Communications (COMM) 243
Interpersonal Communication (Revision 9)

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Delivery Mode: Individualized study online with eTextbook
Credits: 3
Area of Study: Applied Studies
(Business and Administrative Studies)
Prerequisite: None
Centre: Faculty of Business
COMM 243 has a Challenge for Credit option.
Télé-université du Québec equivalency: COM 5000
Overview
Communication plays a central role in everyone’s life. Whether we are aware of it or not, we engage in communication in practically every aspect of our lives, yet we often do so without a conscious effort of how to do so effectively.
To overcome and avoid interpersonal communication problems, you must learn to enhance your listening skills and your verbal and nonverbal communication techniques. As well, you need to keep in mind the social and cultural contexts in which you interact with others.
COMM 243 introduces you to the challenges and rewards of communicating with others. After completing the course, you will be able to think as an astute observer of communication problems, act as an effective communicator, and provide sound advice about ways to improve communication outcomes. Readings from your course textbook and learning activities will provide you a broad critical context from which to help improve your interpersonal communications.
Learning Outcomes
After successfully completing this course, you should be able to
- relate key concepts you learn about in course lessons to communication problems you observe or experience in everyday life and at work.
- describe the social contexts in which interpersonal communication takes place.
- discuss ways that people can resolve their interpersonal problems to improve their communication with others.
Outline
- Lesson 1: A First Look at Interpersonal Communication
- Lesson 2: Communication and Identity
- Lesson 3: Perception
- Lesson 4: Emotions
- Lesson 5: Language
- Lesson 6: Nonverbal Communication
- Lesson 7: Listening
- Lesson 8: Communication and Relational Dynamics
- Lesson 9: Improving Communication Climates
- Lesson 10: Managing Interpersonal Conflicts
Evaluation
To receive credit for COMM 243, you must complete two written assignments and two online commentaries, achieve a minimum grade of D (50 percent) on the Final Examination, and achieve an overall grade of at least D (50 percent) in the entire course. The distribution of marks for the various credit activities is listed below:
Activity | Credit Weight | When to Complete |
---|---|---|
Assignment 1 | 25% | After Lesson 5 |
Assignment 2 | 25% | After Lesson 10 |
Collaborative Learning Activity * | 10% | Before completing the course |
Lesson Quizzes ** | 10% | After each lesson |
Final Examination | 30% | After completing all other activities |
Total | 100% |
* To receive credit for COMM 243, you must contribute at least two posts (conversation initiator and responder) to complete the Collaborative Learning Activity. When you have completed the activity, submit a brief comment on the Collaborative Learning Activity assignment submission page to tell the Academic Expert your work is ready for marking.
** Quizzes not submitted for evaluation will receive a grade of 0 percent. Complete all 10 lesson quizzes to ensure you receive the highest possible overall grade.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.
Note: All examinations for this course are taken online, and must be taken at an invigilated location. It is your responsibility to ensure a computer with an Internet connection and a current web browser is available for your use at the invigilation centre
Course Materials
Textbook
Registration in this course includes an electronic textbook. For more information on electronic textbooks, please refer to our eText Initiative site.
Adler, R. B., Rolls, J. A., & Proctor II, R. F. (2020). LOOK: Looking Out, Looking In (4th Cdn ed.). Nelson. ISBN 978-0-17-687098-0
A print version of the eText can be purchased from the publisher through a direct-to-student link provided in the course website
You can acquire a print version of the textbook on your own if you wish.
Other Resources
All other learning resources will be available online.
Challenge for Credit Overview
The Challenge for Credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.
Full information about Challenge for Credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Challenge Evaluation
To receive credit for the COMM 243 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least D (50 percent) on the examination.
Online Exam (3 hours)
Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Course Registration Form
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized-study counterparts.
Opened in Revision 9, March 10, 2020.
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