Communication Skills: (The Protocol Series)

The NEP-2020 has recommended fundamental changes in the structure of Certificate, Diploma and Degree courses in Agriculture and allied subjects. Several Central State, and Deemed Universities along with colleges and departments of traditional universities offer courses in agriculture. In this context ICAR has recommended skill enhancement training in the first year of the program. It has also recommended certain common courses for all the disciplines and Communication Skills has been listed as one of the common courses for undergraduate agriculture program. The primary objective of the course on Communication Skills is to impart oral, written and group communication skills and familiarize the students with functioning and use of mass media. The course can be divided into four components basics of communication, interpersonal, group and mass communication .Starting with the meaning and significance of communication, the course covers elements, types, and models of communication. At the interpersonal level, listening, feedback and barriers to communication have been covered, followed by types and rules of group discussion. The course also covers topics related to public speaking and presentations. Radio and television production and writing for print media have been included in this course to give an understanding of features of mass media in communication. The Lab Manual on Communication Skills has practical exercises related to these topics. The exercises are easy to administer and require minimal facilities.

Table of Contents:
1. To Get Acquainted with Classmates 2. To Understand Communication Process and Its Elements 3. To Understand the Significance of Non-verbal Communication 4. To Understand the Importance of Paralanguage in Verbal Communication 5. To Practice Giving Appropriate Feedback 6. To Understand the Concept of Perception and Its Role in Communication 7. To Understand Gap in Communication Process 8. To Understand the Characteristics and Limitations of Language 9. To Prepare a Non-Projected Audio Visual Aid (Chart) 10. To Prepare a Non-Projected Audio-Visual Aid (Folder) 11. To Prepare a Non-Projected Audio-Visual Aid (Poster) 12. To Prepare a Projected Audio-Visual Aid (Power Point Presentation) 13. To Practice Group Discussion and Understand the Do and Donts of Group Discussion Process 14. To Practice Case-Based Group Discussion 15. To Practice Group Task 16. To Make Group Presentation 17. To Practice Public Speaking 18. To Practice Giving An Entertainment or Special Occasion Speech 19. To Write A Radio Script for Infotainment Program 20. To Understand Basics of Photography and Practice Taking Good Quality Photographs 21. To Visit a Video Production Facility to Understand the Process and Studio Set up 22. To Understand Shot Sizes in a Video Production 23. To Write a Script for a Short Video Program 24. To Write An Article for a Farm Publication 25. To Visit a Newspaper Organization to Understand Its Structure and Functions

About the Author :
V.L.V.Kameswari is the Professor Head, Department of Agricultural Communication at G.B.Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand. She completed her M.A in Communication from the University of Hyderabad and Ph.D in Journalism & Mass Communication from Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Mass Communication. She has over 30 years of teaching experience at UG and PG levels. She started her career as Lecturer in the Faculty of Communication at IIFM, Bhopal and has taught courses related to communication skills, media production and development communication. She was Fulbright Scholar-in- Residence at the University of Fort Smith, Arkansas, USA. Arpita Sharma: is Assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural Communication, College of Agriculture, GBPUA&T, Pantnagar. Earlier, she was Assistant Professor in Directorate of Extension Education, Anand Agriculture University, Gujarat. She obtained her M.Sc. and Ph.D degree from the Department of Agricultural Communication, College of Agriculture, GBPUA&T, Pantnagar. She got class merit scholarship during her school period, Teaching Assistantship during M.Sc. and UGC-JRF Fellowship in Ph.D. She also received ICSSR Post Doctoral Fellowship. She has cleared ICAR as well as UGC NET. She got best poster, best oral as well as young scientist award in different conferences. Amardeep is Professor (Agricultural Communication) in G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar in Uttarakhand. Having doctorate degree in Development Communication, he has expertise in educational technology and media. As an academician he has vast experience of around 23 years in teaching Undergraduate, Master’s and Ph.D. courses along with design and restructuring of many courses related to communication, extension education, educational technology and media. So far, he has guided 11 Doctoral and 19 Masters theses researches. He has published one book, four edited books, nine chapters in book, 45 research papers in reputed journals and more than 50 popular articles.