© Copyright Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Department:
Applied Communication
Course Acronym and Number:
CMNS 1140
Former Acronym and Number:
Credits:
3
Descriptive Title:
Introduction to Professional Communication
Calendar Description:
Students will learn how to analyze context and audience, determine purpose, message content,
visual design and media in order to create written workplace messages that can be received,
understood, used and retrieved with speed and accuracy.
Required for the following credentials:
Accounting, Business Management & Industrial Relations, Computer Information Systems, Fashion, Graphic &
Visual Design, Foundations in Design, Horticulture Technologies (e.g. Turf, Greenhouse, Landscape), Legal
Administrative Studies, and Marketing.
Prerequisites:
Corequisites:
English 12 (C+) or Technical and Professional Communications 12 (C+) or ABEE 0091 (C)
or ABEE 0092 (C) or [ELST 0381 (B) and ELST 0383 (B)] or ENGQ 1099 (C) or CMNS
1110 (C) or Kwantlen English Placement Test or LPI Essay score of 26 or IELTS 6.5 (no
band less than 6.0) or IBT 86 (no sub-score less than 20) or Paper Based TOEFL 570
(TWE 5.5)
Transferable?
Implementation Date:
To be Reviewed Date:
Discontinued Date:
Transferable: (Years 1 and 2) Refer to the BCCAT Transfer Guide
Transferable: (Years 3 and 4 or other) Individual articulation agreements
Not Transferable
05/2011
05/2016
Learning Objectives/Outcomes:
A student who successfully completes the course will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
Establish purpose and determine message content, medium and delivery strategy through
context and audience analysis
Adapt message, medium and purpose to changing audience and context conditions
Integrate clear, concise language with visual design components to convey increasingly complex
messages for a variety of audiences and purposes
Illustrate complex information using a variety of integrated figures and tables
Research data from primary and secondary sources, and evaluate that data for relevance and
accuracy before integrating it with appropriate citation into documents
Extract, outline and summarize essential material from both written and oral sources
Apply informative and persuasive strategies to achieve precisely defined goals
Apply current applied communication conventions appropriately
Content:
Content will include, but is not restricted to, the following:
Critical thinking/problem solving; context-message-audience-purpose analysis
Page layout and design, headings and lists, figures and tables
Informative and persuasive writing/presentation strategies (e.g. description, process,
classification, argument) for a variety of audiences and purposes
Resume and application letter conventions and approaches
Document and presentation conventions: e.g. memos, letters, email, faxes, summaries, short
reports, proposals and technical descriptions.
Basic research methodologies and documentation conventions: e.g. APA, MLA
Essential Skills:
A student who successfully completes the course will have reliably demonstrated the following
essential skills:
Creative thinking and problem solving skills
• analyzing situations and designing documents for every problem-solving communication task
throughout the course
Oral skills
Interpersonal skills
•
analyzing audiences; participating in cooperative learning activities; role playing
Teamwork and leadership skills
• team projects—building consensus, allocating responsibilities for written; delivering messages &
debriefing after delivery
Personal management and entrepreneurial skills
Writing skills
designing & creating a wide variety of workplace documents
Reading skills
•
analyzing, extracting and summarizing relevant information for specific audiences & purposes
Visual Literacy
• combining graphics and visual design elements with precise, concise text to convey complex
information in limited space & time
Mathematical skills
Intercultural skills
communicating for global workplace plus cross-cultural classes
Technological skills
• employing basic computer skills in document and presentation creation: e.g. word-processing,
presentations, slides, figures and tables
Citizenship and global perspective
•
establishing and developing relationships with multiple audience types—strategically developed
throughout course
Learning Activities:
Activities may include, but are not restricted to, the following:
• Individual and group problem-solving: e.g. analyze workplace scenario in terms of
context(s)and audience(s) in order to establish a realistic purpose and determine essential message
details and medium; present the results of that analysis on transparencies to class and defend the
analysis and solution
• Research continuum: using research skills ranging from informal observation to formal
investigation of primary and secondary sources, conduct audience and context analysis as a basis
for determining what message detail and support is necessary to achieve precisely defined purposes
for a variety of audiences and contexts
• Audio/Visual: observe, analyze and discuss relevant films, videos, advertisements, workplace
samples, news items, etc.
• Personal contexts: locate communication problems and solutions in current student experience
that parallel workplace problems and solutions, and apply the same analytical skills to both contexts
as a means of building bridges from the former to the latter
Assessment Methods:
Grading system used:
LETTER GRADE
MAS / NCG
EXP / NCG
Assessment plans comply with Kwantlen policy and may resemble the following:
Assessment Type
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Methods for Prior Learning Assessment:
The following PLA methods will be used:
Challenge exam
Standardized test
Product / Portfolio
Demonstration
Interview
Worksite assessment
Self-assessment
External evaluation
Interview to establish validity of portfolio and theoretical competency
Value
Teaching Modes:
Modes
Classroom-Related Instruction (Lecture)
Hours per
Week
4
Class Size
Duration
(in weeks)
25
15
Simulated Learning Environment (Lab)
Individual Learning Environment (Lab)
Practicum Supervisor/Field Experience
Reality Learning Environment
May be offered in approved 3-hour blocks
Hours per Week: offered in 3-hour blocks in approved periods
Learning Resources:
Required Textbooks, Lab or Shop manuals, Equipment, etc. , such as:
The latest edition of a business/technical communication text similar to the following:
Bovee, Courtland L. Bovee. Business Communication Essentials. Prentice Hall.
Ingre, David. Express: Brief Guide to Technical and Business Communication. Nelson.
Guffey, Mary Ellen. Business Communication: Process and Product . Nelson.
Munter, Mary. Guide to Managerial Communication. Location: Prentice Hall
Recommended Textbooks, Lab or Shop Manuals, Equipment, etc., such as:
The latest edition of a writing handbook similar to the following:
Aaron, Jane E. and Elaine Bander. The Little, Brown Essential Handbook for Writers. Canadian
edition. Don Mills, ON: Addison Wesley Longman, Inc.
Harris, Muriel & Joan Pilz. Reference Guide to Grammar and Usage . Scarborough, Ontario: Prentice
Hall Inc.
Lyons, Joseph T. Writing Fundamentals . Scarborough, Ontario: Prentice-Hall Canada Inc.
Bibliography Attached? (for suggested library acquisitions)
Yes
No
Do library resources in this area need more development?
Yes
No
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This Course Outline complies with the relevant Kwantlen policies. It follows the guidelines set out in the
Kwantlen Course Outline Manual. Department or program learning objectives/outcomes and employability
skills that have been identified in this course Outline can be reasonably achieved through this Course.
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