Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - CMPT 105W E100

Social Issues and Communication Strategies in Computing Science (3)

Class Number: 5415

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Wed, 5:30–6:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Fri, 4:30–6:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

This course teaches the fundamentals of informative and persuasive communication for professional engineers and computer scientists. A principal goal of this course is to assist students in thinking critically about various contemporary technical, social, and ethical issues. It focuses on communicating technical information clearly and concisely, managing issues of persuasion when communicating with diverse audiences, presentation skills, and teamwork. Students with credit for ENSC 102, ENSC 105W, MSE 101W or SEE 101W may not take CMPT 105W for further credit. Writing.

COURSE DETAILS:

Topics

  • Inventing, organizing, and planning for writing
  • Critical thinking and reflection
  • Research design and methods
  • Writing styles, editing, and revising
  • Resumes and cover letters
  • Effective presentation design and delivery
  • Academic integrity and conventions for referencing
  • Social responsibility in Computing: ethics, privacy, intellectual property, free speech, etc.

More details will be provided during the first lecture.

Grading

NOTES:

Informal and formal written Assignments, Discussions, Participation, Tests/Quizzes, and Presentations. A more detailed marking scheme will be provided in the first lecture.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Reference textbooks:

Michael J. Quinn (2024). Ethics for the Information Age, 9th Edition.  (available through the SFU Bookstore)

Note: A complete list of recommended and reference books and materials will be provided in the first lecture.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

The following are default policies in the School of Computing Science. Please check your course syllabus whether the instructor has chosen a different policy for your class, otherwise the following policies apply.
 
  • Students must attain an overall passing grade on the weighted average of exams in the course in order to get a C- or higher.
  • All student requests for accommodations for their religious practices must be made in writing by the end of the first week of classes, or no later than one week after a student adds a course. After considering a request, an instructor may provide a concession or may decline to do so. Students requiring accommodations as a result of a disability can contact the Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca).

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.