BC Communications Articulation Committee
Annual Meeting Minutes
May 6, 2010, North Island College, Courtenay Campus
Present: Brenda Thompson (TRU), Judy Johnson and Lesley
Watts (NIC), Dan McFaul (Sprott-Shaw), Samantha Pattridge
(UFV), Kate Wellburn (Camosum), Nathalie LeSage (CoTR),
Simon Thompson (NWCC), Randy Kerr (UBC), Sarah Bowers
(Langara), Rebecca Jacobson (Selkirk), Peter Maides (CNC),
Christine Hoppenrath (Capilano University), Diana Wegner
(Douglas), Chris Wilson, (Kwantlen), Marie Low (Sprott-Shaw),
Sheree-Lee Powsey (NIC), Jean Scribner (BCIT)
1. 9:05 - Call to order
2. Introductions - Richard Stride, Dean of Academics,
welcomed the committee; individual introductions
3. Approval of 2009 minutes – note the correct spelling of
Peter Maides’ name
Judy/Rebecca – carried.
4. Institutional reports – highlights. Full written reports
are attached.
TRU – spoke to increased enrollments and issues related to
finding instructors, reconfiguration of English and Modern
Languages department into departments of Literature and
Languages and Journalism, Communication, and New
Media. Two new two-term positions will be posted for the
latter department.
Sprott-Shaw – Integrated Communications and English
departments. Description of preparatory courses, new oral
communication and critical thinking courses. International
students are required to complete a preparatory course,
which is capped at 12; mandatory research assignment,
policy re. plagiarism
Kwantlen – moving towards communications degree
program, new courses on team development and
intercultural relations, other degrees including PR and
marketing; opportunities for cross-disciplinary “fusion.”
Ongoing issues related to assessment, evolving technology,
recruitment, elective courses.
Douglas – In process of creating a seven-course package
that will transfer to SFU. Discussion of marketing of
Communications 3100. In process of moving from being a
service-oriented department. Diana noted that most of the
courses for which transfer status were pending in April 22
have now passed. Concerns expressed re formal report and
students not being prepared for such challenges.
Capilano U – Communications degree likely to be available
in Sept. 2011. Issues related to preparedness for
international students raised. Degree programs include
Applied program and Humanities.
CNC - Course development, including block transfer to TRU.
Business courses have undergone fairly significant change
in the past year. Applied communications program proving
popular, implications for placements of international ed
students, consideration of “F with an asterisk” on transcript
as a means of noting that student failed due to academic
misconduct. Discussion of how many “strikes” for a student.
Selkirk – Overall, Selkirk is status quo from last year.
Overview of program and mixed-mode presentation of
course material.
Langara – No big changes from last year. Business
communication courses taught by English department
faculty. Associate of Arts degree seems to have been put on
the backburner – online courses popular.
UBC – Currently reviewing methods of delivery of technical
courses. Writing Centre offering writing course for
Engineers, APSC 098. APSC 176 being proposed as a
replacement for first year English, a bridge between nontechnical and technical writing. 176 would increase
students’ chances of success in APSC 201. Would like to
adapt APSC 201 to be better integrated with programs it
serves by tailoring content.
NWCC Concentrates on offering the introductory
communications course. College feeling the impact of the
economic downturn. Enrollments may decrease. Interest in
introducing a journalism course.
College of the Rockies Difficulties with transfer of firstyear communications course. Students opt for English 100
because it is required by the business program.
Interpersonal communication course offered by psychology
department.
Camosun Business department has taken over teaching of
first year writing. Transitioning from quarters to semesters
so courses will have to be redesigned. Need to develop a
business writing course, not just technical writing courses.
UFV Good relations with English department in the division
of courses. Huge student demand but no money provided
for more courses. Also feeling pressure to raise class sizes.
Do teach oral communication courses; big demand for
these. Working on Bachelor of Communications degree.
Concerned about privacy around online discussions.
Proficiency tests are separate from course pre-reqs.
BCIT Offers 66 courses for 35 programs. Most students
take a first- and second-year course. Also part-time studies in
addition to day school. This generates income for the
department. Certificate program in technical writing is
thriving. Offers professional English language development
courses to international students who have been here for a
year or more. Trying to use more technology in courses.
Using Pearson’s on-line support, e.g. on-line marking for
quizzes, on-line tutorial help etc. Trying to open a writing
centre. Institution introducing “enrollment management”
which appears to mean taking students who are not
prepared.
NIC New administration. New vision. New courses will
follow. Exploring the possibility of taking the formal report
out of the first year course as it is included in a newly
developed second-year business writing course.
