Registry

Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013
Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Communication Skills
Module Code	CM288
School	School of Communications
Online Module Resources
Module Co-ordinator	Semester 1: Martin Molony Semester 2: Martin Molony Autumn: Martin Molony
Module Teacher	Martin Molony
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	10
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Description

To provide students with an understanding of inter-personal communications.To provide students with an appreciation of effective communications.To facilitate and encourage students to develop their skills in:– oral presentation;– interview skills – as interviewer and interviewee;– effective use of PowerPoint and other presentation techniques;– writing for defined audiences;– listening techniques;– communicating within groups and as a group;– overcoming communication apprehension.

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify, and critically analyse, influences on communication;
2. Demonstrate an understanding of effective communications;
3. Critically examine and evaluate their own communication skills and those of others;
4. Demonstrate competency in basic verbal and non-verbal communication skills;
5. Determine the critical communications requirements for a given situation;
6. Present information in a structured, coherent and appropriate manner;
7. Work within a group to present a consistent and coherent message.

Workload	Full-time hours per semester
*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Assignment	25	Online individual video-recorded presentation
Lecture	25	Weekly class contact and tutor consultation
Group work	40	Group communication presentation
On-line learning	40	Use of course-related material on Moodle
Independent learning time	90	General reserach and reading
Library	30	Accessing academic and communicaiton journals
Total Workload: 250

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

What is Communication?.
Defining communication; types and modes of communication; channels of communication; the communication process; transmission and reception; barriers to effective communication; lingustic communication; sensory reception; non-verbal communication; tacesics; proxemics; kinesics; body language; perception; first impressions; one-to-one vs. one-to-many communication; group communication..

Layers of Communication.
Developing a network of influence; interpersonal skills for infulence; ritual, common ground, rapport, intimacy, silence; attending skills; verbal response skills; physical influence; listening; power vs. influence; seven levers of power; six principles of influence; four facets of self-image; five stages to perception; influence and culture; influence and communication; vocabluary; credibility; values; rumours..

The Spoken Word.
Defining the spoken word; attributes of the spoken word; talking, whispering, shouting, chating, preaching, lecturing, singing; the impact of pace, tone, volume and accent; the impact of non-verbal communication; saying what you mean; case studies in the spoken word..

The Written Word.
Forms of written word; the absence of non-verbal communication; the role and fuction of puctuation; the power and impact of brevity; redundancy; misinterpretation; case studies and exercises in the written word..

Presentation Skills.
Preparation and planning; structure of speeches and presentations; knowing your audience; working from notes; audience contact; communication aprehension; handling nervousness; using humour; pace and timing; the use and misuse of audiovisual aids; death by Powerpoint; deconstructing famous speeches; presentation exercises..

Interviewing Skills.
Preparation and planning; types of questions; framing interview questions; sequencing questions; body language; listening skills; being an active listener; interpreting answers; reacting to answers; supplementary questions; contentious interviews; interview demonstration..

Effective Writing Skills.
Writing for an audience; writing for a purpose; types of writing; new media writing; saying more with less; writing for new media; the power of proper punctuation; Elements of Style; Eats, Shoots and Leaves; case studies in effective writing..

Digital Communication.
Communication attributes of digital media; opportunities and restrictions of communicating in a digital space; one-to-one vs. one-to-many; replicating non-verbal communication; ethics in digital communication; digital dilemas for communicators..

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Course Work Breakdown
Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Practical/skills evaluation	To revise a given piece of text in order to increase its clarity, reduce its length, while maintaining the integrity of the message.	30%	Week 6
Computerised test/exam	Moodle Quiz - based on material covered in weeks 1 to 6.	10%	Week 7
Presentation	To conceive, construct and record a thirty second presentation in response to a stated objective, addressed to an identified audience.	50%	Week 12
Computerised test/exam	Moodle Quiz - based on material covered in weeks 7 to 12.	10%	Sem 1 End

Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

DeVito, Joseph A.: 2013, The Interpersonal Communication Book, 13th edition, Pearson Educational Inc., New York,
Harvey, Nicholas: 2010, Effective Communication, 3rd edition, Gill & Macmillan, Dublin, 9780717147564
Truss. Lynn: 2009, Eats, Shoots and Leaves, UK edition, Fourth Estate, London, 978-0-00-732906-9
Aldous, Richard: 2007, Great Irish Speeches, Quercus Publishing, London, 1847241956
Barker, Alan: 2006, Improve Your Communication Skills, 2nd edition, Kogan Page, London, 9780749448226
Borg, James: 2008, Body Language, Pearson Education Limited, Harlow,
Bowden, John: 2008, Writing a Report, How-To Books, Oxford, 1845282930
DeVito, Joseph A.: 2013, Interpersonal Communication Book, The: International Edition, 12th edition, Pearson, Boston,
Montefiore, Simon Sebag (Introduction): 2006, Speeches That Changed the World, Quercus Publishing, London,
Morris, Desmond: 2002, Peoplewatching, Vintage, London, 0099429780
Prone, Terry: 2010, Write and get paid for it, Londubh Books, Dublin, 978-1907535048
Strunk, William Jr.: 1999, The Elements of Style, Allyn and Bacon, Boston, 978-0205309023

Other Resources

3362, DVD, 2000, Great Moments from Great Speeches, New York, Insight Media, 3363, DVD, 2003, Speak Up! Oral Presentation Skills, New York, Insight Media,

Array

Programme or List of Programmes

CCS

BA in Contemporary Culture and Society

BA in Communication Studies

ENGLIC

BA Languages for Int. Communication(Eng)

HMSA

Study Abroad (Humanities & Soc Science)

HMSAO

Study Abroad (Humanities & Soc Science)

Timetable this semester: Timetable for CM288