MLO 3 Relational Communication Skills

MLO 3: RELATIONAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Ability to interact ethically and effectively in interpersonal and group communication and decision-making processes.

What does this mean?

Relational communication skills involve the ability to interact ethically and effectively in interpersonal and group communication and decision-making processes. An awareness of interpersonal, intercultural, small group, and institutional communication dynamics and their impact on decision-making processes is involved. Self-reflexive and nonjudgmental assessment of beliefs, attitudes, and values in their sociohistorical context is involved. Ability to utilize cooperative deliberation practices--including facilitation, negotiation, and mediation--to become well informed of the relevant alternatives, to assess those alternatives, and to explain the assessment to other decision-making participants. Ability to anticipate, respond, and account for consequences of decision to all those affected.

Criteria for Assessment

Does the portfolio demonstrate the ability to identify and describe complex issues or problems requiring a decision-making process?

Does the portfolio demonstrate an awareness of the impact of interpersonal, intercultural, small group, and/or institutional communication dynamics on the decision-making process? Is this awareness incorporated into an understanding and analysis of the issue(s)?

Does the portfolio demonstrate the ability to self-reflexively identify and describe one's own relevant beliefs, attitudes, and values in their sociohistorical context without imposing them onto others?

Does the portfolio demonstrate the ability to identify and describe other decision-makers' relevant beliefs, attitudes, and values in their sociohistorical context without judging them?

Does the portfolio incorporate a cooperative deliberation practice to identify, understand, and assess the range of options available? Are the anticipated consequences of each option carefully considered from the viewpoints of all those affected? Does a win-win ethic undergird the decision-making process? Do the decision-makers provide a means of accountability?

Does the portfolio offer a concrete proposal for action drawn from and reflective of the criteria above?

Pathways
Course-based Assessment

HCOM 304 - Relational Ethics
HCOM 306 - Gender and Communication
HCOM 309 - Intercultural Communication: Relating to Whiteness
HCOM 310 - Free Speech and Responsibility
HCOM 403 - Ethical Issues in the Professions
HCOM 403S- Ethical Issues in the Professions SL
HCOM 412 - Multicultural Conflict Resolution

Independent Assessment
Students submit one writing sample (approximately 15-20 pages in length) fulfilling the above criteria from each of the following groups:

· Individual decision-making situation

· Group decision-making situation

For further information, please see Procedures for Independent Assessment.

MLO 3: Relational Communication Skills Assessment Standards
(A level of 3 is necessary to fulfill the built-in assessment).

5. Exemplary
The portfolio meets all of the criteria stated above. The work demonstrates ethical and effective relational communication skills. A self-reflexive analysis is brought to bear on individual and group decision-making processes, where divergent views are respectfully considered and understood on their own terms. Awareness of the relevant interpersonal, intercultural, small group, and/or institutional communication dynamics is evident and thoroughly incorporated into the analysis. One's own and others' beliefs, attitudes, and values are explicitly identified, respectfully addressed, and considered within their socio-historical context. Cooperative deliberation practices are consistently employed in the production and evaluation of alternative courses of action. Sensitivity to audience and occasion is explicit and incorporated throughout. Concrete proposals for action is well founded, and the means of accountability are evident and explained. Written and oral communication projects are focused, organized, and skillfully presented according to the applicable writing and speaking conventions. Errors in spelling, punctuation, mechanics, and usage are rare.

4. Very Good
The portfolio meets all of the criteria stated above. The work demonstrates ethical and effective relational communication skills. Divergent views are respectfully considered and understood on their own terms in both individual and group decision-making processes. Awareness of the relevant interpersonal, intercultural, small group, and/or institutional communication dynamics is evident and incorporated into the analysis. One's own and others' beliefs, attitudes, and values are explicitly identified, respectfully addressed, and adequately considered. Cooperative deliberation practices are employed in the production and evaluation of alternative courses of action. Sensitivity to audience and occasion is apparent. Concrete proposals for action is well founded, and the means of accountability are evident. Written and oral communication projects are focused, organized, competently presented according to the applicable writing and speaking conventions. Errors in spelling, punctuation, mechanics, and usage do not impede understanding.

3. Satisfactory
The portfolio meets most of the criteria stated above. The work demonstrates ethical relational communication skills. Divergent views are respectfully considered in both individual and group decision-making processes. Awareness of the relevant interpersonal, intercultural, small group, and/or institutional communication dynamics is generally incorporated into the analysis. One's own and others' beliefs, attitudes, and values are for the most part identified, addressed, and adequately considered. Cooperative deliberation practices are generally employed in the production and evaluation of alternative courses of action. Sensitivity to audience and occasion is apparent. Concrete proposals for action is reasonable, and the means of accountability are evident. Written and oral communication projects are focused, adequately organized, and competently presented according to the applicable writing and speaking conventions. Errors in spelling, punctuation, mechanics, and usage do not impede understanding.

2. Needs Improvement
The portfolio meets some of the criteria stated above. The work demonstrates relational communication skills that are marginally ethical and effective. Divergent views are not respectfully considered and may even be underrepresented in either or both of the individual and group decision-making processes. Awareness of the relevant interpersonal, small group, and/or institutional communication dynamics is lacking and/or generally unincorporated into the analysis. One's own and others' beliefs, attitudes, and values are sometimes identified, addressed, and considered. Cooperative deliberation practices are sometimes employed in the production and evaluation of alternative courses of action. Sensitivity to audience and occasion is in question. Written and oral communication projects may need more focus, better organization, and to be more competently presented according to the applicable writing and speaking conventions. Errors in spelling, punctuation, mechanics, and impedes understanding.

1. Needs Considerable Improvement
The portfolio meets only a few of the criteria stated above. The work needs considerable improvement with relational communication skills. Divergent views are disregarded or demeaned in either or both of the individual and group decision-making processes. Awareness of the relevant interpersonal, intercultural, small group, and/or institutional communication dynamics is lacking and/or generally unincorporated into the analysis. One's own and others' beliefs, attitudes, and values may or may not be explicitly identified, addressed, and considered. Cooperative deliberation practices are not employed in the production and evaluation of alternative courses of action. Sensitivity to audience and occasion needs attention. Written and oral communication projects needs better organization, and to be more competently presented according to applicable writing and speaking conventions. Errors in spelling, punctuation, mechanics, and usage impede understanding.