1. ENGLISH: partnerships offer us an occasion to eat into the idea that English classes are not directly tied to technical or workplace experiences (Brinkman & van der Geest, 2003)

2. RHET/COMP: offer students experience working with professionals who need Technical Communication support in the development or use a technology, and who are willing to negotiate with instructors and students (appropriately high) standards for Technical and Professional communication research and genres

TechTown, making public these projects and “negotiations” so that these standards, and the legitimacy they signal, can come under critical review in the context of Detroit’s economy.