COMM19997
Communication Foundations
Sheridan
 
  I: Administrative Information   II: Course Details   III: Topical Outline(s)  Printable Version
 

Land Acknowledgement

Sheridan College resides on land that has been, and still is, the traditional territory of several Indigenous nations, including the Anishinaabe, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, the Wendat, and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. We recognize this territory is covered by the Dish with One Spoon treaty and the Two Row Wampum treaty, which emphasize the importance of joint stewardship, peace, and respectful relationships.

As an institution of higher learning Sheridan embraces the critical role that education must play in facilitating real transformational change. We continue our collective efforts to recognize Canada's colonial history and to take steps to meaningful Truth and Reconciliation.


Section I: Administrative Information
  Total hours: 42.0
Credit Value: 3.0
Credit Value Notes: N/A
Effective: Spring/Summer 2023
Prerequisites: N/A
Corequisites: N/A
Equivalents: N/A
Pre/Co/Equiv Notes: N/A

Program(s): Cross College Communication, Technology Fundamentals
Program Coordinator(s): Jonathan Filipovic, Grace Lee
Course Leader or Contact: Jonathan Filipovic
Version: 20230508_00
Status: Approved (APPR)

Section I Notes: Successful completion of COMM 19997 is required under the following conditions: Student was assessed as requiring COMM 19997 as a prerequisite for the completion of COMM 19999 based upon credentials presented at the time of admission into their program; or, student is enrolled in the Technology Fundamentals program which requires all students to complete COMM19997 or demonstrate course equivalency. Students are advised to contact the English Coordinator if they feel that they meet the requirements for course equivalency.

 
 
Section II: Course Details

Detailed Description
Communication Foundations is an applied, skills-focused course that prepares students for success in written communication within their programs, disciplines, and vocations. Students expand their toolkit of strategies for academic reading, writing and research through a variety of activities emphasizing pre-writing strategies, academic written structures, effective editing of common errors, and the ethical use of research sources. Additionally, students learn to apply college-level reading strategies to a variety of academic and non-academic texts while implementing critical thinking.

Program Context

 
Cross College Communication Program Coordinator(s): Jonathan Filipovic
This course is part of the larger Cross-College English (CCE) curriculum which contributes to the development of effective written, verbal, and visual communication skills at the certificate, (advanced) diploma, and degree levels. These courses strengthen students' essential employability skills within the context of their programs, focusing on transferable competencies such as: conducting critical analysis; applied problem solving; presenting clear and concise arguments; and conducting ethical secondary research. CCE curriculum contextualizes these skills in the exploration of topics with broad-based personal and/or societal importance.

Technology Fundamentals Program Coordinator(s): Grace Lee
This is a required course for the Technology Fundamentals program.


Course Critical Performance and Learning Outcomes

  Critical Performance:
By the end of this course, students will have demonstrated the ability to write analytic responses to college-level readings.
 
Learning Outcomes:

To achieve the critical performance, students will have demonstrated the ability to:

  1. Apply effective, college-level reading strategies to a variety of academic and non-academic texts in multiple disciplines.
  2. Respond in writing to ideas presented in college-level readings.
  3. Compose a variety of structured paragraphs and reflections.
  4. Apply conventions of grammar and punctuation to the creation and editing of documents.
  5. Apply the APA style of documentation to a variety of texts.
  6. Apply the writing process to the composition of a short research assignment using college resources.

Evaluation Plan
Students demonstrate their learning in the following ways:

 Evaluation Plan: IN-CLASS
 Skills Assessments (2x10%; 2x15%)50.0%
 Research Assignment #1 (Summary & Proposal)15.0%
 Research Assignment #2 (Project & Reflection)15.0%
 Reflection & Editing Portfolio20.0%
Total100.0%

Evaluation Notes and Academic Missed Work Procedure:
TEST AND ASSIGNMENT PROTOCOL To encourage behaviours that will help students to be successful in the workplace and to ensure that students receive credit for their individual work, the following rules apply to every course offered within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. 1. Students are responsible for staying abreast of test dates and times, as well as due dates and any special instructions for submitting assignments and projects as supplied to the class by the professor. 2. Students must write all tests at the specified times. Missed tests, in-class activities, assignments and presentations are awarded a mark of zero. If an extension or make-up opportunity is approved by the professor as outlined below, the mark of zero may be revised by subsequent performance. The penalty for late submission of written assignments is a loss of 10% per day for up to five business days (excluding weekends and statutory holidays), after which, a grade of zero is assigned. Business days include any day that the college is open for business, whether the student has scheduled classes that day or not. 3. Students, who miss a test or in-class activity or assignment or fail to submit an assignment on time due to exceptional circumstances, are required to notify their professor in advance of the class whenever possible. A make-up test may be supplied for students who provide an acceptable explanation of their absence and/or acceptable documentation explaining their absence (e.g., a medical certificate). All make-up tests are to be written at a time and place specified by the professor upon the student's return. Alternately, students may be given an opportunity to earn the associated marks by having a subsequent test count for the additional marks. Exceptional circumstances may result in a modification of due dates for assignments. 4. Unless otherwise specified, assignments and projects must be submitted at the beginning of class. 5. Students must complete every assignment as an individual effort unless, the professor specifies otherwise. 6. Since there may be instances of grade appeal or questions regarding the timely completion of assignments and/or extent of individual effort, etc., students are strongly advised to keep, and make available to their professor, if requested, a copy of all assignments and working notes until the course grade has been finalized. 7. There will be no resubmission of work unless this has been previously agreed to or suggested by the professor. 8. Students must submit all assignments in courses with practical lab and field components in order to pass the course.

