Skagit Valley College

Catalog Course Search Details

 Course Title:   Professional Communication: D

 Title Abbreviation:   PROF COMMUNICATION (D)

 Department:    CMST

 Course #:    125

 Credits:    3

 Variable:     No

 IUs:    3

 CIP:    239998

 EPC:    897

 REV:    2018


 Course Description  

Stresses theory and practice of interpersonal, group, and public speaking skills for the workplace. Topics include problem-solving, leadership, speech preparation, and analysis of effective language, nonverbal behavior, listening, and conflict styles.

 Prerequisite  

None

Additional Course Details

Contact Hours (based on 11 week quarter)

Lecture: 33

Lab: 0

Other: 0

Systems: 0

Clinical: 0


Intent: Distribution Requirement(s) Status:  

Vocational Preparatory Required for ATA degree, Elective  

Equivalencies At Other Institutions

Other Institution Equivalencies Table
Institution Course # Remarks
N/A

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, the student will be able to:

  1. Understand the influence of culture on communication through
    • Examining cultural diversity issues in the workplace
    • Developing skills for interacting in intercultural situations
    • Recognizing and responding to differences in cultural values, behaviors, and communiction styles
  2. Develop critical thinking skills by applying communication learning to performance through
    • Examining workplace issues from different perspectives
    • Analyzing the ethical implications of workplace decisions
    • Applying critical thinking and problem-solving skills to individual and/or group projects
    • Using listening skills to effectively analyze messages from others
  3. Demonstrate basic communication skills, specifically
    • Identifying and explaining the models, components, conditions, and common terminology of communication in the workplace
    • Preparing and giving organized and poised presentations
    • Using interviewing as a personal and professional communication/research tool
    • Conducting and participating in effective problem-solving groups in a variety of roles and contexts
    • Identifying his/her own nonverbal behaviors, listening habits, and conflict styles and applying appropriate techniques to improve any that inhibit effective communication
    • Applying textbook and supplemental reading assignments and library and/or technological research to individual or group projects
    • Managing time efficiently

General Education Learning Values & Outcomes

Revised August 2008 and affects outlines for 2008 year 1 and later.

1. Information Literacy

Definition: Recognizing when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
1.1 Determine the extent of information needed.
1.2 Access the needed information effectively, efficiently, ethically, and legally.
1.3 Evaluate information and its sources critically.
1.5 Effectively integrate and use information ethically and legally to accomplish a specific purpose.

2. Critical Thinking

Definition: The ability to think critically about the nature of knowledge within a discipline and about the ways in which that knowledge is constructed and validated and to be sensitive to the ways these processes often vary among disciplines.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
2.1 Identify and express concepts, terms, and facts related to a specific discipline.
2.2 Analyze issues and develop questions within a discipline.
2.3 Identify, interpret, and evaluate pertinent data and previous experience to reach conclusions.
2.4 Evaluate decisions by analyzing outcomes and the impact of actions.
2.8 Describe how one’s own preconceptions, biases and values affect one’s response to new and ambiguous situations.
2.9 Apply and/or create problem-solving strategies to successfully adapt to unpredictable and/or changing environments.

3. Communication

Definition: Understanding and producing effective written, spoken, visual, and non-verbal communication.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
3.2 Recognize, produce and demonstrate appropriate interpersonal, group, and public speaking skills.
3.3 Demonstrate effective listening skills.
3.4 Produce academic and/or professional writing and integrate it into written and spoken projects.
3.5 Recognize, comprehend, and use non-verbal behaviors appropriate to a given context.
3.7 Adapt communication to diverse audiences and media.

4. Community & Cultural Diversity

Definition: Recognizing the value of human communities and cultures from multiple perspectives through a critical understanding of their similarities and differences.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
4.1 Identify and express concepts, terms, and issues associated with the diverse perspectives of race, social class, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities, and culture.
4.2 Understand, value and respect human differences and commonalities as they relate to issues of race, social class, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities and culture.
4.4 Demonstrate effective communication across differences in human communities and cultures.
4.5 Adapt to and function effectively in communities and cultures different from one's own.

5. Global & Local Awareness & Responsibility

Definition: Understanding the complexity and interdependence of, and stewardship responsibilities to, local and global communities and environments.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
5.1 Understand the impact of their own and other’s actions on local/global communities and environments and how those communities/environments affect them in turn.

6. Individual Awareness & Responsibility

Definition: Understanding, managing, and taking responsibility for one’s learning and behavior in varied and changing environments.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
6.1 Identify ethical and healthy choices and apply these personally, socially, academically, and professionally.
6.2 Demonstrate standards of professionalism in manner, appearance, and setting appropriate to the context, including the classroom, workplace, and community.
6.3 Apply successful organizational strategies of planning, goal setting, prioritizing, resolving conflict, and managing time to specific goals and/or projects.

10. Technology

Definition: Understanding the role of technology in society and using technology appropriately and effectively.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
10.3 Use technology appropriate to the context and task to effectively retrieve and manage information, solve problems, and facilitate communication.

Course Contents

  1. Speech anxiety
  2. Public speaking
  3. Values, diversity, and ethics
  4. Verbal and nonverbal communication
  5. Conflict resolution
  6. Interviewing
  7. Group dynamics and leadership
  8. Work issues
  9. Listening