Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE TRS1091

 
TITLE Critical Thinking and Communication

 
UM LEVEL 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 5

 
ECTS CREDITS 4

 
DEPARTMENT Tourism Management

 
DESCRIPTION This study-unit will introduce the student to basic aspects of academic activity including critical thinking, research, writing and presentation skills.

This unit which will be a series of lectures, seminars and workshops will highlight the need for good communication skills in general and communications skills in the tourism discipline. In particular it will cover the areas that are needed in order to be an effective communicator. The areas that will be covered by this study unit include elements of critical thinking, basic verbal and non-verbal communication skills, writing academic essays and writing techniques for different activities. This study-unit will cover the skills required in conducting academic research. Students will also be made aware of the media world around them with special emphasis on tourism topics.

Effective written communication is an essential skill in any profession, and that includes the tourism industry and the culture sector. Some students dread the idea of having to write a report or essay. Others see it as a challenge. The purpose of this study-unit is to eliminate the first response and highlight the second to help the student approach writing with more confidence.

The unit will also highlight the importance of ethical academic behaviour - thus preparing the student for eventual professional code of behaviour.

Like all study-units attendance to lectures is essential. For this study-unit, student attendance is even more important because part of the assessment is reliant on it.

Study-unit Aims:

The main aim of this study-unit is to help the student to make the transition from a post -secondary level student to a tertiary level student, by preparing the student for his/her academic and eventual professional life. It is imperative that students master the skills of verbal, nonverbal and written communication at the early stages of the academic career. The areas covered in this unit will help the student to start mastering the skills of critical thought, effective communication through verbal and written media and non-verbal communication. The unit will also help students produce better reports and essays for their assignments throughout the undergraduate programme. Eventually, better writing skills will make our students more effective in their future work.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Demonstrate the understanding of rigour of academic and eventual professional life;
- Use effectively verbal, written, and non-verbal communication in the appropriate circumstances;
- Demonstrate the ability to conduct library research and internet research effectively;
- Practise ethical academic behaviour.

2. Skills
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Understand the distinction between academic writing and writing work reports;
- Communicate effectively in written reports and essays;
- Communicate verbally and express thoughts coherently and in a democratic way;
- Conduct research using academic and other sources;
- Think critically.

Reading list:

- Chambers, E and A. Northedge (2008) The Arts Good Study Guide (2nd edition). Milton Keynes, UK: Open University Worldwide.
- Cottrell S (2005) Critical Thinking Skills: Effective Analysis, Argument and Reflection. Macmillan Study Skills.
- Roy van den Brink-Budgen (2010) Critical Thinking - Student's Book: 4th edition (How To Books)
- Kirton B. (2011) Brilliant Essay; What you need to do and how to do it. Prentice Hall.
- Redman, P (2001) Good essay writing: a social science guide. Open U.P
- Van Emden, J and Becker, L (2004) Presentation Skills for students.
- Melissa Zimdars & Kembrew Mcleod (Editors) (2020) Fake News: Understanding Media and Misinformation in the Digital Age (Information Policy) Raphael Cohen-Almagor (2021) Just, Reasonable Multiculturalism: Liberalism, Culture and Coercion (Cambridge University Press)
- Mark Anthony Camilleri (2018) The Branding of Tourist Destinations: Theoretical and Empirical Insights (Emerald Publishing)
- Stephen J. Page & Joanne Connell (2009) Tourism: a modern sysnthesis (South-Western Cengage Learning)

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture, Seminar and Workshop

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Written Tasks 1 SEM2 Yes 25%
Written Tasks 2 SEM2 Yes 25%
Written Tasks 3 SEM2 Yes 25%
Written Tasks 4 SEM2 Yes 25%

 
LECTURER/S John Ebejer
Charles Xuereb

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit