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Task-Oriented Communication (4 cr.)
Language, Literature and Communication - COMM-4760

Description
Most readers are not interested in how products work; they want to know what they need to do to get their own work done.

In this course, we will examine ways to ensure that the information we produce (that is, printed documents, online tutorials, videos or hypertexts) is designed to support users' tasks in the most efficient, effective way possible.

We will focus on ways to gather information about users and their tasks, research on audience analysis and adaptation, producing task-oriented information, usability analysis and testing, and controlling information projects.

The emphasis is both on practical ways to produce task-oriented information and theoretical bases for improvement.

Course work will consist of projects as described in the syllabus; there are no exams. Assignments will each receive a letter grade (A, A-, B+, etc.); your final grade in the course will be the weighted average of these grades.

Prerequisites
None

Textbook(s)
Ordering Information

Format
Classes: 14 weeks, 14 sessions
Projects: 6

Grading
Projects: 100% (combined)

Computing
Email and World Wide Web access required for course communications and printing of course notes.

Access to WebCT, Rensselaer's course management tool, is required. Please refer to this page for instructions on how to set up your computer for WebCT.

Who Should Enroll
This course may be used in your Plan of Study as follows:

Degree Programs
CSCI - elective
CSYS - elective with advisor pre-approval
ELEC - elective with advisor pre-approval
EPOW - elective with advisor pre-approval
ESCI-MOT - elective
ESCI-MSE - elective
ITEC - elective with advisor pre-approval
MANE - elective with advisor pre-approval
MBA - elective
MGMT-MS - elective
MGTE - n/a
TCOM - elective with advisor pre-approval

Technical Requirements
This course is also open to non-matriculated students who meet the prerequisites.

NOTE: Limited enrollment, please register early. Distance students will not be added into the course once the cap has been met.

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