Partial Syllabus for SP 430 Advanced Speaking and Listening Skills

Gisele Tierney - Email: tierneyg@pdx.edu
(503) 725-3269 NH 35

Sp 430/530 ADVANCED SPEAKING AND LISTENING SKILLS
Advanced work in the theory and practice of effective speaking and listening, employee and client relations, and competency assessment. Addresses characteristics that differentiate effective from ineffective communication. Develop and implement a model for communication skill building through behavior modification.

Course Objectives:

Objective One - Observe and assess your speaking and listening skills in personal, social and work contexts. You will complete extensive communicator self-assessments in which you will identify your speaking and listening strengths (skill areas you feel confident about and would like to maintain) and weaknesses (skill areas you would like to improve upon).

Objective Two - Possibly, maybe, perhaps, improve a skill or two! Based on Objective One and utilizing basic elements of behavior modification, you will participate in specific skill building exercises.

Objective Three - Study the characteristics, notions and ideals involved in effective and ineffective communicating, also called competent and incompetent communication.


We are going to apply the course objectives to the following skill areas in lecture, discussion, behavioral assessments, and skill building exercises:

Skill areas in the workplace will include:

• use/impact of assertive; aggressive; passive-aggressive and passive communication approaches
• social diversity issues: practices, concerns, management, etc.
minor to major decision-making

• interpersonal influence (use of power bases), hierarchies/status
• approaches to managing various types of conflict
• the balance between task and interpersonal needs, and between personal and work needs
• practicing self-care, the balance between personal and work needs
• practicing honesty
• attitude about commitment, particularly as it is expressed in behavior
• dealing with difficult people and/or situations
• relationships between co-workers, teams, employers/employees, customers or clients, permanent & temporary work groups, etc.

• use/impact of assertive; aggressive; passive-aggressive and passive communication approaches
• interpersonal influence (use of power bases)
• intrapersonal and interpersonal "needs" and "wants" attainment
• creating speaking and listening "ready" environments, incl. practicing self-care
• practicing honesty
• identifying, establishing and maintaining communication boundaries
• realistic goal setting for communication changes
• development of a cooperative climate conducive to behavioral change
• approaches to managing various types of conflict
• distinguishing between types of speaking and types of listening
• determining levels of satisfaction
• attitude about commitment, particularly as it is expressed in behavior
• relationships between intimates, family, friends, in social groups, neighbors, etc.