COMMUNICATION SKILLS Page 1 of 13

School of Humanities
Department of Language and Communication
P.O. Box 175, Port of Spain,
Trinidad, W.I.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
- Communication Skills COMM 104-04*
- Class Schedule: 1st Semester 2025/2026
- Semester Credits- 3
- TIME: 5:55-7:10
- Location- Online

Communication Skills is an introduction to the study of the human communication

process, which provides opportunities to analyse various influences on communication
behaviour, to survey foundation concepts, and to evaluate techniques for effective
interpersonal, small group, public speaking, and virtual/online communication
experiences.

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

- Name of Instructor- Ms Shurland Spencer

- E-mail [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
- Time 5:55 pm -6:55 pm (Zoom) By appointment
-
- Important Course Information
- 1. All communication for this course must be either via eSpace, or email (ONLY
usc.edu.tt emails should be used), or via the Zoom classroom.
-
- 2. Students must use either of the following options to contact the lecturer, ask
questions, or request clarifications on issues regarding this course: • “Questions &
Answers Forum” on the eSpace Course Page •.
-
- 3. Notices, reminders, guidelines, updates, and other relevant information for this
course will be published in the “Announcements Forum” of your eSpace course page.
Students must check this area at least twice per week.
-
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- 4. ALL assignments must be submitted by the due date and time via the link provided
under the respective UNIT on espace. Late assignments will be accepted up to two days
after the due date and will incur a 10% late penalty. NO emailed assignments, nor
submissions after this extension date, will be graded.
- All assignments should be submitted via eSpace. Assignments sent via email are not
acceptable.

Quiz information.
Two quizzes will be given for the 1st Semester 2025
Please note: The quizzes will be posted on eSpace.
● Students can attempt the quiz only once and will have one minute to do each
question. Students will have access to take the quiz for a period of seven days.
● Also, note the *Quiz will not be reopened (New students included) except for
circumstances of illness or death. With cases like these, a medical or death
certificate must be produced.

Please note*
Date for first Zoom Meeting
Monday 8th September 2025 at 5:55 pm

. Students must read the Academic Honesty Declaration on eLearn and be

guided accordingly

PURPOSE OF THE COURSE/COURSE RATIONALE

Communication Skills is one of four foundation courses offered by the Department of

Language and Communication. It is compulsory for all students, especially those of
Humanities, whose minor is Communication Studies. The purpose of the course is to
assist students in developing sound analytical communication skills that will enable
them to critically assess communication concepts and theories, having a more
comprehensive understanding about communication with others and the world. The
study of these concepts and theories will also assist students in producing related
assignments that are well researched and documented and reflective of the level of
analysis and presentation required at the tertiary level, while enabling them to practice
what they have learnt in everyday situations. This course will facilitate learning as
students obtain solutions for the challenges involved in virtual communication and
reveal not just what virtual communication means, but how to make this form of
communication dramatically more efficient and effective.
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GOALS/AIMS

During this course, students will:

1. Define the term “communication” and outline principles, elements, and types of
communication.
2. Explore the major influences on communication: perception, self-concept, and
culture.
3. Analyse verbal, nonverbal, and listening behaviours within various
communication contexts, particularly interpersonal and small group settings;
4. Investigate the effects gender and technology have on communication behaviour;
5. Review major issues related to presenting effective arguments and persuasion,
and achieving conflict resolution.
6. Examine the essentials of public speaking required for designing, developing, and
delivering quality speeches.
7. Apply these skills and perceptions to a variety of experiences, in an effort to
increase their effectiveness as communicators.
8. Obtain creative ideas for effective virtual communication and obtain strategies
for building virtual relationships.
9. Obtain greater insight into selecting the best virtual communication tools and
into getting the most from online meetings by introducing strategies to make
virtual meetings more interactive.
10. Understand how day-to-day virtual team communication can go wrong and how
to avoid it.

- At the end of the course, students are expected to be conversant in the

principles, elements, and types of communication, major issues that influence
communication behaviour, and to demonstrate effective communication within
various contexts, including public speaking and virtual communication.

LEARNING OUTCOMES (Modules/Unit Learning Outcomes)

After completing this course, students should be able to:-
1. Think more critically about the influence of communication.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of methods used to change attitude and behaviour.
3. Acquire knowledge and understand how cultures, beliefs, values, and attitudes
affect communication.
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4. Understand what factors affect how accurately we perceive others.

