Oliver Twist

Department of
Communication Science
COMM 1514
Interpersonal Communication
Compiled by
Rentia Engelbrecht
2018
NQF 5
16 Credits
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Welcoming.................................................................................................................... 4
2. Module Objective ......................................................................................................... 7
3. Module Outcomes ........................................................................................................ 7
4. MODULE CALENDAR .................................................................................................. 8
5. Credits and Notional Learning Hours ......................................................................... 8
6. LEARNING UNITS ........................................................................................................ 9
7. Study Material .............................................................................................................. 9
8. Assessment ................................................................................................................ 10
8.1 Assessment Breakdown..................................................................................... 10
8.2 Assignments ....................................................................................................... 11
8.3 Calculation of the Final Mark ............................................................................. 11
9. Departmental Guidelines ........................................................................................... 12
10. Tips for Tests and Exams .......................................................................................... 14
11. Learning Unit Guide ................................................................................................... 15
11.1 Unit 1 – Essentials of interpersonal communication .......................................... 15
11.1.1. Unit Overview ................................................................................................. 15
11.1.2. Learning and Assessment Activities ............................................................ 15
11.1.3. Unit Specific Content ..................................................................................... 16
11.2 Unit 2 – Interpersonal communication skills in action ........................................ 16
11.2.1. Unit Overview ................................................................................................. 16
11.3 Unit 3 – Communication contexts ........................................................................ 17
11.3.1. Unit Overview ................................................................................................. 17
12. Appendix A: Module Journey Map.............................................................................. 0
13. Appendix B: General Reading Guide Template ......................................................... 0
Table 1: Icon Library ........................................................................................................... 2
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Table 1: Icon Library
Icon Description
Welcoming message and lecturer information
Module objective
Module outcomes
Indicates activities and resources made available on Blackboard.
Credits and notional hours relevant to the module.
Indicates an activity to be completed on your own (Preparation). You

may still ask for feedback from your tutor or lecturer when you
encounter aspects that you have difficulty with.
Unit specific content for the module.
2|Page
The resources to be consulted (such as the textbook, additional reading
material etc.)
The roadmap that contextualises (puts into perspective) the different

pieces of information in the module.
An indication of an important reminder/cautionary from your lecturer to

be paid attention to.
Assessment questions and opportunities.
Unit specific assessment criteria.
Indicates a learning unit.
Learning unit outcomes for a specific unit.
Purpose of the learning unit
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1. WELCOMING
Dear student,
Welcome to COM 1514, focusing on Interpersonal Communication! I am Rentia Engelbrecht

and will be responsible for coordinating this module. Here is all the information that you will
need to contact myself, as well as other relevant staff in the department of Communication
Science.
HEAD OF DEPARTMENT
Head of Department: Prof Mili Rivera
Office number: TLG 208
Email address: riveram@ufs.ac.za
Phone number: 051 401 9765
Consulting hours: To be announced on Blackboard
MODULE COORDINATOR & LECTURER MAIN CAMPUS
Lecturer: Rentia Engelbrecht
Email address: Engelbrechte2@ufs.ac.za
TEACHING ASSISTANT MAIN CAMPUS
Teaching assistant: Jolandi Bezuidenhout
Email address: BezuidenJ@ufs.ac.za
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Teaching assistant: Avela Ntsongelwa
Email address: NtsongelwaA@ufs.ac.za
Teaching assistant: Ursula Kamanga
Email address: KamangaUB@ufs.ac.za
LECTURER QWAQWA CAMPUS
Lecturer: Dr Diana Breshears
Office number: To be announced
Email address: BreshearsDL@ufs.ac.za
FACILITATOR QWAQWA CAMPUS
Facilitator: Eleanor Bernard
Office number: To be announced
Email address: BernardEJ@ufs.ac.za
LECTURER SOUTH CAMPUS
Lecturer: Stefan Lotter
Office number: D51
Email address: lotters@ufs.ac.za
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TEACHING ASSISTANT SOUTH CAMPUS
Teaching assistant: Molebogeng Motseke
Office number: D51
Email address: MotsekeMS@ufs.ac.za
FACILITATOR OUDSTHOORN
Facilitator: Hannes Visser
Email address: hannes@groupeditors.co.za
FACILITATOR SASOLBURG
Facilitator: Susan van Aswegen
Email address: susanvanaswegen45@gmail.com
FACILITATOR WELKOM
Facilitator: Margot Marks
Email address: marks_margot@yahoo.co.uk
FACILITATOR KWETLISONG
Facilitator: Tobias van den Bergh
Email address: VanDenBerghTJ@ufs.ac.za
FACILITATOR KWETLISONG
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Facilitator: Keneilwe Chologi
Email address: ChologiKA@ufs.ac.za
2. MODULE OBJECTIVE
In this section I will provide you with a short overview of what will be expected from you to be
successful in your learning in this module.
The aim of COMM 1514 is to help students understand the importance of good
communications skills in life. All of us are constantly in a state of giving and receiving
communications. Problems arise when one does not receive, or understand, the message
sent in the communication as it was intended, or when one subconsciously sends a nonverbal
message that contradicts the spoken word.
3. MODULE OUTCOMES
After successful completion of this module (this means passing all assessments and attending
all sessions), you should be able to:
1. By the end of the unit on Essentials of Interpersonal communication students will be

