Course description:

Professions of all kinds consistently attest to the significance of strong writing and communication skills in their field.  In fact, a national study shows that about 70% of paid jobs involve writing.  This is verified by data from a 2012 survey of over fifty employers of Stony Brook University graduates.  So in this course students learn about types of documents, rhetorical principles, and composing practices necessary for writing effectively in and about professional contexts.  Coursework emphasizes each student's career interests, but lessons also address a variety of general professional issues, including audience awareness, research methods, ethics, collaboration, and verbal and visual communication. 

Students complete the course with practical knowledge and experience in composing business letters, proposals, and various kinds of professional reports.  A creative, self-reflexive assignment also contextualizes each individual's professional aspirations within a bigger picture of his/her life and culture.