First Term Course Credits
Required: 15.00
- CMNS 112 Introduction to Communications Studies 3.00
- CMNS 132 Explorations in Mass Media 3.00
- CMNS 170 Presentation Skills for Public Speaking 3.00
- CMNS 190 Article Writing 3.00
- ENGL 100 Academic Writing Strategies 3.00
Credits 15.00
Second Term Course Credits
Choose 3.00 credits from the following list: 3.00
- CMNS 220 Advanced Business Writing and Editing 3.00
- CMNS 250 Introduction to Technical Writing 3.00
Required: 12.00
- CMNS 222 Decoding Media Strategies 3.00
- CMNS 231 Cultural Industries in Canada 3.00
- CMNS 270 Visual Communications 3.00
- CMNS 360 Strategic Communications 3.00
Credits 15.00
Total Program Credits 30.00
CMNS 112
Introduction to Communications Studies
3.00 credits (3,0,1) hrs 15 wks
This course is intended to introduce students to the history and theory of communication and media. It examines changes in communication technologies and symbol systems starting with the emergence of speech in human society and considers the relationship between the development of new media and forms of communication and patterns of social, political, and cultural development.
CMNS 132
Explorations in Mass Media
3.00 credits (3,0,1) hrs 15 wks
This course examines the emergence and importance of mass media in society. It explores theoretical considerations and approaches to communications studies including the role of media in democracy, political economy of media, critical studies and media structures. A number of media industries are examined in detail, including print, broadcast and film, and the course considers other issues including new media and globalization. This is a writing intensive course.
CMNS 170
Presentation Skills for Public Speaking
3.00 credits (4,0,0) hrs 15 wks
This course focuses on the dynamics of organizing material, overcoming shyness and developing poise as a speaker in a variety of contexts. Attention to research, voice training, nonverbal communication, and strategies for timing presentations are key components of this course. In addition, this course uses video equipment, enabling students to see themselves on camera, as well as to benefit from feedback from others, as they refine their ability to project, to organize their thoughts, and to address audience needs.
CMNS 190
Article Writing
3.00 credits (4,0,0) hrs 15 wks
This course covers researching and writing articles for publication in news media and magazines. In addition, this course emphasizes the analysis of magazine readership, techniques of researching and interviewing, the current market for articles, and development of an effective prose style. Students write three articles in suitable format and submit them for publication in established periodicals.
CMNS 220
Advanced Business Writing and Editing
3.00 credits (4,0,0) hrs 15 wks
Prerequisite: ENGL 100
This course focuses on researching, organizing, writing and editing extensive business documents: reports, proposals, memoranda, and media releases. Emphasis is on clear style and logical organization.
CMNS 222
Decoding Media Strategies
3.00 credits (3,0,1) hrs 15 wks
Prerequisite: CMNS 112 and 132
This course offers a critical introduction to the study of popular culture and popular media. This course explores the development of contemporary popular culture as an expression of the tensions unleashed by the emergence of mass consumer society, post-industrialism, and media. Popular culture is seen as a mode in which modern societies play out tensions between consumerism and citizenship, democracy and social control, ethical and social responsibility and individualism, creative expression and political-economic domination. We explore critical issues in popular culture and media through an examination of key debates, historical trends, and ethical issues.
CMNS 231
Cultural Industries in Canada
3.00 credits (3,0,1) hrs 15 wks
Prerequisite: CMNS 112 and 132
This course provides an overview of the cultural industries in Canada - those industries that create and disseminate meaning. The course introduces students to print, broadcasting, film, the Internet, and other cultural industries in Canada and internationally. It explores the business structure and economics of principal sectors, and key regulatory and policy issues in their social, political, cultural and global contexts. This course utilizes cultural theory and political economy approaches to study and critically analyze these industries and their role in society.
CMNS 250
Introduction to Technical Writing
3.00 credits (3,0,1) hrs 15 wks
Prerequisite: ENGL 100
The course includes the examination of technical reports and the study of the role of technical writing in corporate and scientific settings. It covers technical writing for science, engineering and the professions and emphasizes definitions, process analysis, writing instructions, resume preparation, and an extended formal report.
CMNS 270
Visual Communications
3.00 credits (4,0,0) hrs 15 wks
Prerequisite: ENGL 100 or CMNS 120
This course is intended for students of communications and business who are interested in examining what we see in the mass media and how we see it. Using photography as the basis, the course explores vision as a physiological and psychological phenomenon, examines the history and use of the camera and develops a number of perspectives for analyzing images. Students then examine in detail different aspects of visual media, including topography, newspapers, magazines, advertising, movies, television/video and computer images, analyzing the "framed" world in mass media representation. Assignments are practical projects.
CMNS 360
Strategic Communications
3.00 credits (3,0,1) hrs 15 wks
Prerequisite: CMNS 112 or 132 or 220
This applied course provides an overview of the range of skills and strategies required for working in corporate, community and government communications fields. The focus is on practical information and media design, and utilizes a case-study approach in which students work both alone and in groups in simulated communications projects. The course covers topics such as relations with the public, media and government, internal organizational communications, working with stakeholders/investors, crisis communications, corporate advertising and public branding. Students will create communications pieces, develop corporate/organizational identities, and develop and present complex strategic communications plans for a business, government, or non-profit/NGO client.
Note: Prerequisite may be waived by permission of instructor or coordinator.
ENGL 100
Academic Writing Strategies
3.00 credits (4,0,0) hrs 15 wks
Prerequisite: See information on English Diagnostic Test in the Registration section of the College Calendar.
This course emphasizes academic research and essay writing skills in a lively context that encourages and enhances both critical thinking and critical reading expertise.
Note: For the focus of the course each term, see the "Courses" page on the English Department website.