able to interpret the process of human communication and person perception by
preparing for class, attending all classes (main stream and A-STEP), taking part in
class and online discussions.
2. By the end of the unit on Interpersonal communication skills in action students will be
able to apply verbal, non-verbal and listening skills by preparing for class, attending all
classes (main stream and A-STEP), taking part in class and online discussions and
applying knowledge to case studies.
3. By the end of the unit on Communication contexts students will be able to analyse the
different communication contexts by preparing for class, attending all classes (main
7|Page
stream and A-STEP), taking part in class and online discussions and applying
knowledge to real-life situations.
4. MODULE CALENDAR
The module schedule and syllabus (study material), either orally or in writing, can be updated
or modified at any time by the lecture or the department. It is the responsibility of students
enrolled in this module to stay up-to-date with the schedule and syllabus. An announcement
of this type can be given in face to face class session, or communication on
Blackboard. It is recommend that students check Blackboard daily to keep up to date
with what is happening in.
It is important for you to note that any work discussed during contact sessions can be
used for assessment purposes. This means that attendance at lectures is extremely
important.
You can get your timetable from the Web. Please check you timetables more than once during
the first 2 weeks of semester in case of changes. Changes will also be placed on Blackboard
when appropriate.
The module stretches over a 14 week period, during which the programme that will be
uploaded on to Blackboard in the first week of classes will be followed.
It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that he/she receives all the information in
connection with this module; this information will be made available on Blackboard Attendance
of 70% all classes and A-STEP sessions are compulsory. Please note that only registered
students will be allowed to attend the contact sessions.
5. CREDITS AND NOTIONAL LEARNING HOURS
‘Notional learning hours’ indicate the amount of learning time taken by the ‘average’ student
to achieve the specified learning outcomes of the course-unit or programme. It includes all
learning relevant to achievement of the learning outcomes e.g. directed study, essential
practical work, group work, private study, preparation and assessment. Please consult the
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“Faculty Important Information Guide” on Blackboard or the Faculty Rules and Regulations in
your Rulebook for more information if necessary. COMM 1514 is 16 credits, meaning 160
notional hours.
6. LEARNING UNITS
In addressing the module outcomes, the following learning units will be covered in this module.
Learning unit 1: Essentials of Interpersonal Communication
Unit 1a – Process of human communication
Unit 1b – Person perception
Learning unit 2: Interpersonal Communication Skills in Action
Unit 2a – Verbal Communication
Unit 2b – Non-verbal Communication
Unit 2c – Listening
Learning unit 3: Communication Contexts
Unit 3a – Relational Communication
Unit 3b – Small group communication
Unit 3c – Public communication
Unit 3d – Mediated communication
7. STUDY MATERIAL
 The prescribed textbook in this module is Introduction to Verbal and Non-Verbal

Communication. (2016). London: McGraw-Hill. (Custom copy)
 Additional reading materials is provided on Blackboard.
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 In addition to the textbook there is also additional study material that will be used as
part of the teaching and learning in this module. This material and activities will be made
available on Blackboard throughout the semester. It is each student’s responsibility to
ensure that he/she receive everything in time and study it.
8. ASSESSMENT
8.1 ASSESSMENT BREAKDOWN
Your module mark (predicate) will be calculated as follows:
ASSESSMENT TYPE (E.G. WRITTEN/ORAL/PRACTICAL) CONTRIBUTION

TO MODULE
MARK
Test One Written 50%
Test Two Written 50%
Test Three Written 50%
Assignment One Online practical 40%

Assignment Two Online practical 40%
Assignment Three Online practical 40%
Assignment Four Online practical 40%
Assignment Five Online practical 40%
Assignment Six Online practical 40%
Blackboard/Tutorial Online A-STEP activities 10%

activities
Class activities & In class activities Counts towards
participation 70% attendance
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To be successful in the module you have to
write 2 out of the 3 tests, do 4 out of the 6
practical assignments and complete all your
online A-STEP tutorials.
8.2 ASSIGNMENTS
 You have to do 4 out of the 6 compulsory assignments

