SCHOOL OF ARTS EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SCIENCE

ENG 121 ENGLISH LEVEL TWO (STUDY AND

COMMUNICATION SKILLS)

SYLLABUS AND DETAILED COURSE GUIDE

Part 1: Course Description and Resources

Lecturer: Mr. James Chola; BA (Philosophy) (Urbaniana), PG Dip Project
Management (Cavendish University Zambia), Master of Communication for
Development (University of Zambia)
Office: Main Campus
Office Hours: 08:00 to 17:00 Hours
Office Telephone: * 0978531731
Lecturer’s E-mail: jchola@cavendish.co.zm

Course Description
The aims of the course, Eng 1 21: Study and Communication Skills, is to
introduce you to the techniques, tips, relevant study patterns and skills, that
would be of benefit to you – the learner, both in the short term and long term.
The overall course aim is to enhance the first year students‟ study and
communication skills in both English and Linguistics and African languages.
Prerequisites
ENG111

Required Books and Articles

 Kaul, A. (2008) Effective business communication. New Delhi; Prentice

Hall.
 Montgomery, M. (1982) Study Skills. Essex: Longman Roebuck, C. (1998)
 Effective communication. American Management Association, New York.
Silalrs, S. (1988)
 Success in Communication. London: John Murray publishers Stanton, N.
(2006)
 Mastering Communication. Basingstoke: Palmgrove Macmillan.

Course Delivery
Lectures

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 Discussions
Laboratory
Group Discussions
Team Work
Class presentations
Field trips

Part 2: Student Learning Outcomes

General Learning Outcomes for employability:
 Write summaries (in own words) of concepts learned in the course
 Design and make Excel and PowerPoint presentations of concepts
learned
 Apply new knowledge to solving problems in groups
 Demonstrate use of online resources in problem solving
 Apply critical thinking skills by asking questions and demanding
evidence (5Ws and 1H: what, when, where, who, why, how)
Specific Learning Outcomes for this course or module:
 To equip the students with the four basic communication skills of
reading, writing and speaking.
 To enhance the students‟ application of communication skills
competently and proficiently in their professional and academic
tasks.
 Write academic papers and other related articles or assignments in
various components of their areas of expertise and research

WEEK 1:
Topic: COMMUNICATION PROCESSES AND THEORIES
 Defining the Communication Process and Theories
 Classification of the Communication Process
 Is communication an art or science?
 Understanding Communication.
Readings
Afolayan, A. and H.E. Newsum (1983) The Use of English. Essex, Longman
Business Communication Achieving Results by Roli Harvill Moore
Free Online Video
www.youtube: www; Business Communication Archieving Results by Roli
Harvill Moore

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Problems set
Using simple diagrams explain the communication process.

WEEK 2:
Topic: STUDY AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS
 Plan your study
 Understand the difference between note taking and note making.
 Know some techniques used in note taking
 Know some useful study skills
Readings
According to Boeree (http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/langorigins.html)
Business Communication Archieving Results by Roli Harvill Moore
Free online videos
language came from. According to Boeree
(http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/langorigins.html),
Problem set
Identify groups in society with difficulties in communicating and how can one
overcome the barriers involved in communication.

WEEK 3:
Topic: THE NATURE OF COMMUNICATION
 Social Communication
 Business communication
 Mass Media communication
 Interpersonal Communication
 Group Communication
 Intrapersonal Communication
Readings
Fowler, R. (1974). Understanding Language. An Introduction to Linguistics.
London: Routledge and Keagan Paul.
Fromkin and Rodman (1993). Language. New York. Holt, Richard and
Winston, Inc
Business Communication Archieving Results by Roli Harvill Moore

Page 3
Free online videos
Free online videos: language came from. According to Boeree
(http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/langorigins.html),// Free Language Video
Lecture courses - LearnersTV
www.learnerstv.com/Free-Language-video-lecture
Problem set
Using the theories of Descartes and Mark Twain discuss how human language
differs from other forms of communication? ii. Discuss why language is human
specific?

