COURSE PRO-FORMA

 

Faculty:

Department:

 

Programme of Study: Bachelor’s Programme

 

Course Code:

Course Title: Thinking and Communication

                           Skills

Semester:

Academic Year:

No. of  Credit: 3

Day/Time:

Room:

Lecturer:

Tel/e-mail: 

Day/Time for Student Consultation: 

Minimum Course Pre-requisites:  None

Course Objectives:

At the end of this course it is envisaged that students will:

  • be able to think critically & creatively and make decisions

·         be able to communicate effectively when making presentations

Course Synopsis:

 

This course is based on the conviction that thinking is an ability  that can be developed and improved through guidance and practice. It is designed  to help develop fundamental thinking abilities such as clarifying, analysing & evaluating arguments; and developing attitudes of open-mindedness and curiosity. These are needed for success in academic courses, in solving problems and making informed decisions in life. The course integrates the development of both critical (evaluation) and creative (synthesis) thinking abilities within communication situations such as emphasizing empathy between speaker and the audience, interpersonal communication, the use of language and nonverbal messages.

 

Main References:

1)      Fisher, A. (2001). Critical thinking: An introduction. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

2)      Lumsdaine, E. & Lumsdaine, M. (1995). Creative problem solving: Thinking skills for a changing world. New York: McGraw-Hill, Inc.

3)      Taylor, Shirley. (2002). Essential Communication Skills, New York: Longman.

 

Teaching Materials/Equipment

  • Various types of ThinkingPoints such as articles, images, diagrams, cartoons, video-clips, audio-clips, etc will be used as stimulus materials.
  • Materials from the respective disciplines
  • Relevant websites

Teaching-Learning Methods: 

Small group discussions, Oral presentations, Expositions & Simulations

Evaluation:

  • Written Test  (40%)
  • Group Participation & Class Presentation (30%)
  • Project (15% written work & 15% project presentation)

 

Important Dates:

 

             

Course Outline:

 

Week

                              Topics

References/Materials

 

1

 

·         INTRODUCTION – goals, objectives, assessment procedures, description of thinking & communication skills

 

 

2-3

 

·         CLARIFICATION AND INTERPRETATION OF IDEAS

  • ORAL COMMUNICATION

 

 

 

4

 

·         ANALYSING AND EVALUATING ARGUMENTS

·         PRESENTATION SKILLS

 

 

5

 

  • JUDGING CREDIBILITY OF SOURCE
  • NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION

 

 

6

 

  • IDENTIFYING PERSUASIVE LANGUAGE
  • LISTENING SKILLS

 

 

7-8

 

 

  • DETECTING FALLACIES
  • INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION

 

 

9

 

  • CAUSAL REASONING
  • GROUPS SKILLS

 

10

 

  • CATEGORICAL REASONING
  • BARRIERS TO COMMUNICATION

 

11-13

·         PROBLEM SOLVING & MAKING DECISIONS

  • APPLICATION OF COMMUNICATION SKILLS

 

14
  • STUDENT’S PRESENTATION