Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2026 - RISK 360W D100

Actuarial Communication (3)

Class Number: 6196

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Mon, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Wed, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    RISK 311 (or 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. Students with credit for ACMA 360W may not 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 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.

This course is part of the University Accreditation Program and meets specific requirements set by the Canadian Institute of Actuaries (CIA). Please consult the CIA website for full details on CIA accreditation.

Grading

  • Assignments 40%
  • In-Class Writing Assessments 20%
  • In-Class Activities 30%
  • Oral Presentations 10%

NOTES:

All above grading is subject to change

Materials

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.

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.

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.