English 250: Advanced Oral and Written Communication
Professor: Matt King (he, him, his; more on pronouns here and here)
Email: mrking@sbu.edu
Phone: 716.375.2457
Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 10:00-11:15 and by appointment
Office Location: Plassmann 7 (also available on Zoom during office hours)
Class Websites: https://mattrking.com/courses/e250 and Moodle
Professional and Creative Writing Major Objectives
Students will:
- Write effective texts in different genres and in multiple media to respond to a variety of professional and creative needs.
- Construct their own professional identities as writers, readers, and researchers who can make valuable contributions in a variety of professional settings.
- Interpret cultural, political, and historical situations using specific theories from rhetorical, literary, and writing studies.
- Display the ethical commitment of writers to improve society.
Writing Intensive Course
This course satisfies the Writing Intensive requirement for the general education curriculum and thus addresses the University Learning Goal and Objectives on writing and communication:
Students will develop competence in multimodal communication with special emphasis on oral, written, and digital communication, including an understanding of key issues relating to their use.
Learning Objectives
1. Students identify and respond to contexts using appropriate processes and modes of delivery.
2. Students use effective content and approaches to organization, style, and design that are appropriate for the discipline and genre of communication.
3. Students demonstrate control of syntax and mechanics by using language that communicates with clarity, fluency, and minimal errors.
Course Description
A course grounded in the practical application of principles of effective oral and written communication in various rhetorical situations. Course assignments emphasize professional and advanced academic writing and presentations with an emphasis on disciplinary analysis and conventions. (Prerequisite: ENG 102 or equivalent; 3 credits)
Course goals:
- Develop a productive and effective composing process that focuses on the production of text and presentations across multiple drafts as well as strategies for research, invention, revision, editing, peer review, and reflection;
- Produce writing and presentations that effectively address concerns of audience and purpose, both in terms of the conventions of academic and professional communication and in terms of framing writing as a force for social change and social action;
- Attend to concerns of delivery so that you can effectively communicate in written, visual, oral, and digital texts and platforms;
- Study and analyze significant events and debates in a community relevant to you drawing on terms and concepts from rhetorical theory and literacy studies.
Coursework and Grading
Read my statement on grading here. The grading statement also includes the policies for late work and attendance.
Student Success Center
Revising and responding to feedback will be an invaluable and necessary part of your development as a writer this semester. All students working on writing projects are encouraged to seek help from the SBU Writing Lab. To make an appointment, email writinglab@sbu.edu and explain your project, nature of assistance you seek, and timeline for feedback. You can opt for either written feedback on your draft or a live tutoring session over Zoom with one of the Writing Lab tutors. Upon request, the Writing Lab can also send your instructor a session report outlining your visit and tutor recommendations.
Academic Honesty
The writing you submit for our class should be your own; when you draw on the work of others, you should acknowledge it and include appropriate citations. Instances of plagiarism can result in failed assignments and potentially failure of the course. A list of unacceptable practices and procedures to be followed in prosecuting cases of alleged academic dishonesty can be found here.
Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities who feel they need academic accommodations should contact Adriane Spencer (aspencer@sbu.edu), Director of Disability Support Services Office, 100D Plassmann Hall (Student Success Center), 716-375-2065. Please reach out early in the semester so that they can assist you as soon as possible. Documentation from the Disability Support Services Office is required before I can make accommodations.
Email
Email will serve as an official means of communication for this class, and you should check the email account you have registered with the university regularly. Feel free to email me with your questions and concerns.
Title IX
Title IX makes it clear that violence and harassment based on sex and gender are Civil Rights offenses subject to the same kinds of accountability and the same kinds of support applied to offenses against other protected categories such as race, national origin, etc. If you or someone you know has been harassed or assaulted, you can find the appropriate resources at the Health and Wellness Center or at the Campus Safety Office. For on-campus reporting, see the Title IX Coordinator (Erik Seastedt, Director of Human Resources) and Residence Life Staff (RAs, RDs, and other professional staff). The University’s policy and procedures regarding gender-based and sexual misconduct can be found online.
In the event of an emergency, call Campus Safety (716-375-2525) or contact Rob DeFazio (Student Conduct, 716-375-2190, rdefazio@sbu.edu). Be aware that most university employees are mandated reporters.
Other Concerns
If you have any other concerns that affect your ability to succeed in this course – for example, affording costs related to the class, dealing with mental health issues, having regular shelter and food, etc. – please let me know, and I will do what I can to help.
Matt King 