Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2022 - ACMA 360W D100

Actuarial Communication (3)

Class Number: 4816

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 7 – Dec 6, 2022: Tue, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Sep 7 – Dec 6, 2022: Fri, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    ACMA 301 (or 320), with a minimum grade of C.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Guided experiences in written and oral communication of actuarial ideas and results to both expert and lay audiences. Students who have taken STAT 300W first may not then take this course for further credit. Writing/Quantitative.

COURSE DETAILS:


This course exposes students to actuarial communication, which requires an in-depth understanding of the subject matter. Therefore, students are encouraged to take this course in their fourth year.

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Create effective written and oral communication in the actuarial context.
  2. Apply communication skills across cultures and to a range of business audiences (i.e., clients, colleagues, management).
  3. Demonstrate advanced interpersonal communication skills, business etiquette and ethical considerations in all communication modes.
  4. Recognize the components and processes of actuarial work, e.g., with respect to the control cycle and decision-making skills as applied to solving business problems.
  5. Apply the mechanics of English writing and text editing.

Grading

  • Activities and Participation 30%
  • Assignments 60%
  • Oral Presentations 10%

NOTES:

All above grading is subject to change

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

The next age of uncertainty: How the world can adapt to a riskier future. Poloz, S. (2022). Allen Lane.
ISBN: 9780735243903

RECOMMENDED READING:

The essentials of business etiquette: How to greet, eat and tweet your way to success. Pachter, B. & Cowie, D. (2013). McGraw Hill.
ISBN: 9780071811262

They say I say: The moves that matter in academic writing, 4th ed. Graff, G. & Birkenstein, C. (2018). W.W. Norton & Company.
ISBN: 9780393631678

Practical grammar: A Canadian writer's resource, 3rd ed. Ruvinsky, M. (2013). Oxford University Press.
ISBN: 9780199002306

Public speaking for college and career. Gregory, H. (2010). McGraw-Hill Higher Education.

Essentials of business communication. Guffey, M. E., & Loewy, D. (2019). Cengage Learning.

Working with difficult people: Revised and expanded. Hakim, A.C., & Solomon, M. (2002). Penguin.

Understanding actuarial management: The actuarial control cycle. Klugman, S., Bellis, C., Shepherd, J., & Lyon, R. (Eds.). (2010). Institute of Actuaries of Australia.

How great decisions get made. Maruska, D. (2006). AMACON.

Messages: The communication skills book. McKay, M., Davis, M., & Fanning, P. (2009). New Harbinger Publications.

Essentials of writing biomedical research papers. Zeiger, M. (2000).  McGraw-Hill Education.

Dynamics of business and professional communication. Graves, H. & Graves, R. (2016). 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:

Students with Disabilities:
Students requiring accommodations as a result of disability must contact the Centre for Accessible Learning 778-782-3112 or caladmin@sfu.ca.


Tutor Requests:
Students looking for a tutor should visit https://www.sfu.ca/stat-actsci/all-students/other-resources/tutoring.html. We accept no responsibility for the consequences of any actions taken related to tutors.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html