Saeed Sabzian
Communications
ssabzian@okanagan.bc.ca
Office B Building 233
Kelowna Campus
250-762-5445 ext. 4195
I hold a PhD in English, specializing in Rhetoric and Discourse Analysis from the University of Waterloo and teach multimodal rhetoric, literary studies, professional and technical communication, academic writing, and communication.
At Okanagan College, I have taught a range of courses in professional writing, technical communication, and workplace communication. These courses address communication in professional, technical, scientific, and organizational settings, with particular emphasis on effective writing, research, audience awareness, persuasive communication, and collaborative problem-solving.
My teaching and research interests span rhetorical theory, persuasion, argumentation, multimodal communication, and the rhetoric of science and technology. I am particularly interested in how language, images, and other forms of communication shape knowledge, influence public understanding, and inform decisions in scientific, technological, professional, and cultural contexts. More recently, my interests have expanded to the implications of artificial intelligence for writing, professional communication, and education.
Credentials:
PhD, Rhetoric and Discourse Analysis, University of Waterloo
MA, English Language and Literature, Azad University, Tehran
BA, English Language and Literature, Allameh Tabatabaei University, Tehran
My academic work includes interdisciplinary research on visual and auditory rhetoric, literature, film, and cultural discourse. I have presented my research at national and international academic conferences and have authored and translated several books in Persian, including works on literary theory, translation, and disability studies.
My teaching philosophy emphasizes the relationship between critical thinking, rhetorical awareness, and effective communication. I encourage students to understand communication not merely as the transmission of information but as a process of constructing meaning, evaluating evidence, developing persuasive arguments, and engaging responsibly with diverse audiences. I aim to help students develop transferable communication skills that support their academic development and professional careers.
Areas of Teaching and Research: Professional and Technical Communication; Rhetoric and Persuasion; Argumentation; Workplace Communication; Science and Technology Communication; Multimodal and Visual Rhetoric; Artificial Intelligence and Writing; Academic Writing and Research.