Communications
Placement Test Scores
For information on the Composition Placement Test please visit Assessment Services (ufv.ca/Assessment).
Assignments
As presentation is an important element of professional communications, several courses require all or a number of assignments to be typed or word processed.
Prerequisites
For equivalencies of the prerequisites listed below, contact the department head.
Note: Students who do not have a prerequisite for first year Communications courses should take CMNS 099. CMNS 099 with a grade of C or better is a prerequisite for English 105, or any first-year Communications course.
Critical Analysis and Study Methodology
Students interested in Communications courses may also be interested in the following:
CSM 104 — Integrated Academic Learning Skills
CSM 108 — Critical Analysis and Learning
CSM 208 — Learning Methodology
For more information regarding these courses, please see the Academic Support courses section.

CMNS 1153 credits
Technical Communications for Trades
Prerequisite(s): Admission into a trades program
This course is an introduction to the general principles and techniques of effective communications required in the workplace. Common written and oral communications on the job (including customer and co-worker relations) are the focus of the course including messages, simple reports, definitions, descriptions, instructions, and employment applications (forms, letters of applications, and resumes). The course also examines the barriers to effective communications and how these barriers can be reduced.

CMNS 1253 credits
Introduction to Workplace Communication
Prerequisite(s): CPT score of 48 or better, or evidence of any accepted test score or course grade listed under the English Language Proficiency Standards published in the UFV calendar and listed on the UFV website.
An introduction to the general principles of technical and professional communications. Emphasis is on the communication process, in particular, direct, indirect, and persuasive messages and presentations. Document design and electronic messaging are also studied and practiced.

CMNS 1453 credits
Technical Communications for Drafting
Prerequisite(s): CPT score of 48 or acceptance into Drafting program
This course provides an introduction to general principles of effective written and oral communication. The focus is on commonly used reports (e.g., progress, field, site investigation) and technical correspondence.

CMNS 1553 credits
Introduction to Workplace and Academic Communication
Prerequisite(s): CPT score of 48 or better, or evidence of any accepted test score or course grade listed under the English Language Proficiency Standards published in the UFV calendar and listed on the UFV website.
This course will introduce the students to the theory and practice of academic writing and professional communication. The academic writing emphasizes research strategies, essay structure and coherence, and citation/documentation. Workplace communication focuses on direct, indirect, and persuasive messages, document design, and presentations.
Note: Accepted for meeting the UFV Bachelor of Arts writing requirement or as an elective in the BA program.

CMNS 1753 credits
Writing for the Internet
Prerequisite(s): CPT score of 48 or better, or evidence of any accepted test score or course grade listed under the English Language Proficiency Standards published in the UFV calendar and listed on the UFV website.
Corequisite(s): CIS 145
This course is an introduction to the theory and practice of writing for the Internet. Students will study the particular challenges posed by online communication, and explore approaches and technologies that make possible effective communication to a networked audience.

CMNS 1803 credits
Introduction to Intercultural Communication
Prerequisite(s): None
In this introduction to intercultural communication theory and practice students will learn and apply concepts relating to cross-cultural knowledge, awareness, and understanding as they emerge in communication situations. They will develop their knowledge of verbal and non-verbal intercultural skills. Students will learn about their own cultural worldview and identity; investigate similarities and differences among their own and other worldviews and identities; practice intercultural skills; and learn about the importance of self-reflexivity, flexibility, and mindfulness in their intercultural interactions.

CMNS 2003 credits
Introduction to Portfolio Development
Prerequisite(s): Same as for CMNS 125; see CMNS 125 for details
This course provides students with the opportunity to develop a learning portfolio and improve oral presentation skills. The course will focus on reflective writing approaches, individual thinking processes, learning principles, as well as designing portfolios for future audiences, developing individual and group oral communication abilities, and creating the learning portfolio. Students will create a written and/or electronic portfolio using a process that will include reflection on formal learning, work, and life experiences.

Note: Students cannot receive credit for CMNS 200 and ADED 200.

CMNS 2123 credits
Basic Public Relations and Advocacy Communication
Prerequisite(s): Same as for CMNS 125; see CMNS 125 for details
It takes skill to make your voice, cause, point of view stand out in a sea of messages. This course focuses on the fundamentals of persuasive communication used in public relations and advocacy settings. Students will write and design effective internal and external communication plans with an end-product of a blog or newsletter.

Note: This course is offered as CMNS 212 and MACS 212. Students may take only one of these for credit.