 Late submissions will not be accepted.
 All assignments are individual assignments
More detailed assignment information will be made available on Blackboard throughout the
semester. It is each student’s responsibility to ensure that he/she receive everything in time
and ensure that he/she aligns with these expectations
8.3 CALCULATION OF THE FINAL MARK
 The final mark of this module is calculated as follows (see example below):
TEST: best 2 marks PRACTICAL: best 4 A-STEP TUTORIALS: SEMESTER

marks All MARK
50% 40% 10% 100
The calculation of a weighted average is available in the Faculty Important Information Guide
available on Blackboard
Please note: only students with a predicate/semester mark/module mark of 40% and
more will be allowed to sit for the examination.
The nature, contents and arrangements regarding the module examination will be explained
during the last theoretical class of the semester.
It is the responsibility of the learner to make sure of the date, time and place for the module
examination.
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All work covered in the module will be evaluated during the examination.
If you do write the module examination, your final mark will be calculated based on the module
mark (50%) and your exam mark (50%). A final mark of at least 50 percent is required to pass
this course.
9. DEPARTMENTAL G UIDELINES
Plagiarism (knowingly representing someone else’s work as your own) is an offence under the
copyright law (Act 98 of 1978). This also includes copying from the Internet and representing
it as your own work. To avoid any charge of plagiarism, acknowledge all the sources according
to the guidelines on Harvard referencing.
No form of plagiarism will be tolerated by the Department of Communication Science.

Assignments which include plagiarised material will be handed over to the Vice-Dean: Student
affairs.
To avoid plagiarism, acknowledge the source of any idea, quotation, phrase, illustration,
diagram or paragraph you use in your assignment.
Do not copy sentences or phrases word-for-word from any article, book or any other source.
Never use sentences, phrases, paragraphs or full text that you had copied and pasted from
the Internet in your assignments.
Verbatim use of sentences or phrases must be acknowledged by the use of quotation marks,
as well as a correct citation of the source used.
You do not need to reference when:

 You are writing your own observations, own thoughts or insights, or offering
your own conclusions on the subject.
 You are using information judged to be common knowledge.
Assignments must include a full reference list giving all sources used and cited in the text.
Plagiarism regulations that applies in the
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Department of Communication Science
Definitions
Plagiarism implies:
 Direct duplication of the formulation and insights of a source text with the intention of
presenting it as one’s own work.
Academic writing misconduct implies:
 cribbing in tests and examinations;
 collusion and fabrication or falsification of data;
 deliberate dishonesty;
 purchasing assignments, dissertations and/or theses on the Internet and presenting
such documents as one’s own work;
 presenting the same work for more than one course or in consecutive years; and
 the submission of another person’s work as one’s own original work.
Student statement:
I have read the University’s Policy on the Prevention of Plagiarism and Dealing with Academic
Writing Misconduct:
(http:www.ufs.ac.za/faculties/documents/H1/HD1/policies/Plagiarism_Prevention_Policy.pdf)
.
I understand that I must:
 abide by all the directives of this Policy, the Assessment Policy, course guides, specific
and general regulations and assessment requirements;
 seek assistance if I am unsure about appropriate citation and referencing techniques;
 accept responsibility for having full knowledge of the Policy;
 submit only my own work for any form of assessment, except where:
- the work of others is appropriately acknowledged; and
- the assessor/moderator has required, or given permission for, group or
collaborative work to be submitted;
 refrain from intentionally or negligently deceiving the reader by presenting my own
work from being copied by another student, who may or may not have an intentional
or negligent aim to deceive the reader; and
 be aware that according to the Policy, measures for all Level Four violations and
repeated Level One, Two and Three violations are reported and investigated in
accordance with the UFS Statute on Student Discipline (see Chapter XII, pp50-58).
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10. TIPS FOR TESTS AND E XAMS
Tips on answering multiple choice questions:
 Read the question before you look at the answer.

