Upcoming Courses

Summer/Fall 2025

Summer II 2025

ENG 5314: Proposal Writing (Asynchronous Online)

Instructor: Dr. Aimee Kendall Roundtree

Description/Goals: 

This course introduces students to grant writing and management as a form of technical communication. It will help students understand the complexities of grantsmanship, from the beginning process of grant-seeking to the end process of grants management post-award. It will provide students with an opportunity to experience writing grants. 

Students will learn the process of identifying prospective funders, developing relationships with funders, understanding the basics of writing grants, submitting proposals, teamwork, and follow-up. They will learn to analyze audiences and use rhetorical strategies across the grant writing cycle. Students will explore the wide array of funding opportunities through federal, state, and local grantors and learn to interpret funding announcements as extensions of public policy and organizational ethos. They will apply lessons learned to write and prepare grant proposals. 

The course is writing-intensive but strengthens presentations and introduces proposal-related software. Students will participate in group discussions, web board responses, online research, and asynchronous exercises. The course is asynchronous but will offer optional chats every week.

Books: 

  • The grant writing guide: a road map for scholars. ISBN 9780691231891 
  • Grant writing for dummies. ISBN 9781119868071 
  • LinkedIn Learning
  • Select additional readings and viewings

Evaluation:

  • · Weekly discussion posting and video presentation in FlipGrid
  • · Book review
  • · Proposal

Office: JCK 420

Phone: 512-245-6881

Email: akr@txstate.edu

 

Fall 2025

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ENG 5383: History and Theory of Rhetoric (In-Person/Hybrid)

Sign up for the format you prefer

CRN 13114 (in person) / CRN 19725 (online) 

Instructor: Dr. Eric Leake 

Description/Goals: 

*This course fulfills the rhetorical/composition theory requirement

This course is a historical survey and introduction to rhetorical theory. The course is organized thematically to pose connections between classic and contemporary texts, highlight the relevance of rhetorical history, spotlight key issues, and better balance rhetorical history with current concerns. The driving questions throughout the course will be: what is rhetoric and what does rhetoric do? The course will address those questions by considering how rhetoric has developed in different times and places and how it matters today, particularly in composition, pedagogy, English studies, and public life.  
 

Students will be able to demonstrate familiarity with key rhetorical figures and concepts, articulate the historical development of rhetoric, perform rhetorical analysis of a variety of texts, map rhetoric’s relationship with other fields of inquiry, and design and complete graduate-level research in a significant rhetorical issue. 

Books: 

Bizzell, Patricia, et al., editors. The Rhetorical Tradition, 3rd edition. Bedford / St. Martins, 2020. 

 Evaluation: Weekly reading responses, annotated bibliography, seminar paper, research presentation 

Email: eleake@txstate.edu 

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ENG 5311: Foundations of Technical Communication (Asynchronous Online)

Instructor: Dr. Miriam Williams 

Description/Goals:

*This is a required course for MATC students.

Foundations of Technical Communication is an introduction to technical communication history, theory, and practice. At the end of the course you will be able to do the following: 

  • Discuss technical communication history, practices, theories, and research methods; 
  • Discuss the relationship between theory and practice in technical communication; 
  • Negotiate various definitions of technical communication and evaluate the legitimacy of these definitions; 
  • Improve your knowledge of an Adobe Creative Cloud software application 
  • Use common genres of technical communication to communicate your understanding of an Adobe Creative Suite Software application 

Books: 

Keywords in Technical and Professional Communication edited by Han Yu and Jonathan Buehl, available free/open access here: https://wac.colostate.edu/books/tpc/tpc/ 

Other open access journal articles and forthcoming book to be assigned 

Subscription for the Semester: Adobe Creative Cloud for Students ($20/month student option) 

Evaluation:

  • Project I – Project Proposal 20% 
  • Project II – Mid-Semester Status Report 20% 
  • Project III – Instructional Manual 20% 
  • Project IV – Instructional Video 20% 
  • Discussion Forums – 20% 

Email: mfw@txstate.edu 

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ENG 5343: Technical Content Marketing (Asynchronous Online)

