LKH11X1 – COMMUNICATION IN ENGLISH A: MODULE 1 (2024)

Welcome to the faculty of Arts

Note that all the information listed below is subject to change and that the information found in the General
Prospectus and the Faculty of Arts Prospectus is to be regarded as having the final information regarding
all communication courses.

1. LECTURER DETAILS:
Lecturer: Ms. Antonnet Nontyi
Office: 2nd avenue campus, room 043F
Email: s217389228@[Link]
Consultation times: Thursdays 11:00am.- 12:00pm.

2. INTRODUCTION TO THE MODULE:

This is a continuous assessment first year module, taught over a period of one year.
This module is a pre-requisite for the second-year module. Students must obtain a 50% pass mark at the
end of year one in order to progress and complete the second module in year two.
Course marks are accumulated during the year from tests and assignments. A student must obtain 50% to
pass each test and assignment.
NB. Unless otherwise instructed, all class tests and assignments will count towards a student’s course
mark.

3. PURPOSE OF THE MODULE:

This module will prepare students to communicate effectively in the workplace using written and
spoken language skills.

4. LECTURE TIMES AND TUTS:

a. There will be one class per week, which will take place on second avenue campus. A new
lesson will be uploaded on Moodle each Monday, along with an activity to complete (if
applicable).

b. All lectures will take place on Wednesdays at 14:25 in venue 410-0-0003.

5. CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE LECTURER:

a. The main form of correspondence for this module is via email. The lecturer will communicate
all work-related queries via email, as well as assessment dates and/or class times.
b. Students should take note that, all assessment dates will be uploaded on Moodle. These dates
will be fixed unless stated otherwise, this will be corresponded via email.
 c. If there are any queries, the student may use the following email address to contact the
lecturer:

d. Email: s217389228@[Link]
e. NB. My response time is as follows: 8am – 17:00pm Monday-Friday. Any query sent
before/after these times will be responded to within the stipulated times.
f. If a student would like to communicate with the lecturer via a virtual one-on-one
consultation, the student may email to confirm an available time.

6. ASSESSMENTS:

Assessment Content Weight

1. Test 25%
2. Assignment 25%
3. Oral presentation 25%

4. Final EMA 25%

a. Test dates will be confirmed later. The lecturer will discuss confirmed test dates during
lectures and via email.
b. NO compensation will be given to students who do not write their tests-even in the event of
an illness unless a doctor’s certificate is produced within one week of the date of the test. If a
student is too ill to supply the certificate, the student should make the necessary arrangements
to get the certificate to the course administrator within one week (5 days) from the date of the
test. Please note that certificates will be accepted at the lecturer’s discretion. Please see the
sick test dates above. • If a student misses the sick test dates, the student will not be allowed
to make up this assessment. The student will receive a zero for the assessment.

No more than two tests may be missed for a year course.

• Assignments must be handed in on time.
c. Late assignments will be penalised by -5% per day late. There is no late/sick submission date
for the group assignments.
d. All ASSIGNMENTS will be submitted via Turnitin, which picks up plagiarism, students will
forfeit if the plagiarism is high.
e. If illness prevents the student from personally handing in the assignment, other arrangements
must be made by the student to ensure the lecturer receives the assignment on time. It is wise
to inform your lecturer beforehand if you are having difficulties.
 f. There is no formal examination for this course. 25% of the course mark is allocated to the
October Semester test.
Tests and assignments will be returned to students within two to three weeks after the test dates. It is the
responsibility of students to keep a record of their marks. Students will be informed to check their marks
once marks have been entered onto the ITS system and NOT Moodle. Queries will be allowed for ONE
week after marks have been entered AND NOT ANY LATER. 6. KEY TEXTS/TEXTBOOK:

• Textbook title: Communication: A Hands-on Approach – 3 rd edition

• Author: Sandra
Cleary
Assessments for this module are open book and photocopies of the book will NOT be allowed.
The handbook is available for purchase at Van Schaiks bookstore. Students are strongly advised to obtain
personal copies of the textbook.

No online version of the textbook is available.

7. CONSULTATION APPOITNMENTS:
Please note your lecturer’s consultation times and try to see him/her during these times. If this is not
possible, an appointment may be made with your lecturer via email for a private consultation. As
lecturers have heavy administrative and research responsibilities, they will only be available at the given
times.

8. PLAGIARISM:
When using the ideas, arguments or words of someone else in an assignment, you should use quotation
marks and/or a bracketed reference (author, date and page number) that coincides with the full source in
the bibliography/reference list. Passing off someone else’s ideas as your own is a criminal activity known
as plagiarism. It is the same sort of offence as the infringement of copy right because it is the theft of
someone else’s intellectual property. Disciplinary action will be taken against students who commit
plagiarism. Students who use other students work and/or copy and paste in any formal assessment, will
also face a disciplinary action.

Use of Artificial Intelligence tools

AI can be a useful tool for a student but it is important that you understand what qualifies as acceptable
and ethical use of IA. It is important to avoid using AI in ways which are considered unacceptable and
unethical. Below are some guidelines from the NMU AI policy:

Recommended Uses:

√ search engine

√ enhancing understanding

√ gaining insights
 √ gathering information

√ clarifying concepts

√ critically evaluating information

Unacceptable Uses:

 Copy and paste generated intellectual work

 Claiming a generated product (text, image, creation) as your own

 Generating information for tests and assignments, unless this is explicitly instructed
by the academic, who has provided clear guidelines in the form of permissions and
prohibitions as to the appropriate use thereof as part of an assessment designed
around the use of AI

 Used for unfair advantage – when you are determined to deceive and do not use
something in an appropriate manner

 Making use of AI and not appropriately referencing the sources represented in the
generated text, image and/or other product

 Making use of AI and not ensuring that the sources represented in the generated text,
image and/or other product are accurate and represent the actual work of existing
sources

 Generating information via AI that may or may not represent the intellectual work of
another person, people or AI and thereafter making further use of AI to disguise this
information and then present it as one’s own.

 When you do not follow permissions and prohibitions provided in assessment

guidelines

 When you are not transparent about its use and do not reference and acknowledge
your sources

9. CLASS ATTENDANCE:
Attendance during the course is vital owing to the intensive nature of the accelerated programme.
Students prevented for any reason from attending class are responsible for acquainting themselves with
the content of the lecture or tutorial they missed. Absence from class is no excuse for failure to fulfil any
obligation laid upon the class during a student's absence. The lecturer will NOT be providing any
information to a student who misses a class for any reason whatsoever. Such information must be
obtained from fellow students in the class.

10. REGISTRATION:

It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that he/she is registered for the
Communication in English A module (LKH11X1)