The content of this book is designed to help you be a more competent communicator. It has been reformatted to fit the course content objectives of VCCS CST 110: Introduction to Communication.
Course Objectives
| Objective |
Description |
Textbook Chapters |
| Critical Thinking |
- Analyze principles of communication
- Articulate the benefits and challenges of communication in present-day society or in their own lives
|
All |
| Civic Engagement |
- Critically analyze how communication skills can be used to manage conflicts and improve relational outcomes
- Analyze the relationship between communication and diversity
|
2, 3, 8 |
| Professional Readiness |
- Orally communicate ideas to a listener with verbal and nonverbal fluency
- Apply specific communication concepts or theories to their personal and professional lives
|
All |
| Written Communication |
- Analyze the various components of a public presentation and develop a written outline and/or manuscript
|
10, 11, 12 |
| Fundamentals of Communication |
- Explain the role of ethics in various communication situations
- Identify, describe and compare characteristics of language and explain denotative and connotative meaning
- Identify types of listening and non-listening behaviors and demonstrate appropriate responses in listening situations
- Compare/contrast various communication models
- Define and describe types of nonverbal communication and apply this knowledge to real-life situations
- Illustrate an understanding of the perception process, and make connections between self-concept and interactions with others
- Analyze, select and explain various aspects of communication situations in relation to appropriate goals, objectives and techniques
|
1-6 |
| Interpersonal Communication |
- Demonstrate an understanding of assertive communication
- Identify, define and apply theories of relationship development to real-life situations
- Identify, define, and apply strategies for maintaining relationships to real-life situations
- Identify, describe and select appropriate strategies for dealing with defensiveness and managing conflict
|
7-8 |
| Media Literacy & Mass Media |
- Define media literacy and describe how it can improve one’s skills set as a consumer and citizen in an information-based democratic society
- Examine and discuss how the media shapes one’s individual perspectives and influences society as a whole
- Apply critical thinking skills to examine and analyze messages for accuracy and credibility
|
9 |
| Public Speaking |
- Analyze audience information and adapt speech content and speech delivery to incorporate what was learned through the analysis
- Define and describe various speech delivery styles
- Select and apply appropriate verbal and nonverbal messages to the speech situation and audience
- Determine and develop objectives and goals for presentations given specific audiences and situations
- Prepare robust outlines and deliver logically organized speeches
- Conduct research and evaluate the accuracy, quality, credibility, and appropriateness of supporting materials to provide evidence for and/or enhance speech content
|
10-12 |
| Small Group Communication |
- Explain how groups make decisions, and specify the different decision methods of decision-making within groups
- Identify and describe problem-solving steps, evaluate a problem-solving process within a group, and predict a group’s problem-solving success
- Identify and describe leadership behaviors and responsibilities in groups
- Identify and describe group member behaviors and responsibilities
- Define and describe various tasks and maintenance “roles” (communication behaviors) in groups and explain these behaviors as perceived within a group
- Define group norms and explain how groups develop and manage norms
|
13-14 |
Each section of this text is designed to help you recognize what you should be gaining from the text in support of our goal to help you be an effective communicator. The first thing you will see is an introduction of what will be covered in each subsequent chapter, followed by content that will offer you the opportunity to click on bolded terms for definitions, and finally, links to external resource materials (e.g., videos or other content).