 Come up with the answer in your head before looking at the possible answers, this
way the choices given on the test won't throw you off or trick you.
 Eliminate answers you know aren't right.
 Read all the choices before choosing your answer.
 If there is no guessing penalty, always take an educated guess and select an answer.
 Don't keep on changing your answer, usually your first choice is the right one, unless
you misread the question.
Tips and strategies on how to take a test with short answers.
 Use flashcards; write the key terms, dates and concepts on the front and the
definition, event, and explanations on the back.
 Try to anticipate questions that will be asked on the test and prepare for them.
Usually what your instructor emphasizes in class will be on the test.
 Try not to leave an answer blank. Show your work/write down your thoughts, even if
you don't get the exact answer, partial credit is usually awarded.
 If you don't know the answer, come back to it after you finish the rest of the test and
make an educated guess. Other parts of the test may give you clues to what the
answer may be.
 If you can think of more than one answer for a question, ask the instructor what to do.
 Read the question carefully and make sure that you answer everything that it asks
for. Some short answer questions have multiple parts.
Tips and strategies on how to take an essay test.
 Read the directions carefully. Pay close attention to whether you are supposed to
answer all the essays or only a specified amount (e.g. "Answer 2 out of the 3
questions).
 Make sure that you understand what the question is asking you. If you're not, ask
your instructor.
 Make sure that you write down everything that is asked of you and more. The more
details and facts that you write down, the higher your grade is going to be.
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 Budget your time, don't spend the entire test time on one essay.
 If the question is asking for facts, don't give your personal opinion on the topic.
 Focus on one main idea per a paragraph.
 If you have time left at the end, proofread your work and correct any errors.
11. LEARNING UNIT GUIDE
11.1 UNIT 1 – ESSENTIALS OF INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
11.1.1. UNIT OVERVIEW
By the end of the unit on Essentials of Interpersonal communication students will be able to
interpret the process of human communication and person perception by preparing for class,
attending all classes (main stream and A-STEP), taking part in class and online discussions.
 Class preparation for Unit 1a – Human Communication:
Read Chapter 1 in your textbook. It is called “The process of human communication:

Chapter 1 from Human Communication, South African Edition by Tubbs, Moss,
Papastefanou, 2012” It starts on page 1 and ends on page 23 of your textbook.
 Class preparation for Unit 1b – Person Perception:
Read Chapter 2 in your textbook. It is called “Person perception: Chapter 2 from

Human Communication, South African Edition by Tubbs, Moss, Papastefanou,” It
starts on page 24 and ends on page 43 of your textbook.
11.1.2. LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES
For unit 1 you will have 2 hours of class time and 2 A-STEP classes. You will have to spend
at least 16 hours at home reading for this unit.
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Your first online practical will be about unit 1 and unit 1 will also form part of your first test.
11.1.3. UNIT SPECIFIC CONTENT
 The following chapters in the prescribed textbook will be relevant to this unit – chapter
1 and 2 (see outline above). This book must be purchased.
 In addition to the textbook, there will also be following of additional study and reading
material to study. This material can be made available on Blackboard.
 Diligent students who wish to make a deeper study than is required for examination
purposes may wish to consult the following material
11.2 UNIT 2 – INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS IN ACTION
By the end of the unit on Interpersonal communication skills in action students will be able to
apply verbal, non-verbal and listening skills by preparing for class, attending all classes (main
stream and A-STEP), taking part in class and online discussions and applying knowledge to
case studies.
Class preparation for Unit 2a – Verbal communication:
Read Chapter 3 in your textbook. It is called “The verbal message: Chapter 3 from
Human Communication, South African Edition by Tubbs, Moss, Papastefanou, 2012”
It starts on page 44 and ends on page 64 of your textbook.
 Class preparation for Unit 2b – Non-verbal communication:
Read Chapter 4 in your textbook. It is called “The non-verbal message: Chapter 4 from
Human Communication, South African Edition by Tubbs, Moss, Papastefanou, 2012”
It starts on page 65 and ends on page 90 of your textbook.
 Class preparation for Unit 2c – Listening:
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Read Chapter 5 in your textbook. It is called “Listening: Chapter 5 from Human
Communication, South African Edition by Tubbs, Moss, Papastefanou, 2012” It starts
on page 91 and ends on page 107 of your textbook.
Your second and third online practical will be about unit 2 and unit 2 will also form part of your
first and second test.
3, 4 and 5 (see outline above). This book must be purchased.
11.3 UNIT 3 – COMMUNICATION CONTEXTS
By the end of the unit on Communication contexts students will be able to analyse the different
communication contexts by preparing for class, attending all classes (main stream and A-
STEP), taking part in class and online discussions and applying knowledge to real-life
situations.
Class preparation for Unit 3a – Relational communication:
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Read Chapter 6 in your textbook. It is called “Interpersonal communication: Chapter 9
from Human Communication, South African Edition by Tubbs, Moss, Papastefanou,
2012” It starts on page 108 and ends on page 129 of your textbook.
 Class preparation for Unit 3b – Small group communication:
Read Chapter 7 in your textbook. It is called “Small-group communication: Chapter 11

