Print Futures: Professional Writing Program Courses
Print Futures is a limited-enrollment program. Print Futures students have priority to register in the following courses. Other qualified students may ask the Print Futures Coordinator for permission to register in specific courses, if space permits. Print Futures students also have priority to register in CMNS 1118, CMNS 1216, CMNS 1218 and CRWR 1202.
PRFU 1100 Fundamentals of Professional Writing (3 credits)
This course provides a broad overview of the context and practices of professional writing. Students will focus on descriptive grammar and writing practice. They will develop an awareness of the professional and ethical responsibilities required for this field. They will also interview and write a profile of a professional writer.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer GuidePrerequisite: Program acceptance or permission of the Coordinator
Lecture: 1; Seminar: 2; Workshop: 1
Offered: Fall
PRFU 1102 Research Skills for Professional Writing (3 credits)
This course provides an introduction to research, including the gathering and managing of information to prepare for researched writing tasks. Students will focus on the primary research process, critical-thinking skills, secondary sources of information such as libraries and archives, fact-finding through interviews, the use and abuse of statistics, the organization of research data and research ethics. They will develop a practical perspective by conducting a simple primary research project and compiling a secondary research portfolio.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer GuidePrerequisite: Program acceptance or permission of the Coordinator
Lecture: 2; Seminar: 1; Laboratory: 1
Offered: Fall
PRFU 1190 Professional Readiness I: Markets and Job Applications (1 credit)
This course is the first of four professional readiness courses intended to help students develop a career as a professional writer. The course provides an introduction to writing markets and hands-on practice in cover letter and resume development.
Prerequisite: Program acceptance or permission of the Coordinator
Lecture: 1; Seminar: 1; Laboratory: 1 (six weeks' duration)
Offered: Fall
PRFU 1230 Editing I: Copyediting and Proofreading (3 credits)
This course develops a basic understanding of copyediting and proofreading and the process by which editors work with writers. Students will apply editing and business skills to communicate with others and produce professionally presented, edited materials.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer GuidePrerequisite: PRFU 1100 or permission of the Coordinator
Lecture: 2; Seminar: 2
Offered: Winter
PRFU 1290 Professional Readiness II: Jobs and Networks (1 credit)
This course is the second of four professional readiness courses intended to help students develop a career as a professional writer. It offers an opportunity for students to identify a writing niche, develop and practise the basic skills of applying and interviewing for jobs and learn about the importance of networking for writers.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer GuidePrerequisite: PRFU 1190 or permission of the Coordinator
Lecture: 1; Seminar 1 (nine weeks' duration)
Offered: Winter
PRFU 1310 Writing Technical Manuals (3 credits)
This course develops an understanding of how technical manuals (such as computer end-user manuals and policy and procedure manuals) are planned, written and produced. Beginning with an analysis of objectives and audience, students will trace the sequence of steps in preparing an effective and professionally produced technical manual and examine standard writing and formatting conventions using industry-standard software programs.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer GuidePrerequisite: Program acceptance or permission of the Coordinator
Lecture: 2; Laboratory: 2
Offered: Winter
PRFU 1350 Document Design and Production I (3 credits)
This course introduces the basic principles of two-dimensional design, including balance and visual dynamics, layout, publication design and typography. Students will develop skill with an industry-standard page-layout software program and familiarity with both raster and vector drawing applications. They will apply these skills in producing small documents.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer GuidePrerequisite: Program acceptance or permission of the Coordinator
Lecture: 2; Laboratory: 2
Offered: Winter
PRFU 2201 Language Studies (3 credits)
This course introduces theories of language relevant to the writer's craft. Students will focus on ways to identify different styles of writing, understand the relation between style and content and predict readers' responses to texts. They will learn to analyze writing tasks from these perspectives and to assess texts for their readability and their appropriateness to given situations.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer Guide
Prerequisite: CMNS 1218
Lecture: 2; Seminar 2
Offered: Fall
PRFU 2330 Editing II: Stylistic and Structural (3 credits)
