Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE CLS1104

 
TITLE Organisational Communication

 
UM LEVEL 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 5

 
ECTS CREDITS 4

 
DEPARTMENT Centre for Labour Studies

 
DESCRIPTION This unit presents the main principles of organisational communication. It starts by exploring the foundations of human communication through the notions of listening and verbal and non-verbal communication. The study then explores theories of organisational communication and discusses aspects such as ethical issues, managing information, and small group communication. The unit also includes an important practical element, seeking to develop the critical organisational communication competencies of research and writing skills, public speaking, and presentations.

Study-unit Aims

Communication is an essential element in the functioning of an organisation. This unit focuses on the knowledge, skills and competencies needed to enhance the various forms of communication within organisations. Apart from investigating the theoretical aspects of communication, this unit enables participants to practice different communication skills.

Learning Outcomes

1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- analyse the human communication cycle
- compare and contrast the utility of verbal and non-verbal communication
- distinguish the pecularities of communication in small groups
- classify the various forms of communication within organisations
- examine the ethical issues involved in organisational communication

2. Skills (including transferable [generic] skills): By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- identify the various barriers to communication in order to enhance his/her communication skills
- use verbal and non verbal communication skills more effectively
- write a well structured reports through improved research and writing skills
- design and carry out effective presentations

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings

Required readings:
- Devito, J. A. (2009). Human Communication. New York: Allyn & Bacon (available at the Library)
- Zaremba, A. J. (2009). Organizational Communication. USA: Oxford University Press.
- Set of handouts

Supplementary readings:
- Burgoon, M., Hunsaker, F. & Dawson, E. (2004). Human Communication. CA: Sage
- Hargie, O. (2009). Skilled Interpersonal Communication: Research, Theory and Practice. USA: Routledge
- McKay, M. (2009). Messages: The Communication Skills Book. California: New Harbinger Pubns.
- Papa, M., Daniels, T., Spiker, B. (2008). Organisational Communication: Perspectives and Trends. New York: Sage Publications.
- Shockley-Zalabak, P. (2009). Fundamentals of Organizational Communication. USA: Allyn & Bacon

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture and Independent Study

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Presentation Yes 100%

 
LECTURER/S Christine Garzia
Christine Scerri

 

 
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It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

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