Ethics, Professionalism, and the Service Course: Rhetorics of (Re)Framing in Technical Communication

Abstract

This dissertation examines scholarly and classroom discussions that introduce technical communication students and practitioners to the concepts of ethics and professionalism. Through an analysis of scholarship, textbooks, and original survey data, I trace the development of a number of rhetorical frames used to articulate the role of the technical communicator in the workplace and in society to insiders and outsiders alike. I then propose an alternate frame, ethical professionalism, that can be used to articulate technical communication (and in particular the service course) as a site for outreach, not only through pedagogies that address the needs of local communities, but also as a site of ethical, professional, and civic instruction for students in disciplines outside of the humanities.