp 400, 410, or 420
before you take this class.
Engcmp
520. Integrating Writing and Design 3
credits
This course allows students to explore the rhetorical implications
of design and invites students to consider design and writing as
an integrated process. The class will alternate lecture/discussion
sessions with studio sessions, so that students can learn how to
use Adobe InDesign to create both single- and multi-paged documents
for particular rhetorical contexts. Students will also learn how
to manipulate images in Adobe Photoshop so that they will better
serve their purposes. Our classes will focus on theory of writing
and design, critique and analysis of documents that students create,
and critique and analysis of documents created by professionals.
Students will write and design a resume and cover letter; write
analyses of professional examples they find especially problematic
or compelling; create brief, fully designed argument pieces conceptualized
in two different ways; create a poster; replicate and revise existing
professionally produced examples; and propose, write, and design
a multi-paged designed document to accomplish a specific outcome
for a particular audience. This class assumes that students are
comfortable with using a computer and with learning new software.
It is helpful if students have already satisfactorily completed
Engcmp 400, 410, or 420 or equivalent. The course is offered during
Spring term.
Engcmp
550. Topics in Public and Professional Writing 3
credits
This topics course is intended for students beginning the Public
and Professional Writing Certificate, and as a writing-intensive
course for students fulfilling general education requirements or
interested in writing as a subject as well as a mode of instruction.
The course will focus on varied topics, addressing different forms
and environments for public and professional writing. Possible topics
include: "Rhetorics of Health and Welfare," "Writing
and Environmental Politics," and "Electronic Publishing."
Students will read examples of public and professional writing,
as well as texts selected to raise questions about the public sphere,
the work environment, and forms of writing. Students will work closely
with the written texts prepared by their colleagues. Students will
write regular short responses to assigned readings or distributed
student papers, three 5-6 page essays (submitted as draft, then
revised in response to instructor and peer comments), and prepare
a final portfolio with a reflective essay on writing. This course
is offered occasionally, with varied focus on specific topics in
Public and Professional Writing. Prerequisite: Students must have
completed their composition requirement (Engcmp 200 or its equivalent).
It is strongly recommended that you also take Engcmp 400, 410, or
420 before you take this class.
EngCmp
1100. Language of Business & Industry 3
credits
Companies communicate with diverse audiences—including
customers, current and future employees, investors, government officials,
and the media. They reach their audiences through various means:
advertising, annual reports, brochures, intranets, memos, mission
statements, newsletters, press conferences, and websites, for example.
They use these methods to talk about their brand, vision, values,
products or services, employment benefits, or financial results,
depending on the audience and the purpose. A myriad of factors separate
those companies that communicate effectively from those that fall
short. The use of plain English rather than jargon and acronyms
is one factor that influences communication results. In this course,
students will actively explore the "languages" of employment,
business culture, internal communications, external communications,
and organizational change through readings, discussion, and writing
assignments. The writing assignments range from in-class writing
(explaining a professional term without using jargon) to formal
writing (doing an investigative report on a pertinent business language
issue). Students will use several techniques—writing a theses
statement, creating an idea map to generate content, revising, and
giving and receiving feedback—as they practice professional
writing. This course is offered during Spring term. Prerequisite:
Satisfactory completion of Engcmp 400, 410, or 420 or permission
of the instructor.
EngCmp
1101. Language of Science and Technology 3
credits
This course allows students to develop the communication skills
needed to present scientific and technological information clearly
and accurately to a variety of audiences. The course will draw on
fundamental principles of effective communication, such as audience
analysis and information design. Students will write and revise
proposals, technical reports, user instructions, and news releases
for both expert and lay audiences. The course will also explore
the ways successful writers use emerging technologies and methods
such as hypertext, structured markup languages, content management
systems, and multimedia. This course is appropriate for students
who have some experience with written professional communication,
and who are interested in developing skills needed for writing technical
reports, software documentation, and other technical communication.
This course is offered during Fall term. Prerequisite: Satisfactory
completion of Engcmp 400, 410, or 420 or permission of the instructor.
