Delivered at:: Department of Foreign Languages

Course type:: Bridging course

When:: 1 year, 1 module

Instructor

Pavlov, Vladimir

Full Syllabus

Abstract

Clear and effective communication is currently an indispensable part of a skill set that a successful academic or professional need to build, and students in history are not an exception. The main goal of this course is to raise awareness of various communication strategies and equip future historians with the skills necessary to communicate effectively in professional and academic settings. The students will learn to convey ideas clearly and precisely, and will become more effective listeners, speakers, readers and writers.

Learning Objectives

to build skills necessary for successful participation in seminars and for writing papers in English
to develop effective listening/reading skills
to develop effective oral skills in academic and professional settings
to develop/improve presentation skills
to improve academic and professional writing skills
to improve intercultural communication skills

Expected Learning Outcomes

development of effective oral skills in academic and professional settings
development/improvement of presentation skills
development of effective listening/reading skills
The students will develop/improve academic and professional writing skills
improvement of intercultural communication skills in academic and professional settings
The students will develop skills necessary for successful participation in seminars and for writing papers in English
The students will develop effective listening/critical reading skills
improve academic and professional writing skills
prepare students for participating in seminars and writing papers in English
The students will develop effective oral skills in academic and professional settings
develop effective oral skills in academic and professional settings
The students will develop intercultural communication skills in academic and professional settings

Course Contents

Professional Communication: Introduction
- Aspects of effective communication (listening, reading, speaking, writing, non-verbal communication, intercultural communication) - Informative and persuasive communication
Effective listening and reading strategies
Effective listening and reading strategies
Considering your audience when speaking/writing
Writing and speaking with your reader/listener in mind.
Planning and structuring an effective oral presentation/reports for a seminar or an academic conference in history
- Considering your audience, creating interest and building rapport - Planning and organizing oral presentations/reports - Using transitions - Being concise and precise; planning a coherent talk - Effective delivery/manner/body language - Pronunciation guidelines: sounding clearly - Effective visual support (e.g. slides)
Intercultural communication
- Communicating effectively with members of a different culture - Challenges of dealing with cultures and identities and how it is best to approach these challenges
Building effective academic oral skills
Academic collaboration in the classroom and outside the classroom. Strategies for effective oral communication (seminars, group work). Useful phrases for such communication.
Planning and structuring an effective written paper in history
- Summarizing and paraphrasing skills - Referencing other people’s ideas (Chicago Style) - Using bibliographic software (e.g., Mendeley, Zotero, Endnote) - Plagiarism and how to avoid it - Formatting your work (Chicago Style) - Building an effective argument; being precise and writing concisely - Thesis statement - Synthesizing and evaluating - Structuring a course paper logically - Features of academic language
Evaluating a Master’s thesis in history
Purpose, structure and language of a Master's thesis in history
Formality in different communicative situations
Levels of formality in different communicative situations in academic and professional settings: Choosing the right register

Assessment Elements

Writing an annotated bibliography (5 items)
Writing a synthesis paragraph
Writing a historiographical essay on a topic in history
Analysis of an academic talk (e.g., conference presentation) in history
Making an oral presentation
An evaluation of a Master’s thesis/dissertation in history
An oral intercultural report
Mini-tests, quizzes, homework

Interim Assessment

Interim assessment (1 module)
0.15 * An evaluation of a Master’s thesis/dissertation in history + 0.1 * An oral intercultural report + 0.15 * Analysis of an academic talk (e.g., conference presentation) in history + 0.15 * Making an oral presentation + 0.1 * Mini-tests, quizzes, homework + 0.15 * Writing a historiographical essay on a topic in history + 0.05 * Writing a synthesis paragraph + 0.15 * Writing an annotated bibliography (5 items)

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

Bailey, S. (2017). Academic Writing : A Handbook for International Students (Vol. Fifth edition). London: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1650435
Novinger, T. (2001). Intercultural Communication : A Practical Guide: Vol. 1st ed. University of Texas Press.
Randy Charles. (2018). Communication Skills. National Highlights Inc.
Terttu Orci. (1996). A Guide to Writing a Master’s Thesis.

Recommended Additional Bibliography

Agarwal, O. P. (2010). Effective Communication: Vol. Rev. ed. Himalaya Publishing House.
Holliday, A., Hyde, M., & Kullman, J. (2017). Intercultural Communication : An Advanced Resource Book for Students (Vol. Third edition). Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1424446
Johnson, A. P. (2016). Academic Writing : Process and Product. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1222793

Master’s Programme 'Global and Regional History'

Curriculum support office

Effective Communication Strategies for Historians