Instructor: Dr. Scott Mogull

Description/Goals: Content marketing focuses on providing useful information about a topic that promotes audience interest in products, services, and organizations. In practice, content marketing does not overtly sell a product or service but rather leverages a variety of media—such as blogs, websites, videos, social media, and PR campaigns—to promote audience awareness and knowledge of a topic or need that is addressed by the organization. In this class, students will learn the principles of content marketing to develop and publish content that educates specific audiences about an issue of concern. Additionally, we will examine the genres and rhetorical strategies used to promote products and services. Finally, we will explore the ethics of multimedia promotion that fit an organization’s objectives. After covering this material, students will select a content marketing campaign to analyze and provide suggestions for improvement.

Books: 

No required textbooks. Readings of articles and book chapters will be available through Canvas.
 
Evaluation: This class includes the following: class discussions, activities to practice content marketing, class paper analyzing a content marketing campaign (of a product, service, non-profit agency, or public service awareness campaign), and a course reflection.
 
Office: FH 137
 
Phone: (512) 408-3365
 
Email: mogull@txstate.edu

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ENG 5310: Studies in English Language and Linguistics: Writing with AI and Digital Tools  (Asynchronous Online)

Instructor: Dr. Timothy Ponce

Description/Goals: 

Are you ready to explore the intersection of linguistics, data science, and technical communication? In this class, we will explore how we can effectively and ethically use AI tools, particularly large language models (LLMs), in the professional writing process to create impactful, data-driven documents. By taking this class, you can expect to gain valuable experience in in linguistic analysis, data literacy, and AI-enhanced writing—skills that will set you apart in today's digital workplace. The following is a quick overview of some of the topics we will cover.

Unit 1: Text as Data We begin by examining how linguistic concepts like syntax, semantics, and sociolinguistics play a critical role in understanding text as data. Through the lens of data literacy, you will explore how every document you read or produce involves analyzing and transforming linguistic data, with AI serving as a powerful partner in this process.
 
Unit 2: Scraping and Analyzing Linguistic Data You will learn to gather and analyze text data from real-world sources, including job postings, technical documents, and online discourse. Through this process, you will create data-driven documents that reflect current industry trends and showcase your ability to apply linguistic insights to technical communication tasks.
 
Unit 3: Qualitative Research and Linguistic Analysis This unit takes quick dive into qualitative research methods, focusing on interviews, discourse analysis, and the use of AI to identify semantic patterns that can be used to write technical documentation. Specifically, you will develop a recommendation report that demonstrates how linguistic analysis can inform communication strategies in professional contexts.
 
Unit 4: Portfolio and Reflection You will compile a portfolio that not only showcases your technical communication skills but also highlights your ability to apply linguistic theories and AI tools in creating effective, data-informed documents. Through reflective exercises, you will evaluate how your new data literacy and linguistic skills can elevate your professional writing practice and help give you an edge in a highly competitive job market.
By the end of this course, you will not only understand how to use AI tools to generate content but also critically engage with the linguistic data that underpins effective
communication. You will emerge as a technical communicator who is both data-literate and linguistically informed, prepared to navigate the evolving landscape of AI and digital communication.
 
Email: timothy.ponce@txstate.edu

 

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ENG 5313: Coding for Technical Communicators (Asynchronous Online)

Instructor: Jas D. James 

Description/Goals: This course is designed to equip technical communicators with essential coding skills to create and manage digital content effectively. Throughout the course, students will be introduced to HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and React, enabling them to develop interactive and dynamic web-based materials. 

The course begins with an exploration of HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), the foundational language for creating web pages. Students will learn how to structure content using HTML elements, including text formatting, lists, links, and images. Emphasis will be placed on understanding semantic markup and best practices for accessibility and SEO (Search Engine Optimization). Subsequently, students will delve into CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), focusing on the design and layout aspects of web development. They will learn how to style HTML elements, customize typography, utilize CSS selectors, and implement responsive design principles to ensure content displays optimally across various devices and screen sizes. 

As the course progresses, students will be introduced to JavaScript, the web programming language. They will learn fundamental concepts such as variables, data types, control structures, and functions. Through hands-on exercises and projects, students will gain proficiency in using JavaScript to enhance interactivity and user experience on web pages. Furthermore, students will be introduced to React, a popular JavaScript library for building user interfaces. They will learn how to create reusable components, manage state and props, handle events, and implement routing in single-page applications.  

