Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Jul 1979

Technical Writing and the Liberal Arts School

Arthur L. Ford Lebanon Valley College

Abstract

Liberal arts colleges that elect to introduce technical writing courses or programs into their curriculum face the dilemma of vocationalism vs. liberal education. This paper examines the philosophical differences between the two as well as their practical compatibility or incompatibility, and then argues for the union of technical writing and the liberal arts school while admitting certain reservations. The technical writing course at a liberal arts school should use a wider range of books and periodicals than should a technical school, should stress rhetorical theory and strategy, and should confront the moral issues resulting from technology.

Journal
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published
1979-07-01
DOI
10.2190/17f6-h8me-a2m2-wk3b
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Open Access
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Topics
modern rhetorical theory rhetorical criticism writing pedagogy technical communication
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References (5) · 1 in this index

  1. Schaefer W. D., Still Crazy After All These Years, ADE Bulletin, No. 55, pp. 1–8, November, 1977.
     ↗
  2. Halloran (1971)
    Classical Rhetoric for the Engineering Student
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  3. Britton W. E. (1975)
    The Teaching of Technical Writing
  4. Dandridge E. P. (1975)
    The Teaching of Technical Writing
  5. Carson D. L. (1977)
    Society for Technical Communication Proceedings
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