2012” It starts on page 130 and ends on page 153 of your textbook.
 Class preparation for Unit 3c – Public Communication:
Read Chapter 8 and 9 in your textbook. It is called “Public communication: Chapter 12

2012” and “Speaking in Public: Chapter 1 from The Art of Public Speaking, 12th Edition
by Lucas, 2015” It starts on page 154 and ends on page 206 of your textbook.
 Class preparation for Unit 3d – Mediated communication:
Read Chapter 10 in your textbook. It is called “Mediated Communication and Social

Media: Chapter 7 from Experience Communication by Child, Pearson, Nelson, 2015”
It starts on page 206 of your textbook.
Your fourth, fifth and sixth online practical will be about unit 3 and unit 3 will also form part of
your second and third test.
6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 (see outline above). This book must be purchased.
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12. APPENDIX A: MODULE JOURNEY M AP
13. APPENDIX B: GENERAL READING GUIDE TEMPLATE
The following activities will help you understand and remember what you have read.
1. Look at the heading of the chapter or article and complete the first two columns of the
following table:
What do I know about this What do I want to know about What have I learned from the
topic? Write down the key this topic? chapter or article?
words in this column.
2. What information do you predict will be in this chapter? Write down two or three facts
that you are expecting to read in the text.
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
3. Survey the whole text (chapter or article). This means that you look over the text, read
all the headings and sub-headings; look at all the graphs, tables and illustrations. What
information do you get from these? Tell your partner what you have learned from these
visuals.
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
4. Turn each of the headings and sub-headings into questions. Write them down below.
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
5. Now read the text carefully. Try and answer the questions you have written down above,
after you have read the text.
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
6. When you have completed the reading of the text, fill in the last column of the chart in
Question 1: What have I learned?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
1|Page

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Department of

Table 1: Icon Library ........................................................................................................... 2

Welcoming message and lecturer information

Indicates activities and resources made available on Blackboard.

Credits and notional hours relevant to the module.

Indicates an activity to be completed on your own (Preparation). You

Unit specific content for the module.

The roadmap that contextualises (puts into perspective) the different

An indication of an important reminder/cautionary from your lecturer to

Assessment questions and opportunities.

Unit specific assessment criteria.

Indicates a learning unit.

Learning unit outcomes for a specific unit.

Purpose of the learning unit

Welcome to COM 1514, focusing on Interpersonal Communication! I am Rentia Engelbrecht

Head of Department: Prof Mili Rivera

Office number: TLG 208

Email address: riveram@ufs.ac.za

Phone number: 051 401 9765

Consulting hours: To be announced on Blackboard

MODULE COORDINATOR & LECTURER MAIN CAMPUS

Lecturer: Rentia Engelbrecht

Office number: TLG 213

Email address: Engelbrechte2@ufs.ac.za

Phone number: 051 401 3480

Consulting hours: To be announced on Blackboard

TEACHING ASSISTANT MAIN CAMPUS

Teaching assistant: Jolandi Bezuidenhout

Office number: TLG 204

Email address: BezuidenJ@ufs.ac.za

Phone number: 051 401 9901

Consulting hours: To be announced on Blackboard

Teaching assistant: Avela Ntsongelwa

Office number: TLG 215

Email address: NtsongelwaA@ufs.ac.za

Phone number: 051 401 2867

Consulting hours: To be announced on Blackboard

TEACHING ASSISTANT MAIN CAMPUS

Teaching assistant: Ursula Kamanga

Office number: TLG 215

Email address: KamangaUB@ufs.ac.za

Phone number: 051 401 2867

Consulting hours: To be announced on Blackboard

LECTURER QWAQWA CAMPUS

Lecturer: Dr Diana Breshears

Office number: To be announced

Email address: BreshearsDL@ufs.ac.za

Consulting hours: To be announced on Blackboard

FACILITATOR QWAQWA CAMPUS

Facilitator: Eleanor Bernard

Office number: To be announced

Email address: BernardEJ@ufs.ac.za

Consulting hours: To be announced on Blackboard

LECTURER SOUTH CAMPUS

Lecturer: Stefan Lotter

Office number: D51

Email address: lotters@ufs.ac.za

TEACHING ASSISTANT SOUTH CAMPUS

Teaching assistant: Molebogeng Motseke

Office number: D51

Email address: MotsekeMS@ufs.ac.za

Consulting hours: To be announced on Blackboard

Facilitator: Hannes Visser

Email address: hannes@groupeditors.co.za