Communications (COMM) 100
Introduction to Research and Study Skills (Revision 3)
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Delivery Mode: Individualized study online
Credits: 3
Area of Study: Applied Studies
(Business and Administrative Studies)
Prerequisite: None
Faculty: Faculty of Business
COMM 100 is not available for challenge.
**Note: Students registering in grouped study mode are advised that there may be some differences in the evaluation and course materials information indicated below. To obtain the most up-to-date information, contact the Faculty of Business Student Support Centre at 1-800-468-6531.
Overview
Communications 100 is designed to help you improve the academic skills you need to be a successful university student. The course teaches planning and time management skills, strategies for critical thinking, online research skills and information literacy, methods to improve reading and note-taking, and how to write better research papers and be prepared to do well on tests and exams. You are encouraged to understand yourself as a critical learner, as you reflect on what you are learning, actively participate in academic culture, and engage in critical inquiry. Your learning in this course will help you in your future studies, in your work, and in life in general as you identify problems and seek solutions to them.
Outline
Unit 1: Getting the Most Out of Your Education
- Lesson 1: Distance and Online Learning and Higher Education
- Lesson 2: Understanding Yourself as a Learner
- Lesson 3: Time Management
Unit 2: Being a Critical Learner
- Lesson 4: What Does It Mean to Be Critical?
- Lesson 5: What Does It Mean to Be Information Literate?
Unit 3: Using Libraries and the Internet for Research
- Lesson 6: Beginning a Research Writing Project
- Lesson 7: Evaluating Sources
- Lesson 8: Finding Sources
Unit 4: Active Reading and Effective Note-taking
- Lesson 9: Active Reading Strategies
- Lesson 10: Effective Note-taking Strategies
Unit 5: Research Writing
- Lesson 11: Writing as Process and Conversation
- Lesson 12: Intellectual Honesty
Unit 6: Memory and Test-taking
- Lesson 13: Memory Techniques
- Lesson 14: Strategies for Tests and Examinations
Evaluation
To receive credit for COMM 100, you must complete all four assignments, participate in class discussions, and complete all six end-of-unit online quizzes. A pass will be awarded only if all of these conditions are satisfied and you achieve an overall grade of at least D (50 percent) on the entire course. There is no final examination for this course. The credit weighting for each component is as follows:
| Activity | Weighting |
|---|---|
| Assignment 1 | 10% |
| Assignment 2 | 20% |
| Assignment 3 | 20% |
| Assignment 4 | 30% |
| Online unit quizzes | 9% |
| Discussion | 11% |
| Total | 100% |
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.
Course Materials
Textbook
Ellis, D., Toft, D., & Dawson, D. (2016). Becoming a master student (6th Canadian ed.). Toronto: Nelson. ISBN: 978-0-17-655865-9
Other materials
All other course materials are provided online.
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized-study counterparts.
Opened in Revision 3, October 1, 2015.
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