Course

Communication Professions

Faculty
Language, Literature & Performing Arts
Department
Communications
Course code
CMNS 3000
Credits
3.00
Semester length
15 weeks
Max class size
30
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Seminar
Course designation
None
Industry designation
None
Typically offered
To be determined

Overview

Course description
This course provides an introduction to the roles, practices, and contexts of professional communicators, with an emphasis on professional writing and professional readiness.
Course content

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
Learning activities

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
Means of assessment

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%
Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this course will

  1. understand the role of professional communicators in different contexts
  2. write intensively to develop skill, style, and speed
  3. demonstrate awareness of the ethical responsibilities of professional communicators
  4. demonstrate awareness of political, cultural, and social sensitivities when producing communication products
  5. be introduced to and expected to demonstrate professional readiness skills
  6. learn about the current and emerging job markets and other work options for professional communicators
Textbook materials

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)

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

None

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 3000
Langara College (LANG) LANG GNST 1XXX (3)
Simon Fraser University (SFU) SFU ENGL 371 (3)
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) TRU ENGL 2XXX (3)
Trinity Western University (TWU) TWU COMM 2XX (3)
University of British Columbia - Okanagan (UBCO) UBCO ENGL_O 1st (3)
University of British Columbia - Vancouver (UBCV) UBCV ARTS_V 1st (3)
University of Northern BC (UNBC) UNBC ENGL 1XX (3)
University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) UFV ENGL 210 (3)
Vancouver Island University (VIU) VIU HUMA 2nd (3)

Course Offerings

Fall 2025

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
30
Currently enrolled
0
Remaining seats:
30
On waitlist
0
Building
New Westminster - North Bldg.
Room
N5109
Times:
Start Time
13:00
-
End Time
14:50
Building
Online
Room
ONLINE
Times:
-
Section notes

CMNS 3000 001 is prioritized for Post-Degree Diploma Professional Communication students. Students are encouraged to request permission by contacting Maureen Nicholson at nicholsonm@douglascollege.ca with their student number, program, and registration date.