Break for lunch
5. Keynote speech by Jim Muldowney – Jim will send ecopy of his presentation to Judy; she will distribute on
the listserv.
6. Chair’s Report:
a) BCCAT rep has retired, so Brenda summarized
some highlights, including a meeting with System
Liaison People (SLP’s), Chairs’ meeting – see BCCAT
site, enter “JAM 2009” for details, including a report
on number of high school grads who enter postsecondary institutions, regional disparities, etc.
Discussion of enrollment trends, including drop
between first and second year
b) Diana clarified that courses pending articulation
from Douglas have been passed since the date of
April 22; Brenda stated that courses only have
pending status for one year –she will attempt to
ascertain why the list received from Raili McIvor has
not been updated
c) Articulation Companion has been updated –
available online at BCCAT website
d) BCCAT recommends that URL for BC Transfer
Guide web site be included on course outlines; a
“Transfer Friendly Course Outline” form is available
at bccat.bc.ca/outline/index.cfm
e) Athabaska University first new member of BC
Transfer system admitted under “Inclusion of Alberta
Institutions” policy
f) Brenda proposed a joint session with Media &
Communication Studies committee for next year.
(Decision not made today.) Discussion re.
institutional responsibilities to fund reps to attend
articulation. Brenda will ensure that this issue is
put on the next joint Chairs’ meeting.
7. Kate Wellburn – Camosun communications
department proposes that Vancouver Island create its
own grid to address issues related to things like course
name changes and new instructors making transfer
decisions. Camosum plans on submitting proposal to
Transfer Innovations Project (of BCCAT) requesting
funding. Would like joint letter of support from
Communications and English Articulation
committees. English committee has already endorsed
this idea. Core committee of at least three people from
this committee (based on Vancouver Island) will be
created. Brenda recommended that it be clear that there
is buy-in before a formal letter of support is written.
Motion to support Kate’s proposal for a Transfer
Innovations Project in principle. Kate/Peter – carried.
8. Discussion topics:
a) Standards re. International Students
• Discussion of issues related to academic and
cultural/social readiness
• How much responsibility is appropriate for instructors
to assume?
• Creation of credit courses – first year experience and
intercultural communications, may be a way of
offsetting failing IE students
b) Evaluation – F* for academic misconduct/Plagiarism
•
•
Form of progressive discipline; statue of limitations (5
years and if student re-takes course, grade will
disappear)
SFU recently passed policy; Diana will clarify Douglas’
policy re this
• Potential for litigation re intentional vs. unintentional
plagiarism
c) Oral Communication courses
• Request for information related to promotion of
courses, including certificates
Meeting adjourned at 4:15.
BC Communications Articulation Committee
Annual Meeting Minutes
May 7, 2010, North Island College, Courtenay Campus
Present: Brenda Thompson (TRU), Judy Johnson and Lesley
Watts (NIC), Dan McFaul (Sprott-Shaw), Samantha Pattridge
(UFV), Kate Wellburn (Camosum), Nathalie LeSage (CoTR),
Simon Thompson (NWCC), Randy Kerr (UBC), Sarah Bowers
(Langara), Christine Hoppenrath (Capilano University), Diana
Wegner (Douglas), Chris Wilson, (Kwantlen), Marie Low (SprottShaw), Jean Scribner (BCIT)
1. 9:10 - Call to order
2. Grade distribution
TRU reviews distribution of class grades, to ensure that
instructors’ grades are in line instead of having too many
high (A’s) or low (F’s) grades. BCIT’s marks are
reviewed by the program and the dean.
3. Student Evaluation Tools
BCIT has a person from Learning and Teaching Centre
who can come into class at any time in the course to ask
class what is working and what isn’t; individual then
summarizes the responses in anonymity and provides
formative information.
Every month at end of class, Diana from Douglas does
exit slips, which is made up of three questions: What are
you learning in the course? What difficulties are you
having? Other (e.g. course, instruction)? Diana reviews
responses; types up feedback in students’ own words, by
grouping connected commentary together; and shares it
with the class Around Week 6, she discusses the zones of
proximal development (in Vygotsky’s Mind in Society)
NWCC and BCIT distribute course evaluations at the
end of every course, to be submitted by a student to the
College for collation. Discussion emerged around the
responsibility and power of the student submitter.
TRU has a colleague or secretary oversee the evaluation.
BCIT’s evaluation goes to IT. UBC and Kwantlen’s
evaluation is online. UFV ties its evaluation questions to
course outcomes/objectives.
4. Marking Strategies
• Mark first two pages only.
