Full course description
Course Description
Professional Communications is a one semester course that blends written, oral, and graphic communication in a career-based environment. Whether professional or social, all aspects of human interaction rely on effective communication skills. In Professional Communications, students are expected to create professional documents, speeches, and presentations as well as engage in teamwork and public speaking captured in recorded submissions to their instructor.
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)
UTHS courses are designed in alignment to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) which define the skills and content to be taught in each course and grade level in the state of Texas.
Course Topics
- Unit 1: Communicating in Today’s Digital World
- Unit 2: The Communication Process
- Unit 3: The Nonverbal and Listening Side of Communication
- Unit 4: Interpersonal Communication
- Unit 5: The Interview
- Unit 6: Group Dynamics
- Unit 7: Group Purposes
- Unit 8: The Presentation
Course Objectives
Upon completing this course, you will be able to—
- Explore and understand the impact of technology on career choices with a focus on the arts, audio/visual technology, and communications cluster;
- Analyze the elements of the communication process; including social and professional interactions;
- Analyze the importance of ethical and social responsibility in the communication process;
- Analyze types, importance, and usefulness of effective nonverbal strategies;
- Analyze the components of listening and the 4 types: deliberative, critical, empathic, and appreciative;
- Create a cover letter, resume and participate in a successful interview;
- Identify and analyze group purposes, member roles, and leadership styles;
- Analyze how groups solve problems, manage and resolve conflict, and build consensus;
- Prepare and deliver a speech cognizant of audience, purpose, occasion, topic choice, incorporating ideas in an organized fashion that are engaging and logical, and incorporating relevant technology that enhances the presentation;
Required Course Materials
Please visit the Computer Requirements page to view minimum device, internet, and application requirements for all UT High School courses. Generally, a desktop or laptop device five (5) years or newer with access to an office suite, such as Microsoft Office or Google Workspace, will be adequate to participate in most UTHS courses.
Unless otherwise noted, students are responsible for purchasing or securing all the following course materials:
- Textbook: A textbook is not required for this course.
- Interactive Notebook: A paper or digital composition book is acceptable. For paper composition books, please also have the following items on hand:
- Pens or Pencils
- Tape or Glue
Course Organization
Students must complete the course in sequence: You will not be able to access the next unit until all work in the preceding unit is completed. You may take your final exam only after completing all units and submitting all graded assignments.
- Units: Each unit includes multiple lessons and graded assignments as well as ungraded practice quizzes to help you check your understanding of the material.
- Summative Assessments: Each course includes two online, virtually proctored summative assessments testing your understanding of the material presented in the preceding 2-3 Units.
- Format: Online, Multiple-choice
- Time Allowed: 1 hr 30 min
- Final Exam: Each course includes an online, virtually proctored final exam testing your knowledge of all material presented in the course.
- Format: Online, Multiple-choice and free response
- Time Allowed: 3 hrs 20 min
Course Grade Weighting
Your final course grade is calculated by weighting the three assignment groups displayed in the table below:
| Assignment Group | Total Assignments | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Graded Assignments | 12-18 | 50% |
| Summative Assessments | 2 | 25% |
| Final Exam | 1 | 25% |
Online Proctored Exams
All course exams, including both summative assessments and the final exam, must be completed online. Students must test online with Proctorio and are required to add the Proctorio extension to either their Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome browser—installation instructions are provided in the student's course. Proctorio uses a student's computer, web camera, and microphone to record video of both the student and their desktop during the exam. Then, UTHS instructors review the student's exam video data collected by Proctorio. Only authorized UTHS staff and instructors can view the exam recordings. Student data is not shared with any persons or organizations outside of UTHS and are deleted after one year. We encourage you to visit Proctorio's Data Security and Privacy site pages to learn more about how we protect student date.