CMNS 2353 credits
Oral Communications
Prerequisite(s): None
This course focuses on the principles and psychology of effective speaking. Specific areas include informal presentations to small groups, formal presentations, meeting management, the use of presentation aids, developing the voice, and improving body language. Videotaped feedback is an important part of the course.

CMNS 2513 credits
Professional Report Writing
Prerequisite(s): One of CMNS 115, CMNS 125, CMNS 145, CMNS 155, CMNS 165, CMNS 175, or ENGL 105.
This course teaches advanced skills for short to mid-length informational and analytical reports common to the workplace. Students learn to research, interpret, organize, and critically evaluate information. There is an emphasis on solving problems, using evidence, making carefully informed decisions and realistic recommendations as well as adapting the message to the audience. The importance of document design, accurate documentation of sources, responsible use of rhetoric, and clear and purposeful writing are strongly promoted.

CMNS 3003 credits
Introduction to the Practice of Journalism
Prerequisite(s): One of CMNS 125, CMNS 155, CMNS 175, or ENGL 105
Students will learn the fundamentals of news writing and reporting as demanded by newsrooms across all forms of media. The course is writing intensive and requires outside research (reporting) that includes interviewing and basic fact gathering. A wide variety of forms will be explored, from headline, lead, and caption writing to articles based on the coverage of news events. Students will also be able to try their hand at writing feature stories as well as assessing local reactions to national events and issues.

Note: This course is offered as CMNS 300 and JRNL 300. Students may take only one of these for credit.

CMNS 3014 credits
Advanced Practice of Journalism
Prerequisite(s): CMNS/JRNL 300 or 45 university-level transfer credits including a CMNS 125, or
CMNS 155, or CMNS 175, or ENGL 105.

This course applies journalism skills to other media formats including radio, television, and the internet. It provides a practical introduction to the technologies and techniques of digital media communication, including video, still image, sound capture and manipulation, internet-based publishing and research, digitizing, editing, and archiving.
The course will be divided into seminar and workshop/lab components. In the seminars, discussion will be focused on critical analysis of selected examples from the field of audio and video production as well as internet-based tools and the emerging philosophy on how to use them. In the workshop/labs, students will have the opportunity to explore writing across various news genres as well as writing to the web, developing on-air voice delivery, as “news anchor” and “remote reporter”, selecting interview clips, designing graphics, transitions, and presenting final products.
This course is offered as CMNS 301 and JRNL 301. Students may take only one of these for credit.

CMNS 3123 credits
Introduction to Public and Community Relations
Prerequisite(s): A first-year Communications course, or ENGL 105, or CMNS 212/MACS 212
Note: As of September 2013, prerequisites will change to the following:
One of CMNS 125, CMNS 155, CMNS 175, ENGL 105, or CMNS 212/MACS 212.

This course provides an introduction to the principles, theory, and skills of public and community relations. The course will examine how public relations (PR) fits into the marketing mix, the importance of PR positioning, and reputation management. Students will analyze and produce a variety of electronic and print communication pieces for public relations purposes for a variety of audiences.

CMNS 3204 credits
Editing Principles and Applications
Prerequisite(s): 45 university-level credits including CMNS 251
This course examines the types, principles, and processes of editing in a variety of contexts: academic, popular, technical, and business, both online and in print. By the end of the course you will have sufficient understanding and practice to work knowledgeably and correctly as an independent editor of small, in-house publications or alongside established editors of larger publications.

CMNS 3253 credits
Writing for the Sciences and Technologies
Prerequisite(s): One of CMNS 125, CMNS 145, CMNS 155, CMNS 175 or ENGL 105
An introduction to advanced principles and practical applications of written and oral communication for the Sciences. Emphasis is on professional, technical communications to a wide range of audiences, including popular newspapers and magazines, and scientific journals. Topics covered include the ethics of scientific communication, using computers in research and in the writing process, defining audiences, designing documents, using visual aids, and effective oral presentations.

CMNS 3354 credits
Advanced Oral Communication for Professionals
Prerequisite(s): CMNS 235 or CMNS 345
This course provides students with the opportunity to further develop presentation, workshop development, and meeting management skills for professionals. The course builds on the skills and knowledge learned in CMNS 235 through analysis of both publicly delivered speeches and public delivery of student presentations. The course also provides theoretical grounding in the rhetoric of speaking through analysis of landmark treatises from Aristotle to the present.