• Have two deadlines: provide feedback on assignments
that are submitted
to the earlier deadline, grade only on those submitted
to second deadline.
• Use a rubric for content, organization, style,
documentation, etc.
• Allow rewrites, which can bump up grade by one (e.g.
move 3/5 to 4/5);
grade only on rewrites
5. Formal Reports
Formal reports are generally offered in first and/or only
communications course. The consensus is that the
formal report in the first communications course is not
appropriate (in terms of course manageability, and
student ability and relevance).
Diana does a genre analysis report and a review of the
literature/annotated bibliography instead of research
report; uses textbook Devitt, Rieff and Bawarshi Scenes
of Writing: Strategies for Composing with Genres.
She will kindly share the assignment with the
committee.
6. Faculty
Concern was expressed about finding qualified
instructors.
UFV has interview candidates do a marking exercise.
7. New Communication Degrees
DQAB (Degree Quality Assurance Board) is a provincial
body that examines faculty expertise, quality of courses,
quality assurance, etc. It is a costly ($15000 initial app
+ $15000 site visit) and time-consuming process (2-3
years). Institutions have to use it, until they have
established credibility and applied to get out.
9. Writing or Learning Centres
All but NWCC, Sprott-Shaw, NIC have a writing centre.
WCs run by some variety of English/ABE/ ESL
instructors, peer tutors, coordinators, or through
continuing education. Langara’s and UFV’s are very
busy. UFV’s WC gives orientation in all first-year ENG
and CMNS classes.
10. Next Year’s Meeting
Possible Topics/Events
• Guest speaker (on plagiarism?)
• Bring in course outlines of a new or problematic
course
• Appropriate or successful lessons and assignments
• Discussion of oral communications and new media
• Forward institutional reports earlier
• Omit or limit verbal institutional reports
• Bring an assignment on a particular focus
• Norming exercises/marking bees
• Strategies on teaching plagiarism and avoiding it
Location
1. TRU: Brenda will look into coordinating with
Media & Communication Studies Articulation
2.
committee; possibly hold joint session at TRU.
UFV as back-up
BCCAT
COMMUNICATIONS ARTICULATION COMMITTEE
INSTITUTIONAL 2010
REPORTS
The University of British Columbia
Faculty of Applied Science
Centre for Professional Skills Development (CPSD)
BCCAC Institutional Report
CPSD Representative: Randy Kerr
The Centre for Professional Skills Development (previously known
as the Technical Communication Centre) operates within the Dean’s
office of the Faculty of Applied Science and reports to the Associate
Dean, Engineering Students. For more information, please refer to
our website: www.cpsd.apsc.ubc.ca.
Courses Taught
1. APSC 098: Writing for Engineers. This course was designed
and originally taught by CPSD faculty in summer 2009; it is now
delivered by the UBC Writing Centre.
2. APSC 150
3. APSC 176
4. APSC 201
5. APSC 201 (integrated version) for the MECH 2 program
6. MTRL 398 and MTRL 498
The Engineering Communication Test (ECCT) attempts to ensure
that students entering APSC 201 have the skills to be successful in
the course.
For a description of these courses and the ECCT, please see the
additional attachment, an excerpt from “Delivery Models for
Technical Communication Instruction in the Faculty of Applied
Science” proposed to the Dean, January 2010.
Note: In addition to delivering the above courses, the CPSD
enhances existing engineering courses by introducing modules on
engineering documentation and oral and written communication,
and by providing ad hoc workshops on academic and professional
skills development.
Curriculum and Program Development, and Faculty Matters
Throughout the Faculty of Applied Science, courses and delivery
modes are being reviewed by the Dean. Proposals with
recommendations have been made. The results of the review are
not yet known. In the short term, two sessionals will be added for
September 2010 in the CPSD.
DOUGLAS COLLEGE
Diana Wegner
Institutional Report, May 2010
Communications Articulation Committee
COURSES TAUGHT
Professional writing: rhetoric, genre theory, pragmatics, research
reporting, stylistics.
NEW COURSES
Communications 3100: Language, Institutions and Power.
COURSE DELIVERY
A few faculty are planning for hybrid delivery of Communications
writing courses for Fall 2010.
