PD3: Communication focuses on the nature and function of communication in the workplace.
The style and medium of communication used on the job can change quickly as coworkers move between casual conversations, email threads and formal meetings in the space of just a few minutes. What does it mean to be a great communicator in each of those arenas? If you take PD3, you are better equipped to answer that question.
What will you do in PD3?
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Learn to adapt communication methods based on the audience and purpose of the message.
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Cultivate skills for resolving conflict and communicating with coworkers in a succinct, open and persuasive manner.
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Identify opportunities, strategies and tools for improved communication.
Grading information
To pass PD3, you must satisfy both requirements below:
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earn an overall grade of at least 50% on Assignments 1 - 4 (plus any bonus opportunities)
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receive a minimum of 50% on the Major Reflective Report
If you have a question about grading in PD3, contact the course team.
Course instructor
Andrew McMurry
Dr. McMurry is an associate professor in the department of English Language and Literature at the University of Waterloo. His primary teaching duties are in the Rhetoric and Professional Writing program at the undergraduate level, and in the Rhetoric and Communication Design program at the graduate level. He regularly teaches courses on environmental discourse, new media, rhetorical criticism, semiotics, and writing.
Dr. McMurry received his PhD in English from Indiana University, where he was able to combine his continuing interest in the life sciences with the study of language and literature, culminating in a dissertation supervised by Cary Wolfe. Many of the ideas he developed in that work went into his book, Environmental Renaissance.
Student testimonials
For me, I am big on communicating and I was able to relate course content to things I saw on a daily basis in the workplace, which meant I was able to understand more of the real-life application.
I learnt about aspects of communication I never considered, as well as reflected on my own skills.