ELE 3904 Communication in Action: Dialogue and Discourse
ELE 3904 Communication in Action: Dialogue and Discourse
Compelling communication can convince clients or motivate a team; however, poor communication can demotivate and dissuade them. Equally, effective dialogue can resolve disputes and close negotiations, while ineffective dialogue can enflame tensions. Skillful oral communication is essential for good leadership, productive relationships with co-workers and valuable in most facets of work-life.
Drawing on the theories that underpin the art of persuasive communication as well as oration skills, primarily from theater and acting, this course will introduce students to the world of persuasive public discourse and effective dialogue. While grounded in theory, this is a hands-on course, and the emphasis is upon developing the students’ oral communication skills, including voice and speech training, movement, body language, posture, timing, listening and critical thinking.
During the course students shall learn:
- Public speaking: rhetoric, argumentation, critical thinking
- Interpersonal communication: discourse, dialogue, listening
- Rhetorical theory
- Double loop Learning and Mutual Learning Model
- Aristotle Model of Communication
- Dialogue for constructive feedback
- Dialogue as ethical communication
- Vocal resonation
After completed course students shall be able to:
- Deliver effective persuasive presentations
- Deliver engaging informational presentations
- Handle criticism with grace
- Engage in productive, balanced dialogue
- Logically and constructively critique presentations
- Give and receive feedback constructively
- Apply theoretical knowledge to practical communication challenges
- Identify manipulative communication techniques
Students will understand that skillful oral communication involves their ability to think critically, have awareness of the voice, breath, and body, in addition to the rhetoric used and quality of the message. Students will develop their own unique styles of communication to a professional level. Students will also understand ethical implications of different communication styles and exercise balanced judgement in challenging communication situations.
- Critical thinking: argumentation analysis, assumptions, and fallacies
- Discourse: structure, rhetoric and storytelling
- Speech analysis
- Speech and manuscript development
- Draft of manuscript - feedback
- Visual aids development
- Dialogue as ethical communication
- Dialogue for constructive feedback – giving and receiving
- Peer feedback
- Challenging dialogues
- Body, voice, and breath development
- Stress management and public speaking
- Case studies – including student case studies
- Small group workshops
This course by design is interactive and hands-on. Students will learn by doing, and as a result are expected to be prepared to engage and interact in each session.
Students must participate in both lectures and workshops.
Class participation requirements
Classes are designed to be interactive - small group activities, student-led discussions, and peer feedback exercises. Attendance and participation in class is expected.
Coursework requirements
- Preparation and participation in workshops
- Preparation and delivery of speeches
- Preparation, participation, and delivery of feedback
- Preparation, participation of video
- Draft of manuscript of presentation
- Final draft of manuscript of presentation
- Reflection
In order to successfully complete these goals, the students must become familiar with the theory presented in lectures as well as become proficient at applying the theory in the workshops, where formative feedback will be given throughout the semester.
This is a course with continuous assessment (several exam components) and one final exam code. Each exam component is graded by using points on a scale from 0-100. The components will be weighted together according to the information in the course description to calculate the final letter grade for the examination code (course). Students who fail to participate in one/some/all exam elements will get a lower grade or may fail the course. You will find detailed information about the point system and the cut off points with reference to the letter grades when the course starts.
At re-sit all exam components must, as a main rule, be retaken during next scheduled course.
This course has weekly tasks and assignments.
Higher Education Entrance Qualification
Disclaimer
Deviations in teaching and exams may occur if external conditions or unforeseen events call for this.
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| Exam category | Weight | Invigilation | Duration | Grouping | Comment exam |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exam category: Activity Form of assessment: Oral examination Exam code: ELE 39041 Grading scale: Point scale leading to ECTS letter grade Grading rules: Two examiners Resit: All components must, as a main rule, be retaken during next scheduled course | 25 | No | 30 Minute(s) | Individual | Oral Discourse. The students have the semester to work on the oral component. But the graded elements take place at the end of the semester. |
| Exam category: Activity Form of assessment: Oral examination Exam code: ELE 39041 Grading scale: Point scale leading to ECTS letter grade Grading rules: Two examiners Resit: All components must, as a main rule, be retaken during next scheduled course | 25 | No | 30 Minute(s) | Individual | Dialogue. The students have the semester to work on the oral component. But the graded elements take place at the end of the semester. |
| Exam category: Activity Form of assessment: Oral examination Exam code: ELE 39041 Grading scale: Point scale leading to ECTS letter grade Grading rules: Two examiners Resit: All components must, as a main rule, be retaken during next scheduled course | 15 | No | 30 Minute(s) | Individual | Critique. The students have the semester to work on the oral component. But the graded elements take place at the end of the semester. |
| Exam category: Submission Form of assessment: Written submission Exam code: ELE 39041 Grading scale: Point scale leading to ECTS letter grade Grading rules: Two examiners Resit: All components must, as a main rule, be retaken during next scheduled course | 25 | No | 1 Semester(s) | Individual | Final Written Discourse and Draft Written Discourse |
| Exam category: Submission Form of assessment: Written submission Exam code: ELE 39041 Grading scale: Point scale leading to ECTS letter grade Grading rules: Internal examiner Resit: All components must, as a main rule, be retaken during next scheduled course | 10 | No | 1 Semester(s) | Individual | Reflection |
| Activity | Duration | Comment |
|---|---|---|
Teaching | 45 Hour(s) | Classes and workshops |
Prepare for teaching | 60 Hour(s) | |
Student's own work with learning resources | 50 Hour(s) | |
Feedback activities and counselling | 15 Hour(s) | |
Submission(s) | 10 Hour(s) | |
Examination | 20 Hour(s) | Oral assessment and final paper |
A course of 1 ECTS credit corresponds to a workload of 26-30 hours. Therefore a course of 7,5 ECTS credit corresponds to a workload of at least 200 hours.