5. Develop an awareness of verbal and non-verbal communication and how they
affect interaction with others.
6. Understand how feelings and emotions affect relationships.
7. Understand and demonstrate the behaviors that contribute to the success of a
group working together.
8. Develop the skill of listening, processing, and conveying information received in
an effective manner.
9. Manage conflicts in relationships.
10. Use strategies to maintain relationships.
11. Construct and deliver speeches effectively.
12. Identify cultural similarities and differences.
13. Overcome challenges and provide solutions for virtual working, also learn to build
trust through technology.
14. Know how to get the most from virtual team meetings and prepare to add value
through their online contributions and get their points across assertively.

COURSE CONTENT

General Topic Themes

Foundations of Communication Definition of Communication

Forms of Communication

Elements of Communication

Types of Communication

Principles of Communication

Influences of Communication Culture and Subculture

Individualism and Collectivism

Self–Concept

Perception of Self and Others

Verbal Communication Function of Language

Non-verbal Communication Different Types of Non-verbal

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Communication

Virtual Communication Communicating effectively via virtual

communication and exploring social
media platforms

Public Speaking Dynamics of Speech Presentations,

Managing Apprehension, Research &
Developing Your Topic

Listening and Responding Stages in the Listening Process (The

Importance of Listening Ability in Nurses)

Conflict Managing Conflict in Relationships

Interpersonal Relationships Stages of Relationship Development

TEACHING STRATEGIES

▪ Teaching strategies for this course include online lectures, Moodle assignments,
reading assignments and written reports, discussions, viewing documentaries,
and research projects.

RESOURCES

In APA Format:
Verderber, R., & Verderber, K. (2008). Communicate! 15th ed. USA: Thomson
Wadsworth.

Resources to be posted on eSpace

ASSIGNMENTS
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Quizzes (2) 30%

Attendance (Lecturer can view how often students log on to eSpace)

05%
See USC’s school bulletin for the attendance policy
eSpace Assignments
35%
Final Assessment: (Portfolio )
30%

*Please note: All assignments must be submitted by the due date and time via the link
provided under the respective unit on eSpace. Late assignments will be accepted two
days after the due date and will bear a 10% late penalty.

COURSE ASSESSMENT
Assessment for the course Communication Skills is necessary for instructors to ensure
that-
1. The course objectives are met
2. Students acquire an understanding of the content presented in the classroom
3. The students’ perception of building skills as an effective communicator

Assessment Methods
● Quiz
● Moodle Assignments
● Final Assessment

COURSE CALENDAR

Topic Learning Outcome Assignment

/Activity

Communication Understanding the Analysis of one’s

Perspectives essential elements of own
communication,
communication
including its functions
and principles skills
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Perception of Increasing self-awareness Assignment on

Self and Others and improving the Perception and
accuracy of our
Communication
perception of others

Communicating Defining the relationship Assignment

Verbally; between language and
for verbal
Communicating meaning and improving
language skills Communication

Nonverbally .Exploring the channels Assignment on

through which nonverbal
Communicating Communicating
messages are
sent/received, improving Non-Verbally
non-verbal skills
Communicating
Nonverbally
CONT’D

OCTOBER 15- Mid- Semester Break

20TH

Develop listening and Assignment based

responding skills to
on types of
Listening and increase understanding.
listening
responding
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Communicating Maintaining
in relationships Relationships

Managing Conflict

Sharpening Virtual Virtual

Communication Skills & Communication
Virtual
Discussions on Social Assignment
Communication
Media and
Communication

1. What is culture, and

the role of
Intercultural
communication in it
Communication
2. How cultural identity
affects communication

Group Behaviours that

Communication contribute to success

Member Roles Evaluate the

and Leadership effectiveness of a
in Groups group.

