TC 1400 - Foundations of Communication Design

3 lecture hours 0 lab hours 3 credits

Course Description
This course is designed to introduce students to both the rhetorical theory supporting and the practical applications of messages. Students will encounter a series of classic and contemporary readings to prompt examinations of rational thinking and decision making in a variety of contexts. In addition, they will analyze the arguments, premises, and conclusions of messages delivered across various media. Project work will include refining their own messaging in their personal and professional correspondence and on their social media platforms. (prereq: none)

Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

Communicate ideas effectively
Practice leadership skills
Explain the relevance of rhetoric to everyday life
Describe the problems of generalizations and causal claims
Identify fake news, suspect sources
Explain errors in reasoning and logical fallacies

Prerequisites by Topic

None

Course Topics

Interdisciplinary nature of communication design
Classical rhetorical theory
Rationality and dialogue
Arguments: premises and conclusions
Generalizations, analogies, and causal claims
Common mistakes in reasoning
Media, messages, and fake news
Issues in contemporary rhetoric

Coordinator
Dr. Tammy Rice-Bailey

Announcement

The Raider Return

Milwaukee School of Engineering

Connect With MSOE

TC 1400 - Foundations of Communication Design