Master
2021/2022
Effective Communication Strategies for Historians
Category 'Best Course for Career Development'
Category 'Best Course for Broadening Horizons and Diversity of Knowledge and Skills'
Type:
Bridging course (Global and Regional History)
Area of studies:
History
Delivered by:
Department of Foreign Languages
When:
1 year, 1 module
Mode of studies:
offline
Open to:
students of all HSE University campuses
Instructors:
Vladimir Pavlov
Master’s programme:
Global and Regional History
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
5
Contact hours:
40
Course Syllabus
Abstract
Clear and effective communication is currently an indispensable part of a skill set that a successful Master’s student needs to build. The main purpose of this course is to teach future historians how to express their ideas clearly and concisely, orally and in writing, while communicating with other academics in their field (e.g., at international conferences, in discussions with foreign colleagues at other universities, or while taking a university course delivered in English). The students will learn how to structure English written texts properly, how to approach complex academic texts and read them critically, how to prepare an effective presentation and lead an effective discussion, how to participate in group projects, and how to be effective listeners. Since communication is cultural, the course will also look at how cultures affect communicative behaviour and will teach future historians to work effectively with people of various cultural backgrounds (e.g., international students and professors). The course is practical, and the students will be learning from examples of effective communication, followed by tasks, in which they will practice the skills and receive individual feedback from a qualified instructor.
Learning Objectives
- to build skills necessary for successful participation in seminars and for writing papers in English
- to develop effective listening/critical reading skills
- to develop effective oral skills in academic and professional settings
- to develop/improve presentation skills
- to improve academic and professional writing skills
- to improve intercultural communication skills
Expected Learning Outcomes
- The students will develop effective listening/critical reading skills
- The students will develop effective oral skills in academic and professional settings
- The students will develop intercultural communication skills in academic and professional settings
- The students will develop skills necessary for successful participation in seminars and for writing papers in English
- The students will develop/improve academic and professional writing skills
- The students will develop/improve presentation skills
Course Contents
- Professional Communication: Introduction
- Effective listening and reading strategies
- Planning and structuring an effective oral presentation/reports for a seminar or an academic conference in history
- Intercultural communication
- Building effective academic oral skills
- Planning and structuring an effective written paper in history
- Evaluating a Master’s thesis in history
Assessment Elements
- A course project (exam)Completion of 1 more project of student’s choice (50%, may be a group project). The students may choose from the list proposed by the course instructor, or propose their own project within the scope of the course which suits their needs (to be approved by the course instructor). Possible projects: • Preparing an academic presentation (e.g., for a seminar) (may be a group project) • Preparing a poster presentation (e.g., for an academic conference) (may be a group project) • Writing a course paper/essay/proposal (students will receive support with writing a paper assigned by one of their professors) (written) • An intercultural report: students research academic traditions of a country of their choice (e.g., where they are planning to do a semester abroad) and synthesize this information in an oral or written report (oral or written) • A group or individual project proposed by the student(s) (e.g., writing a book or an article review; preparing a peer-review report) (written)
- Writing a course paper/research proposal/a written intercultural report/ other written projects
- An evaluation of a Master’s thesis/dissertation in history
- An oral presentation /poster presentation/ an oral intercultural report /other oral projects
- Tests, quizzes, homework
Interim Assessment
- 2021/2022 1st module0.2 * Tests, quizzes, homework + 0.5 * A course project (exam) + 0.3 * An evaluation of a Master’s thesis/dissertation in history
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- 50 steps to improving your academic writing. Study book, Sowton, Ch., 2012
- Bailey, S. (2017). Academic Writing : A Handbook for International Students (Vol. Fifth edition). London: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1650435
- Novinger, T. (2001). Intercultural Communication : A Practical Guide: Vol. 1st ed. University of Texas Press.
- Randy Charles. (2018). Communication Skills. National Highlights Inc.
- Terttu Orci. (1996). A Guide to Writing a Master’s Thesis.
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- Agarwal, O. P. (2010). Effective Communication: Vol. Rev. ed. Himalaya Publishing House.
- Holliday, A., Hyde, M., & Kullman, J. (2017). Intercultural Communication : An Advanced Resource Book for Students (Vol. Third edition). Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1424446
- Johnson, A. P. (2016). Academic Writing : Process and Product. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1222793