Independent University, Bangladesh

School of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (SLASS)

Department of Media and Communication

Part A- Introduction

I. Course Code: CMN201

II. Course Title: Introduction to Communication
II. Credit: 3 credit hours

1. Course Summary

The course aims to introduce the basic concepts, principles and processes of communication. It is
designed for the students having little or no background in communication. The communication
principles, such as the communication process, perception, verbal and nonverbal communication, and
listening, are introduced. These principles are then applied to communication in interpersonal, small
group and mediated communication. The dynamics of relationships, intercultural communication issues,
and conflict and negotiation are also explored, along with ethical issues inherent in the communication
process.
It will highlight the different contexts of communication so the students are familiar with all aspects and
opportunities, which the subject offers.

2. Course Objective

The primary objective of this course is to introduce students to the basic concepts of human
communication that will enhance their intrapersonal and interpersonal communication along with their
team work and leadership skills. This course also aims to enhance skills necessary to communicate in a
variety of cultural contexts, overcome perceptual errors, manage fear of the unknown and resolve
conflicts to become competent communicators.

3. Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs):

 Intellectual skills to locate, gather, organize and synthesize information across diverse platforms.
 Problem solving skills in real world as well as in the fields of media and communication
 Well-developed communication skills including critical thinking and analysis which prepare for
success in the workplace or graduate studies
 Leadership skills and commitment to community, country and humanity
4. Class Learning Outcomes (CLOs): at the end of this course students will be able to-

CLO 1 Describe the elements of the process of communication.

CLO 2 Expand perception skills and comprehend the effects of self-concept on communication.
CLO 3 Assess language, nonverbal, and listening skills in a variety of settings
CLO 4 Displayeffective decision-making, problem-solving approaches and team work in a group
setting.
CLO 5 Apply conflict management skills in interpersonal and group settings
CLO 6 Demonstrate an awareness of culture in various communication situations
Part B: Content of the course
Class & Exam Schedule, Topics and Readings:

Teaching Alignment with CLO

Sessions Specific Outcome(s) Topics Suggested Activities Readings
Strategy

Introduction and - Students will CLO1:

Orientation give brief Describe the
 Ice-breaking session introduction elements of the
 Discussion on Course socialized about process of
Session –
Structure and recitation themselves communication.
1
assessments - Course
outline will be
discussed in
details
Chapter 1: CLO1:
Introduction to Describe the
 To Comprehend the Pearson,
Human elements of the
Communication Judy et al
Communication process of
model (2011)
lecture communication.
 To Analyze the Human
discussion
Session – different types of Discussion Communic
with multi
2 communication ation,
media
elements McGraw –
 To Identify the Hill, New
purposes of Human York.
Communication

To Comprehend, Define and lecture CLO1: Pearson,

Identify the following Chapter 1 discussion Describe the Judy et al
Session – Discussion and in-
communication principles: (continued) with multi elements of the (2011)
3 class writing
1) communication begins media process of Human
with the self communication. Communic
 2) communication involves ation,
others McGraw –
3) communication is Hill, New
complicated York.
4) increased
communication does not
increase quality of
communication,
5) communication is
inevitable, irreversible
and unrepeatable

CLO 6: Demonstrate
Devito,
 To Comprehend the an awareness of
Joseph A.
importance of culture in various
(2009).
culture in lecture communication
Chapter 2: Culture Human
communication, discussion situations
Session – and In-class Writing of Communic
 To Acquire general with multi
4 Communication examples ation: The
idea about cultural media CLO1:
Basic
differences Describe the
Course. 3rd
elements of the
Edition.
process of
Pearson
communication.
 CLO 6: Demonstrate
an awareness of
 To comprehend the culture in various
nature and forms of communication Devito,
intercultural situations Joseph A.
communication, Activity: Dress as you
(2009).
 To Define culture, lecture like representing a
Chapter 2: Culture Human
co-culture and goals and discussion particular culture,
Session – Communic
of co-cultural with multi take a photo of
5 Communication ation: The
communication, media yourself and write a
Basic
 To analyze ways to paragraph explaining
Course. 3rd
improve intercultural the culture.
Edition.
communication Pearson

 To Differentiate CLO 2: Expand

between the various perception skills and
Devito,
types of perception comprehend the
Joseph A.
 To Analyze the Activity: Write a effects of self-
(2009).
stages of perception lecture paragraph explaining concept on
Human
(selection, discussion how your perception communication.
Session – Chapter 3: Communic
organization and with multi has been affected
6 Perception ation: The
interpretation) media due to the CLO 6:
Basic
 To Define and pandemic. Demonstrate an
Course. 3rd
/differentiate awareness of culture
Edition.
between perceptual in various
Pearson
errors communication
situations.
 To Acquire lecture Activity: CLO 2: Expand Devito,
Session – knowledge about the Chapter 4: discussion Prepare a Johari perception skills and Joseph A.
7 Self in Perception and Self with multi window comprehend the (2009).
Communication media effects of self- Human
  To Describe Self- concept on Communic
concept communication. ation: The
 To Describe the Basic
Johari Window Course. 3rd
 To Define and Edition.
Analyze self-esteem, Pearson
Self-disclosure and
the rewards and
dangers of self-
disclosure

CLO 3: Pearson,
Assess language, Judy et al
 To Differentiate lecture nonverbal, and (2011)
between hearing Chapter 5: discussion listening skills in a Human
Session – and listening Listening and with multi variety of settings Communic
Activity: Chinese
8  To Describe the Critical Thinking media ation,
Whisper
listening process McGraw –
Hill, New
York.

