Module Code and Title:        CTH101 Principles of Communication Science

Programme:                          BA in Mass Communication

Credit Value:                         12

Module Tutor:                       Lindsay Kamakahi

General objective: This module aims to provide students with an understanding of the way humans interact with each other. The module will focus on one-way and two-way communication and difficulties faced in daily communications such as those due to power distance, hierarchy and culture. Students will critique problems in intercultural, interpersonal, small group and leadership communication in their own experience. Students will also role-play various verbal and non-verbal types of communication. An essential portion of this module will be practicing active listening and audience behaviour to understand and construct solutions to perception, mediation and conflict resolution for daily life.

Learning outcomes – On completion of this module, students will be able to:

1. Describe linear, interactional and transactional communication models.
2. Explain the features of intrapersonal, interpersonal, small group communications and how they differ from public, mass and intercultural communication.
3. Identify daily verbal communication patterns and non-verbal communication cues.
4. Model active listening and audience behaviour.
5. Reflect on appropriate non-verbal communication in small and large group settings.
6. Explain misconceptions in message delivery in a calm and professional manner.
7. Discuss the scope of and various levels within the field of communication from the narrowest to the broadest.
8. Discuss the main features of essential theories of interpersonal communications.

Learning and Teaching Approach:

Assessment Approach:

A. Class tests: Portion of Final Mark: 10%

Two 30-minute written assessments concerning the theoretical portion of the class will be given twice in the term, one before midterm consisting of 5% of the points and one after midterm consisting of 5% of the points.

B. Class participation and preparedness: Portion of Final Mark: 10%

Students will be expected to participate substantially in class discussions, with contributions reflecting adequate preparation for topics under discussion. This will be done both in class and in VLE with 5% of class participation and preparedness will be assessed before midterm and the remaining 5% post midterm.

C. Group presentation: Portion of Final Mark: 10%

The group presentation consists of a presentation (5%) and self-reflection from each member of the group (5%) on one of the key topics in communication. Students will work in groups of 3-4 to interview both local and foreign members in the RTC community about their topic to present to the class. The self-reflection will be based on group dynamics, expectations and their own perceptions of group interactions.

1%       Quality of the interview questions used

1%       Accuracy with which finding is summarized

2%       Insightful use of class material to explain the significance of the finding

1%       Language, organization and referencing

5%       Self-reflection (discussion on one’s contribution in relation to others, reflection on group dynamics of their own group, reflection on their weakness and strengths, discussion difficulties faced and their responses)

D. Midterm examination: Portion of Final Mark: 15%

Students will be required to sit for a written midterm examination of 1.5 hr duration proving their theoretical grasp of the concepts, as well as their ability to apply the concepts using practical examples.

E. Individual Communication journal: Portion of Final Mark 15%

Students are expected to individually analyse their communication patterns in order to differentiate various communication principles that they deal with in their day to day life. They will analyse their listening, verbal and non-verbal communications and various other aspects of their interactions with others. Students should describe situations that went well and that need work in order to use effective communication skills with others. Students should also include their reflections on communication situations they observed involving others, but were not directly a part of. Approximately 7 entries would be expected (once every two weeks, of minimum 300 words each).

3%       Regularity of journal entries

5%       Connecting observations with principles and theories discussed in the module

5%       Reflection of ineffective and effective communication skills & inclusion of insightful proposals for fixing ineffective behaviours

2%       Language and organization

Pre-requisites: None

Subject matter:

1. Unit I: Introduction to communication studies
   • Defining communication
     • Communication as a social process in which individuals employ symbols to establish and interpret meaning in their environment
     • Key terms in defining communication: social, process, symbols, meaning, environment
     • Delineating boundaries: communication vs. behaviour in general
   • The communication process: Models of communication
     • Communication as action (linear model)
     • Communication as interaction (interactional model)
     • Communication as transaction (transactional model)
   • Introductory Overview of communication forms and contexts
     • Intrapersonal – communication with oneself
     • Interpersonal – face-to-face; one-on-one communication
     • Small-group communication
     • Organizational – communication within and among large and extended environments
     • Public/rhetorical – communication to a large group of listeners (audience)
     • Mass/media – communication to very large audiences through mediated forms
     • Cultural – communication between and among members of different cultures
   • Communication principles: integration in all aspects of life; importance for meeting needs; communication as a process; relationship to culture and context; ability to be learned; following of rules and norms; having ethical implications
2. Unit II: Communication and perception
   • Perception process
   • Perceiving others
   • Perceiving and presenting self
   • Improving perception
3. Unit III: Verbal communication
   • Language and meaning
   • Functions of language
   • Importance of effective use of language
   • Relationship of language to society and culture
   • Characteristics of and best practices for achieving competence in verbal communication
4. Unit IV: Non-verbal communication
   • Principles, functions, and nature of non-verbal communication
   • Common types and components of non-verbal communication: posture and gestures, facial expressions, active vs. passive expressions and actions
   • Features of non-verbal communication in contexts: relational, professional, cultural
   • Characteristics of and best practices for achieving competence in non-verbal communication
5. Unit V: Listening
   • Purpose and processes of listening
   • Barriers to effective listening
   • Characteristics of and best practices for achieving competence in listening
   • Generating listenable messages and effective feedback
6. Unit VI: Introduction to essential theories of interpersonal communication: key concepts, themes, and examples of each.
   • Symbolic Interaction Theory
   • Coordinated Management of Meaning (CCM)
   • Uncertainty Reduction Theory
   • Social Penetration Theory
   • Social Exchange Theory
   • Communication Privacy Management Theory

Reading List: (A course-pack of the shorter reading materials will be made available to students)

1. Essential Reading
   • Communication in the real world: An introduction to communication studies. (2016). University of Minnesota Libraries. Retrieved from http://open.lib.umn.edu/communication/
   • Griffin, E., Ledbetter, A., & Sparks, G. (2015). A first look at communication theory. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.
   • West, R. L., & Turner, L. H. (2000). Introducing communication theory: analysis and application. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.
2. Additional Reading
   • Adler, R. B., Rodman, G. R., & DuPre´, A. (2017). Understanding human communication. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
   • Best, S. (2005). Understanding social divisions. London: SAGE.
   • Bligh, D. A. (2003). What’s the point in discussion?Bristol: Intellect.
   • Cragan, J. F., Wright, D. W., & Kasch, C. R. (2009). Communication in small groups: theory, process, skills. Boston, MA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
   • Engleberg, I. N., & Wynn, D. (2017). Working in groups: communication principles and strategies. Boston: Pearson.
   • Forsyth, D. R. (2018). Group Dynamics. S.l.: Wadsworth.
   • Galanes, G. J., & Adams, K. (2010). Effective group discussion: theory and practice. Boston: McGraw-Hill Higher Education.
   • Johnson, D. W., & Johnson, F. P. (2017). Joining together: group theory and group skills. NY, NY: Pearson.
   • Littlejohn, S. W., Foss, K. A., & Oetzel, J. G. (2017). Theories of Human Communication. Long Grove, IL: Waveland Press, Inc.

Date:  May 14, 2018