1

INSTITUTION: St.Vincent and the Grenadines Community College.

COURSE TITLE: Communication Studies
COURSE CODE: COM 101
CREDITS: 1
DURATION: 1 year
PRE-REQUISITE: Passes in CSEC English Language
LECTURER: Mr.W. Walters
Year :2021-2022

RATIONALE
All students who are accepted to study at the Division of Arts, Science and General Studies are
required to take Communication Studies in order to graduate after the two-years span of
studies. The one-year interdisciplinary course provides the learner with speaking and writing
competences to communicate effectively in the English Language both formally and informally
in West Indian and international contexts. The learner is expected to acquire knowledge and
skills that will enable him/her to think meta-cognitively, become problem-solvers and lifelong,
life-wide learners. This course allows students to link the fundamental theories and concepts of
communication with practice through essay writing, speeches of diverse genres and language
varieties in the various disciplines, and to foster quality scholarship in their academic lives.

COURSE DESCRIPTION
Communication Studies is an interdisciplinary course which is intended to provide students with
foundation skills to effectively communicate verbally and nonverbally at the post-secondary
level and beyond. Students will learn the appropriateness of context, the characteristics and
varieties of language and apply their knowledge, skills and attitudes to communicate
effectively.

COURSE OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this course, learners should be able to:

1. demonstrate an understanding of the nature of language and its various functions in

social, aesthetic, work-related and other contexts;
2. exhibit an appreciation of speech and writing as mental and social processes;
3. use language varieties and registers accurately, appropriately and effectively in a range
of contexts;
4. provide an understanding of the use of technology and its impact on communication;
5. show an understanding of the role of language in shaping Caribbean cultural identity;
6. illustrate an appreciation of the complex process of communication within a wide range
of discourse contexts;
7. create communication strategies appropriate to specific discourse contexts.
 2

CONTENT

This program is divided into three modules in the following order:

Semester 1
MODULE

3 - Speaking and Writing

2 - Language and
Community
1 - Gathering and
Processing of Information

Semester 2

Integration of all three (3) modules.

Semester 1
Module 3: Speaking and Writing

 Communication
 Definition of Communication
The Communication process
 Theories
 Elements: sender, message, channel/medium, receiver, feedback
 Conceptualization
 Encoder
 Facilitators and barriers
 Description of the process
 Application of the process
Importance of various media of Communication: signals, symbols, radio, television,
computers, telephone, cellular phones.

Forms of Communication
 Verbal: speaking and writing
 Non- verbal: body language, dress, paralanguage

Contexts of Communication- the structure of each
 Intrapersonal : Importance of conceptualization, idea creation, listening, self-
development
 Interpersonal
 Group, organizational
 3

 Academic
 Cultural, intercultural

Writing
 The four necessities of language: listening, reading, speaking and writing
 Stages of listening: hearing, attending, interpreting, understanding
 Stages of reading: SQ3R
 Stages of writing: Pre, during and post.
 organization, essay structure,

 Discourse types: Expository, Persuasive, Argumentative, Descriptive, Narrative
 Analyzing and evaluating the various discourse types

 Prose types: Artistic, Scientific

 Summary and Organizing Skills
 Note-taking and note-making
 Condensing information
 Sequencing of ideas
 Summarizing
 Writing outlines
 Editing

Module 2: Language and Community

 Characteristics of Language
 Human, symbolic, semantic, creative …
 Varieties of language eg. Rasta, Foreign, Erudite
 Context and the Varieties of language
 Purpose of Language: persuasive, creative, informative, directive, provide
aesthetic pleasure/entertain

 Factors influencing Language

 the brain
 culture
 geography
 history
 Social, economic, political, technological
 Other

 Varieties of West Indian Languages:

 Creole: historical, geographical and social factors
 Erudite, Foreign, Rastafarian, Slang, Standard, Patois, Radio and
television
 Cultural influences on West Indian Creole (WIC)
 Analysis:
 Features of Creole structured sentences
 4

 Comparison and contrast of Creole English (CE)

Module 1: Gathering and Processing of Information

 Citation and Evaluation of Sources

 Bibliography: APA and MLA Formats
 Key concepts and basic terminology, eg. describe, evaluate.
 Primary sources
 Secondary sources
 Reliability and Validity of sources, biases.
 Authority and Cogency
 Transferability
 Credibility
 Representativeness
 Sampling

 Research instruments
 Interviews
 Focus groups
 Documentation Reviews
 Questionnaires
 Observations
 Surveys

 Conceptualization of Theme/Topic for Internal Assessment

 Research question on topic to be carried out over the break

 End of Semester Evaluation

Semester 2

The Internal Assessment/Portfolio

Expository presentations

Students will have one-on-one tutorial sessions with the teacher on the elaboration of the
portfolio along with Expository mock presentations: Presentation of issues, challenges,
evaluation of sources, practice of audibility, eye contact, paralinguistic control, fluency.

 Presentation of first draft of :

 5

o Introduction: theme, personal interest, purpose, target

audience, work related interest, academic interest
o Reflective piece: Poem, Drama/Play, Short story, Novel
o Preface
o Analysis
o Bibliography

 Comprehensive review of syllabus with focus on generally weak areas such as essay
writing and grammar.

TEACHING METHODS

This course will be delivered primarily through a face to face mode and Moodle. The face to face
delivery will comprise lectures, discussion teaching, tutorials, guided readings and presentations.
Lecturers will integrate technology to enhance class instruction and to communicate homework
assignments and readings from time to time. Students are expected to read the topics discussed in
class extensively and independently in order to integrate understanding and enhance learning.

ASSESSMENTS AND EVALUATIONS

The assessment for this course comprises:

Semester 1:
Bimonthly short answer quizzes/homework /assignments: 30%
Monthly essays and compositions: 30%
End of Semester Evaluation: 40%
Total: 100%

Semester 2:
Mock Oral presentations; Assignments/First drafts- Portfolio; Grammar /syntactic exercises;
Assessments from Tutorials
Total: 100%
End of Semester Examinations.

RECOMMENDED TEXTS AND READINGS

1. Harvey, M. (2003) The Nuts and Bolts of College Writing, Indianapolis, Hackett
Publishing Company, Inc.
2. Mc Dermott, H. (2008) CAPE Communication Sudies, Chaguanas, Caribbean
Educational Publishers.
3. Roberts, P. et.al. (2008) West Indians and their Language, Cambridge, Cambridge
University Press.
 6

4. Simmons-Mc Donald, H. et.al.(1997) Writing in English: A Course Book for Caribbean

Students, Kingston, Ian Randle Publishers Limited.
5. Simon, V. (2009) CAPE Communication Studies, Oxford, Macmillan Publishers Limited
6. Simon, V. et.al. (2004) Communication Studies Study Guide, Caribbean Examinations
Council Self- Study or Distance Learning Material CXC/ COL.
7. Zeuschner, R. (2003) Communicating Today The Essentials San Francisco, Pearson
Education, Inc.