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THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES
FACULTY OF SPORT
ST. AUGUSTINE ACADEMY OF SPORT
LECTURER: Anand Rampersad
Contact:
[email protected]COURSE TITLE: Communication in the Workplace: Principles and Practices
SHORT COURSE TITLE: Workplace Communication
SUBJECT CODE: LANG
COURSE NUMBER: 3101
CONTACT HOURS: 21 Hours
CREDIT HOURS: 21 hours
ACADEMIC CREDITS: 3
LEVEL: UG 3
EFFECTIVE TERM: SUMMER
PREREQUISITE(S): Any one of: FOUN1012/ FOUN1013/ FOUN1014/ FOUN1015/
FOUN1016/ FOUN1019/ FOUN1001/ FOUN1002
TEACHING METHODS
The course is taught in one hour of lectures and two hours of seminars each week.
Contact and credits hours are as follows:
Duration
Schedule Type Contact Hours Credit Hours
(Number of weeks)
Lectures/Seminars 7 21 21
COURSE RATIONALE–
The 21st century UWI graduate is expected to be capable of critical and creative thinking and
problem solving, and to be competent, a team player, innovative and entrepreneurial, and a
lifelong, self-motivated learner, abilities that require effective communication to be pf value in
the work environment. In this context, The UWI has a responsibility to prepare students with an
understanding and appreciation of the principles and practices of communication in the
workplace, across a variety of cultural contexts.
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COURSE DESCRIPTION
In this course, students are exposed to the different types of communicative instruments of the
workplace and engage in reflection on cultural and ethical considerations in workplace
communication. The course seeks to develop students’ own communication skills for the
workplace through the repeated and consistent application of related principles and practices and
team approaches to writing and speaking activities.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
On successful completion of the course, students should be able to:
1. Explain the characteristics of transactional, informational and persuasive correspondence
in the context of the workplace.
2. Apply the principles and processes related to communication in the workplace.
3. Reflect critically on cultural expectations in relation to the practices of workplace
communication.
4. Reflect critically on ethics-related expectations in workplace communication and apply
knowledge of ethical practices to work–related contexts.
5. Produce and peer-review different kinds of documents for effective written and oral
presentation in workplace environments.
COURSE CONTENT
MODULE 1: UNDERSTANDING COMMUNICATION IN THE WORKPLACE
Defining the Workplace
o traditional/ non-traditional (including the virtual workplace)
o public/private
The form and purpose of workplace communication
o Adapting message to audience
o Composing effective messages
o Planning, writing and revising.
Communicating across cultures and Ethics
o Cultural expectations and communication
o Using culturally appropriate language
o Ethics in workplace communication
MODULE 2: INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION IN THE WORKPLACE
Principles of interpersonal Communication
o Register, tone, diction
o Appropriateness: Audience Purpose
Teamwork
Listening/Working and Writing in Teams
Meetings
o Meeting types (face-to-face, on-line, chat sessions)
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o Planning, conducting and recording meetings.
Making Oral Presentations
o Preparing/practising presentations
o Organising for group presentations
MODULE 3: WRITING AND EDITING LETTERS, MEMOS AND E-MAIL MESSAGES
The format of internal and external letters and memos
o Letterheads, salutations
The content of internal and external letters and memos
o Informative, positive, negative and persuasive messages
Email messages
o Email etiquette for the workplace
o Ethical considerations in work-related email
Job applications
o Reading and interpreting job advertisements
o Job applications: structure, language, self-presentation
MODULE 4: RESEARCH, REPORTS AND PROPOSALS
Principles of reporting
o Types of reports
o Finding, analyzing and documenting information for reports/proposals
o Design, documentation, structure, language, layout, graphics
Solicited vs. unsolicited/ Internal vs. external proposals.
o Analyzing terms of reference
o Cover Letters
Due to the applied nature of the course, it is examined entirely by coursework.
INDIVIDUAL 1000-1200 WORDS REFLECTION 15%
PORTFOLIO. Investigate any TWO of the following categories as they relate
[65%] This is to practices in workplace communication within your culture:
compiled over the
course of the - Concept of time
semester. - Workforce Diversity
- Social Customs
1200-1500 WORD REFLECTION 20%
Due July 1
Investigate a gender-related workplace issue in your country.
Submitted via
Myelearning as
one document. 800 WORDs application letter addressed to a prospective 10%
employer, based on a local job advertisement, accompanied by a
resume.
1200-1500 WORDS negative letter about a work-related issue 20%
that requires urgent attention.
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Persuasive Letter Write a persuasive letter to the CEO of your organisation 20%
[20%] appealing for his/her/they engagement in eco-friendly activities
in your community as part of the company’s corporate social
Due June 24
responsibility endeavour [1200-1500 words].
ORAL Presentation on one of the topics in the Portfolio assignment. 15%
PRESENTATIO
N [15%] Due
July 15
Marking Scheme
Knowledge/Analysis of topic 50%
Communication/Expression 30%
Presentation/Grammar/Reference 20%
Reference style- APA 7
READING LIST
Bovée, Courtland L., & Thill, John V. (2012). Business Communication Essentials. Upper
Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.
DeGeorge, Richard T. (2010). Business ethics. 6th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
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Guffey, Mary Ellen &Loewy, Dana. (2014). Business communication: process and product.
Mason, OH: South-Western Pub.
Searles, G.J. (2013). Workplace communications: the basics. Pearson New International Edition.
Cowell, Noel M. (2007). Ethical perspectives for Caribbean business. Kingston,
Jamaica: Arawak
Lehman, Carol, & DuFrene, Debbie. (2015). Business communication. 16th ed. Mason,
OH: Thomson/South-Western.
Locker, Kitty O., & Kaczmarek, Stephen K. (2014). Business communication: building critical
skills. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill/Irwin.
Mayer, Verne, Sebranek, Pat, & Van Rys, John. (2012). Write for business. Burlington, WI: Up
Write Press.
Nader, Ralph. (1990). “The anatomy of whistleblowing”. In Peter Masden and Jay M. Shafritz
(Eds.), Essentials of business ethics. Penguin Books.
Pearsal, Thomas E., Cunningham, Donald H. & Smith, Elizabeth O. (2000). How to write for the
world of work. Boston: Heinle & Heinle.