Provincial Context
The course meets the following Ministry of Colleges and Universities requirements:


 

Essential Employability Skills
Essential Employability Skills emphasized in the course:

  • Communication Skills - Communicate clearly, concisely and correctly in the written, spoken, visual form that fulfills the purpose and meets the needs of the audience.
  • Critical Thinking & Problem Solving Skills - Use a variety of thinking skills to anticipate and solve problems.
  • Information Management Skills - Analyze, evaluate, and apply relevant information from a variety of sources.
  • Personal Skills - Manage the use of time and other resources to complete projects.
  • Communication Skills - Respond to written, spoken, or visual messages in a manner that ensures effective communication.
  • Information Management - Locate, select, organize and document information using appropriate technology and information systems.
  • Interpersonal Skills - Show respect for the diverse opinions, values, belief systems, and contributions of others.
  • Interpersonal Skills - Interact with others in groups or teams in ways that contribute to effective working relationships and the achievement of goals.
  • Personal Skills - Take responsibility for one's own actions, decisions, and consequences.

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition
PLAR Contact (if course is PLAR-eligible) - Office of the Registrar
Students may apply to receive credit by demonstrating achievement of the course learning outcomes through previous relevant work/life experience, service, self-study and training on the job. This course is eligible for challenge through the following method(s):

  • Challenge Exam
    Notes:  Only students enrolled in programs which list COMM 19997 as a required core course on their program maps are eligible for PLAR.
  • Other
    Notes:  Prior Academic Research Paper

 
 
Section III: Topical Outline
Some details of this outline may change as a result of circumstances such as weather cancellations, College and student activities, and class timetabling.
Instruction Mode: In-Class
Professor: Multiple Professors
Resource(s):
 TypeDescription
RequiredTextbookAvailable online via SLATE
OptionalOtherA hard copy, college-level dictionary (the Oxford English Dictionary is recommended by the program)

Applicable student group(s): Cross College (Advanced) Diploma Programs and Certificates
Course Details:

Module 1: Academic Reading Strategies & Foundational Grammar (weeks 1-4)

  • Academic reading strategies: understanding context and audience; using paragraph structure to read effectively; media and information literacy; reading strategies for specific disciplines
  • Responding to comprehension questions: effective paraphrasing; composing short-answer responses
  • Introduction to citation systems
  • Foundational grammar concepts

Assessments: Skills Assessment #1 (10%)

Module 2: Academic Writing & Common Grammatical Errors (weeks 5-9)

  • Personal reflections vs academic research paragraphs
  • Using the writing process: pre-writing and outlines; writing conventions and strategies for specific disciplines
  • Understanding APA: recognizing when to cite; avoiding plagiarism; integrating various types of cited evidence
  • Foundational grammar concepts

Assessments: Skills Assessment #2 (10%)

                       Skills Assessment #3 (15%)

                       Research Assignment #1 (Summary & Proposal) (15%)

Module 3: Academic Research & Advanced Grammar Topics (weeks 8-12)

  • Introduction to academic research skills: library database searches; recognizing credible sources; organizing and summarizing research; developing research outlines
  • Applying APA style to written documents: building reference pages; using apa format and style
  • Writing about research: recognizing and differentiating between traditional essay structures; organizing research for non-traditional formats; planning/writing a brief research project
  • Advanced grammar topics

Assessments: Skills Assessment #4 (15%)

                       Research Assignment #2 (Project & Reflection) (15%)

Module 4: Developing a Personal Approach to Editing & Writing (Weeks 12-14)

  • Recognizing personal strengths and areas for development
  • Editing strategies for larger projects
  • Course review and reflection

Assessments: Reflection & Editing Portfolio (20%)



Sheridan Policies

It is recommended that students read the following policies in relation to course outlines:

  • Academic Integrity
  • Copyright
  • Intellectual Property
  • Respectful Behaviour
  • Accessible Learning
All Sheridan policies can be viewed on the Sheridan policy website.

Appropriate use of generative Artificial Intelligence tools: In alignment with Sheridan's Academic Integrity Policy, students should consult with their professors and/or refer to evaluation instructions regarding the appropriate use, or prohibition, of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for coursework. Turnitin AI detection software may be used by faculty members to screen assignment submissions or exams for unauthorized use of artificial intelligence.

Course Outline Changes: The information contained in this Course Outline including but not limited to faculty and program information and course description is subject to change without notice. Nothing in this Course Outline should be viewed as a representation, offer and/or warranty. Students are responsible for reading the Important Notice and Disclaimer which applies to Programs and Courses.


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