School of Interdisciplinary

Studies and Employment

Services
Communication for Career Development
2014-2015
Program

Year

Semester

Biomedical Technology

Biotechnology

Chemical

Electro-Mechanical

Electronics Technician & Technology

Environmental

Mechanical Technician

Mechanical Technology

Pharm and Food Science

Water Quality

Course code:

Con. Ed. code:

COMM 2232

Course hours:

28

GPA weighting:

Prerequisite:

COMM 2103/COMM 2113

Corequisite:

Prepared by:

Lara Loze

Delivery:

In class

Authorized by (Dean):

Online

Kevin Baker

Hybrid

Date: June 2014

Professor contact information:

NAME

EMAIL

PHONE

OFFICE LOCATION

Durham College Course Outline COMM 2232 2014-2015

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Course Description:
The primary objective of this course is to help students develop a well-planned and organized job search
action plan prior to graduation from College. In order to accomplish this, students develop individual
career action plans and professional cover letters, resumes, references and comprehensive professional
portfolios to showcase their talents and strengths. The second goal of this course is to introduce students
to subject matter which will assist them to meet todays workforce challenges. Specifically, Organizational
Behaviour concepts are explored including understanding and working with management to attain
company and career goals, working and communicating in a team environment, functioning and
managing stress in todays workplace and understanding why organizational change and development
take place.

Rationale:
Finding and excelling in a career is a life-long process. Todays employers are looking for employees
who can work and communicate in positive, professional and team environment. Employees require both
soft and hard skills to excel in todays ever changing and challenging environment. Developing a wellgrounded understanding of these requirements will better enable them to succeed.

Subject Eligibility for Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition

(PLAR)
Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) is a process a student can use to gain college
credit(s) for learning and skills acquired through previous life and work experiences. Candidates who
successfully meet the course learning outcomes of a specific course may be granted credit based on the
successful assessment of their prior learning. The type of assessment method (s) used will be determined
by subject matter experts. Grades received for the PLAR challenge will be included in the calculation of a
students grade point average.
Candidate eligibility is outlined in http://www.durhamcollege.ca/assets/Section~specific/Continuing~Education/documents/plar.pdf

Yes

No

Course Learning Outcomes

Course Specific Outcomes

Essential Employability Outcomes

Students receiving a credit for this course will have

demonstrated their ability to:

Students receiving a credit for this course will have

demonstrated their ability to:

1. Identify and define key organizational

behaviour concepts

6. Analyze, evaluate and apply relevant

information from a variety of sources

2. Develop an individual Career Action Plan which

reflects their individual goals and action plan for
success

7. Locate, select, organize and document

information using appropriate technology and
information systems

3. Prepare a combination style resume, cover

letter and professional references in response
to a current job posting that meets professional
standards

8. Communicate clearly, concisely and correctly

in the written, spoken and visual form that
fulfills the purpose and meets the needs of the
audience

4. Organize and create a professional portfolio to

highlight achievements and support their future
job search

9. Use a variety of thinking skills to anticipate and

solve problems

5. Participate in a mock interview to prepare and

promote personal presentation skills for one-toone as well as panel style interviews.

10. Take responsibility for ones own actions,

decisions and consequences
11. Show respect for the diverse opinions, values,
belief systems and contribution of others
12. Interact with others in groups or teams in ways

Durham College Course Outline COMM 2232 2014-2015

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Course Learning Outcomes

Course Specific Outcomes

Essential Employability Outcomes

that contribute to effective working
relationships and the achievement of goals
13. Manage the use of time and other resources to
complete projects

Course Learning Outcomes contribute to the achievement of Program Learning Outcomes. For a complete list of
Vocational/Program learning outcomes and Essential Employability Skills please refer to the current program guide.

Durham College Course Outline COMM 2232 2014-2015

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Sequence of Instruction
Evidence of Learning
Week
1

Intended Learning
Course introduction, expectations for class learning environment

Marketing yourself: what is your personal brand?

How do you market yourself (online, F2F)?
Why is knowing your brand important?
Self-Assessment Survey (in class)
Your Future Career
You and your attitude generating success
Personal marketing, career fairs, social networks
Researching your future career
Working in Groups and Teams
Effective self-directed teams
Successful group work and teamwork elements
Your Resume Part 1
The combination format
Your Resume Part 2
Turning experience into accomplishment statements
Your Cover Letter
Critical elements for your cover letter
Tailoring your cover letter for each job application

Gathering & formatting Professional References

Your Elevator Speech
Incorporating your brand into an effective elevator speech

Networking
Networking in person, online
Strategies to expand your network
Job Interviews
The STAR response model
Types and forms of interviews
Selling yourself
Group check in meetings with professor report on progress to date

