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Introduction to the Specialty and Professional Communication

Course developer

Course abstract

The aim of the study course is to get acquaintaince with the structure and history of Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (LBTU) and the Faculty of Forest and Environmental Sciences
(MVZF), with the structure of study program and regulatory documents, with the information background for studies, specifics of study process in civil engineering and the career options.
Students improve their knowledge, skills and reflection skills on verbal and non-verbal communication, and improve their social competence for client-centered activities. In classes, linking theory with real life, students discuss and justify their opinion; teamwork and creative solutions are promoted in practical classes.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Know about the structure and history of LBTU and MVZF. Have knowledge about course content to acquire during studies, job specifics in civil engineering field, as well as about Information System of the University.
Achieve skills to search and find the information on regulatory documents of LBTU, textbooks and periodicals, have skills for the formatting of the individual works according to VBF methodology.
Achieve competence to gain understanding about the Information System of LBTU, about regulatory documents of studies and construction, about the building design process and about the literature on LBTU and MVZF. Can answer to test questions and develop practical work .
After the course students will have:
1. knowledge of the basic concepts of communication psychology, is able to describe their basic concepts - test; knows the communication processes and their functions, understanding the advantages and disadvantages of communication, give examples of the theoretical aspects of communication -1. homework
2.skills - is able to analyze and use knowledge about the impact of communication (review of video) behavior - 2. homework; speak in front of an audience and create presentations; analyze conflicts, communication barriers and communication styles; understand non-verbal communication, are able to evaluate and adjust, lead the group activity - 3. homework
3. Competences - observes and practically evaluates complex professional communication situations, independently acquires, selects, analyzes and presents information, is able to evaluate and use communication skills in everyday situations, professional activities and personal development; - test work

Course Content(Calendar)

1. The contents of the course, objectives and realization of the course plan (1 h).
2. The constitution of the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (LBTU) and study regulations (2 h).
3. The history of LBTU and museum visit. The history of MVZF. (1 h).
4. Information provision by LBTU IT system (1 h).
5. Undergraduate study program in civil engineering, time schedule, duties and implementation of study program. Career opportunities after graduation (1 h)
6. LLU IS and MOODLE program (E-studies system) (1 h).
7. Mastering of skills in MOODLE program (1 h).
8. Practical work: Overall inspection of existing building (6h).
9. Study tour to LBTU SIA Training Research Farm "Vecauce" (16h)
10. Mastering of skills in formatting of the student individual work. Formatting of report (2h).
11. Skills required and job challenges of civil engineer (3h).
12. Acquaintance with topical construction objects.(4h)
13. Basic concepts of communication psychology - 2 h
Quiz. Basics of communication psychology.-1h
14. Functions and structure of communication - 2 h
15. Types of communication.- 1h
16.Communication barriers -1 h
17. Verbal communication. The importance of listening in communication. Types of listening - 2 h
18. Speaking in front of the audience. Presentations - 2 h
19. Non-verbal communication - 2 h
20. Communication styles - 1 h
21. Interaction with complex personalities - 2 h
22. Resistance to manipulation. Self-assertive communication - 2 h
23. Types of conflicts and conflict resolution strategies - 2 h
24. Business and client-centered communication - 2 h
25. Communication in social groups and teams - 2 h
26. Management of the team. Leaders and managers - 1 h
27. Using interactive and creative methods in decision making - 2 h
28. Reflection and feedback in communication - 2 h
29.Presentation of the 1st homework 3h
Part time extramural studies: All topics specified for full time studies are accomplished, but the number of contact hours is one half of the number specified in the calendar

Requirements for awarding credit points

Test with a mark. Accumulative assessment without additional knowledge test at the end of the study course, summarizing the results of the semester studies:
-Must have attended at least 85% of the classes;
-Practical work "Designing student papers" is included;
-Answers confirming the acquisition of knowledge about the substance to be acquired in the study course;
- Control work;
- 3 Homework credited.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

