Detailed Course Content, Topics, and Sequence Covered
1. 1. Focus: Overview of Moodle, Course Structure, Textbook, Assignments. What is communication? Why study interpersonal communication? Human needs of control, inclusion, and affection
2. 2. Focus: Communication as symbolic, shared meaning, process, and culturally determined. Introduction to mindful communication.
3. 3. Focus: Purposes of interpersonal communication, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, self-concept, relationship building, perception, and communication models.
4. 4. Focus: How our self-concept, self-esteem, and cultural background shape the way we communicate, and how building self- awareness and emotional intelligence helps us become more confident and culturally responsive communicators in Canada."
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5. Focus: To explore how words shape meaning and identity and to recognize idioms, slang, and biased language so we can communicate more clearly and respectfully across cultures
6. 6. Focus: How people communicate without words using facial expressions, gestures, personal space, time, and touch—and how culture shapes each of these. Nonverbal communication is often more powerful than words, but it can also cause misunderstandings when we come from different cultural backgrounds
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7. Focus: How culture shapes communication, the frameworks for comparing cultures, and reflecting on your own cultural background, and practicing skills for adapting to Canadian communication styles while respecting your own cultural identity.
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8. Focus: The art of listening and everyday conversations and the different types of listening. Exploring self-disclosure, and practice strategies for responding to others in ways that build trust and connection.
9. 9. Focus: How relationships form and grow, and about friendship and romantic relationships, and the strategies for keeping relationships strong, and how cultural differences shape the way people connect in Canada and beyond.
10. 10. Focus: How conflict shows up in relationships, why emotions and power matter in conflict, and how we can use strategies like the STLC model to manage disagreements more constructively—especially in a new cultural context.
11. 11. Focus: How families and friendships shape who we are and how we communicate. We will look at family roles and patterns, how friendships develop, and how cultural backgrounds influence both family and peer relationships.
12. 12. Focus: How communication changes when it happens online or in professional settings. How our identity shows up in digital spaces, what respectful "netiquette" looks like, and how communication affects workplace relationships between leaders, colleagues, and employees.
13. 13. Focus: Not all communication builds connection— sometimes it can cause harm. This week we look at the "dark side" of communication, such as bullying, aggression, deception, and hurtful messages, both face-to-face and online.
14. 14. Reviewing key concepts, take aways, and final reflections