Resources and
References

Est.
Class
Hours

Course Outline,
Assignment
schedule,
DC Connect

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3
Chapter 4

Section 2:
Chapter 7

DC Resume
Booklet
DC Resume
Booklet

Learning
Outcomes
References

Intended Learning Activities

Introductions, review of critical documents and
assignments

Assessment
In process

Lecture, discussion
Students complete Chapter 2 self-assessments in
class, discuss other online assessments available
Lecture, discussion

In process
Career Services Assignment
(5%) due

Group activity, discussion

In Process

Lecture, discussion

Career Action
Plan/Company Research
report due (10%)

Lecture, discussion,

In Process

Chapter 6
DC Cover Letter
Booklet

Chapter 1

Evaluation
and
Weighting

Assign: Career
Services
Assignment
(5%) due in
week 2
Assign: Career
Action
Plan/Company
Research Report
(10%) due in
week 3
Assign: Group
Project (20%)
due in week 11

Assign: Resume
Assignment
(20%) due in
week 6 (students
hand in their
resume assignment
twice, each time it
is worth 10%)

Lecture, discussion, group work

In Process

Lecture, discussion

In Process

1
Chapter 8
Chapter 9

Resume Assignment due

(10%) feedback will be
1

Small group meetings with professor

Durham College Course Outline COMM 2232 2014-2015

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provided and it will be

resubmitted in week 10 for 10%

Assign: Mock
interview
assignments
(15%) due in
week 8

Sequence of Instruction
Evidence of Learning
Week
7

Intended Learning
Developing a Portfolio
Artifacts in your portfolio
Online or hard copy options
Planning, formatting, assembling

Resources and
References

Est.
Class
Hours

Chapter 7

Learning
Outcomes
References

Intended Learning Activities

Lecture, discussion

Assessment
In Process

Mock Interviews

Mock Interviews

10

After the Interview

Following up on an interview

Chapter 10
Chapter 11

Group Presentation Techniques for success

Presenting as a team

Lecture, discussion

Mock interview written

assignment (5%) &
Mock Interview oral
assignment (10%) due
Professional Portfolio
Assignment students to
submit minimum 3 artifacts (other
than resume) for assessment
and feedback (5% of the final
25%)

submission)

Group Project & Presentations

Focus: organizational behaviour & management
The managerial mind
Skills for career success
-

12

Group Project & Presentations

13

Managing Conflict & Stress

Navigating workplace conflict
Managing personal and professional stressors

14

15

Work period for Portfolio

The work/life balance & Reflection
The act of reflection to achieve success
Course wrap up and celebration
No final exam

Section 2: Chapter
1 Organizational
Behaviour

Group Project &

Presentations (15%) due

2
Chapter 13

Lecture, discussion

In Process

Lecture, discussion

In Process

1
Chapter 12

Assign: Portfolio
(20%) students to
submit 3 artifacts
for assessment in
week 10, final
assignment is due
in week 14

Resume Assignment (10%)

due (second and final
11

Evaluation
and
Weighting

Professional Portfolio (25%)

due

Durham College Course Outline COMM 2232 2014-2015

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Course outlines are planning guidelines; actual delivery of content may vary with circumstances. Students will be notified in writing of
changes that involve the addition or deletion of learning outcomes or evaluation, prior to changes being implemented as specified in the
Course Outlines Policy http://www.durhamcollege.ca/about-us/corporate-links/governance/policies.

Professors are responsible for following this outline and facilitating the learning as detailed in this outline.

Durham College Course Outline COMM 2232 2014-2015

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Evaluation Criteria:
(A full description of the Academic Appeals Process can be found in your Student Handbook.)

Career Services Assignment

5%

Career Action Plan/Company Research Report

10%

Combination Resume, Cover Letter & References

20%

Mock Interview (Written & Oral Assignments)

15%

Professional Portfolio

25%

Group Project

15%

In Process

10%

Total

100%

Notes:
In process marks are a combination of in class work as an individual or as in small groups and take place throughout
the term. These marks cannot be made up at a later date; if the student is absent from an in process evaluation
activity in class they will receive a mark of zero for that portion of the in process calculation.
Written assignments must be completed using Standard Canadian English with appropriate APA citation. All
documentation for assignments must be from credible web sites, current journals/texts etc.
Grammar and spelling will be evaluated in all written assignments. Students are encouraged to use all resources
available to improve their individual mastery of grammar.