CLO 3:
Assess language,
Pearson,
 To Clarify about the nonverbal, and
Judy et al
importance of listening skills in a
(2011)
listening, lecture variety of settings
Human
 To Identify the types Chapter 5 discussion
Session – Activity: Communic
of listening, (continued) with multi
9 Paper origami ation,
 To Clarify about the media
McGraw –
barriers to listening,
Hill, New
 To Evaluate the
York.
impact of critical
thinking in our
 personal lives

lecture
Session – Q/A Session Quiz 1 (Chapter 1 to
Revision for midterm
10 5) will take place

Audio/Video
Presentation
will be
Session – Midterm Examination
uploaded Written Exam
11 Written
Written exam
will take place
 To Define the rules CLO 3:
of language Assess language,
 To Describe the Sapir nonverbal, and
-Whorf hypothesis listening skills in a Pearson,
 To comprehend that variety of settings. Judy et al
language is arbitrary (2011)
(denotative and lecture CLO 2: Expand Human
Activity:
connotative Chapter 6: Verbal discussion perception skills and Communic
Session – Pictionary
meaning) Communication with multi comprehend the ation,
12 Or Taboo
 To Examine how media effects of self- McGraw –
language can be an concept on Hill, New
enhancement or an communication York.
obstacle to
communication and
how language skills
can be improved.

 To Acquire Chapter 7: Non- lecture CLO 3: Pearson,

Session – knowledge about verbal discussion Assess language, Judy et al
Activity: Discussion
13 nonverbal Communication with multi nonverbal, and (2011)
and in-class Writing
communication media listening skills in a Human
  To Differentiate variety of settings Communic
between verbal and ation,
nonverbal McGraw –
communication Hill, New
 To Identify how they York.
are related,
 To Define and
Analyze why
nonverbal codes are
difficult to interpret

 To Define and CLO 3: Pearson,

analyze the different Assess language, Judy et al
types of nonverbal nonverbal, and (2011)
codes lecture listening skills in a Human
Chapter 7: Non- variety of settings
discussion Activity: insert Communic
Session –  To Examine and verbal
with multi emotions to the ation,
14 differentiate Communication
media following clips from McGraw –
between the verbal
silent movie Hill, New
and non-verbal
York.
codes

CLO 4:
 To Describe different Pearson,
Display effective
types and functions Judy et al
decision-making,
of small-group, lecture (2011)
problem-solving
 To examine the role discussion Human
Chapter 8: Small – approaches and team
Session – of a leader with multi Activity: Team Communic
group work in a group
15  To Differentiate media Building exercises ation,
Communication setting.
between the McGraw –
different leadership Hill, New
CLO 5:
style and York.
Apply conflict
competencies
management skills in
 interpersonal and
group settings
 To Differentiate CLO 4:
various types and Display effective
functions of small- decision-making, Pearson,
group, problem-solving Judy et al
 To Examine the role lecture approaches and team (2011)
of a leader discussion work in a group Human
Chapter 8: Small – Activity:
Session –  Identify group with multi setting. Communic
group Group exercise on
16 Cohesiveness media ation,
Communication Decision making
 To acquire CLO 5: McGraw –
knowledge about Apply conflict Hill, New
problem solving and management skills in York.
decision making. interpersonal and
group settings

CLO 4:
Display effective
Pearson,
 To Comprehend the decision-making,
Judy et al
Importance of problem-solving
(2011)
Interpersonal lecture approaches and team
Chapter 9: Human
Communication discussion work in a group
Session – Interpersonal Activity: Communic
 To Identify types of with multi setting.
17 Communication & In-Class Writing ation,
Conflict media
Conflict McGraw –
 To Examine the CLO 5:
Hill, New
Reasons for conflict Apply conflict
York.
issues management skills in
interpersonal and
group settings
 To Examine the lecture Activity: CLO 4: Pearson,
Chapter 9:
different conflict discussion Display effective Judy et al
Session – Interpersonal
strategy with multi Conflict decision-making, (2011)
18 Communication &
 To Describe the media Management problem-solving Human
Conflict
conflict management exercise approaches and team Communic
 process work in a group ation,
 To Comprehend setting. McGraw –
culture and gender- Hill, New
based conflict CLO 5: York.
Apply conflict
management skills in
interpersonal and
group settings
CLO 6:
Demonstrate an
awareness of culture
in various
communication
situations
CLO1: Describe the Pearson,
 To Define mass elements of the Judy et al
media process of (2011)
 To Identify and lecture
Chapter 10: Activity: communication. Human
analyze the effects discussion
Session – Mediated Watch a Video Communic
of mass media with multi
19 Communication followed by a ation,
 To Describe media
discussion McGraw –
computer-mediated Hill, New
communication York.

