PRK 3413 Foundations of Communication

PRK 3413 Foundations of Communication

Course code: 
PRK 3413
Department: 
Communication and Culture
Credits: 
7.5
Course coordinator: 
Alexander Buhmann
Course name in Norwegian: 
Kommunikasjon
Product category: 
Bachelor
Portfolio: 
Bachelor of Communication Management - Programme Course
Semester: 
2018 Autumn
Active status: 
Active
Level of study: 
Bachelor
Teaching language: 
Norwegian/English
Course type: 
One semester
Introduction

This course provides an introduction to communication for students in the communication management program. Specifically, the course

  • gives an overview and history of the field of communication research,
  • introduces general theories to understand the conditions for effective communication
  • discusses these theories in important communication contexts (such as teams, organizations, or mass media)

The course is designed to acquaint students with the broad and exciting field of communication and provide a fundamental understanding of the core concepts that build the basis for effective communications.

Learning outcomes - Knowledge

The knowledge gained in this course lays the groundwork for exploring effective communication between an organization and its stakeholders and provides the essential concepts for any advanced study of communication management. Students will acquire basic knowledge on key processes and contexts of communication on the micro, meso, and macro level, which is foundational to their further studies in communication management.

Learning outcomes - Skills

Upon completion of this course students will be able to:

  • identify and define the fundamental aspects of communication on the individual, organizational, and societal level
  • describe and Explain the key theories associated with the communication process
  • apply these theories to the characteristics of various important communication contexts
  • communicate more effectively on a personal and professional level
Learning Outcome - Reflection

Students will reflect critically and empathically on their own communication routines, the communication of diverse others, and the communication of organizations with an awareness of corresponding practical implications.

Course content

Communication Foundations

  • Theoretical foundations of the field of communication
  • Historical and contemporary perspectives in communication research

Communication Processes and Skills

  • Perceiving and understanding
  • Engaging in verbal and nonverbal communication
  • Listening and responding
  • Creating communication climates
  • Adapting communication to cultures and social communities

Contexts of Communication

  • Communication and personal identity
  • Communication in relationships, groups, and teams
  • Communication in, by, and about organizations
  • Public speaking
  • Mass communication
  • Digital media and online communication
Learning process and requirements to students

This course will be based primarily on lecture but part of the learning process will require students to engage through activities in the classroom and through developing a presentation on a communication topic assigned to them by the lecturer. This will be done in groups of no more than 3 and the groups will be assigned at random. A total 39 hours will be used in the classroom divided between lectures and work on presentations. 

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 (see the weighting scheme below) to calculate the final grade for the course (final examination code). Students who fail to participate in one/some/all exam elements will get a lower grade or may fail the course. You will get detailed information about the point system and the cut off points with reference to the letter grades when the course starts.

A re-sit of exam components must, as a main rule, be retaken during the next scheduled course the following year.

Software tools
No specified computer-based tools are required.
Qualifications

Higher Education Entrance Qualification.

Required prerequisite knowledge

No particular prerequisites.

Assessments
Assessments
Exam category: 
Activity
Form of assessment: 
Presentation
Weight: 
30
Grouping: 
Group/Individual (1 - 3)
Duration: 
10 Minute(s)
Comment: 
Students will present material from the readings assigned to them by the lecturer and prepare a presentation handout in groups of 3. All group members must be present for the presentation.
Exam code: 
PRK 34131
Grading scale: 
Point scale leading to ECTS letter grade
Resit: 
All components must, as a main rule, be retaken during next scheduled course
Exam category: 
Submission
Form of assessment: 
Structured test
Invigilation
Weight: 
70
Grouping: 
Individual
Support materials: 
  • Bilingual dictionary
Duration: 
3 Hour(s)
Comment: 
Final exam.
Exam code: 
PRK 34131
Grading scale: 
Point scale leading to ECTS letter grade
Resit: 
All components must, as a main rule, be retaken during next scheduled course
Exam organisation: 
Continuous assessment
Grading scale: 
ECTS
Total weight: 
100
Student workload
ActivityDurationComment
Teaching
33 Hour(s)
Other in classroom
6 Hour(s)
Presentations
Prepare for teaching
36 Hour(s)
Student's own work with learning resources
18 Hour(s)
Journal preparation
Student's own work with learning resources
107 Hour(s)
Home work and reading
Exam preparation
Sum workload: 
200

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.