Learn more about the academic programs we are delivering in Winter 2025. If you have any questions about part-time studies, please contact us.
All college graduates must be effective communicators, possessing excellent reading, writing, speaking, and related skills, and be able to apply those skills to a variety of contexts, formats, and purposes. Good communication skills not only assist students during their time at the college, but also help them to learn throughout life. Communicating Across Contexts (COM101/COM111) satisfies the English skills requirement. Other courses in this group are designed to develop and enhance communication skills for the college environment and for professional applications.
For personal or professional development, please refer to Professional Communications.
COM101/COM111 is the required prerequisite for most English skills and Literature courses and a required course for all diplomas offered by the college. English Assessment is required prior to registering in COM101/COM111.
Part-time Studies courses are being offered in either of the following four formats: Online, Flexible, In-person, Hybrid. Click Availability below to see current offerings.
Placement via English Assessment, or successful completion of ESL934.
COM101 replaces EAC 150.
Students who have successfully completed EAC 150 are not required to complete COM101.
This course introduces students to the core concepts of communication. Students will cultivate an awareness of these concepts by analyzing how they are used in a variety of texts and contexts, and they will apply these concepts strategically in their own writing. Through a variety of writing tasks centred on these core concepts of communication, students will develop the transferrable reading and writing skills essential for success in their postsecondary studies, workplaces, and communities.
Placement via English Assessment
This course introduces students to the core concepts of communication. Students will cultivate an awareness of these concepts by analyzing how they are used in a variety of texts and contexts, and they will apply these concepts strategically in their own writing. Through a variety of writing tasks centred on these core concepts of communication, students will develop the transferrable reading and writing skills essential for success in their postsecondary studies, workplaces, and communities.
This course introduces the study of technical writing through a series of writing assignments, placing emphasis on brevity, clarity, conciseness, unity and coherence - all essential to good technical communication. Basic research, effective oral communications and/or collaborative skills are also covered. Employment communication may also be covered.
The ability to write clearly and directly is highly prized in organizations. In order to succeed in today's information overload world, writers must be able to effectively articulate ideas quickly, clearly and concisely in proposals, emails, reports, memos, project plans and through social media. This course focuses on creating professional-quality documents for realistic business situations, with an emphasis on audience analysis, appropriateness and editing. Other topics include formal and informal outlining techniques, how to revise for wordiness, unnecessary phrases, redundancy and jargon, and e-correspondence in an "organizational" setting.
ESL932 or equivalent, or permission from coordinator.
In this course, students develop proficient editing skills that enable them to identify grammatical weaknesses in their own writing. Through a focus on error analysis and guided practice, students will learn to become independent self-editors and be able to apply the strategies acquired beyond the duration of this course.
Earn college credits for what you already know.
Prior Learning Assessment is a method of assessing and recognizing learning that is equal to
college level learning, but has been gained outside a traditional classroom (through work
experience, volunteering, outside study, etc.). If you can prove that the knowledge you have gained
meets the outcomes of a Seneca course, then credit will be awarded.
How does the PLA process work?
Prior Learning is demonstrated through a "challenge" process. The process measures learning
through a variety of methods which may include tests, portfolio assessment, interviews,
demonstrations, essays, and work samples. The method used will be determined in consultation with a
Program Coordinator.
For more information and to determine if you are eligible for PLA, please call the Program
Coordinator.
The process may take from 6 to 8 weeks.
Note: Not all courses can be challenged. For more information go to PLA website or contact your Program Coordinator.
Many students who enter Seneca Polytechnic will have earned academic credits in postsecondary educational institutions which they may be able to apply toward completion of a Seneca Polytechnic program.
Requests for Transfer Credit must be for a specific course and must be accompanied by an official transcript and course outline. A minimum grade of "C" (60 percent) is generally required for a course to be considered for Transfer Credit.
Download a Transfer Credit Request form. An official copy of your transcript and applicable detailed course outlines should be attached and submitted. Please note it may take 4 to 6 weeks for a Transfer Credit decision.
Please visit the Office of the Registrar.
In-person (P)
The course will be delivered fully in person and requires students to come to campus. A variety of methods will be used to aid students in acquiring the knowledge and skills required to meet the learning outcomes of the course.
Hybrid (H)
Delivery of this course will be mixed and will include both in-person and online components. Students will be required to come to campus for the in-person part of their course. Students are expected to familiarize themselves with the weekly schedule and important deadlines at the start of the course.
Flexible (FL)
The course offers students a choice of coming to campus for an on-campus experience or learning remotely online. Instructors will teach classes to students in a classroom or lab at a scheduled day and time and broadcast to students online at the same time. Students will be able to choose their location weekly (e.g. one week online, another week on campus). No advance notification is required (some exceptions may apply).
Online Synchronous (OS)
The course will be delivered online, providing students with an opportunity to attend a weekly online class at a scheduled day and time. Classes will include synchronous real-time activities led by an instructor, instructor-student and student-student interactions, and will be complemented by asynchronous, self-directed activities. Students are expected to participate in the weekly live online sessions at the scheduled time. The sessions will take place using video-conferencing platforms such as Webex, Zoom, Teams, or Big Blue Button. They are typically recorded and can be accessed by students for the duration of the course. However, please note that in most cases, classes will not be 3 hours of live, real-time instruction. Students are expected to familiarize themselves with the course outline, the weekly schedule and important deadlines at the start of the course.
Online Asynchronous (OA)
The course will be delivered online without any scheduled classes. It is being offered as self-directed, providing students with significant flexibility to learn and study on their own time. All online activities will be asynchronous, such as lesson modules, lecture notes, discussion groups, multi-media content, assignments and assessments. Consultations with the course facilitator occur via email or course discussion board. While students work through the course materials at the time of their choosing, they are expected to follow a weekly schedule to complete activities and submit assignments by the due dates specified by the facilitator. Students may interact with their facilitator or each other through the course's Learning Management System, such as Blackboard.
Online Synchronous and Asynchronous (OB)
The course will include some synchronous online sessions occurring at a scheduled day and time, as well as some self-directed activities which students complete at the time of their choosing while adhering to specified due dates. For example, a course may have bi-weekly scheduled live online sessions and asynchronous activities on the other weeks. Students are expected to familiarize themselves with the course outline, the weekly schedule and important deadlines at the start of the course.
eCorrespondence (E)
The course will be delivered via email. E-correspondence materials including, among others, study guides, course timelines, and assignment sheets, will be emailed to students for download in a digital format. Students can expect to receive instructions by email and correspond with their course facilitator by email.
Fieldwork (F)
This course is an experiential learning opportunity for students to integrate their academics with real-world working environments. It can be in the form of a practicum, field placement or clinical which takes place in a formal work environment. Fieldwork hours vary depending on the program.
Marianne Tang
Program Assistant (COM & EAC courses only)
Marianne.Tang@senecapolytechnic.ca
437-312-0357
Rosemare Mariaseelan
Academic Program Manager
Rosemare.Mariaseelan@senecapolytechnic.ca
16-764-9890
For more information about these courses, fill out the following form.