Lecture 2 hours/week
Seminar 2 hours/week
Some or all of the following methods will be used:
- lecture/discussion
- group work
- peer review
- independent research or project
- instructor feedback on students’ work
- individual consultation
- presentation (individual or group)
- guest speakers
- field trips
1. Learning about Contexts for Professional Communication
Students will
- examine concepts of communication as a political, social, and cultural activity
- interview professional communicators regarding their writing process and the influence of workplace culture
- write a profile and prepare a presentation based on the interview
- understand how technological change affects professional communication, including the impacts of Artificial Intelligence and other tools
2. Analyzing and Producing Professional Writing
Students will
- examine models of the writing process and diversify their own process as needed for different writing tasks
- analyze selected genres for their textual and situational features
- examine the functional importance of recurring patterns within selected written genres
- assess the appropriateness of language choices and revise as needed
- demonstrate their understanding of traditional English grammar, punctuation, and style in their own written work
- be introduced to the basics of Canadian Press style
- gain a practical understanding of the value of feedback on written work and be able to use that feedback effectively
3. Developing Professional Readiness
Students will
- review current and emerging job markets and work opportunities
- research relevant business and industry sectors
- identify key features of effective resumes and portfolios for professional communicators
- prepare satisfactory mini-portfolios (cover letters, resumes, other material) in preparation for professional experience coursework
- understand the basics of contracts and work plans for professional communicators
Students who successfully complete this course will
- understand the role of professional communicators in different contexts
- write intensively to develop skill, style, and speed
- demonstrate awareness of the ethical responsibilities of professional communicators
- demonstrate awareness of political, cultural, and social sensitivities when producing communication products
- be introduced to and expected to demonstrate professional readiness skills
- learn about the current and emerging job markets and other work options for professional communicators
Students are expected to be self-motivated and to demonstrate professionalism, which includes active participation, good attendance, punctuality, effective collaboration, ability to meet deadlines, presentation skills, and accurate self-evaluation.
Instructors may use a student’s record of attendance and/or level of active participation in the course as part of the student’s graded performance. Where this occurs, expectations and grade calculations regarding class attendance and participation will be clearly defined in the Instructor Course Outline.
Students may conduct research as part of their coursework in this class. Instructors for the course are responsible for ensuring that student research projects comply with College policies on ethical conduct for research involving humans, which can require obtaining Informed Consent from participants and getting the approval of the Douglas College Research Ethics Board prior to conducting the research.
Assessment will be based on course objectives and will be carried out in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. An evaluation schedule is presented at the beginning of the course. This is a graded course.
Example evaluation schedule:
| Discussion posts/writing exercises | 10% |
| Report on professional association event | 10% |
| Genre samples (3) | 15% |
| Interview-based profile and presentation | 25% |
| Mini-portfolio | 25% |
| Final project proposal | 10% |
| Attendance/professionalism/participation | 5% |
| Total | 100% |
A list of required textbooks and materials is provided for students at the beginning of the semester. Example texts include:
- coursepack of required readings
- Oxford Canadian Dictionary
- a grammar handbook
- Canadian Press Stylebook (current edition)
- Caps and Spelling (current edition)
Acceptance into the Post-Degree Diploma in Professional Communication
OR
A minimum of 45 credit hours including a university-transfer course in English, Communications, or Creative Writing with a grade of B or higher
OR
Permission of the Professional Communication Program Coordinator
None
None