Applied Communications (CMNS)

Registration in some course sections is restricted to students in particular programs. See Timetables - kpu.ca/registration/timetables - for current section information.

Visit the BC Transfer Guide - bctransferguide.ca - for information about course transfer in B.C.

CMNS 1101  3 credits  
Foundations of Business Communications  

This course provides international students with an understanding of expectations of communication in a Canadian business environment, while developing the foundational skills, strategies, and communication practices essential for business education in Canada. Students will be introduced to basic communication strategies, with emphasis on grammar and syntax, current conventions for business correspondence, improving intercultural communication fluency, and oral communication. Note: This course is credit excluded with CMNS 1110. Students may enroll in and earn credit for only one of these courses.

Level: UG

Co-requisite(s): BUSI 1101

Credit Exclusion: CMNS 1110

Attributes: ASTR, BUSI, PW_3

CMNS 1110  3 credits  
Fundamentals of Workplace Writing & Communications  

Students will explore a diverse range of workplace communication styles and genres, including cross-genre and cross-cultural contexts. Students will reflect on their writing process and gain strategies to overcome writing barriers including revision and a focus on mechanics. A concept of professional persona is explored as students create a variety of workplace-oriented communication pieces that culminate in a final project.

Level: UG

Credit Exclusion: CMNS 1101

Attributes: ASTR, BUSI, PW_2

CMNS 1120  3 credits  
Applied Oral Communications  

Students will study the theories, principles and applications of oral communications, and apply these theories and principles to design, develop and deliver effective oral presentations for a variety of contexts.

Level: UG

Prerequisite(s): English 12 or TPC 12 or ABEE 0091 or PSPE 1091 or ENGP 1091 or LPI 26 or ELST 0381 and 0386 with a B) or ENGL 1099 or ENGQ 1099 or CMNS 1110 or 1105 or Kwantlen English Assessment Test Placement

Attribute: BUSI

CMNS 1140  3 credits  
Introduction to Professional Communication  

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.

Level: UG

Attributes: ASTR, BUSI, WI

CMNS 1216  1.5 credits  
Writing for the Specialized Workplace 1  

Students will learn how to analyze audience and context in order to communicate effectively in specialized workplace environments which require sensitivity and the ability to tailor messages for audiences with different, often conflicting, needs and priorities. They will learn basic communication strategies, document conventions, resume design, visual design techniques, and correct language usage. The course will be delivered partially online.

Level: UG

Attributes: BUSI, F2A2

CMNS 1217  1.5 credits  
Writing for the Specialized Workplace 2  

Students will to learn how to analyze audience and context in order to communicate effectively in specialized workplace environments involving persuasion, collaboration and conflict resolution. They will learn basic research strategies, teamwork strategies, page design for specialized document creation, and conflict resolution approaches. The course will be delivered partially online.

Level: UG

Prerequisite(s): CMNS 1216

Attributes: BUSI, F2A2

CMNS 2140  3 credits  
Communications For Design Professionals  

Students will learn the written and oral communication skills required by marketing design professionals to develop, manage, and communicate complex information in their professional practice. Students will learn the basis of client and project management in agency and organizational contexts, and the principles, theories and techniques required for designing, developing and communicating creative marketing briefs, proposals, reports, and oral pitch presentations.

Level: UG

Prerequisite(s): ENGL 1100

Attributes: ASTR, BUSI

CMNS 3000  3 credits  
Advanced Professional Business Communications  

Students will study communications theories and then prepare audience-centred correspondence, proposals, business plans, executive summaries, reviews, commentaries, complex analytical reports and presentations. They will complete written assignments that emphasize critical thinking, writing, and visual literacy.

Level: UG

Prerequisite(s): 36 credits including CMNS 1140 and ENGL 1100

Cross-listing: ENTR 3000

Attributes: BUSI, WI

CMNS 3100  3 credits  
Technical Report Writing  

Students will learn written and oral communication skills required by behavioural science professionals to develop, manage, and communicate complex information in their professional practice. They will learn the principles, theories, and techniques required for designing, developing, and communicating proposals, reports, and project plans, and will apply them to written and oral projects integrated within a project management framework throughout the course.

Level: UG

Prerequisite(s): ENGL 1100 and 3 credits of any 1200 level ENGL course

Attribute: BUSI

CMNS 3120  3 credits  
Persuasive Writing and Speaking  

Students will learn the principles of persuasion and apply them to strategic conversations, dialogues and documents with a variety of audiences. They will also learn rhetorical strategies and techniques that include various ways to identify audience needs, stimulate audience attention, spark audience interest and generate appropriate actions from targeted audiences.

Level: UG

Prerequisite(s): CMNS 1140 and 45 credits of 1000 and 2000 level courses

Attribute: BUSI

CMNS 3130  3 credits  
Theories of Human Communication  

Students will examine the history of human communication, from oral to print to digital media, as that history is reflected in modern theories and practices among individuals and within organizations. They will learn techniques to apply traditional and contemporary communication theories as those theories relate to professional contexts.

Level: UG

Prerequisite(s): CMNS 1140 and 45 credits of 1000 and 2000 level courses

Attribute: BUSI

CMNS 3250  3 credits  
Digital Media Communication  

Students will examine principles and practices of traditional and emergent online digital media. They will learn how to evaluate and choose the most appropriate media to deliver a specific message to a target audience. Students will learn how to develop, analyze, and evaluate products such as social media initiatives, media kits, and customer relations management applications.

Level: UG

Prerequisite(s): CMNS 1140 and 45 credits of 1100 courses or higher

Attribute: BUSI

CMNS 3800  3 credits  
Managing Project Communications  

Students will learn how to plan, develop and manage the communications process from inception to completion. They will apply critical-path methodology, document control, human-resource management and conflict-resolution techniques to team- and multi-authored documentation projects.

Level: UG

Prerequisite(s): CMNS 1140 and 45 credits of 1100 or higher level courses

Attribute: BUSI

CMNS 4250  3 credits  
Communications Research  

Students will conduct primary and secondary research using tools they develop such as surveys, focus groups, observations and interviews. They will be required to manage their quantitative and qualitative data and interpret their results. Students will also learn to collect, interpret and use information taken from subject matter experts, journals and informational databases in order to support their written communications and publications.

Level: UG

Prerequisite(s): CMNS 3130

Attribute: BUSI

CMNS 4300  3 credits  
Internal Communications  

Students will investigate the role of employee communications in organizations by integrating concepts of human resource management and motivational theory. They will focus on common principles and practices of effective internal organizational communications. Students will learn to manage issues through top-down, bottom-up, peer-to-peer and interdepartmental communications. They will learn how to integrate internal communications plans and audits into the overall communications efforts of organizations, either through work projects in real-life organizations or simulated case studies.

Level: UG

Prerequisite(s): CMNS 1140 and ENTR 3000, 3 credits of a first year ENGL course and 9 credits of courses at the 3000 level or above

Attribute: BUSI

CMNS 4400  3 credits  
External Communications  

Students will analyze principles and implement techniques for communication with diverse audiences, using written and visual media, and various social media platforms. Upon completion of the course, students will know how to coordinate organizational efforts to develop an external communications plan (based on real and/or simulated situations) aimed at government regulators, media, community groups, relevant organizations, investors, and/or the public.

Level: UG

Prerequisite(s): CMNS 1140 and ENTR 3000, 3 credits of a first year ENGL course and 9 credits of courses at the 3000 level or above

Attribute: BUSI

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