Engcmp
1250. Advanced Topics in Public and Professional Writing
3 credits
This advanced topics course is intended for juniors and seniors
who are pursuing the Public and Professional Writing Certificate,
as well as other students interested in courses in advanced writing.
The course will focus on varied topics, addressing theoretical,
social, or historical issues of writing in public and professional
environments. Possible topics include: “Polemic and Public
Discourse,” “Work and Rhetorics of Class,” “Writing
in an Electronic Age,” “Women, Writing, and the Public
Sphere.” Students will read a range of texts selected to contextualize
concerns about writing, rhetoric, professional discourses, and the
public. Students will write short responses to assigned readings,
two 5-6 page essays, and will develop a project leading to a substantial
written essay and an oral presentation. The course will also focus
intensively on the students’ writing. This course is offered
occasionally, with varied focus on specific topics in Public and
Professional Writing. Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of Engcmp
400, 410, or 420 or permission of the instructor.
Engcmp
1400. Grant and Proposal Writing 3 credits
In today's marketplace, proposals produce billions of dollars to
help solve problems and support causes that people care about. Grant
proposals make possible important research in the natural, behavioral,
and social sciences; they enable many to benefit from civic and
educational projects; and they benefit community development and
fund artistic achievement. Other types of proposals allow people
to start businesses, create change on the job, and define projects
that meet the needs of particular audiences. This course will allow
students to understand the functions and conventions of proposals,
the types of research that they require, and the processes that
generate them and lead to approval. Students will focus on two main
issues: developing a proposal (which includes activities such as
defining needs, reviewing existing projects and literature, and,
if seeking a grant, researching sources of funds) and writing a
proposal with a specific audience in mind. Coursework will help
students develop an understanding of proposal writing from an initial
idea through final submission. Students will complete a variety
of written pieces leading up to the final proposal, which may be
valuable in their employment portfolios. Upon completion of this
course, students will have acquired the research and writing skills
necessary to write successful proposals. This course is offered
during Spring Term. Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of Engcmp
400, 410, or 420 or permission of the instructor.
Engcmp 1410. Advanced Research and Documentary Writing
3 credits
Course catalog description: This course will focus on research as
it supports those who write professionally. In particular, we are
going to explore long projects that take up a subject and study
it in some depth using observation, interviews and surveys as well
as online and library research. The term "research" refers
to substantially different activities in different professional
settings. We will spend time looking at three particular types of
research: literary journalism devoted to creating social change;
research-based projects that attempt to create change in corporate
practices such as management, customer relationships, and ethics;
and documentary work that is designed to raise awareness, provoke
conversation, and honor human and humane activity. All three of
these areas yield many long and short projects—books and articles
and scripts—that are created in the hope that the final product
will have a real impact in the world. You will study some examples
of research as it plays out in several books, articles, and a film
documentary, and you'll plan and carry out a research project of
your own. This course is offered occasionally. Prerequisite: Satisfactory
completion of Engcmp 400, 410, or 420 or permission of the instructor.
Encmp
1900. Internship: Publc/Professnl Writ 3
credits
Public and Professional Writing (PPW) internships offer you a productive,
substantive writing experience in which you learn from and contribute
to the sponsoring agency, company, or project. You will also learn
more about theoretical, social, or historical issues of writing
in public and professional environments through your work in one-on-one
meetings with administrators from the PPW program. And you'll have
the valuable experience of presenting your reflections on your internship
in some form to your peers. PPW interns spend at least 50 percent
of their on-site time writing. They keep a journal, write about
their experience, meet regularly with the associate director or
director of the PPW program, and work with a Writing Center consultant
on their final presentation. Interns can access a discussion board
that allows them to share their reflections on their experiences
and prepare for their presentations. Students commit a minimum of
12-15 hours per week to the internships and are expected to perform
as reliable and responsible professionals. Students who are employed
may petition to create their own internship, provided that it encompasses
a new and distinct project and is not a part of a traditional workload.