Required Text(s) and Supplies:

Custom textbook: Essential Career Management, Attaining and Maintaining Employment
ISBN: 10 digit: 1269449974 / 13 digit: 9781269449977
Publisher: Pearson Canada Ltd

Recommended Resources:
(purchase optional)
Canadian Dictionary
Canadian Writing Guide

Durham College Course Outline COMM 2232 2014-2015

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Policies and Expectations for the Learning Environment:

General College policies related to

General Program policies related to

Acceptable Use of Information Technology

attendance

Academic Policies

Academic Honesty

absence related to tests or assignment due

dates

Student Code of Conduct

excused absences

Students Rights and Responsibilities

can be found on-line at
http://www.durhamcollege.ca/academicpolicies

writing tests and assignments

classroom management
can be found in the Program Guide. These
guides are available on the main Durham
College website
http://www.durhamcollege.ca/ .

General Policies and Expectations:

ATTENDANCE: Attendance is closely linked to student success. Regular attendance is strongly encouraged
as it has been shown to be the best predictor of student success. This course is designed to build on skills
previously learned and applied in class. A student missing topics will be less able to complete subsequent
assignments. If a student is absent from class, it is his/her responsibility to learn what was missed prior to the
next class.
It is the students responsibility to attend all classes, labs, evaluations, field placement, etc. In the event that
the student cannot fulfill this obligation, it is the students responsibility to notify their faculty, as required. In
addition, the faculty and/or placement agency may require explanation/documentation to substantiate an
absence. Each student is responsible for any missed materials and instruction as a result of the absence. In
addition, it is the students responsibility to complete all assignments and to be aware of announcements made.
It is the students responsibility to arrive early, review notes, readings, and other requirements prior to class.
This course has been developed to enhance skills that students need to be successful in college, and the
workplace, and as such some of the writing assignments have been designed to take place in the classroom
with peer and faculty support. Students should ensure that they are available in class to complete required
work. Attendance must be regular. It is critical to successful completion of the course. Information is supplied
during class hours via lectures and hands-on practical application of new procedures. It is impossible to
makeup the experience of a class critiquing session or environment.
LATE ARRIVAL: Faculty recognize that there may be legitimate reasons for late arrivals. If you arrive late for
class, please enter the classroom as quietly as possible and/or wait until there is a formal break in the class to
minimize disruption to students who arrived on time. If you disturb the class upon your arrival, you will be
asked to leave the class. If you arrive late on a regular basis and disturb a class already in progress, the
faculty has the right to prohibit entry to the classroom until a suitable break occurs.
During classes in which a guest speaker is scheduled or when student peers are making a presentation, late
arrival may not be permitted. (Special circumstances may be presented to the faculty in advance of the class
for consideration). Students who arrive late on the day of a test will not be given any additional time to
complete the test. No late arrivals will be permitted after the first 20 minutes of the test start time.
For attendance policies refer to the Academic policy and procedures and/or your course outline(s).
Durham College Course Outline COMM 2232 2014-2015
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MISSED CLASS: If a student misses class time, that student is responsible for catching up on missed work,
not the instructor. Waiting until the next class to discover what was missed (such as in-class assignments) is
not wise.
To be consistent with workplace practices, students are expected to contact your professor by email or phone
prior to the scheduled class time they are unable to attend class.
RESPECT: Students must conduct themselves with consideration for their classmates, inside and outside
scheduled class hours. All students are entitled to enjoy a quiet working environment free of careless
distractions and disturbances.
DISRUPTIONS: Any disruptive behaviour in the classroom may result in that student being asked to leave.
Students causing disturbances or creating noise, including talking and ambient noise from headphones, will be
cited and face disciplinary actions, according to the Policies and Procedures outlined in the Student Handbook.
DEADLINES: As in the workplace, failure to meet deadlines results in loss of credibility and grades.
Assignments not submitted by deadline will receive a grade of zero. Reconsideration will be given at the
discretion of the Faculty if proper notification and documentation is given.

WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS: All written papers are to be submitted to the faculty in the scheduled class on
the specified date. Unless otherwise directed by the faculty, submissions made by other means than
those written on the assignment instructions will not be accepted and will result in a 0 grade for the
assignment.
Late assignments:

Late Assignment:
This is an assignment that has been handed in late, and there has not been a verbal, contractual
agreement between the student and the faculty to extend the time for the assignment to be handed
in. This assignment is considered late and will be assigned a grade of 0.

Negotiated Late Assignment:

This is an assignment that has been handed in late, but with the permission of the faculty. It is
responsibility of the student to notify the faculty no later than 24 hours prior to the submission date,
ifs/he is unable to submit the assignment as directed. The faculty and student, through discussion,
will have mutually agreed on the time/extension that the student will receive to hand in the
assignment. The students grade will be penalized at the rate of 10% per day (including due date of
assignment) for each extra negotiated day. A day is a normal school day or placement
day. Negotiated late assignments must be submitted to the faculty in person in order to be accepted
for marking.

