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2022/23 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
COMM2560 Communication Skills
20 creditsClass Size: 16
Module manager: Professor Stephen Coleman
Email: s.coleman@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2022/23
This module is not approved as a discovery module
Module summary
Students taking this module will gain an understanding of the qualities associated with effective communication and will develop the confidence and practical skills needed to communicate effectively in a range of situations, including academic life, social contexts and the workplace. The module takes a rigorous critical approach to communication norms and requires all students to engage in a series of practical workshops in which they will be urged to think about and work upon their own confidence, verbal expression and non-verbal behaviour.Objectives
On completion of this module, students should be able to ...To enable students to develop an understanding of the qualities associated with effective communication in a range of situations
To enable students to develop the confidence and practical skills needed to communicate effectively in a range of situations
To enable students to think critically about the cultural construction of effective communication
To enable students to discover connections between their thoughts, expressions and bodily actions
In considering communication within a ‘a range of situations’, the module will focus upon academic, social and workplace contexts
Learning outcomes
On completion of this module students should be able to:
- demonstrate an ability to analyse forms of public expression.
demonstrate an effective command of a range of communications skills
- demonstrate an ability to evaluate the communication skills of others
- demonstrate a more confident approach to verbal self-expression
Syllabus
The first three classes will cover key conceptual themes, including i) how to evaluate communication and identify different forms of communication; ii) verbal
communication, exploring how speech and interpersonal talk work; iii) non-verbal communication and how so-called body language shapes communication.
These opening classes will be followed by three practical workshops in which students will i) explore the meaning of confidence and the skills associated with it; ii) explore
uses, forms and techniques of voice; iii) explore uses, forms and techniques of non-verbal communication
This will be followed by two more classroom-based classes on presentation skills and techniques and mediated communication , including consideration of the appropriate skills for working with a range of media technologies
This will be followed by two more practical workshops, separated by a reading week. In the first students will give individually assessed speeches. In the second groups of students will give assessed presentations, reflecting their critical understanding of main module themes (assessed)
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Lecture | 5 | 2.00 | 10.00 |
| Practical | 5 | 2.00 | 10.00 |
| Tutorial | 1 | 0.50 | 0.50 |
| Private study hours | 179.50 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 20.50 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200.00 | ||
Private study
Students should devote private study time to reading and preparation for lectures (50 hours), essay preparation (70 hours) and preparation for two presentations (52 hours).Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Essay | 1 x 2,500 - 3,000 words | 40.00 |
| Reflective log | Reflective diary of 3-400 words per practical session (Total 900-1200 words). | 20.00 |
| Presentation | Indicidual Speech | 40.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100.00 | |
The resit for each of the two presentations (the Individual Speech and Group presentation) will take the form of an essay of 1000-1500 words. If you are reuired to resit the essay, please select an alternative essay question from the module handbook.
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 29/04/2022 15:23:00
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