Prerequisites: You may apply for these competitive internship opportunities
if you are a junior or senior, are resident in the PPW Certificate
program, are in good academic standing ("B" average or
better), and have completed coursework toward the Public and Professional
Writing Certificate, including one of these three courses: Engcmp
400, 410, or 420. Download a PPW internship application at www.english.pitt.edu/undergraduate/ppw/internapp.pdf.
Students must apply for an internship the term before they would
like to serve and must meet with the PPW internship coordinator
(ppw@pitt.edu) before registering. If you are accepted as an intern,
the PPW internship coordinator will help you complete your learning
agreement and give you a special permission slip to register for
the course. This course is offered during Fall, Spring, and Summer
terms.
Engcmp
1902. Independent Study in Public and Professional Writing 1
to 6 credits
The independent study option permits students in good academic standing
to design Public and Professional Writing courses of their own with
the approval of a department faculty member. The independent study
must integrate both the theory and practice of some aspect of public
and/or professional writing, and the student must conduct research
that will allow him or her to contextualize the writing forms and
content being studied. Students typically write at least 30 pages
(or 7,500 words) over the course of the term, and revision plays
a significant role in the student's work. In addition, the student
and sponsoring faculty member define a reading list and other required
research, which may include interviews or surveys. The student and
faculty member will agree on other work, such as essays or documents
and a journal or other response to the research. Whenever possible,
the student will create a final document that can be used by an
intended audience or in a professional portfolio. Students are required
to submit a proposal to a faculty member of their choice--usually,
this faculty member is comfortable with the subject matter of the
study and has worked with the student in the past. The specific
form for requesting this faculty approval can be obtained from the
Director or Associate Director of PPW in M-2 Thaw Hall. The form
requires a description of the project you are proposing, what you
expect to learn from it, the reading and research you will do, the
products you will create as a result of your study, and the ways
in which your sponsor will engage with your work. When the study
starts, follow the communication methods and deadlines
outlined on the independent study page to ensure that your sponsor
knows what you are doing throughout the term. You will be asked
to present your project at our end-of-term PPW meeting. Please note
that the study proposed must not duplicate the content of regularly
offered courses. The purpose of this option is to complement a student's
program by permitting him or her to design a course not covered
by the curriculum. It is not designed to permit students to avoid
taking regularly offered courses. This course is offered during
Fall and Spring terms. Prerequisite: Students must have completed
their composition requirement (Engcmp 200 or its equivalent) and
at least 6 credits above the 300-level in the English department
before taking this class.
Engcmp
1903. Service-Learning Seminar PPW 1
credit
Course catalog description: The Service-Learning Seminar is a one-credit
course open to students who are enrolled in a three-credit course
offered through the Public and Professional Writing Program during
the same term. Students who enroll in the Service-Learning Seminar
will gain valuable experience by performing meaningful community
service in a local nonprofit organization. The main objective of
the Service-Learning Seminar is to help students learn more about
workplace professionalism in the nonprofit sector by providing opportunities
to carry their reflections on their workplace experiences back to
their courses in the program. Participants are required to perform
service in an approved nonprofit organization for a minimum of thirty
hours, or roughly three hours per week throughout the term. They
are also required to participate in a weekly one-hour seminar meeting
conducted by faculty in the Public and Professional Writing Program.
During the term they will be expected to perform a number of short
written reflection activities, including the keeping of a journal
documenting and reflecting on their service work. Finally, students
in this course will be expected to work with participating faculty
to determine demonstrable ways in which they will apply their experiences
in the Service-Learning Seminar toward completing the course requirements
in their regular Public and Professional Writing courses. Prerequisite:
This course is open to any student enrolled in a regular Public
and Professional Writing course during the same term. This course
is offered during Fall and Spring terms. For more information about
service-learning, go to this page: <http://www.pitt.edu/~ppw/sl.html>.
To read about the experiences of past service-learners, go here:
<http://www.pitt.edu/~ppw/SLperspectives.html>. |
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