THE COUNCIL OF COMMUNITY COLLEGES OF JAMAICA
COURSE NAME:
Communication I
COURSE CODE:
COMM1101
CREDITS:
3
CONTACT HOURS:
45 (45 hours theory)
PRE-REQUISITE(S):
None
CO-REQUISITE(S):
None
SEMESTER:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is designed to meet the academic communication needs of students at the tertiary
level. It is aimed directly at students entering the Community College. The course seeks to
develop the students’ ability to participate fully in academic discourse. Emphasis is placed on the
development of language in both speech and writing in a variety of contexts. Additionally, the
course will strengthen the students’ ability to communicate effectively for different purposes.
Focus is also given to the Jamaican Language situation as this will assist students – many of
whom are from Creole speaking backgrounds- to achieve greater proficiency in Standard
English.
This course is of particular importance because it will expose the students to the principles of the
APA referencing style, which are fundamental to the academic writing that will be required
throughout their course of study.
GENERAL OBJECTIVES:
Upon successful completion of this course, students should:
1. demonstrate academic communication skills in speech and writing
2. use varied, credible and reliable sources to support their points of view
3. demonstrate an awareness of the Jamaican language situation
UNIT I - Fundamentals of Communication
(9 hours)
Specific Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
define communication
describe the Transactional, Linear and Circular Models of Communication
define Language
identify the Purposes/Functions of language in given writings
explain the development of Standard Languages and Dialects of the English Language
discuss the historical factors which shaped the Jamaican Language Situation
describe how language is used in the Jamaican society today
Content:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Definition of Communication
The Communication Process
What is a Language
The Purpose/Functions of Language
The Development of Language – Standard Languages and Dialects
The Jamaican Language Situation (Comparison of Standard English and Jamaican
Creole)
UNIT II - Principles of Academic Writing
(36 hours)
Specific Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
identify main ideas and writers’ intention in various writings
apply the academic writing process to various topics
identify sources of information (Internet, Books, Newspaper, Television/Radio, Journals)
evaluate sources of information to ensure their credibility and reliability
apply the APA referencing style in writing essays
construct well developed paragraphs
use connectives appropriately
write Expository and Argumentative/Persuasive essays within given word limits
revise drafts of essays using the relevant phase(s) of the writing process
Content:
1. Identifying Main Ideas and Writers’ Intention
2. Using pre-writing strategies
3. Writing Paragraphs
4. Writing clear thesis statements
5. Producing essay outlines on different topics
6. Finding appropriate sources/ Information Literacy
7. Summarizing, rephrasing and paraphrasing
8. Using the APA – Referencing and in-text citation
9. Avoiding plagiarism
10. Proof reading, peer review and editing
METHODS OF ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION:
Unit: I – 1 -2
(10 marks)
1. Knowledge based multiple choice test
a. What is Communication
b. The Communication Process
Unit: I – 3 – 6
a.
(30 marks)
Students should observe and make recordings of language use in at least 3
different contexts (i.e. classroom, market, bus stop, home, church). Using these
recordings, they should identify the language (s) used and give their opinions on
how language is used in Jamaica. Students will also be required to produce a 5
minute transcription and translation of their recordings made in each context.
UNIT II – Portfolio Assessment
Students will select a topic and take it through the stages of the writing process:
1. Pre-writing :
Choosing and limiting topic
Selecting and evaluating sources/referencing
Generating ideas - Main and Subordinate (5 marks)
2. Write an appropriate thesis statement (Main idea, three major points and if
argumentative, your strong opinion)
(5 marks)
3. Write an outline of the essay, incorporating correct APA guidelines, in-text citation and
referencing, title page).
(10 marks)
Outlines should be handed in for marking before students can proceed to writing a
first draft.
4. Writing of First Draft of Essay: Areas of Review
a. Point development (adherence to thesis statement)
b. Paragraph development
c. Organization of Essay – Introduction, Body, Conclusion)
d. Effective use of transitions
e. Incorporating sources effectively
f. Adequacy of content
5. Writing of Second Draft of Essay.
a. This will be subjected to peer review and further review by the lecturer.
b. Each student will be allowed to select another student from his/her class to be
his/her review partner.
c. This exercise will be done in class and should include mechanics and vocabulary
(i.e. homophones, concord, capitalization, indentation of paragraphs, title page,
in-text citation and referencing, punctuation, organization of essay).
d. Students will get 5 marks for doing a review
6. Submission of Final Draft of Essay (20 marks)