By the end of the course, students will have developed a solid foundation in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and React, empowering them to create engaging and interactive digital content tailored to the needs of diverse audiences in technical communication contexts. They will be equipped with the skills necessary to collaborate effectively with developers and other stakeholders in multidisciplinary teams, bridging the gap between technical expertise and effective communication in the digital realm. 

Book: Clean Code by Robert C. Martin 


Evaluation: 

  • Project I –    Project Proposal  & HTML Base (Part 1 of cumulative project)  20% 
  • Project II –   Design and CSS (Part 2)  20% 
  • Project III – Addition of Javascript (Part 3) 20% 
  • Project IV –  Completed React Project  20% 
  • Discussion Forums – 20% 
     

Email: qvj17@txstate.edu 

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ENG 5327 Research Methods in Rhetoric and Composition  (Asynchronous Online)

Instructor:  Dr. Octavio Pimentel

Description/Goals: This course provides an overview of research methodologies in the fields of rhetoric, composition, and technical communication, with a particular emphasis on the paradigms, strategies, and methods that have defined research in these disciplines over the past decade. Additionally, we will explore the types of questions and theoretical frameworks that drive and shape these studies. Throughout the course, students will engage in critical evaluations of existing research, formulate their own research questions, and select the most appropriate methods to address these inquiries.  

Books: 

Creswell, John W. Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods edition, California: SAGE Publications, 2022.  ISBN-10: 1071817949 
 
Articles posted on Canvas
 
Evaluation: 
  • 10% CITI (Course in the Protection of Human Research Subjects) Program Certification-- https://si.education.txst.edu/dissertation/irb-training.html 
  • 20% Family History Paper 
  • 20% Research Design Paper 
  • 10% Multimedia Presentation (Research Project) 
 
Office: Flowers Hall 215 
 
Office Hours: Tuesday 12-2pm and by appointment 
 
Office Phone/Voice Mail: 512.245.3723 
 
Department Phone: 512.245.2163 
 
Email:  Octavio.Pimentel@txstate.edu 

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ENG 5316: Composition Rhetoric (In-Person/Hybrid)

Sign up for the format you prefer

CRN 14300 (in person) / CRN 19722 (online) 

Instructor: Dr. Nancy Wilson 

Description/Goals: English 5316 will introduce students to a variety of pedagogical frameworks and strategies for teaching composition. Students will learn best pedagogical practices.  

By semester’s end, you should be able to  

  • discuss and identify differences among various composition pedagogies
  • read texts, curricula, classrooms, and assessment practices as instantiations of particular theoretical perspectives
  • develop an informed and thoughtful composition pedagogy
  • craft a writing syllabus that demonstrates that pedagogical approach
  • articulate a teaching philosophy
  • launch a composition pedagogy research project  

Books: 

Books/Articles/Webinars (all available online for free): 
 
Adler-Kassner, Linda, et al. Naming What We Know: Threshold Concepts of Writing Studies. Utah State UP, 2015. https://bit.ly/40F8yzS Links to an external site. 
 
Barajas, E.Domínguez. “Crafting a Composition Pedagogy with Latino Students in Mind.” Composition Studies, vol. 45, no. 2, Oct. 2017, pp. 216–18. 
 
Barkley, Elizabeth F., and Claire Howell Major. Student Engagement Techniques: A Handbook for College Faculty. Second edition., Jossey-Bass, 2020.  https://bit.ly/3VmDBNH Links to an external site. 
 
Bird, Barbara, et al. Next Steps: New Directions for/in Writing about Writing. Utah State UP, 2019. https://bit.ly/3XewR4U links to an external site. 
 
Blum, Susan Debra, et al., editors. Ungrading : Why Rating Students Undermines Learning (and What to Do Instead). First edition., West Virginia University Press, 2020. https://bit.ly/3s4SU4b Links to an external site. 
 
