Integrated Communication for Engineering – II (Academic Communication)

Engineering graduates consistently face a gap between technical ability and communication skills, one that limits their capacity to collaborate and lead. This course addresses that gap by building cognitive, linguistic, and foundational communication skills, such as speaking, listening, reading, and writing, that are rarely part of a standard engineering curriculum.

Reading skills developed in the course equip students to locate relevant information, engage with current developments, and acquire new knowledge in a rapidly evolving field. Writing skills enable students to identify debates, articulate viewpoints, and produce clear, coherent academic papers; competencies that transfer directly to professional contexts. The course follows a transdisciplinary approach; writing assignments are completed in collaboration with other courses.

This course consists of four modules. The first module, Foundations of Personal Growth, enables students to discover their personalities and passions through personality tests, learn about their personality styles, conduct a personal SWOT analysis by identifying strengths and weaknesses, and set meaningful goals. The second module, Conversation Competencies, focuses on various conversation contexts, self-introduction, mastering everyday conversations, understanding conversational styles, building personal networks, and developing essential conversation skills. The third module emphasizes teamwork by teaching active listening, collaboration, conflict resolution, and culminates with students working together to complete a mini project. The final module centres on presentation skills, guiding students on how to craft, design, and deliver presentations effectively while highlighting the importance of tone and body language.

By the end of this course, each student will have had the opportunity to:

1. Assess personal strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities using self-assessment tools like personality tests and SWOT analysis.
2. Utilize conversational techniques in formal and informal contexts through structured discussions and debates.
3. Exhibit collaborative problem-solving skills by engaging in team-based activities emphasizing active listening and cooperation.
4. Construct and deliver clear, confident presentations that incorporate effective verbal and non-verbal communication.

By the end of this course, each student will have had the opportunity to:

1. Demonstrate the ability to evaluate their personal qualities and identify areas for growth using assessment tools and SWOT Analysis. | Evaluate
2. Effectively communicate in diverse formal and informal settings by confidently introducing oneself, engaging in meaningful conversations using active listening, adapting communication style to context, and utilizing appropriate verbal and non-verbal cues. | Apply
3. Successfully work together in teams by practicing active listening, resolving conflicts constructively, and applying cooperative problem-solving techniques through the completion of a mini project. | Apply
4. Design and deliver impactful presentations by demonstrating mastery of verbal and non-verbal communication strategies, evaluating audience engagement and adapting delivery for clarity and confidence. | Create

1. Carnegie, Dale (1936). How to Win Friends and Influence People. Simon & Schuster.
2. Patterson, Kerry, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler (2002). Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High. McGraw-Hill.
3. Wilson, E.; Mukhopadhyaya, P. Role of Empathy in Engineering Education and Practice in North America. Educ. Sci. 2022, 12, 420. https://doi.org/ 10.3390/educsci12060420
4. Lencioni, Patrick (2002). The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable. Jossey-Bass. – A foundational book on team dynamics and how to overcome common collaboration pitfalls.
5. Katzenbach, Jon R., & Smith, Douglas K. (1993). The Wisdom of Teams: Creating the High-Performance Organization. Harvard Business Review Press. – A research-based guide to building effective teams in professional settings.
6. Goleman, Daniel, Boyatzis, Richard E., & McKee, Annie (2002). Primal Leadership: Realizing the Power of Emotional Intelligence. Harvard Business Review Press. – Explores how emotional intelligence drives leadership and team cohesion.
7. Duarte, Nancy (2008). Slide: ology: The Art and Science of Creating Great Presentations. O'Reilly Media.
8. Duarte, Nancy (2010). Resonate: Present Visual Stories That Transform Audiences. Wiley.
9. Gallo, Carmine (2014). Talk Like TED: The 9 Public-Speaking Secrets of the World’s Top Minds. St. Martin’s Press.
10. Clark, Dorie (2013). Reinventing You: Define Your Brand, Imagine Your Future. Harvard Business Review Press.

1. Miller, Donald (2017). Building a Story Brand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen. HarperCollins Leadership.
2. Hennessy, Brittany (2018). Influencer: Building Your Personal Brand in the Age of Social Media. Citadel Press.
3. Roman, Kenneth & Raphaelson, Joel (2000). Writing That Works: How to Communicate Effectively in Business.