Course Description
This course brings together the best theories and practices of communication between people in society. As the role of culture, identity, and perception is crucial in communication, we will start the course with exploring these concepts and examining how they shape the way people think, speak, and behave. You will also explore communication models, styles and strategies of effective communication, as well as critically analyze verbal and nonverbal behaviour. In addition, you will develop persuasion skills and techniques of managing emotions to become more confident and successful in communication. You will also learn to negotiate, avoid barriers to effective interpersonal and intercultural communication, and manage interpersonal conflicts in everyday life.
Course Outline
- Introducing interpersonal communication
- Culture, intercultural communication, and worldviews
- Identity, perception, and communication
- Verbal language in interpersonal communication
- Non-verbal communication
- Interpersonal communication competence
- Communication styles and linguistic strategies for effective communication
- Listening in interpersonal communication
- Interpersonal power & influence
- Managing emotions
- Relationships in the workplace
- Conflict resolution
What You Will Learn
Upon completion of this course, learners will be able to:
- demonstrate an understanding of the processes, models, and functions of interpersonal communication;
- apply the main theories and frameworks of interpersonal and intercultural communication to real-life situations;
- explain the interrelationships among a world view, language, identity, perception, and culture, as well as the differences in cultural values and their connection with communication styles;
- analyze other people's communication behaviours, as well as your own culture and its influence on your verbal and nonverbal behaviour;
- discuss the importance of mutual respect and interpersonal and intercultural sensitivity for effective communication;
- examine specific interpersonal experiences and contexts to learn the ways of effective interpersonal and intercultural communication;
- recognize the face systems and linguistic strategies used in the process of interpersonal and intercultural communication;
- distinguish various communication styles and know the ways of avoiding miscommunication;
- demonstrate effective conflict management strategies to resolve interpersonal and intercultural conflicts, characterized by the diversity of race, language, and culture, at the workplace; and
- demonstrate effective interpersonal and intercultural communication skills, including listening and verbal/nonverbal behaviours.
Microcredential
This course provides learners with the opportunity to earn a microcredential. A microcredential is evidence of a skill or competency that is employment related. Dalhousie microcredentials are developed in collaboration with employers, industries, and/or organizations that relate to the content. A microcredential can be displayed on social media pages, digital resumes, personal webpages, and in email signatures. To earn the microcredential in this course, learners will need to successfully complete a competency-based assessment.
Notes
For more Public Safety Communicators courses click here.
The Faculty of OLCD recommends an intermediate level of English language proficiency for the most effective learning and participation in our online and face-to-face courses. A list of minimum recommended scores on some common English tests can be found on our website. If you have questions about your English language proficiency and ability to succeed in this course, please contact openlearning@dal.ca.
Recommended For
This course is recommended for anyone wishing to develop or enhance their communication skills.Testimonials
"The Interpersonal and Intercultural Communication course was a real game-changer for me, helping me realize how much more there is to interacting with the world around me. I think most of us take for granted what is needed to successfully navigate our way through this life. For me, being a student in this course rejuvenated my drive to be a better manager for the people I work with. The best part of the course was the Cross Cultural Interview Report, providing us with the opportunity to learn so many interesting new things about another culture, different in many ways, but also surprisingly similar. I highly recommend this course to anyone wanting to become a better overall communicator."
~ Staff Sgt. Kim Robinson, Halifax Regional Police
"An amazing course! So much to learn in a short period of time. I enjoy the further information provided for further reading and have ordered many books online. I loved the setup of the course, easy reading and listening. The course provided me with a different outlook on how we perceive others, how to communicate more effectively within my own culture plus other cultures, managing emotions, conflicts, verbal and non-verbal communication, the power of communication. I very much enjoyed the course and would definitely recommend to others. I had a fantastic instructor, who was very helpful and responsive when needed."
~ Holly Norman, General Manager, Scotia Stone Products Ltd.
"I would highly recommend this course to anyone who works in a diverse work environment that would like to professionally advance in the communication field. This course assists in communicating appropriately and with an open mind with those of a different culture. It teaches why some communication styles may be offensive to other cultures and ways to correct it. Education and self-awareness is a huge part of intercultural communication and taking this course assists in understanding."
~ Olivia Boudreau
Applies Towards the Following Certificates
- Advanced Certificate in Fire Service Administration : Elective
- Diploma in Executive Fire Leadership : Electives
- Diploma in General Fire Leadership : Elective - Certificate in Fire Service Human Resource Management
- Certificate in Fire Service Administration: Advanced Leadership : Electives (3)
- Certificate in Fire Service Human Resource Management : Required
- Certificate in First Responder Health and Wellness : Required
- Certificate in Human Resource Management : Required
- Certificate in Police Supervisory Skills : Required
- Public Safety Communicator Leadership Certificate : Required
