Communication for Challenging Situations - Summer 26

This course moves beyond core communication mechanics to applying communication skills in interpersonal and professional settings that reflect a culturally complex and global world. Designed for adult learners, this 10-week online, asynchronous course supports workforce preparation and future credential and credit opportunities through PSC’s Credit for Prior Learning and Prior Learning Assessment pathway.

Students will explore communication constructs relative to a variety of audiences and use this knowledge to achieve desired communication outcomes in academic, professional, and interpersonal contexts. Throughout the course, students will examine communication processes such as discussion, dialogue, and debate while developing practical strategies and techniques related to facilitation, conflict resolution, negotiation, mediation, and ethical communication practices. Emphasis is placed on cross-cultural communication, managing difficult conversations, and applying communication skills in collaborative and professional environments.

This self-paced course requires approximately 10 hours of work per week and includes formative checks for understanding throughout the term, culminating in a final applied project that integrates communication strategies and processes in a real-world scenario.

A certificate of completion will be awarded to students who successfully complete the course.

At the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Contrast the differences between interpersonal and professional communications with a variety of audiences.
• Differentiate among communication processes such as dialogue, discussion, and debate in interpersonal and professional settings.
• Select appropriate communication strategies and tactics such as conflict resolution, mediation, and negotiation processes when participating in difficult conversations.
• Apply cross-cultural communication tools to improve communication skills and processes