This course develops an understanding of the processes involved in structural and stylistic editing. Students will assess and edit material for content, structure, style, readability and marketability. They will also look at the structural/stylistic editor's role in the publishing process and become more familiar with the editor's role in scheduling and production. Students will apply editing and business skills to communicate with others and produce professionally presented, edited materials.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer Guide
Prerequisite: PRFU 1230 or permission of the
Coordinator
Lecture: 2; Seminar: 2
Offered: Fall
PRFU 2340 Writing for the Web (3 credits)
This course provides an overview of the context and practices of writing, designing, and producing sites for the Web. Students will gain an understanding of the writer's role in the collaborative-team approach to Web-site development.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer GuidePrerequisite: PRFU 1350 or permission of the Coordinator
Lecture: 2; Laboratory: 2
Offered: Winter
PRFU 2370 Public Relations Writing I (3 credits)
This course introduces the fundamentals of public relations management and practice with an emphasis on the role of effective communication strategies in the corporate environment. Students will focus on the role of public relations in the organization and the application of communication strategies and tools for communications planning.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer GuidePrerequisite: CMNS 1218 or permission of the Coordinator
Lecture: 2; Seminar: 2
Offered: Fall
PRFU 2390 Professional Readiness III: Business Skills and Legal and Ethical Issues (1 credit)
This course is the third of four professional readiness courses intended to help students develop a career as a professional writer. The course focuses on the primary business skills required to work in a salaried writing job and as a self-employed professional writer. It provides an overview of legal and ethical issues for writers. Students also begin preparing for their graduating semester's Portfolio Show.
Prerequisite: PRFU 1290 or permission of the Coordinator
Lecture: 3; Seminar: 3 (three sessions of each)
Offered: Fall
PRFU 2400 Work Experience (6 credits)
This course prepares students for a professional writing career by providing relevant field-based experience. It enables them to use new research, editing, layout and design, writing, and interpersonal skills in a work environment. Through professional supervision, students can adapt and adjust their skills to a higher standard while making valuable employment contacts.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer GuidePrerequisite: two of the following: CRWR 1202, CMNS 1218, PRFU 1230, PRFU 1310, PRFU 1350, OR permission of the Coordinator.
Practicum: 40 hours; Field Experience: 180 hours
Offered: Fall, Summer
PRFU 2401 Writing for Magazines and Trade Publications (3 credits)
This course develops the skills necessary to write for magazines and industry-specific trade publications and focuses specifically on writing feature articles. Students will obtain practical experience in analyzing publications, developing story ideas, submitting queries, interviewing and researching and writing various types of articles. The course also prepares students with strategies for working as a freelance writer.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer Guide
Prerequisite: Program acceptance or permission of the
Coordinator
Workshop: 4
Offered: Winter
PRFU 2450 Document Design and Production II (3 credits)
This course provides an opportunity to produce a series of publications suitable for portfolio inclusion. Students will use industry-standard page-layout and graphics software. They will gain a thorough grounding in print production technology and procedures, including how to communicate with other print professionals, estimate costs and deal with digital output.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer GuidePrerequisite: PRFU 1350 or permission of the Coordinator
Lecture: 2; Laboratory: 2
Offered: Fall
PRFU 2470 Public Relations Writing II (3 credits)
This course provides an overview of and introduction to the field of communications and media relations in Canada, and introduces students to the typical writing and planning tasks required in public relations. Students may be required to write news releases, brochures and newsletters. They will also conduct a media analysis and develop a strategic communications plan.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer Guide
Prerequisite: PRFU 2370 or permission of the
Coordinator
Lecture: 2; Seminar: 2
Offered: Winter
PRFU 2490 Professional Readiness IV: Writing Competencies and Portfolio (3 credits)
This course is the last of four professional readiness courses intended to help students develop a career as a professional writer. Students will expand on their job-search and job-creation skills and produce a sophisticated job-search / business-development strategy. Working under the direction of the instructor, they will prepare a writing portfolio for presentation in the annual Portfolio Show.
Prerequisite: PRFU 2390 and PRFU 2400 or permission of the Coordinator
Lecture: 2; Seminar: 2
Offered: Winter