Upper Level Courses for Winter 2013

CMNS 325: Writing for the Sciences and Technologies

Want to learn to communicate scientific and technical topics to a wider audience?

In a world growing more technical and complex by the day, there is an urgent need to translate highly specialized information into engaging and accurate forms of communication that appeal to non-specialists. Medical, environmental, and industrial changes (and advances) have profoundly affected people living in regions, countries, and the planet. While your studies at UFV enable you to understand and assess complicated and technical information in your discipline, do you have the skills to make this information accessible to others? In this course you'll learn to assess the needs and expectations of specialist and lay audiences, discuss the ethical implications of scientific communication, practice research methodology, and present technical information to a range of audiences.

CMNS 335: Advanced Oral Communication for Professionals

Learn how to become the commanding presence in the room.

An organized and effective speaker is a huge asset to any organization or business. This course picks up where CMNS 235 left off and will help further improve your ability to develop and deliver persuasive speeches, lead informative workshops and run effective, efficient meetings. Enhance your understanding of public speaking by studying exemplary presentations and documents foundational to the art of public speaking, and practice what you've learned in a positive, safe and supportive environment.

CMNS 365: Grant and Proposal Writing

Even the best ideas need funding!

Grant and proposal writing for fundraising, job creation, or professional purposes is the backbone of many for-profit, non-profit and consulting organizations. This course will focus on making a persuasive case in written form. You will be required to create memorable and effective grants, proposals, letters of intent, and cover letters. You will learn how to write and design an attention-grabbing case document; study how to effectively research potential donors and employment contacts; prepare a budget for a Request for Proposal (RFP) or fundraising proposal; and explore the ethical dimensions and dilemmas of grant-seeking and stewardship.

CMNS 390: Designing End-user and Technical Documentation

Conquer manual labour!

Writing effective documentation that is accessible and informative requires several key abilities: identifying the specific needs of your user groups; establishing a process to gather information carefully and comprehensively; designing and producing attractive, functional documents, both print and online. In this course you will focus on structuring and designing documentation with the needs of your end user in mind. You'll study and apply effective documentation methods to produce a substantive final product for a specific group (e.g. help centre sites, policy and procedure manuals, student guides and how-to manuals, etc.).

CMNS 420: Virtual Team Communication

Learn how distance can make the team grow stronger.

Two workplace trends seem to be on a collision course. The importance – even necessity – of working in teams to complete critical projects is complicated by an increasingly decentralized, geographically dispersed and flexible workforce. Overcoming spatial separation, time zones, cultural differences and technology requires a new way of thinking and a new set of skills. Today's virtual teams are complex and require specialized facilitation skills and effective use of technology to build relationships, ease transitions and manage a team's time and tasks. The goal of this course is to help you become an effective and productive team facilitator through a blend of face-to-face instruction and virtual learning opportunities.