CMNS 3454 credits
Instructional Skills for the Workplace
Prerequisite(s): 30 credits of university-level courses, including 3 credits of CMNS or ENGL. The Communications department strongly recommends taking CMNS 250, CMNS 251, or CMNS 235.
This course provides an opportunity to design and teach lessons to diverse audiences in three domains (psychomotor, affective, cognitive) using a variety of media and strategies. Developing lesson plans, using instructional technologies, developing and using evaluation techniques, and conducting on-the-job training are the focus of the course.
Note: Some public speaking skills are assumed in this course.
This course is offered as CMNS 345 and ADED 345. Students may take only one of these for credit.

CMNS 3513 credits
Professional Formal Research Report Writing
Prerequisite(s): CMNS 251
This course focuses on the process and production of one long research document commonly used in business, industry, information technology, the arts, the natural and social sciences, and humanities. Students learn to propose and manage a research project in their career field and to practice proven research skills and methods and responsible documentation of sources. They will also learn to analyze, evaluate, and organize evidence, ideas, and arguments, as well as to compose, design, revise, and evaluate their document.

CMNS 3533 credits
The Responsibility of Using Research in the Workplace
Prerequisite(s): 45 university-level credits, including CMNS 251
It is an essential workplace-ready skill to be able to determine the credibility and relevance of information and data gathered when trying to make key decisions. This course examines the responsibilities associated with gathering verifiable information and using secondary research and evaluation theory for the practical and timely application of workplace decision making. At the heart of decision making is an understanding of the specific stakeholder and audience needs. Likewise, it is essential that factors influencing decision making are effectively documented, shared, and communicated. The focus of this course is not on academic research practices, but on incorporating secondary research mindfully into a variety of workplace situations and written reports.

CMNS 3604 credits
Advocacy Writing
Prerequisite(s): One of CMNS 125, 155, 175, 212, ENGL 105, or MACS 212.
CMNS 251 or second year CMNS course recommended
Students will learn advocacy writing at an advanced level. The course focuses on writing persuasive requests, advocacy planning, media planning, implementation strategy, and writing advocacy campaigns for social change. This course will address the writing skills connected to larger social and political issues.

CMNS 3653 credits
Grant and Proposal Writing
Prerequisite(s): 45 university-level credits and one of: CMNS 125, 155, 175, or ENGL 105
Grant and proposal writing for fundraising, job creation,or professional purposes is the backbone of many for-profit, non-profit, and consulting organizations. In this course, students will write grants for fundraising and development purposes and will respond to RFPs (requests for proposals). The elements of making a persuasive case in written form will be the focus of this course. Students will learn how to create memorable and effective grants, proposals, letters of intent, and cover letters. Students will learn how to write and design a memorable case document; how to effectively research potential donors or employment contracts; how to prepare a budget for an RFP or fundraising proposal; and the ethical dimensions and dilemmas of grantsmanship and stewardship.

CMNS 3753 credits
Understanding Design for Print Publications
Prerequisite(s): One of CMNS 115, 125, 145, 155, 165, 175, or one of ENGL 105-170; familiarity with word processing software and the Internet is essential for success in this course.
Note: As of September 2013, prerequisites will change to the following:
One of CMNS 125, 145, 155, 175, or ENGL 105

This course focuses on the theory and practice of document design, typography, and desktop publishing. Students will apply their knowledge in design to a variety of documents including brochures, newsletters, and marketing material.

CMNS 3803 credits
The Cross-Generational Workpace: Closing the Communications Gap
Prerequisite(s): 45 university-level credits including CMNS 251
This course is designed to provide students with the skills needed to interact and communicate effectively within a day-to-day workplace environment and build on the potential that a cross-generational workplace can have. The workplace now has at least four generations of employees. Gone are the long-held stereotypes of generational-level expertise. Younger people are bringing technologically advanced skills to the workplace, and experienced older people are working well past traditional retirement age to contribute their intellectual capital. Students will learn how to use a variety of communication strategies to effectively draw on the strengths of a cross-generational work team. This course can be applied to a wide variety of workplace settings.

CMNS 3853 credits
Language and Action: Seminar in Contemporary Rhetoric
Prerequisite(s): 45 credits of university-level credits, including a first year Communications or English course.
Note: As of September 2013, prerequisites will change to the following:
60 university-level credits, including any 200-level CMNS or ENGL course.

Students will investigate major schools of contemporary rhetorical theory in an effort to understand the paradigms governing language use in contemporary social and linguistic environments. Rhetoric always includes study of the ways language serves as a call to action; in this course, the emphasis will be on the ways language acts – in itself, on the user, and on the discourse community.
This course is offered as both CMNS 385 and ENGL 385. Students may take only one of these for credit.

