Kursübersicht "Communication, Research and Critical Thinking Skills (B 07b)"

Lecturer:

Associate Prof. Dr. Scott Henderson, Brock University

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Course Objective:

Technology has caused information sources to proliferate while transforming the ways in which we communicate. The ability to think critically and communicate effectively has become even more important; communication affects every area of our lives. This course provides students with essential knowledge and skills in written and spoken communication as well as the enhanced research and critical thinking skills that will support their academic and professional success.

Course Outline:

• Module 1 Introduction to Communication, Research and Critical Thinking Skills and to the course assessment tasks.
• Module 2 What is communication? Definitions, analytical frameworks and communication models.
• Module 3 Information literacy: the journey from data to wisdom.
• Module 4 Academic writing for success A: knowledge synthesis
• Module 5: Academic Writing for success B: creating powerful arguments
• Module 6: Research Sources and Referencing: evaluating and acknowledging research sources
• Module 7 Mis-communication – strategies for addressing communication ‘fallout’.
• Module 8 Group processes and teamwork - harnessing synergy and avoiding groupthink to ensure group productivity.
• Module 9 The Art of Rhetoric: Pathos, Logos and Ethos
• Module 10 Delivering a persuasive presentation: public speaking and audience centredness.
• Module 11 Ethical communication: responding to the ethical challenges posed by contemporary communication practices.
• Module 12 Reflective analysis, the use of case studies and course conclusions

Teaching Method:

The course will be delivered in a lecture and workshop format, with active learning exercises. The language of instruction is English.

Prerequisites:

Formal: Full-time student of an M.A. Programme in the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences.

Academic: This course does not build up on any other courses offered on campus. As the language of instruction and assessment will be English, students need to be fluent in English - both in terms of oral and written communication.

Assessment

Written essay paper (50%), oral presentation (30%), participation in discussion (20%). The course will be offered during the first teaching term (September to mid-November).

Art	Datum der Leistungserbringung	Prüfungsanmeldung
		Ende 1. HS*	Ende 2. HS*	individuelles Datum
		X
Präsentation (30%)	tt.mm.jj			tt.mm.jj
Hausarbeit (50%)	tt.mm.jj			tt.mm.jj
Andere (20%)	tt.mm.jj			tt.mm.jj

* Prüfungsamt Termine

Bewertung

Die Prüfungsleistung ist erbracht und ECTS-Punkte werden zuerkannt, wenn die Prüfungsleistung zu der gewählten Kurseinheit des Gesamtmoduls bestanden worden ist. Die entsprechende Bewertung ergibt dann die Modulnote.

Readings

Will be announced through myStudy.