Interpersonal Communication

Description

Communicating successfully depends on effective use of communication strategies and behaviors. Words, facial and body movements, tone of voice, even clothing and situation, all form an intricate symbol system that must be quickly translated by those who want to communicate.

It has been said that there is no communication unless a mutual sharing of meaning takes place. It has also been said that one cannot NOT communicate. These two ideas seem to oppose one another, but they are two sides of the same coin. A smile can have many meanings, but so can silence.

This course will show you how to manage the conscious and unconscious codes of meaning people send to each other and how to respond with appropriate codes in turn. You will explore concepts of verbal and nonverbal expression, including personal style, listening, relationship dynamics, self-esteem, conflict management, and cultural and gender communication differences.



Prerequisites

Prerequisites:

There are no prerequisites to take this course.



What you will learn

  • Understand that basics of communication and how to avoid misunderstandings
  • Learn how language affects reasoning abilities
  • Learn about nonverbal communication and how men and women use it differently
  • Understand cultural identity and how it molds habits of communication
  • Discover the three main characteristics that make up any relationship as well as the stages that all relationships go through
  • Learn how to successfully and efficiently resolve conflicts

How you will benefit

  • Learn to effectively communicate in both casual and professional situations
  • Open the door to enhanced career opportunities as you learn to better communicate with those around you
  • Develop deeper, more meaningful relationships with effective communication and listening skills

Requirements

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

  • This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:

  • PC: Windows 8 or later.
  • Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
  • Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader.
  • Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

  • Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.



Instructor

Laurel Bragstad

Laurel Bragstad combines her understanding of communication theory and human relationships to design curriculum in interpersonal communication, public speaking, journalism, persuasion, and theory and research. With a Master of Arts degree in interpersonal communication and rhetoric, she has taught a wide range of courses to undergraduate and graduate students. Her publications include several articles in ETC: The Journal for the International Society of General Semantics, a chapter in Classroom Exercises for General Semantics (published by the International Society of General Semantics), and a novel entitled In the Comfort of Shadows.



Found the course to be interesting and as an individual in law enforcement, it has helped me communicate much better with people from a diverse background.

Associated Categories

Registration Options

March 15 2023
April 12 2023
May 17 2023
June 14 2023

In partnership with Ed2Go, UCF Continuing Education proudly offers a wide range of online courses where students can interact and learn with their peers while connecting with expert instructors who will answer their questions and provide valuable, timely feedback. Students who complete the Ed2Go courses will receive a certificate of completion from UCF Continuing Education. Courses begin each month and lessons are released every Wednesday and Friday for six weeks. Monthly course start dates can be found by clicking on the register online button below. There is no set time for you to be online to the complete the lessons so you have the flexibility to access the course material at times that work best for you. Each lesson includes quizzes, assignments, discussion areas, supplementary links, and more to help you master your chosen topic. Are you interested in registering for our convenient and affordable course? Click the button below to be redirected to our Ed2Go partner webpage, select your start date, and complete your registration today!