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Communication Theories in Counselling

Course developer

Course abstract

The study course promotes development and evaluation of knowledge and skills on the philosophy of communication, its nature, types and functions, peculiarities of information perception, delivering and understanding. Students develop understanding on variety of communication and its models. An accent is put on listen and hear differences, skills to deliver a message, informative, critical and emphatic listening, conflicts, their types and solving, informative and persuasive speech, peculiarities of a dialogue making and communication with clients of various cultures. The students develop knowledge and share experience on team work and arrangement of corporative nets establishing contacts with various (informative and support) services and individual persons, on co-operation skills with various target groups. An accent is put on the following communicative skills: effective communication/contacts with colleagues or clients by means of the appropriate language level, verbal and non-verbal communication elements, usage of interface and co-operation knowledge. The students develop reflection methods for the career guidance. The students demonstrate skills of analysis, synthesis and evaluation of theoretical conclusions in coherence with the results of practical assignments. One public presentation according to previously worked out criteria which are discussed in a group is at the end of the course.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge: to comprehend, analyse and evaluate nature of communication, philosophical conceptions, communication theories, models, types of communication and a dialogue (particularly on attitude, making of questions and answers) with representatives of various ages, cultures and social groups; interface and co-operation with social partners and clients, communication in groups, performance and usage of didactical methods, making of teams and its work peculiarities - an independent work.
Skills: to communicate with the purpose to promote positive interface and deeper understanding of clients career development; to evaluate communication theories important for researches and practical activities; to make a dialogue; to have a team making skills and evaluate its work peculiarities; to use reflection methods in the development of career guidance – practical works.

Competence: able to communicate in various situations in order to promote positive interface and deeper understanding of clients career development; to be able to make and keep a dialogue with representatives of various ages, cultures and social groups; to be able to evaluate an impact of one’s own communication in work situations basing on usage of communication theories/cognitions in practice; to be able to make contacts and co-operate with social partners and clients; to be able to make a team and work in it according to its work peculiarities; to be able to speak in front of various audiences outlining information appropriately; to be able to develop one‘s competence and create innovative solutions as a career counsellor – an independent work (a presentation).

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Communication philosophy, its nature and types – 2 h.
2. Communicative competence required for a carrer counsellor and communication models – 2 h.
3. The nature of the small social group, its functions and dynamics – 2 h.
4. Productive listening. Listen and hear diferences, a skill to give and receive information; informative, critical and emphatic listening – 2 h.
5. Informative and persuasive speech, special features of making a dialogue – 2 h.
6. Conflicts, their types and solving of them – 2 h.
7. The nature of the small social group, its functions and dynamics – 2 h.
8. Cultural dimensions; peculiarities of intercultural communication and the analysis of professional situations in a multicultural environment – 2 h.
A quiz: explained the importance and opportunities of communication in the work of the career counsellor and cultural dimensions.
9. The nature of verbal and non-verbal communication, elements, types, functions and barriers - 2 h.
10. The nature of charisma, its elements and development opportunities – 2 h.
11. Speaking in front of the audience: demands for verbal and non-verbal communication – 2 h.
12. Time nanagement and time perspective; reduction of procrastination in the work of the career counsellor – 2 h.
13. Usage of reflection methods in the work of the career counsellor – 6 h.
14. Making of the brand in Linkedin, writing of the cover letter and making of the portfolio - 4 h.
An independent work: speaking in front of the audience on one of the themes demonstrating deeper understanding and presentation skills.

Requirements for awarding credit points

80% lecture attendance, successful assessment of independent works and practical works

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

The independent work. Deeper understanding of one of the determined themes and presenting skills (speaking in front of the audience with a presentation).

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The assessment of the study course examination/test mark depends on the cumulative evaluation of the quiz, independent work and practical works.
The assessment of the independent works and practical works take place in accordance with the criteria laid down there in.
The examination mark is the arithmetic mean among independent and practical works assessments.

Compulsory reading

1. Karjeras attīstības atbalsts. Z.Anspoka, D.Apse, A.Ķirse, L.Mackēviča, I.Miķelsone, E.Oļehnoviča, I.Soika, G.Strods. Rīga: Valsts izglītības attīstības aģentūra, 2008. 319 lpp.
2. Amundsons N. Aktīvā iesaistīšanās. Rīga: VIAA, 2016. 348 lpp.
3. Apele A. Prasme runāt publiski. Rīga: Zvaigzne ABC, 2011. 135 lpp.
4. Apsalons, E. Komunikācijas kompetence: Kā saprasties un veidot attiecības. Rīga: Zvaigzne ABC, 2013. 304 lpp.
5. Cavoulacos A., Minshew K. The New Rules of Work. London: Orion Spring, 2017. 328 p.
6. Gamble T.K., Gamble. Communication works. 11th ed. New York : McGraw-Hill, 2013. 512 p.
7. Dainton M., Zelley E.D. Applying Communication Theory for Professional Life. A Practical Introduction. London: Sage Publications, 2005. 250 p.
8. Edeirs Dž. Efektīva komunikācija: Vissvarīgākā vadības mākslas metode. Rīga: Asja. 1999. 259 lpp.
9. Johnson D.W., Johnson F.P. Joining Together: Group Theory and Group Skills. 11th Edition. Prentice Hall, 2012.
10. Kabāne O.F. Harismas mīts. Rīga: Zvaigzne ABC, 2017. 288 lpp.
11. Kupčs J. Saskarsmes būtība. Saskarsmes psiholoģija. Rīga: Zvaigzne ABC, 1997. 72 lpp.
12. Ozoliņa A., Vidnere M. Intervēšanas prasme. Rīga: RaKa, 2012. 97 lpp.
13. Pīzs A. Ķermeņa valoda. Rīga: Jumava, 2006. 414 lpp.

Further reading

1. Adler R.B., Rodman G. Understanding Human Communication. 7th edition. USA: Harcourt College Publishers, 2000. 429 p.
2. Agejevs V. Semiotika. Rīga: Jumava, 2005. 208 lpp.
3. Bohm D. On Dialogue. NY: Routledge, 2013. 144 p.
4. Byram M. Assessing Intercultural Competence in Language Teaching. Sprogforum, No. 18, Vol. 6, 2000, pp. 8-13.
5. Hantingtons S. F. Civilizāciju sadursme. Rīga: Jumava, 2012. 376 lpp.
6. Kincāns V. Etiķete sadzīvē, lietišķajos kontaktos, starptautiskajās attiecībās. Rīga: Elpa-2, 2000. 190 lpp.
7. Omārova S. Cilvēks runā ar cilvēku. Saskarsmes psiholoģija. Rīga: Kamene, 1996. 126 lpp.
8. Omārova S. Cilvēks dzīvo grupā. Sociālā psiholoģija. Rīga: Kamene, 1996. 172 lpp.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Communication Models and Theories. Pieejams: http://www.praccreditation.org/secure/documents/APRSG_Comm_Models.pdf

2. Resursi mācīšanai un vadīšanai. Pieejams: https://www.metodes.lv/

Notes

Study course in the full-time studies of the professional higher education master's study program "Career Consellour" in the 2nd semester