Year 1

Course Description 

This introductory course aims to explore and equip students with effective communication skills for academic and occupational purposes. The course is designed for science and engineering students and examines the nature of communication in these two contexts. Particular attention is given to writing and presentation skills. Examples used refer directly to the science process skills of observing, classifying, inferring, predicting, experimenting and communicating to cultivate a sense of scientific inquiry in the context of academic and professional English. 

 

Course Objectives

·         To equip students with the communication skills necessary to perform their academic tasks at the university.

·         To develop competence in communication tasks required in modern industry.

·         To make students active participants in their communities by being effective communicators

Learning outcomes

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

• define the communication process and related concepts
• identify communication barriers during communication
• explain the nature and importance of non-verbal communication
• make notes from written sources and take notes from spoken sources
• develop reading skills for different types of materials
• write for different audiences, purposes, and contexts
• use appropriate essay writing patterns and paragraphs
• organise essays and presentations using a variety of patterns
• Use accepted citation and referencing conventions
• use, interpret and incorporate visual forms in communication
• make oral presentations using different forms of rhetoric

 

Requirements and Classroom Conduct

You are expected to: 

• have a functional and active email address. This is mandatory.
• read assigned texts before class. Required readings will be announced in class.
• attend class on time and meet attendance requirements
• submit assignments on time
• communicate any absence from class through appropriate channels
• mute your mobile phones during class.
• respect others and their right to participate fully in class. 

 

Methods of Instruction

In Class: Oral presentations, Lecture, PowerPoint slides, guided practice, pair/ group work, discussion, role play/simulation, presentations.

Out of Class: Assignments (reading and writing); oral and visual presentation preparation (Power Points, reports, public speaking practice); group work (interviews, information gathering) and library research.

Assessment

Continuous Assessment (Tests and Assignments) = 40% Degree, 50% Diploma

Final Examination = 60% Degree, 50% Diploma

 

Required Readings

1. Handouts and extracts uploaded on the class website.
2. Ramage, J.D., Bean, J.C., & Johnson. (2006). The Allyn & Bacon Guide to Writing. 4 th ed. Longman
3. Bailey, S. (2011). Academic writing: A Handbook for international students. 3^rd ed. London: Routledge. (PDF).
4. Sillars Stuart, Success in Communication. 11th ed. (2010). London: John Murray Ltd.
5. Jain, V. K., & Biyani, O. (2007). Business Communication. New Delhi: S. Chand & Company.
6. Mills Gordon H., Walter John A. Technical Communication. 5th ed. (1986). New York: Holt Rinehart and Winston. [University Library – limited copies].
7. Alred, G.J., Brusaw, C.T. & Oliu, W.E. (2015). The Handbook of Technical Writing. Macmillan Higher Education.
8. Huckin T.N., Olsen L,A.. (1991). Technical Writing and Professional Communication for Nonnative Speakers of English. New York: McGraw-Hill, Inc.
9. Last, S., Neveu, Candice & Smith, Monika. (n.d.). Technical Writing Essentials: Introduction to Professional Communications in the Technical Fields. University of Victoria, British Columbia. Retrieved from https://pressbooks.bccampus.ca/technicalwriting/
10. https://open.lib.umn.edu/communication/chapter/1-3-communication-principles/
11. https://www.open.edu/openlearn/languages/english-language/how-be-critical-reader/content-section-0

 

Summary of Content 

Unit 1: Introduction

1. Definition of communication
2. Purpose of communication skills
3. Technical English and common core English

Unit 2: The Basic Communication Process

Unit 3: Barriers to communication

Unit 4: Nonverbal Communication

Unit 5: Types and Forms of communication

Unit 6: Patterns of Communication in organisations

Unit 7: Note making and note taking

Unit 8: The Essay and Writing Skills

Unit 9: Citations and referencing

Unit 10: Technical Writing

Unit 11: Business Writing 

Unit 12: Visuals/graphics

Unit 13: Speaking Skills: Presentations

Unit 14: Meetings and documentation

Unit 15: Interview Skills, types and questioning

Unit 16: Report Writing