CHAPTER 1:
Identifying Foundations of Human Communication
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After studying this chapter, students will be able to:
1. Explain why it is important to study communication.
2. Define communication and describe five characteristics of the communication
process.
3. Explain three communication models.
4. Describe three criteria that can be used to determine whether communication is
competent.
5. Describe the nature of communication in the 21st century.
6. Identify and explain three communication contexts.
7. List and explain five fundamental principles of communication.
TEACHING OUTLINE
I. Why Study Communication?
A. To Improve Your Employability
B. To Improve Your Relationships
C. To Improve Your Health
II. The Communication Process
, A. Communication Defined
1. Communication is about making sense
2. Communication is about sharing sense
3. Communication is about creating meaning
4. Communication is about verbal and nonverbal messages
B. Communication Characteristics
1. Communication is Inescapable
2. Communication is Irreversible
3. Communication is Complicated
4. Communication Emphasizes Content and Relationships
5. Communication is Governed by Rules
III. Communication Models
A. Communication as Action: Message Transfer
1. Source
a. Encoding
b. Decoding
2. Receiver
3. Message
4. Channel
5. Noise
B. Communication as Interaction: Message Exchange
C. Communication as Transaction: Message Creation
IV. Communication Competence
A. The Message Should be Understood
B. The Message Should Achieve Its Intended Effect
C. The Message Should Be Ethical
, V. Communication in the 21st Century
A. Mediated Communication
B. Mass Communication
C. Face-to-Face vs. Mediated Communication
D. Concerns About Mediated Communication
VI. Communication Contexts
A. Interpersonal Communication
B. Group Communication
C. Presentational Communication
D. Applying Communication in Organizational and Health Contexts
VII. Communication Principles for a Lifetime
A. Principle One: Be Aware of Your Communication with Yourself and Others
B. Principle Two: Effectively Use and Interpret Verbal Messages
C. Principle Three: Effectively Use and Interpret Nonverbal Messages
D. Principle Four: Listen and Respond Thoughtfully to Others
E. Principle Five: Appropriately Adapt Messages to Others
CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTION SETS
What is your personal definition of communication?
In other words, what should this class be about?
When employers mention communication skills, to what are they referring?
Are there any jobs that do not require effective communication skills?
Can the study of communication be taught? Why is it important to teach people
effective communication skills?
, Is communication a skill, an art, or a knack? This can lead to the Platonic
criticism of rhetoric. It can also be used to bring in the Greek definition of the
word Techne’ for art; thus, communication may be considered both a skill and an
art.
How will the study of communication directly benefit you?
What are your major worries when communicating with others in a public
speaking, small group, or interpersonal setting?
Will a simple study of communication ideas improve your communication skills?
What else is needed? This can lead to a discussion of applying ideas.
What are some examples of linear communication?
A possible idea for discussion is radio and television. The channel is on and
nobody’s home.
What examples of communication as interaction can you identify? Fax, mail, e-
mail.
What are some examples of transactional communication?
How do YOU see communication? What model would YOU create?
If we spend 80% to 90% of our waking days in some communication activity, when
are we NOT communicating?
This can lead to a discussion of what does and does not count as
communication.
Can a speaker send unconscious messages, if so, what happens to the encoding
process?
In other words, is behavior the same as communication?
Can we truly take back a statement? If so, how? If not, why should we apologize
for transgressions?
What does it mean for communication to have the physical property of matter?
What variables and unknown factors complicate communication? This can lead
to a discussion related to gender, culture, specialization, etc.
Identifying Foundations of Human Communication
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After studying this chapter, students will be able to:
1. Explain why it is important to study communication.
2. Define communication and describe five characteristics of the communication
process.
3. Explain three communication models.
4. Describe three criteria that can be used to determine whether communication is
competent.
5. Describe the nature of communication in the 21st century.
6. Identify and explain three communication contexts.
7. List and explain five fundamental principles of communication.
TEACHING OUTLINE
I. Why Study Communication?
A. To Improve Your Employability
B. To Improve Your Relationships
C. To Improve Your Health
II. The Communication Process
, A. Communication Defined
1. Communication is about making sense
2. Communication is about sharing sense
3. Communication is about creating meaning
4. Communication is about verbal and nonverbal messages
B. Communication Characteristics
1. Communication is Inescapable
2. Communication is Irreversible
3. Communication is Complicated
4. Communication Emphasizes Content and Relationships
5. Communication is Governed by Rules
III. Communication Models
A. Communication as Action: Message Transfer
1. Source
a. Encoding
b. Decoding
2. Receiver
3. Message
4. Channel
5. Noise
B. Communication as Interaction: Message Exchange
C. Communication as Transaction: Message Creation
IV. Communication Competence
A. The Message Should be Understood
B. The Message Should Achieve Its Intended Effect
C. The Message Should Be Ethical
, V. Communication in the 21st Century
A. Mediated Communication
B. Mass Communication
C. Face-to-Face vs. Mediated Communication
D. Concerns About Mediated Communication
VI. Communication Contexts
A. Interpersonal Communication
B. Group Communication
C. Presentational Communication
D. Applying Communication in Organizational and Health Contexts
VII. Communication Principles for a Lifetime
A. Principle One: Be Aware of Your Communication with Yourself and Others
B. Principle Two: Effectively Use and Interpret Verbal Messages
C. Principle Three: Effectively Use and Interpret Nonverbal Messages
D. Principle Four: Listen and Respond Thoughtfully to Others
E. Principle Five: Appropriately Adapt Messages to Others
CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTION SETS
What is your personal definition of communication?
In other words, what should this class be about?
When employers mention communication skills, to what are they referring?
Are there any jobs that do not require effective communication skills?
Can the study of communication be taught? Why is it important to teach people
effective communication skills?
, Is communication a skill, an art, or a knack? This can lead to the Platonic
criticism of rhetoric. It can also be used to bring in the Greek definition of the
word Techne’ for art; thus, communication may be considered both a skill and an
art.
How will the study of communication directly benefit you?
What are your major worries when communicating with others in a public
speaking, small group, or interpersonal setting?
Will a simple study of communication ideas improve your communication skills?
What else is needed? This can lead to a discussion of applying ideas.
What are some examples of linear communication?
A possible idea for discussion is radio and television. The channel is on and
nobody’s home.
What examples of communication as interaction can you identify? Fax, mail, e-
mail.
What are some examples of transactional communication?
How do YOU see communication? What model would YOU create?
If we spend 80% to 90% of our waking days in some communication activity, when
are we NOT communicating?
This can lead to a discussion of what does and does not count as
communication.
Can a speaker send unconscious messages, if so, what happens to the encoding
process?
In other words, is behavior the same as communication?
Can we truly take back a statement? If so, how? If not, why should we apologize
for transgressions?
What does it mean for communication to have the physical property of matter?
What variables and unknown factors complicate communication? This can lead
to a discussion related to gender, culture, specialization, etc.
