Course: Communication Skills for Journalists

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Course title Communication Skills for Journalists
Course code KZU/KDMN
Organizational form of instruction Seminar
Level of course Master
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter and summer
Number of ECTS credits 3
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Compulsory-optional
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Foretová Petra, Mgr. Ph.D.
Course content
1. Introductory session: Definition of communication and possibilities for developing communication skills. 2. Interpersonal perception: Determinants of perception, self-understanding, and processes of understanding others. 3. Cognitive and perceptual processes: Mechanisms of perceiving others and typical perceptual errors in interaction. 4. Basic principles of active listening: Active listening as a key communication skill. 5. Principles and techniques of giving and receiving effective feedback. 6. Nonverbal communication: Dimensions of nonverbal cues, recognition, and interpretation of body language. 7. Verbal communication: Basics of persuasion, clarity of expression, and techniques for developing verbal readiness/agility. 8. Multimodality of communication: Verbal and nonverbal components of a message and their analysis in model situations. 9. Basics of group dynamics I: Principles of group interaction, group dynamics, and teamwork techniques. 10. Basics of group dynamics II: Leading and moderating group discussions. 11. Presentation skills I: Fundamentals of creation, logical structure, and goals of a successful presentation. 12. Presentation skills II:Techniques for persuasive delivery, managing stage fright, and effective communication with the audience. 13. Final session: Student project presentations.

Learning activities and teaching methods
Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming), Work with Text (with Book, Textbook), Activating (Simulations, Games, Dramatization), Group work
Learning outcomes
The course is built on the principles of experiential learning and primarily focuses on practicing practical communication skills. Case studies will be examined, with an emphasis on their analysis, and students will independently seek optimal solutions. The seminar will be conducted from a practical perspective using project-based learning, role-playing, training activities (behavioral modeling), workshops, and discussions. The course also includes a theoretical dimension, building on topics covered in communication courses (particularly the Social Communication course).
1. Applies active listening techniques. 2. Applies principles for giving and receiving effective feedback in model situations. 3. Utilizes basic verbal agility techniques in practice. 4. Utilizes conscious body language control in practice. 5. Is able to moderate a basic group discussion. 6. Is able to actively engage in teamwork using knowledge of group dynamics. 7. Prepares and delivers a structured oral presentation using techniques for managing stage fright, persuasive delivery, and audience engagement.
Prerequisites
: Knowledge of key terms in social communication studies

Assessment methods and criteria
Final Report

Conditions for Obtaining Credit: 1. Personal attendance at the seminars. 2. Completion of homework assignments, which will be given before each session. The time spent on these preparations will allow for further development of the topics during in-person sessions. 3. Willingness to participate in class activities and engage in the offered group tasks. The course is primarily designed for students who wish to be actively involved. 4. Fulfillment of partial tasks during in-person sessions. COLLOQUIUM 1. Preparation of a final oral presentation on a selected topic and its delivery to other course participants. The conditions for preparation will be announced at the beginning of the semester in Moodle.
Recommended literature
  • Berne, E., & Nová, G. (2011). Jak si lidé hrají. Praha.
  • Birkenbihlová, V.F. Umění komunikace. Bratislava: Aktuell, 1999..
  • DeVito, J. (2021). The Interpersonal Communication Book, 16th edition.
  • Hargie, O. (2025). The Handbook of Communication Skills. Fifth Edition..
  • Hierhold, E., & Michňová, I. (2008). Rétorika a prezentace. Praha.
  • Janoušek, J. Verbální komunikace a lidská psychika. Praha 2007.
  • Mikuláštík, M. (2003). Komunikační dovednosti v praxi. Praha.
  • VYBÍRAL, Z. (2001). Psychologie lidské komunikace. Praha.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Media Studies - Media Analysis specialization (2019) Category: Journalism, library science and informatics - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Media Studies (2019) Category: Journalism, library science and informatics - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Media Studies - Communication Studies specialization (2019) Category: Journalism, library science and informatics - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Media Studies - Journalism Studies specialization (2019) Category: Journalism, library science and informatics - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Media Studies - Cultural Studies specialization (2019) Category: Journalism, library science and informatics - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -