The University of the West Indies, Mona

The Department’s Levels 2 and 3 English Language Writing and Speech courses emphasise inextricably connected reading, listening, thinking, writing, viewing and speaking in a variety of contexts. More specifically, the courses employ practical means of engaging students in summarizing, analysing, questioning, synthesizing and multi-modal presentation of multiple perspectives garnered from a variety of sources. Language and Ethics (LANG2001) considers the ethical implications of language choices and gives students insights into how they can distinguish ethical and unethical means of communicating in private and public spheres. Critical Analysis of Communicative Events (LANG2003) is designed to enhance students’ competence in processing communicative events such as speeches/lectures, signs, music videos and web sites for the purposes of information gathering, knowledge-making and communication, helping students to graduate as able communicators. The Art of Public Speaking (LANG3001) gives students the advanced communication skills which will enable them to make professional oral presentations in formal contexts. Technical Writing (LANG3003) focuses on students’ understanding and writing of documents designed for effective functioning and advancement of professionals and organizations. Communication in the Workplace: Principles and Practice (LANG3101) promotes students’ understanding of the principles, processes and products of workplace communication and develops their skills in producing such products. 

To be eligible for any of these Levels 2 and 3 courses, students are required to pass at least one Academic Literacies course.

Course Descriptions

LANG2001    LANGUAGE AND ETHICS   

Ethical issues are inherent in writing and speaking, which can influence others either positively or negatively. This course introduces students to the ethical considerations which affect language use.  It provides an overview of theories of ethics, notions of personal and public ethics and issues of ownership such as plagiarism and copyright, as these relate to writing and research. Ethical and unethical arguments are examined and restructured. Ethical considerations in the language of national and international politics and communication across cultures are also addressed.

LANG2003    CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF COMMUNICATIVE EVENTS

Preparing for a degree involves working with communicative events for the purposes of information gathering, knowledge-making and communication. Hence, competence in processing communicative events is of paramount importance to every student.  This course will assist students in all disciplines in investigating, understanding, and explaining communicative events in their environment and the reasons for specific responses to those events

LANG3001    THE ART OF PUBLIC SPEAKING

The purpose of this course is to provide students with skills in the preparation of oral presentations with an emphasis on the delivery – that is, the choice and use of appropriate language, the proper use of the voice (including elocution, pronunciation, and voice projection) and the employment of visual aids.  Students will make frequent presentations, using a variety of discourses, which demonstrate their ability to think critically, to operate within different contexts, to be sensitive to their audience, and to take into consideration ethical concerns when preparing and delivering speeches.

LANG3003    TECHNICAL WRITING

This course is designed for students who wish to develop the ability to design, write and produce technical documents for different organizations, intended for communication within the organization, with other organizations and with the public – operations manuals, company ethics code, safety manuals, manufacturing guidelines, operating procedures, employees’ reports, product reports, etc. The course will address practical skills through its focus on research methods, working in a collaborative technical writing environment, and writing for different media. It will also consider audience considerations, legal principles and cross-cultural issues.

LANG3101 COMMUNICATION IN THE WORKPLACE: PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE (formerly Business Communication/Organisational Communication)

This course is designed to promote students’ understanding and appreciation of the principles, processes and products of business communication; and to develop students’ skills in transnational, informational and persuasive correspondence in a variety of business applications.