Communication Fundamentals
| Course Code | CDEV-116 |
|---|---|
| Lecture hours per week | 3 |
| Lab hours per week | |
| Course Availability | Open |
| Description | Effective communication is of obvious importance for successful interactions, both within a community and a culture, and across cultures. This course allows students to learn how to build relationships with community members, examining methods of community engagement, community dynamics, networking, negotiation, conflict management, cross cultural communication, and ways to form collaborations/partnerships are essential components for successful interaction in the community. A focus on the use of strategic language, problem solving techniques, critical thinking, social marketing tools and methods for marketing CD campaigns to various target audiences will be examined as a foundation for promoting community dialogue. As well, community outreach strategies will be explored to increase understanding and appreciation of the many challenges inherent in reaching different groups within the community setting. Methods for interpreting and regulating both verbal and non-verbal forms of communication, and how cultural rules, socio-cultural values and norms impact communication will be discussed. Appreciating the importance of local knowledge and customs and how this knowledge informs communication will be addressed. An emphasis on the need for cultural competency as a key component of CD is an integral part of the course. How to facilitate, chair and evaluate community meetings as well as navigate through bureaucracies will be addressed as well as promoting the understanding of respect and sensitivity when working with communities.
Course Learning Outcomes
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