Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2026 - CMPT 105W D200

Social Issues and Communication Strategies in Computing Science (3)

Class Number: 5377

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Tue, 8:30–10:20 a.m.
    Surrey

    Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Thu, 8:30–9:20 a.m.
    Surrey

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:

In this class, students learn how to effectively share ideas and persuade others in their writing. The course helps computing science students think deeply about modern issues in technology, society, and ethics. It emphasizes clear communication of technical details and teaches students how to appeal to different types of people. Throughout the course, students work on different writing assignments to practice and improve their skills.

Topics:

  • Inventing, organizing, and planning for writing
  • Drafting and research
  • Revising and editing
  • Layout of resumes and cover letters
  • Design for presentations
  • Conventions for referencing and organizing papers
  • Social responsibility in Computing: ethics, privacy, free speech, etc.

Grading

NOTES:

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

Materials

RECOMMENDED READING:

 Laplante, Phillip. A. (2019). Technical writing: a practical guide for engineers, scientists, and nontechnical professionals. Boca Raton CRC Press.

Quinn, Michael. J. (2020). Ethics for the Information Age. (8th ed.). Pearson.

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.