WEEK 4:
Topic: FORMS OF COMMUNICATION
 Written communication advantages and disadvantages
 Oral Communications advantages and disadvantages
 Symbolic Communication advantages and disadvantages
Readings
Fowler, R. (1974). Understanding Language. An Introduction to Linguistics.
London: Routledge and Keagan Paul.
Fromkin and Rodman (1993). Language. New York. Holt, Richard and
Winston, Inc
Business Communication Archieving Results by Roli Harvill Moore
Free online videos
Free Language Video Lecture courses – Learners/TV
www.learnerstv.com/Free-Language-video-lecture
Problem set
Distinguish between verbal and non-verbal communication? 2. What cues and
behavioural patterns constitute non-verbal communication? 3. Compare and
contrast between meta-communication and paralanguage

WEEK 5:
Topic: SPACE LANGUAGE AND TIME
 Space and Status
 Public Space
 The language of Silence
 The language of time

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Readings
Awoniyi, T.A. (1902). The Teaching of African Languages. London: Holdre and
Stoughton. Fowler (1974) Understanding Language. London: Routledge.
Free online videos
Free online videos: language came from. According to Boeree
(http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/langorigins.html),// Free Language Video
Lecture courses - LearnersTV
www.learnerstv.com/Free-Language-video-lecture
Problem set
Distinguish between the language of space and the language of silence

WEEK 6:
1ST CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT TEST (CAT 1)

WEEK 7:
Topic: The Communication Process
 The Communication Cycle, ideally, comprises the following actors and
conduits
 The encoder (sender)
 The medium (mode)
 The channel (conduit)
 The decoder (receiver)
 Feedback (reaction after interpretation)
Readings
Business Communication Archieving Results by Roli Harvill Moore pp-31-35
Free online videos
Free Language Video Lecture courses – Learners/TV
www.learnerstv.com/Free-Language-video-lecture
Problem set
According to Aristotle who holds the key to communication and why?

WEEK 8:
Topic: BARRIERS TO COMMUNICATION PROCESS
 Semantic Noise

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 Lack of clarity from the sender
 Physical and Psychological noise
 Use of inappropriate media and channels
 Stereotyping and cultural differences
 Not listerning/lack of interest
 Bad timing and jumping to conclusions
Readings
Awoniyi, T.A. (1902). The Teaching of African Languages. London: Holdre and
Stoughton. Fowler (1974) Understanding Language. London: Routledge.
Free online videos
Free online videos: language came from. According to Boeree
(http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/langorigins.html),// Free Language Video
Lecture courses - LearnersTV
www.learnerstv.com/Free-Language-video-lecture
Problem set
How do we overcome language barriers?

WEEK 9:
Topic: Models of Communications
 Transactional Model
 Aristotle and Lass well’s Model
 Shannon and Weavers Models
 Schramm
 Hub model
 Symmetrical and Asymmetrical Models.
Readings
Black, Bryant & Thompson (1998). Introduction to Media
Communication. Boston: McGraw Hill.
Bitner, R. (1989). Mass Communication: An Introduction. New Jersey:
Prentice Hall
Fromkin and Rodman (1993). Language. New York. Holt, Richard and
Winston, Inc. Grace, E.W. (2007).
Free online videos
www.https:www models and theories of mass communication
Problem set
Which model applies best to the modern approach to communication.

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WEEK 10:
Topic: COMMUNICATION IN ORGANIZATIONS
 Tools used( memos, letters emails, Newsletters and ciculars)
 Types of communication
 Horizontal communication
 Grapevine
 Different communication systems
Readings
Awoniyi, T.A. (1902). The Teaching of African Languages. London: Holdre and
Stoughton. Fowler (1974) Understanding Language. London: Routledge.
Fromkin and Rodman (1993). Language. New York. Holt, Richard and
Winston, Inc. Grace, E.W. (2007).
Business Communication Archieving Results by Roli Harvill Moore
Free online videos
www.https:www Business Communication Archieving Results by Roli Harvill
Moore/ www.communication in organization youtube.
Problem set
Why is grapevine important to both the manager and employee of an
organisation?