Elbow, Peter. Writing without Teachers. Oxford UP, 1973. http://peterelbow.com/pdfs/How_to_Write_Better_through_Freewriting_by_Peter_Elbow.pdf  Links to an external site. 
 
hooks, bell. Teaching Community: A Pedagogy of Hope, Taylor & Francis Group, 2003. https://bit.ly/3I8pGXr Links to an external site. 
 
Palmeri, Jason. Remixing Composition: A History of Multimodal Writing Pedagogy. Southern Illinois University Press, 2012. https://bit.ly/40Douhj Links to an external site. 
 
Yancey, Kathleen Blake, et al. Writing across Contexts: Transfer, Composition, and Sites of Writing. Utah State UP, 2014. https://bit.ly/3HOOKRY Links to an external site.
 
Evaluation: Grades and comments on projects are my attempts to carry on an intellectual conversation with you, as well as to help acculturate you into the field of rhetoric and composition. You will complete the following projects in this course:  
 
Weekly Reading Journal: 24%  
 
Fieldwork: 30%  
  • Two Classroom Observation Reports (20%)   
  • Composition Textbook (Reader & Rhetoric) Analysis (10%)  
Discussion Facilitation of One of the Following Classes: 6%  
  • 8/30 Process  
  • 9/06 Rhetoric  
  • 9/13 Expressivism  
  • 9/20 The Social Turn 
    • Critical Pedagogy  
    • Linguistic Justice  
  • 9/27 The Cognitive Turn  
    • Writing Across the Curriculum/Writing in the Disciplines  
    • Writing About Writing  
  • 10/11 Alternative Grading Options  
  • 10/18 Student Engagement  
Teaching Portfolio (40%)  
  • Annotated Composition Syllabus (15%)  
  • Sample Annotated Lesson Plan (5%)  
  • Sample Annotated Writing Assignment (5%)  
  • Assessment of a Student Paper with Analysis (5%)  
  • Teaching Philosophy (10%) 
Office: FH 137
 
Phone: (512) 408-3365
 
Email: mogull@txstate.edu

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ENG 5341: Writing Software Documentation  (Asynchronous Online)

Instructor: Dr. Pinfan Zhu

Description/Goals: Numerous software applications and programs are created every year. Our daily life and workplace life are inseparable from using these software tools for different purposes. Thus, writing software documentation becomes one of the important skills a technical writer must command in his/her professional career. English 5341 is just such an online course that develops students’ expertise in the management and production of writing for both print and online media that supports the efficient and effective use of software in its intended environment.  Major genres include software and hardware manuals such as tutorials, procedures, and reference.  Students will also learn how to manage projects, how to address issues of user analysis, text design, page design, task-oriented manuals, and translation management. The class is totally online, which requires you to use my Canvass teaching website.  Most activities will be conducted online, so students need to learn how to use some online tools for their online learning and bring their research, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills into full play. Details will be found in the syllabus. Online office hours will be provided.  

Books: 

Writing Software Documentation: A Task-oriented Approach, 2nd ed. by Thomas T. Barker. Boston: Allyn & Bacon, 2003. ISBN 1: 0-321-10328-9 and some online readings.  
 
Evaluation: 
  • 10%   Exercises  
  • 20%   Chapter quizzes  
  • 30%   3 short projects: tutorials, procedures and references.  
  • 10%   Usability design and implementation report  
  • 30%   Proposal for your semester project and the Semester project   
 
E-Mail: pz10@txstate.edu 
 
Office: M18, FL Hall 
 
Phone: (512) 245- 3013 
 
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All courses are open to MATC students on a first-come, first-served basis. Register on CatsWeb as soon as registration opens to secure your spot. Contact Dr. Chris Dayley (c_d470@txstate.edu) with advising/degree audit questions. 

Instructions for non-MATC students: Contact Taylor Cortesi (tc1224@txstate.edu) to be authorized to add a MATC course. To allow new MATC students to enroll in courses, non-MATC students will be informed of the possibility to take MATC courses a month prior to classes starting in the Spring. Note: MATC course wait lists are not managed on CatsWeb—they are managed by the MATC Program director and Taylor Cortesi. 

If you are not sure about the method of delivery (online, online asynchronous, face-to-face), contact the instructor for the course to confirm.