Teaching plan for the course unit (Short version)
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General information

 

Course unit name: Communication Techniques and Professional Orientation

Course unit code: 363705

Academic year: 2025-2026

Coordinator: Eduardo Resbier Grabulos

Department: Department of Sociology

Credits: 6

Single program: S

Estimated learning time

Total number of hours 150

 

Face-to-face and/or online activities

60

-  Lecture with practical component

Face-to-face

60

Supervised project

45

Independent learning

45

Learning objectives

Referring to knowledge Understand how the communication process works, both in interpersonal situations and within team settings. Recognise the main barriers to effective communication. Understand how communication practices evolve within an organization or in interpersonal interactions. Understand group and team dynamics Learn how to manage conflicts within a team setting. Know how to instigate effective leadership.   Referring to abilities, skills Improve personal communication skills. Be more effective in conveying messages. Solve basic communication problems. Learn techniques of self-control. Manage a process of effective leadership.   Referring to attitudes, values and norms Adopt a proactive attitude when addressing communication problems, whether personal or professional. Display appropriate behavioural flexibility when dealing with interpersonal challenges.

 

 

Teaching blocks

 

1. Communication

*  This block lays the foundations for understanding interpersonal communication, both in one-to-one interactions and within groups or teams.
Moving from the generic to the specific, this module develops the framework in which a series of core concepts can be introduced: including, assertiveness, conflict management, etc.

2. Influence processes: persuasion and manipulation

*  The module explores different processes of influence and distinguishes between them. Description of different mechanisms.

3. Information gathering

4. Communication systems

5. Emotional intelligence

*  Emotional intelligence is a key transversal skill in people management. Adapting to others, while retaining an awareness of the need for self-control, involves understanding how emotions enhance or hinder the process of communication and change. This understanding is essential for personal development, as well as for the optimization of both personal and professional communication skills.

6. Assertiveness

*  Before individuals can effectively manage interpersonal conflict, they need to master a range of techniques that, rooted in sound communication and emotional intelligence, allow problematic situations to be faced without escalating conflict and without undermining themselves or others. Assertiveness techniques are a key resource in this respect.

7. Interpersonal negotiation

*  In this block, all the basic concepts previously introduced - communication, emotional intelligence and assertiveness, together with negotiation - are drawn on to enable students to manage the various types of conflict that might arise in interpersonal relationships.

8. Conflict management

*  Building on the foundations laid earlier, the different types of conflict a person might encounter in their professional life are identified and guidelines for responding to them are provided. It represents the convergence of all previously acquired interpersonal skills.

9. Leadership and teamwork

*  This module covers two main aspects. Understanding the implications and skills needed to lead both a team and influence one’s co-workers (lateral leadership) and learning how to work as a member of a team. Here, students are required to undertake a study in which they analyse and reflect on how they have worked as party of a team. Detection of strengths and weaknesses, and drawing up of a plan aimed at improving these skills.

10. Integration of course concepts

*  This final module simply aims to integrate all the aspects developed during the course. More than a simple review or summary, the module seeks to provide students with an overview of the concepts and enhance their efficiency by highlighting how they interrelate. The goal is to bolster the idea of cumulative and integrative learning as established from the outset.

 

 

Official assessment of learning outcomes

 

Continuous assessment Continuous assessment consists of two written tests. One covers the entire subject and is worth 70% of the final grade. The other is made up of a series of tasks and is worth the remaining 30%. Failure to sit either of these two tests means the student cannot complete the continuous mode of assessment.  The various tasks are to be completed either via the Virtual Campus or in class. Students must submit at least 70% of these tasks.   Examination-based assessment The single mode of assessment consists of a multiple-choice examination to be taken on the date set by the Academic Board. This exam tests the students’ level of understanding and ability to apply the concepts taught on the course. In following the course, students are required to read the corresponding pages in the textbooks recommended for each topic. Repeat assessment follows the same procedures as that of the single mode.

Reading and study resources

Check availability in Cercabib

Book

ACOSTA VERA, José. Gestión eficaz del tiempo y control del estrés. Madrid: ESIC, 2012

Catàleg UB  

BARKER, Alan. Cómo dirigir reuniones. Barcelona: Gedisa, 2008

Catàleg UB  

BORRELL i CARRIÓ, Francesc. Cómo trabajar en equipo y relacionarse eficazmente con jefes y compañeros. Bilbao: Gestión 2000, 2008

Catàleg UB  

BRETON, Philippe. Argumentar en situaciones difíciles : qué hacer ante un público hostil, las afirmaciones racistas, el acoso, la manipulación y las agresiones en todas sus formas. Barcelona: Paidós, 2005

Catàleg UB  

CASTANYER MAYER-SPIESS, Olga. La Asertividad : expresión de una sana autoestima. Bilbao : Desclée de Brouwer, 2011

Catàleg UB  

CASTANYER MAYER-SPIESS, Olga. ¿Por qué no logro ser asertivo?. Serendipity, Bilbao, 2010

Catàleg UB  

LEIBLING, Mike. Coaching--paso a paso : métodos que funcionan. Barcelona: Gestión 2000, 2004

Catàleg UB  

MANUEL DASÍ, Fernando. Técnicas de negociación: un método práctico. 7ª ed. Madrid : ESIC, 2011

Catàleg UB  

MONTES ALONSO, María Jesús. Selección de personal. La búsqueda del candidato adecuado. Vigo: IdeasPropias Editorial, 2006

Catàleg UB  

MUÑOZ, Manuel. Entrenamientos en inoculación del estrés. Madrid : Síntesis, 2001

Catàleg UB  

PALOMO VADILLOS, María Teresa. Liderazgo y motivación de equipos de trabajo. 8º ed. Pozuelo de Alarcón : ESIC, 2013

REDORTA, Josep. Cómo analizar los conflictos : la tipología de conflictos como herramienta de mediación. Barcelona: Paidós, 2009

RESBIER GRABULÓS, Eduardo. ComunicAcción. Barcelona : Ediciones Gráficas Rey, 1997

SOLER ANGLÈS, María Rosa. Mentoring : estrategia de desarrollo de recursos humanos. Barcelona : Training Club : Gestión 2000 : Epise, 2003