College of Engineering

Research Area(s)

  • Rhetorical theory, criticism, history, and practice in technical and professional communication
  • Rhetorical pedagogy in technical and professional communication

Education and Experience

B.A., University of Lethbridge, 1999, Department of English, Rhetoric and Literature

 

M.A., University of Saskatchewan, 2005, Interdisciplinary Studies, Rhetoric and Professional Communication

Thesis title: Professional Communication for the Technical Workplace: A Situational Analysis and Practical Handbook

Teaching

Current Courses:

RCM 300: Effective Professional Communication

RCM 400: Rhetorical Theory and the Practice of Persuasion

RCM 401: Oral Rhetoric/Public Speaking

 

Past Courses:

RCM 403 – Professional Document Design and Editing

RCM 405 – Communication Ethics

Publications

Book Chapters:

Urquhart, B. 2007. “Bridging Gaps, Engineering Audiences: Understanding the Communicative Situation.” In: MacLennan, Jennifer, ed. Readings in Technical Communication. Toronto: Oxford University Press, 2007. 200-206.

 

Urquhart, B. 2003. “Rhetorical Strategies for the Technical Workplace: Footing and the Notion of Rhetorical Balance.” In: MacLennan, Jennifer. Effective Communication for the Technical Professions. Toronto: Prentice Hall, 2003. 206-215.

 

 

 

Presentations:

Urquhart, B. 2012. “Packaging Principles: Rhetorical Footing in Arlene Dickinson’s Business Advice.” Canadian Society for the Study of Rhetoric, Wilfred Laurier University, June 2.

 

Urquhart, B. 2008. “Bubbles, Borders, and Booth: Narrative as Rhetorology in Eytan Fox’s ‘The Bubble’” Canadian Society for the Study of Rhetoric at the Congress of Humanities and Social Sciences in Vancouver, BC, June 4.

 

Urquhart, B. 2007. “Squirm”: The New Rhetorical Device?: Humour and Discomfort as Enthymematic Social Satire in Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan.” Canadian Society for the Study of Rhetoric at the Congress of Humanities and Social Sciences in Saskatoon, May 29.

 

Urquhart, B. 2005. “The Reflective Practitioner Gives Advice: Rhetorical Theory in Action.” Canadian Society for the Study of Rhetoric at the Congress of Humanities and Social Sciences in London, ON,  May.

Urquhart, B. 2004. “Understanding Scene in Technical Communication: Kenneth Burke's Dramatism in Reverse." Canadian Society for the Study of Rhetoric at the Congress of Humanities and Social Sciences in Winnipeg, May 30 – June 1.

Urquhart, B. 2002 . “Engineering Rhetoric: Using Effectiveness and Appropriateness to Teach Technical Communication.” Canadian Association of Teachers of Technical Writing at the Congress of Humanities and Social Sciences in Toronto, May 24-31.