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
1. As an initiative to enhance transfer (create “pathways”) to
our new partner institution, SFU, we will be marketing a
revised Communication Certificate of seven
Communications courses and one elective that will have
block transfer to SFU. The seven Communications courses
that have transfer credit to SFU are as follows:
CMNS. 1118: Workplace Writing
CMNS. 1221: Introduction to Media and Communication
Studies
CMNS. 1216: Interpersonal Workplace Communication
CMNS. 1217: Multicultural Interpersonal Workplace
Communication
CMNS. 1218: Research Reporting
CMNS. 1316: Understanding and Managing Interpersonal
Conflict
CMNS. 3100: Language, Institutions, and Power
2. The Print Futures Professional Writing Program is
undergoing a review to maintain currency. It continues to
thrive with successful annual Portfolio Shows of our grads’
work, mini-conferences well attended by alumni and
current students, and a Research Poster Day when our
students present their research projects to the college
community.
TRANSFER CREDIT APPLICATIONS: We have made several requests
for re-assessment/updating of transfer to BCCAT. Results so far have
been positive, with new and better transfer arrangements.
ONGOING ISSUES
Three issues persist:
1. The viability of the formal research report component of
our service writing course, CMNS. 1115: Practical Writing,
which is required for one year certificate and two year
diploma career programs. The formal research report was
initially included in the course curriculum to make it
transferable to UBC; however, while the course transfers to
most colleges, it has no transfer status with the universities.
It seems logical that we should let the report go, but so far
no one has taken this initiative.
2. ESL-students who are admitted to CMNS. 1115, but who
are linguistically unprepared for the course. This has
consequences in terms of institutional promises to
international students and sliding standards.
3. Online/hybrid delivery. A number of faculty are interested
in online/hybrid delivery but the institution offers neither
time-release nor remuneration for doing so. Faculty are
invited to participate in online instruction from facilitators
at the college, but this involves a considerable time
commitment in addition to our regular workload.
Institutional Report: Communications Articulation Committee
Northwest Community College
1. Names of institution and individual
Northwest Community College: Simon Thompson
2. Courses taught (writing, spoken CMNS)
English 151 (Introduction to Technical Writing); English 152
(Advanced Technical Writing)
3. Curriculum development (new courses, course delivery
modes, prerequisites, etc.)
English 151 has been integrated into NWCC’s new Criminology
program; English 151 and English 152 are both being offered as
part of the Applied Coastal Ecology program at our Prince
Rupert Campus. English 151 continues to be offered as a UC
option in Smithers, and as an ongoing part of the Social Service
Worker program in Terrace. The college is interested in
developing a means by which English 151 could be successfully
taught by distributed learning.
Program development
I am interested in developing a journalism program for NWCC.
5. Transfer credit applications and/or alterations
N/A
6. Faculty matters
N/A
7. Ongoing issues
Plagiarism
8. Other new developments
Template for Institutional Reports: Communications
Articulation Committee
1. Names of institution and individual: Sprott-Shaw
Degree College, Burnaby, B.C. Contact: Marie Low, Ph.D.,
Registrar and lead faculty for English and Communications
4.
2.
Courses taught (writing, spoken CMNS): Comm 1201
3.
4.
5.
6.
(Business Communications), Comm 2100 (Public Speaking
and Oral Communications), Comm 1200 (Critical
Thinking); also EN 1201 (University Writing), EN 1202
(Introduction to the Essay)
Curriculum development (new courses, course delivery
modes, prerequisites, etc.): The Oral Communications class
is new this year, and the Critical Thinking class will be
offered for the first time in Fall Term, 2010. In addition, we
have redesigned the two English classes to achieve better
focus and differentiation. EN 1201 now concentrates on the
3-stage essay writing process, the major essay patterns
used in university work (i.e., narration,
comparison/contrast, classification, cause and effect,
definition, and persuasion). EN 1202 focuses on the
university research essay, with deliverables produced
throughout the term by students working in project teams.
We benchmarked the course outlines from several other
schools (e.g., Douglas, Camosun) in order to better align
these classes with those of our colleagues.
Program development: At this point, we do not plan to
add additional Comm classes until 2011 at the earliest. (Our
classes are offered to BBA students only, so we need to be
mindful of the many other required courses and electives
that our students are taking.)
Transfer credit applications and/or alterations: At this
point, we are designated by BCCAT as a Receiving
institution only, but when and if BCCAT allows joint
Sending/Receiving status, we expect to submit all of our
English and Communications classes for transfer credit on a
province-wide basis.
Faculty matters: We have recruited one additional
sessional faculty member to assist in teaching EN 1201, and
may do the same for EN 1202. Including Dan McFaul and
myself, this would give us a total of four faculty members
who are qualified to teach Communications and English
classes.
Ongoing issues: None at this time.
8. Other new developments We are participating much
more actively in the Articulation Committee process this
year. A total of seven faculty members are attending
meetings in at least seven specialty areas. We want to be
active, contributing memories of each group, and we
welcome any and all suggestions and look forward to
getting to know our colleagues better!