1.Practical work. Inspection of the construction object (practical work has been developed in accordance with the instructions for drawing up the work of MVZF students)
The 1st homework. Investigation of a complex situation in professional communication (the homework must be presented in the group of students at the end of the course and submitted electronically before presentation)
The 2nd homework. Communication self-study (volume up to 2 pages, submitted electronically)
The 3rd homework. Review of the nature of communication and its impact. (volume up to 1 page, submitted electronically) The 4rd homework. Group, group communication, group activities (volume up to 1 page, submitted electronically)

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The student's final assessment consists of marks on the works:
1. The student's ability to demonstrate the acquired knowledge and skills about the substance to be acquired in the study course (by answering test questions (20%);
2. practical work (25%).
3. 1. homework (25%)
4. 2.homework (10%)
5. 3. homework (10%)
6. Control work (10%)
Homework and quiz are evaluated in accordance with the assessment procedure specified in the homework or quiz.
Each homework and quiz are evaluated in a 10-point grading system, where 10 is the maximum, and 4 is the pass mark.

Compulsory reading

1. “LATVIJAS BIOZINĀTŅU UN TEHNOLOĢIJU UNIVERSITĀTES SATVERSME” pieejams: LBTU pamatdokumenti | LBTU
2. Profesijas standarts PS 2142 05 – ēku būvinženieris
3. Studentu darbu noformēšana. Metodiskie norādījumi. Atkārtots, papildināts izdevums / Sast. U.Kļaviņš u.c. – Jelgava: LLU, 2017. - 46 lpp. Resurss pieejams tiešsaistē: http://llufb.llu.lv/LLU-studiju-materiali/VBF/VBF_Studentu_darbu_noformesana_2017.pdf
4. Dubkēvičs L. Saskarsme audzēkņiem. Rīga: Jumava, 2006. 223 lpp.
5. Herbsts D. Komunikācija uzņēmumā. Rīga: Zvaigzne ABC, 2007. 119 lpp.
6. Omārova S. Cilvēks runā ar cilvēku. Rīga: Kamene, 2006. 130 lpp.
7. Pīzs A. Ķermeņa valoda. Rīga: Jumava, 2006. 414 lpp.
5. Reņģe V. Sociālā psiholoģija. Rīga: Zvaigzne ABC, 2002. 180 lpp.
8. Līkopa V. Lietišķā etiķete starptautiskajā biznesā. Rīga: Zvaigzne ABC, 2007.
9. Pikeringa P. Strīdi,nesaskaņas,konflikti: kā izvairīties no kļūdām to risināšanā un sekmīgi pārvarēt domstarpības. Rīga: Jānis Roze, 2000.

Further reading

1. Egidess A. Saskarsmes labirinti: kā iemācīties sadzīvot ar cilvēkiem. Rīga: Jumava, 2006. 405 lpp.
2. Kozlovs N. Saskarsmes māksla. Rīga: Jumava, 2008. 341 lpp.
3. Efektīva komunikācija. Rīga: Lietišķās Informācijas Dienests, 2006. 160 lpp. Harvard Business Review on. 4. Fosters D. Lietišķā etiķete Eiropā. Rīga: Apgāds "Zvaigzne ABC”, 2005.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Latvijas Būvniecība. ISSN 11691 – 4058
2. The Structural Engineer. London: The institution of structural engineers. ISSN 1466-5123
3. Būvinženieris: Latvijas Būvinženieru savienības izdevums. Rīga: Latvijas Būvinženieru savienība. ISSN 1691-9262.
4. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. American Psychological Association (APA) Print ISSN: 0022-3514. Online ISSN 1939 - 1293. Pieejams EBSCO datubāzēs: http://search.ebscohost.com/
5. Biznesa Psiholoģija. Pieejams: http://www.biznesapsihologija.lv/
6. Social Psychology Network. Pieejams: https://www.socialpsychology.org/

Notes

Compulsory Course for the Professional Bachelor’s study programme “Civil Engineering”