 To differentiate CLO1: Describe the Pearson,

between mass media elements of the Judy et al
and CMC process of (2011)
lecture
Chapter 10: communication. Human
discussion
Session –  To define media Mediated Activity: Communic
with multi
20 literacy Communication In-class Writing CLO 2: Expand ation,
media
perception skills and McGraw –
 To differentiate comprehend the Hill, New
between effects of self- York.
synchronous and concept on
 asynchronous communication.
communication
CLO 6:
Demonstrate an
awareness of culture
in various
communication
situations.
lecture
Session – discussion Quiz 2 will take place
Revision for final exam
21 (Chapter 6 to 10)
Q/A session

Audio/Video Written Exam will

Presentation take place
Session –
Final Exam (Written) will be
22
uploaded

Part C- Assessment and Evaluation

Quizzes
Two quizzes will be taken in total. There will be one as a means to revise before the midterm covering Chapter 1 to Chapter 5 and another right
before the finals covering Chapter 6 to Chapter 10. No makeup quizzes will be taken. Students are strongly recommended not to miss any
quizzes.

Video Presentation
Students will have to submit two video presentations throughout the semester. Each student will be assigned with a particular topic based on
which they will prepare a video presentation highlighting their understanding and knowledge on the topic.
Class Activities

Students will have to participate in several class activities throughout the semester. A total of four class activities will be marked based on their
best performances.
CIE- Continuous Internal Evaluation (50 Marks)

Bloom’s Category Video Assignments Quizzes External Participation in

Marks (out of 50) (30) (10) Curricular/Co-Curricular
Activities (10)
Remember 05
Understand 10 05
Apply 10 10
Analyze
Evaluate
Create 10

SMEE- Semester Mid & End Examination (50 Marks)

Bloom’s Category Test

Remember 5
Understand 10
Apply 15
Analyze 10
Evaluate 5
Create 5
Assessment and Marks Distribution:

Students will be assessed on the basis of their overall performance in all the exams, quizzes, and class
participation. Final numeric reward will be the compilation of:

 Quizzes worth 20%

 Video Assignments worth20%
 Term Examination worth 50%
 Class activities worth 10%

Part D: Required Text/References:

The course will be based mostly on the following books [some other books and journals may be referred
time to time]:

1. Devito, Joseph A. (2009). Human Communication: The Basic Course. 3rd Edition. Pearson.

2. Pearson, Judy et al (2011) Human Communication, McGraw – Hill, New York.

(Online books will be provided through emails)

Part E: University Regulation and Code of Conduct

Audit:
Students who are willing to audit the course are welcome during the first two classes and are advised to
contact the instructor after that.

Note:
Plagiarism – that is, the presentation of another person’s thoughts or words as though they were the
student’s own – must be strictly avoided. Cheating and plagiarism on exam and assignments are
unacceptable.

Please see the Green Book for further information about academic regulation and policies, including
withdrawal and grading, appeals and penalties for plagiarism and academic misconduct

Incomplete (‘I’) Grade:

Awarding of Incomplete or ‘I’ grades should be strongly discouraged. ‘I’ will only be allowed for students
who have a valid reason (ascertained by the senior management). In situations where the student is
unable to complete the course due to unanticipated illness or family emergency and has not attended at
least 75% of the classes held, he / she will be asked to withdraw from that course and repeat it. In
unavoidable circumstances where students have completed 75% of the classes but are unable to
continue (due to illness or family emergency), incomplete grade of ‘I’ may be granted. Incomplete
course has to be completed by the end of the next semester, otherwise grade ‘I’ automatically becomes
grade ‘F’. The student is not required to register for the course in the next semester.

Withdrawal (‘W’):
A ‘W’ grade means withdrawal. A student may decide to withdraw from a course by the deadline.
Students must apply to the Program Office for withdrawal from a course with the permission of the
concerned course instructor, Academic Advisor, and the Dean. Withdrawal from only one course in a
semester is allowed but the students should provide valid reason along with documents while applying
for the withdrawal.

Changes of Grade:
Change of grade is strongly discouraged. However, an instructor may request a change of grade when a
computational or procedural error occurred in the original assignment of a grade. Instructor must
submit the ‘Grade Change Form’ to the respective program office within one month of submitting the
final grade rolls. A Grade change has to be requested within 1 month of the day of publishing the grades.