Future plans: Our most important direction regarding articulation
is to achieve Sending as well as Receiving status, so that we can
provide a broader range of options for our students.
7.
BC COMMUNICATIONS ARTICULATION COMMITTEE REPORT
Prepared by Brenda Thompson, May 2010
COURSES TAUGHT – 2009/2010
FALL 2009
WINTER 2010
ENGL 116 – Introduction to
ENGL 166 – Tech. Writing (Anim. Hlth)
Communication
ENGL 181 – Acad/Tech Writing (Busn.)
ENGL 130 – Tech. Writing
ENGL 185 – Tech. Writing (Archit. Enginee
(Horticulture)
ENGL 191 – Writing/Oral Pres. (Busn.)
ENGL 181 – Acad/Tech Writing (8
ENGL 192 – Writing/Oral Pres. (Tourism –
sections)
sections)
ENGL 201 – Advanced Composition
ENGL 193 – Writing/Oral Pres. (Comp.)
ENGL 229 – Adv. Prof/Busn. Writing
ENGL 197- Writing/Oral Pres. (Resp. Thera
(3 sec.)
sections)
ENGL 230 – Tech. Writing (BNRS) (2
ENGL 198 – Writing/Oral Pres. (Police & Ju
sec.)
ENGL 202 – Adv. Composition II
ENGL 231 – Tech. Writing (Dig.
ENGL 229 – Adv. Prof/Busn. Writing (3 sec
ENGL 230 – Tech. Writing (BNRS) (2 sec.)
Art/Design)
ENGL 285 – Tech. Writing (Archit.
Engineer.)
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
1. Re-alignment at TRU: effective June 1/2010, the
department of English & Modern Languages will be split
into:
a. Dept. of Literature and Languages
b.
Dept. of Journalism, Communication, and New
Media
2. Developing New Communication Program – degree (major,
minor, diploma, certificate); launching September 2011
3. Program Changes – Journalism – expand into four-year
program in sync with communication
ONGOING ISSUES/FUTURE PLANS
1. Faculty – lack of available candidates to teach part time
communication courses.
2. Future Job Postings – two term-certain positions will be
posted for the new JCNW department; in 2012, one TC will
become a tenure-track teachng/research position;
depending on enrollment, the other TC position will be
converted into tenure-track as well.
University of the Fraser Valley – Communications Articulation Comm
1.
Names of institution and individual
University of the Fraser Valley; Samantha Pattridge
2.
3.
4.
Courses taught (writing, spoken CMNS)
Personally: Introduction to Workplace Communications; Introduction to W
Communications; Short Report Writing; Formal Reports; Intercultural Comm
Communication; Advanced Oral Communication; Document Design, Deskto
Technical Writing for Drafting.
Departmentally: Workplace communications, business/academic writing;
skills; etc.
Curriculum development (new courses, course delivery modes, prereq
The UFV Communications Department has been very active over the past y
partnerships and new courses. We teach about the same proportion of onli
in previous years, but we are considering scheduling some hybrid classes. F
ran sections of our new courses, Advanced Oral Communications and Journ
new courses: Introduction to Portfolio Development, Text Editing, Workplac
Research; Cross-Generational Workplace Communication; Virtual Team Com
Management Communication in Action; and Storytelling for Workplace App
The English Department and the Communications Department at UFV have
for first-year credit courses to a C+ in English 12.
Program development
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Our Communications Minor continues to be popular. Eight students are grad
the third year it has been offered. Previous years saw one graduating studen
We have been offering the Professional Communication Essentials Certifica
We had 27 students graduate with this certificate last year and so far this ye
with it. New certificates have been developed in Journalism (approved) and
approval process). Our courses have also been included in other proposed p
including the Global Development Studies program and the Media Arts degre
Transfer credit applications and/or alterations
We have recently begun a new transfer credit process in our department, w
first step. Many of the applications for credit we get from other institutions
allows us to check off the items still required and send the application back
gather more information. We also continue to apply for transfer credit for o
approved.
Faculty matters
We had one retirement – Ken Fernstrom – and we have hired one new temp
Marcella LaFever. Marcella has a PhD in Communications from the Universit
doctoral dissertation work focused on intercultural communication in the B
Ongoing issues
Our course offerings have risen in popularity recently, and we struggle with
still staying within budget constraints. We also resist administrative pressur
a pedagogical and a workload issue.
Other new developments
Dr. David Thomson will be our new Department Head beginning in June, aft
last year.
Future plans.
The department has begun work on a Communications degree offering. We
B.Comm or a BA in Communications. Our goal is to start the approval proce