Here’s how the Cal Poly “Catalog” describes English 319:

Instruction and hands-on practice in producing well-designed professional documents. Focus on history, terminology, typography, design principles, graphics generation, text/ graphics integration, project management, and relevant software applications. [Prerequisite: ENGL 148 and consent of instructor.] (Source: Fall 2003-2005 Cal Poly Class Schedule)

That’s what the catalogue says. But here’s what it means in terms of what you can actually expect to learn:

• history (only minimal, incidental context information)
• terminology (basic familiarity with both design concepts and FrameMaker interface terms)
• typography (introduction to the full range of typography concepts most technical writers will need after college*)
• design principles (all the basics, with a dash of intermediate and advanced applications)
• graphics generation (minimal, depending upon the work focus each student elects to pursue; speak with me individually)
• text/graphics integration (basic concepts and lots of chances to practice application of principles learned)
• project management (only what you voluntarily elect to try)
• relevant software applications (introduction to and practice in FrameMaker; opportunity to assemble a template library)

* While technology and technical applications constantly change in unanticipated ways, basic design concepts have changed only minimally for several centuries.

Jim Howland