CMNS 3903 credits
Designing End-User and Technical Documentation
Prerequisite(s): 45 lower-level credits including CMNS 251.
For CIS program students, CIS 285 is recommended.
Effective technical and end-user documentation, both print and online, requires consideration of several key factors (e.g., users’ specific needs, information gathering and research, design). The focus of this course is on structuring and designing documentation with the needs of the end users in mind. Students will learn about and apply the process for effective documentation to a number of exercises and to a term project of a document for a specific group (e.g., help centre sites, policy and procedures manuals or sites).

CMNS 4124 credits
Communications Practicum
Prerequisite(s): 60 university-level credits completed, at least 12 must be from CMNS, of which 9 credits must be 300-level and above, and instructor permission. Students must complete an interview with the faculty liaison including presenting a portfolio of their CMNS work as part of the interview process.
This course provides students with supervised practical applied experience in community and public relations or professional writing and speaking. Students will have an opportunity to practice skills gained in prerequisite courses and will receive feedback about their competencies. Students will meet for feedback seminars with the instructor and will be expected to contribute weekly to an online discussion forum.
Before starting practicum placements, students must sign a practicum agreement. UFV reserves the right not to place a student into a practicum if, in the opinion of the faculty, the student is not ready to be placed.

Note: Students with credit for CMNS 413 cannot take this course for further credit.

CMNS 4204 credits
Virtual Team Communication
Prerequisite(s): 60 university-level credits, including one of CMNS 235, 335, or 345.
Note: As of September 2013, prerequisites will change to the following:
60 university-level credits, including CMNS 251

This course blends face-to-face instruction with virtual learning opportunities to provide students with the strategies, tools, and techniques to become effective and productive virtual team facilitators. Virtual teams have become commonplace for many different working and learning environments. They compete globally to communicate across boundaries, time zones, technologies, cultures, disciplines, and workplace contexts. Today’s virtual teams are complex and require specialized facilitation skills designed to leverage technology, build relationships, manage time, embrace flexibility, and ease anxiety and transitions.

CMNS 4303 credits
Project Management Communication in Action
Prerequisite(s): 60 university-level credits, plus one of CMNS 351, CMNS 360, CMNS 365, or BUS 457
Note: As of September 2013, prerequisites will change to the following:
60 university-level credits, including CMNS 251
This course prepares students, with or without project management experience, to work as collaborative, effective, and efficient project team participants and communicators. Students will practice the process of communication within project management that provides clarity, direction, and team success. Students will be introduced to a variety of project management documents and project team roles. They will also learn how to use a variety of written, oral, and interpersonal communication strategies to enhance the project team experience. This course can be applied to a wide variety of workplace settings and projects.

CMNS 4454 credits
Facilitating Skills for the Workplace
Prerequisite(s): CMNS 345, or 45 university-level credits and CMNS 235
Facilitation is a core competency for working in and effectively managing learners, teams, groups, and committees. The facilitator leads by providing skills, guiding discussions, and encouraging the group to reach their own conclusions. The facilitator works collaboratively with the group and empowers them to identify their own goals and plans. The student will develop and apply effective approaches when facilitating for a variety of group situations and workplace
learning communities.

This course is offered as CMNS 445 and ADED 445. Students may take only one of these for credit.

CMNS 4804 credits
Crisis Communications
Prerequisite(s): 60 university-level credits, including six credits of lower-level MACS or CMNS or a combination.
Crises are unexpected threats for which response time is short. Their origins can be natural (as with ice storms or tsunamis) or human (as with acts of terrorism or oil spills). This course uses Canadian and foreign examples to explore how to (and how not to) deal with serious challenges to public safety. To do so, it draws on both theoretical and practical approaches to communicating with diverse audiences in crisis situations.
Note: This course is offered as CMNS 480 and MACS 480. Students may take only one of these for credit.

CMNS 4904 credits
Directed Studies in Communications
Prerequisite(s): 60 university-level credits completed; at least 12 credits must be from CMNS, of which 9 credits must be 300-level or higher; and written permission of the instructor and the department.
This course will provide students the opportunity to pursue in-depth independent study of a communications issue, theme, or problem. The completed project must display the student’s abilities as an effective writer, knowledge of audience, and thorough familiarity with the selected topic area.

Last extracted: May 01, 2012 10:17:12 AM