Course

Special Topics in Professional Communication

Faculty
Language, Literature & Performing Arts
Department
Communications
Course code
CMNS 3800
Credits
3.00
Semester length
15 weeks
Max class size
30
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Seminar
Online
Hybrid
Course designation
None
Industry designation
None
Typically offered
To be determined

Overview

Course description
This course examines a special topic in professional communication chosen to highlight a theoretical, historical, technological, thematic, or practical focus. Readings will include theory, criticism, and applied research, and will introduce students to a range of perspectives on the topic.
Course content

Topics, readings, and assignments will vary with each instructor’s version of this course, but all versions will meet the objectives stated in Learning Outcomes.

Learning activities

Some or all of the following methods will be used:

  1. lecture/discussion
  2. group work
  3. peer review
  4. projects
  5. instructor feedback on students’ work
  6. individual consultation
  7. presentation (individual or group)
  8. field trip(s)
Means of assessment

Assessment will be in accordance with Douglas College's Evaluation Policy. 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.

Evaluation will be based on this general format:

Short papers (2) 40%
Proposal for final paper or project 10%
Final paper or project and presentation 30%
Presentation 10%
Professionalism/participation 10%
  100%
Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  1. develop a comprehensive and critical understanding and appreciation of the selected topic.
  2. become familiar with the range of perspectives on that topic, including its historical development, controversies, and implications in the future.
  3. identify aspects of the topic that can be applied to their practice as professional communicators.
  4. make connections between the selected topic and other issues in the field of professional communication.
  5. write and present a significant final paper that reflects their understanding of the topic.
Textbook materials

Texts will be selected by the instructor based on the topic and may include a coursepack.

Requisites

Prerequisites

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

Corequisites

No corequisite courses.

Equivalencies

No equivalent courses.

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Course Transfers

These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca

Institution Transfer details for CMNS 3800
Simon Fraser University (SFU) SFU CMNS 3XX (3)
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) TRU CMNS 3XXX (3)
University of Northern BC (UNBC) No credit

Course Offerings

Winter 2025