WEEK 11: 2ND CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT TEST (CAT 2)

WEEK 12:
Topic: study and communication skills
 Define „reading‟ from different perspectives
 State the difference between skimming and scanning
 Use different reading skills
 State what the following references are; Handbooks, Thesaurus,
Encyclopedia, Different
 Types of Dictionaries and Journals of Abstracts.
Readings
https// www.harvard style of Acadmic referencing.
Kaul, A. (2008) Effective business communication. New Delhi; Prentice
Hall

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Free online videos
www.https:www Academic Referencing YouTube/
https://www.youtube.com/watch
Problem set
Discuss in your groups the difference between skimming and scanning

WEEK 13:
Topic: NOTE TAKING AND NOT MAKING
 Plan your study
 Understand the difference between note taking and note making.
 Know some techniques used in note taking
 Know some useful study skills
Readings
Awoniyi, T.A. (1902). The Teaching of African Languages. London: Holdre and
Stoughton. Fowler (1974) Understanding Language. London: Routledge.
Fromkin and Rodman (1993). Language. New York. Holt, Richard and
Winston, Inc. Grace, E.W. (2007).
Kaul, A. (2008) Effective business communication. New Delhi; Prentice
Hall
Free online videos
www.https:www Human language and animal communication - YouTube/
https://www.youtube.com/watch
Problem set
Provide a summary of any book of your choice on the importance of note
taking.

WEEK 14:
TOPIC: BIBLIOGRAPHY AND REFERENCING
 What is reference list?
 Types of referencing( Havard style, andChicago Vancouver Footnote, )
 Provide a distinction between bibliography and references
Readings
www.harvard style of Acadmic referencing

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Free online videos
www.https:www;references and bibliography
https://www.youtube.com/watch
Problem set
Using the Harvard style of writing and referencing , discuss the challenges
associated with dependency on donor aid.

Part 4: Grading Policy

Graded Coursework (or CATs), Problem sets (or assignments) and
examinations
ASSESSMENT COMMENTS % OF FINAL
GRADE

1st Continuous

Assessment Paper
(CAT)
40
2nd Continuous Presentations and
Assessment Test Field Reports
(CAT)

FINAL EXAM 60

TOTAL POINTS Add up all points 100

Out of 100%

Letter Grades

Letter Grade Percentage (%) Performance

A+ 75 -100 Distinction

A 70-74 Distinction

B+ 65-69 Merit

B 60-64 Merit

C+ 55-59 Credit

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 Letter Grade Percentage (%) Performance

C 50-54 Pass

D+ 45-49 Bare Fail

D 44 and Below Fail

Part 5: Course Policies

Class Attendance, Participation and Emergencies
1. Attending classes is mandatory for all students.
2. Participation in group work or teamwork is required whenever such work is assigned.
3. In case of any emergency that disenables a student from attending classes or
completing work, the student is expected to communicate with the lecturer or dean
as soon as possible.
4. Students with disabilities should inform the dean of the faculty of any special needs
that they may have.
Late Work and Missing Assessments
1. Each student is responsible for making sure that his or her work is done on time.
2. Any student who misses assessments or misses class should talk to his or her
lecturer/facilitator or professor as soon as possible and seek the lecturer’s advice on
how to make up for work missed or assessments missed.
3. Students who expect to miss classes or to miss assessments for health reasons or
special family reasons should communicate with the lecturer or professor for the
course as soon as possible.
4. Students should note that there may be a penalty for late work, and missed
assessments. The penalty may include not being allowed to sit for the final
examination.
5. Students who are unable to keep up with class work should consult with the course
lecturer or faculty dean or dean of students, and seek advice.
Integrity and Zero Tolerance for Plagiarism
1. All students are expected to abide by the university’s policy on
ethical conduct.

2. Any student involved in cheating in tests, coursework or

examinations will be suspended pending investigations, and may be
expelled from the University.

3. Any student involved in buying or selling tests or examinations will

be suspended from the University pending investigations.

4. Any student involved in using sexual favors in exchange for marks

will be suspended pending investigations, and may be expelled from
the University.

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 5. Plagiarism means presenting other people’s work from online or
from other sources as your own. Plagiarism is a serious offence and
will not be tolerated, and offenders will fail that particular course.

6. Students are required to read the University’s policy on

examinations.

Make up for Missed Classes

1. There will be special make up classes for each class that is missed
because the lecturer could not come to class on a particular day

2. Students are required to treat make up classes as part of the

regular learning program

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