November 27: Last day of class

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (Standard)

University Policies:
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● Class attendance is obligatory; it is required for a passing grade. Please note that
Attendance Regulations will be in effect. Whenever the number of absences
exceeds 20% of the total course appointments, the teacher may give a failing
grade. Students are responsible for finding out and completing all class
requirements and assignments given during their absence. This also means that
you are to be on time for class. Students entering class fifteen (15) minutes after
class has begun will be considered late. ((USC Bulletin 2017-2019, pg. 26)

● Grading Policy (USC Bulletin 2017-2019, pg. 28 ))

● Late Assignment All assignments are expected at class time on the day they are
due. Prompt and neat work done by students is a reflection of their seriousness
as students. All assignments must be delivered in person.
● Plagiarism is unacceptable by the standards of the University and is illegal by law.
Students who violate this instruction WILL automatically fail this course. (USC
Student Handbook, pg. 47)
● For face-to-face classes or Zoom sessions, students are required to comply with
the University’s “Dress Code” as outlined in the Students' Handbook and signed
contracts at registration.

GRADING SYSTEM (Standard)

Letter % Grade
Grade Pt. per
Value Credit Definition Description

A 100- 4.0 1. Excellent mastery of course content,

90 evidence of extensive background
reading. 2. Excellent performance in
analysis, synthesis, and critical
expression, oral or written. 3. Excellent
Excellent performance in analysis, synthesis, and
A- 89-85 3.67 critical expression, oral or written. 4.
Student works independently or in
groups as is required with unusual
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effectiveness

B+ 84-80 3.33 1. Very good mastery of course content,

evidence of substantial background
B 79-75 3.0 reading. 2. Student performance
B- 74-70 2.67 Very indicates a high degree of originality,
creativity and problem-solving skills. 3.
Good Very good performance in analysis,
synthesis and critical expression, oral or
written. 4. Student works very well
independently or in groups as is
required.

C+ 69-65 2.33 1. Acceptable mastery of course content,

evidence of some background reading.
2. Students demonstrate some degree of
C 64-60 2.0
originality, creativity and problem-
solving skills. 3. Acceptable
Satisfactory performance in analysis, synthesis and
critical expression, oral or written.

4. Student works independently or in

groups at an acceptable level

1. Unacceptable mastery of course

content, very little evidence of
background reading. 2. Students
C- 59-55 1.67 Unsatisfactory demonstrate a little degree of originality,
creativity, and problem-solving skills.
3. Unacceptable performance in
analysis, synthesis, and critical
expression, oral or written. 4. Students
display an unacceptable level of
proficiency in working independently or
COMMUNICATION SKILLS Page 11 of 13

in groups.

1. Deficient in mastery of course

content, no evidence of background
reading. 2. Originality, creativity, and
D 54-50 1.33 Deficient problem-solving skills absent from
performance. 3. Deficient performance
in analysis, synthesis, and critical
expression, oral or written. 4. Deficient
in the ability to work independently and
in groups.

1. No comprehension or grasp of course

content, no evidence of background
reading. 2. Originality, creativity, and
problem-solving skills totally absent
from performance. 3. Unacceptable
F 49 -0 0.0 Unacceptable performance in analysis, synthesis, and
critical expression, oral or written.

4. Displays neither aptitude nor ability

to work independently or in groups.

Other Meaning Description

Grades

AU Auditing Classes Registration for attendance only. Permission to audit a class

must be granted by the instructor.

UA Unsatisfactory This grade is given to students who are auditing a class but
Audit fail to attend at least 80% of classes.
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I Incomplete Student’s work is incomplete because of illness or

unavoidable circumstances, but not because of negligence
or inferior performance.

DG Deferred Grade A DG may be given in certain courses recognized to be of

such a nature that all their requirements are not likely to be
completed within one semester. A DG will be changed to
the letter grade earned by the end of the following semester

W Withdrew A grade awarded for a student who dropped a course and

went through all the necessary paperwork /process

DWP Dropped Without A grade awarded for a course that was dropped without
Processing going through all the paperwork/process needed.

S Satisfactory Performance indicating a passing grade, used only for

specific courses (See Bulletin)

U Unsatisfactory Performance below a passing grade, used only for specific

courses (See Bulletin)

GRADING SYSTEM (Standard)

Letter Grade Marks/Percentage

A 90 – 100

A- 85 - 89

B+ 80 - 84

B 75 - 79
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B- 70 - 74

C+ 65 - 69

C 60 - 64

C- 55 - 59

D 50 - 54

F 0 - 49

“Procrastination makes easy things hard and hard things harder.”

– Mason Cooley