Extenuating Circumstances:
In the event of unexpected absence, students must contact the course faculty before the class
starts. The faculty will consider individually, rare extenuating circumstances, which may cause an
assignment to be late. The student must provide appropriate documentation (e.g. note from doctor,
dentist, etc.) to validate the absence and secure permission for the assignment to be submitted at a
later time and/or date. The assignment must be submitted to the faculty in person in order to be
accepted for marking.

MISSED TEST: Students are expected to write all tests during the scheduled times. Should this not be
possible, the student must notify the faculty within 24 hours of the scheduled test time and where possible,
alternate arrangements may be made. Voicemail messages and email messages are acceptable forms of
notification if you are unable to speak with the faculty directly using DC Connect email.
Failure to contact faculty will result in a mark of 0 for the missed test. The opportunity to write a missed test is
discretionary and may be granted based on meeting the following criteria:
Durham College Course Outline COMM 2232 2014-2015
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notifying faculty 24 hours prior to the scheduled test time, and

meeting with the faculty to discuss the absence

EXTRA ASSIGNMENTS: Students will not be allowed to do extra assignments to bring up their mark at the
end of term students must complete and hand in term work as it is assigned.
CONTENT: Material produced in or for class must be in good taste and mature in nature.
ORIGINAL WORK: All material produced in or for class, whether text, image, or digital, must be original, or
correctly cited. Plagiarism is a form of stealing. It includes, but is not limited to, failure to indicate the ideas,
data, graphic elements, or language of another, without specific and proper acknowledgment. Students who
plagiarize, or cheat in any way, will be cited and face disciplinary actions, according to Durham Colleges
Academic Integrity Policy (ACAD 101).
Please make note that plagiarism includes taking the work of another student (or work downloaded from the
internet) and submitting it as your own, even if you tweak it. Giving your work to another student to submit,
even if the other student tweaks it is also plagiarism. If you are unclear on what constitutes reference
material, please discuss it with your faculty.
BACKING UP COURSE WORK: Students are responsible for ensuring their work is being backed up on a
regular basis.
ACADEMIC ASSISTANCE: Students are encouraged to discuss academic concerns with the faculty.
Additional help from the faculty is available (by appointment) outside of class time for individuals or groups on
an as-needed basis. Academic issues that can affect a students success (i.e. course selection, success
strategies) may also be discussed with the Student Advisor in the School of Interdisciplinary Studies &
Employment Services (Room SW216).

Course Specific Policies and Expectations:

Students are expected to treat the class as a professional work environment and to be consistent with
workplace practices, students are expected to attend classes to achieve a positive outcome. Students will
come prepared for participating in class discussions and group assignments. Students must behave in a
responsible manner, since they will be held accountable by group members. An atmosphere of courtesy and
respect will prevail. Student engagement is paramount.
It remains the student's responsibility to report any extenuating circumstances to the professor in a timely
manner that may negatively affect their college outcomes. This notification should normally take place no more
than 48 hours from the date in question. When possible students should discuss these issues in advance
(scheduled appointments etc.).
Outcomes will be decided on a case-by-case basis. Documentation is required on the first day back to class
unless otherwise coordinated with the professor. Assignment must be typed and submitted during regularly
scheduled class time to the appropriate professor. Emailed assignments must be pre-approved unless
otherwise advised. Assignments are typically due during the class in question. Late assignments will be
reduced by twenty percent for each day they are late, including weekends, unless extenuating circumstances
prevail.

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General Course Outline Notes:

1.

Students should use the course outline as a learning tool to guide their achievement of the learning
outcomes for this course. Specific questions should be directed to their individual professor.

2.

The college considers the electronic format (i.e. MyCampus, DC Mail or DC Connect) as the primary
channel of communication. Students should check the sources regularly for current course information.

3.

Professors are responsible for following this outline and facilitating the learning as detailed in this outline.

4.

Course outlines should be retained for future needs (i.e. university credits, transfer of credits etc.)

5.

A full description of the Academic Appeals Process can be found at http://durhamcollege.ca/gradeappeal.

6.

Faculty is committed to ensuring accessible learning for all students. Students with permanent disabilities
who require academic accommodations in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code should
register with the Centre for Students with Disabilities (CSD) to initiate in-class accommodations. The CSD
is located in room SW116, Oshawa Campus (or room 180, Whitby Campus). Call 905-721-3123.

7.

Durham College is committed to the fundamental values of preserving academic integrity. Durham College
and faculty members reserve the right to use electronic means to detect and help prevent plagiarism.
Students agree that by taking this course all assignments could be subject to submission either by
themselves or by the faculty member for a review of textual similarity to Turnitin.com. Further information
about Turnitin can be found on the Turnitin.com Web site.

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