


Critical Thinking for Communicators
WCWP-40265
Critical Thinking for Communicators
10 weeks | Online
Critical thinking affects all communication but one may not realize it. It must be learned to ensure that one thinks, reads, writes, and edits with integrity and communicates with clear language, especially to reason better. This course explains some of the skills that professional communicators (i.e., business, science, technical, and other professions with writers and copyeditors) use to draw logical conclusions to complex problems or issues. In this class, students examine their thinking processes--how they use reason to solve problems, form opinions, and make decisions--in order to improve them. They learn to apply critical thinking techniques to enhance their writing and editing processes so that it presents ethical ideas with as little bias and few fallacies as possible. The course is taught through lectures, discussions, and technical writing exercises and projects.
Quarters Offered: Spring, Fall | Online
Prerequisite: None
Note: Fulfills 3 units toward requirements for the Technical Communication Certificate. Non-certificate students may take this class.
Course Information
Course sessions
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This course is entirely web-based and to be completed asynchronously between the published course start and end dates. Synchronous attendance is NOT required.
You will have access to your online course on the published start date OR 1 business day after your enrollment is confirmed if you enroll on or after the published start date.
Textbooks:
All course materials are included unless otherwise stated.
Policies:
- No refunds after: 10/3/25
- 1st no meeting date: 11/11/2025
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Schedule:
Instructor:
Linda Oestreich, B.A.

A senior consultant with The Marlin Alliance, and has a lifetime teaching credential from the California Community College System
Linda Oestreich teaches Basics of Technical Editing and Critical Thinking for Communicators for UC San Diego Extension's Technical Communication Certificate Program.
Linda is an STC (Society for Technical Communication) Fellow and the 2007-2008 President of STC, where she served as board member at the international level of STC for more than 10 years. Linda recently retired from her position as the Project Manager for Talent and Leadership Development at Headquarters, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR). Prior to taking on that position, she worked as a contracting consultant with The Marlin Alliance, where she supported the Director of Human Resources and EEO for SPAWAR. Also at SPAWAR, she was a Senior Strategic Planner/Analyst in the Strategic Management and Business Planning Office. For 5 years preceding her work with SPAWAR, Linda served as Systems and Software Engineering Manager for Service and Portfolio Management products for Hewlett Packard Enterprises. In the past, Linda worked as the principal of a consulting company, recruiter for that company, human resource advocate, corporate communications manager, documentation manager, and technical writer/editor in various industries including software development, oil and gas, government, science and engineering R&D, and property management.
In 2008, Linda was chosen to lead a delegation of technical communicators to China through the People to People Ambassador program. She currently does contract work in various areas of technical communication including teaching and presenting workshops in basic editing, creativity, information design, and leadership. Linda has had a lifelong passion to help other communicators and leaders. Her instructional skills are well-received and appreciated by her students. She has a lifetime teaching credential from the California Community College System and is currently teaching communication courses at the University of California-San Diego (UCSD) Extension. Linda holds a BA in English from UCSD, with minors in creative writing and scientific perspectives, and has a certificate in Project Management from Rice University. She is a respected, accomplished communicator.