CREDITS ASSIGNED: 2 CREDITS

COURSE OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the theory, fundamentals and tools of communication and to develop in them vital communication skills which should be integral to personal, social and professional interactions. One of the critical links among human beings and an important thread that binds society together is the ability to share thoughts, emotions and ideas through various means of communication: both verbal and non-verbal. In the context of rapid globalization and increasing recognition of social and cultural pluralities, the significance of clear and effective communication has substantially enhanced. The present course hopes to address some of these aspects through an interactive mode of teaching learning process and by focusing on various dimensions of communication skills. Some of these are: Language of communication, various speaking skills such as personal communication, social interactions and communication in professional situations such as interviews, group discussions and office environments, important reading skills as well as writing skills such as report writing, note-taking etc. While, to an extent, the art of communication is natural to all living beings, in today’s world of complexities, it has also acquired some elements of science.

EXPECTED LEARNER’S OUTCOME

It is hoped that after studying this course, students will find a difference in their personal and professional interactions. The recommended readings given at the end are only suggestive; the students and teachers have the freedom to consult other materials on various units/topics given below. Similarly, the questions in the examination will be aimed towards assessing the skills learnt by the students rather than the textual content of the recommended books.

UNIT I

COMMUNICATION: THEORY AND TYPES Theory of Communication, Types and modes of Communication Verbal and Non-verbal (Spoken and Written) Barriers and Strategies Inter-personal and Group communication

UNIT II

SPEAKING SKILLS: Dialogue Group Discussion Effective Communication/ Mis- Communication Interview

UNIT III

READING AND UNDERSTANDING Close Reading Comprehension Summary Paraphrasing Analysis and Interpretation

UNIT IV

WRITING SKILLS: Documenting Report Writing Making notes Letter writing

PRESCRIBED TEXT:

Interact, Cambridge University Press, 2019. RECOMMENDED READINGS: 1. Fluency in English - Part II, Oxford University Press, 2006. 2. Business English, Pearson, 2008. 3. Language, Literature and Creativity, Orient Blackswan, 2013. 4. Enrich Your English, OUP, SR Inthira and V. Saraswathi, CIEFL,1997 5. Oxford A-Z of English Usage, ed. Jeremy Butterfield, OUP, 2007. 6. Longman Dictionary of Common Errors, N.D. Turton and J.B. Heaton, Longman, 1998.