19 Unit 1: Introduction to Communications and the Process Model
Overview
Take a moment to think about all the communicative activities that you have engaged in so far today. Did you check your phone right away when you woke up? Perhaps you had text messages from friends and family. It is likely that you saw notifications from platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat. Even if you do not like to speak to people in the morning (you’re not alone!), you communicated with others in nonverbal ways to say that you just weren’t available for conversation until you had your first cup of coffee.
Coffee and Cell by Daiga Ellaby on Unsplash
Although you may not have taken a communication studies class before, you are well equipped to be here! You have a lifetime of experience communicating in a variety of ways. You have learned to read and understand symbols. You’ve figured out how to listen or tune things out. You may even have experience speaking to small or large groups. And surely you’ve created and/or consumed social media messages. All of this experience has given you a foundation for this course. Here, you’ll have time and space to become a more competent and ethical communicator. Throughout this course, you will learn how communication skills can enrich your life in many ways.
This first unit introduces you to two models of communication. You’ll better understand the benefits of studying communicative practices by learning how we create and consume communication through a variety of platforms so that we can reflect upon how you — and others — are impacted by messages.
Topics
Unit 1 contains the following topics:
- Topic 1: Foundations
- Topic 2: Defining Communications
- Topic 3: Communication Study and You
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this unit, you should be able to:
- Explain what is the study of communication.
- Define communication.
- Explain two different models of communication.
- Address the benefits of studying communication.
Activities and Graded Assessments
Activities
| Activity Number | Activity Description |
|---|---|
| Activity 1 | Personal Reflection Journal – Reflection Question 1 |
| Activity 2 | Reading – Introduction to Human Communication |
| Activity 3 | H5P – Communication Foundation Activity |
| Activity 4 | Reading – Defining Communication |
| Activity 5 | H5P – Personal Identity Drag and Drop Activity |
| Activity 6 | Reading – Communication Study and You |
| Activity 7 | H5P – Personal Identity Hotspots Activity |
Graded Quizzes and Assignments
Please open the Moodle course and complete Quiz 1 (3%)
Media Attributions
Coffee and Cell by Daiga Ellaby on Unsplash