SOL25 Communication and Collaboration

• Topics

  The purpose of the course is to develop the students' practical understanding of how to get the best out of themselves and others in collaborative situations. Psychological safety is the course's integrating perspective: students examine why people may hesitate to ask questions, admit mistakes, offer ideas, disagree, or ask for help, and learn how everyday behavior can influence whether others feel able to contribute.

  The course combines research-based perspectives with structured practice. Topics include interpersonal communication; listening, inquiry and perspective-taking; constructive feedback; speaking up and constructive disagreement; self-awareness and behavioral patterns; self-leadership and deliberate development; and reflection on teamwork and collaboration experiences.

• Learning outcome

  Upon completion of the course, the student can:

  Knowledge

  • Explain central concepts and research findings relevant to interpersonal communication and collaboration, including psychological safety, feedback, speaking up, and learning culture.
  • Explain how individual behavior, interaction patterns, and situational conditions can promote or inhibit constructive collaboration.

  Skills

  • Apply relevant concepts to interpret collaboration and communication situations.
  • Use communication practices such as active listening, inquiry, constructive challenge, and clear expression of views in collaborative settings.
  • Give, seek, receive, and use feedback in ways that support learning and collaboration.

  General competence

  • Contribute responsibly to a learning-oriented and psychologically safe climate in group work and other collaborative settings.
  • Reflect critically on experience-based observations in light of research-based knowledge and ethical considerations.

• Teaching

  Teaching is based on experiential learning and self-reflection. Lectures and assigned readings introduce research-based concepts and tools. Students then practice these through structured exercises and cases. Students work in development groups of 4-5 people for substantial parts of the course and use concrete experiences from these activities as material for reflection.

  The course requires active, in-person participation. The course will include individual reflection, peer feedback, and opportunities to test alternative ways of communicating and collaborating.

• Compulsory Activity

  To be eligible for assessment, students must:

  • Complete at least 80% of the teaching sessions, including the first session. Each session consists of a lecture-based component, structured practical exercises, and concluding reflection. A session is counted only if the student is present for the full session and participates in the assigned exercises and reflection.
  • Give feedback on minimum five short individual reflection notes from other students through the tool FeedbackFruits.

  All requirements for course approval must be completed in the same semester and are valid only for that semester.

• Assessment

  The assessment consists of an individual portfolio (80%) and a short oral examination (20%). The components must be passed in the same semester, and students who retake the assessment must retake both the portfolio and oral examination.

  The portfolio consists of at least five individual reflection notes based on course activities and a final reflective paper of approximately 2000 words. Draft versions of the reflection notes are submitted at specified points during the course as part of the portfolio process. Students receive peer feedback on the drafts and may revise and develop them before submitting the final portfolio. In the final reflective paper, the student analyses selected experiences from the course using relevant research-based concepts, reflects on feedback received and actions taken, and formulates a plan for continued individual development.

  The oral examination is conducted in the students’ development groups of 4-5 people and lasts up to 30 minutes per group. Each student responds individually to questions concerning their own portfolio and the application of relevant course concepts to selected experiences. Although the students attend the examination as a group, each student is assessed individually. The oral examination is intended to reinforce learning and verify the student’s ability to reflect on and apply the course content.

• Grading Scale

  Pass - Fail

• Computer tools

  FeedbackFruits.

• Literature

  A selection of research articles and book chapters will be made available through Leganto.

• Retake

  Retake in SOL25 will not be offered during the non-teaching semester (autumn).

  For further information about NHH's retake policy, please see Retake of exams.