Communications (COMM) 243

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:

* 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.

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

• Challenge for Credit Form