Book list and suggested reading

Required Reading

1. Roberts, Peter. West Indians & their language. Cambridge University Press,
1998.
2. Simmons-McDonald, Hazel et al. Writing in English: A Course Book for Caribbean Students. Ian Randle Publishers, 1997.
3. Zeuschner, Raymond. Communicating Today: The Essentials. Pearson
Education, Inc., 2003.

Suggested/Supplemental Reading

CAPE Self Study or Distance Learning Guide - Communication Studies
Chaffee John, Thinking Critically, Houghton Mifflin 2003
Evans Desmond, People, Communication and Organisations, Prentice Hall 1990

Other readings will be supplied by the lecturer.

There are also many texts in the libary which are helpful and useful. Please use the catalogue system or ask the Library staff how to identify them.

Texts approved for book reports

1. A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
2. The Mystic Masseur by V. S. Naipaul
3. Crick Crack, Monkey by Merle Hodge
4. Baby Father by Patrick Augustus

Supplemental texts for book reports (if you cannot read any of the above)
1. Midnight Robber by Nalo Hopkinson
2. Loot by Joe Orton
3. Moon on a Rainbow Shawl by Errol John
4. The Children of Sisyphus by Orlando Patterson
5. Cricket in the Road by Michael Anthony
6. The Bridges of Madison County by Robert James Waller
7. Dream on Monkey Mountain by Derek Walcott
8. A State of Independence by Caryl Phillips

The book report format will be supplied by your lecturer.

A summary of the CAPE Communication Studies Syllabus (from the Communications Studies Rules and Regulations handbook)

CAPE Communication Studies Syllabus -A Summary


The qualification will give students a chance to demonstrate their ability to communicate thoughts, emotions, ideas and attitudes effectively. A good grade in this subject will show that a student also understands how people communicate, theories of communication and the relationship of language and communication particularly within the Caribbean context.



A central expectation of the syllabus is that students will be able to “use the structures of English correctly and appropriately, as well as with a degree of elegance” (CAPE Communication Studies syllabus). Developing high levels of competence in English, both in speaking and writing, is at the heart of this the course.


Module 1: Gathering and Processing Information
The main areas covered are
(a) General study skills.
(b) Listening skills.
(b) Comprehension skills for wide range of oral and written material.
(c) Oral summary presentations and summary writing
(d) Critical thinking skills - evaluating arguments and assessing concepts
(e) Using sources and research including data collection methods


Module 2: Language and Community


The main areas covered are
(a) The concept of language
(b) Creole and Creole-influenced languages in the Caribbean
(c) Language and the Caribbean identity and attitudes towards language.
(d) Language in society – development, social, psychological and political
models for language analysis
(e) Communication and technology


Module 3: Speaking and writing


The main areas covered are
(a) Communication theories
(b) Contexts of communication and using the appropriate methods
(c) Organising speaking and writing
(d) Producing a variety of forms of speech and written communication



A full copy of the syllabus can be purchased at Gaymes Book Store. You can get a copy of an extract from the syllabus which gives details of the content of the modules from the Business Copy Centre at College.



We recommend that you have and read the syllabus.

Welcome from the Communication Studies Team (from the Communciation Studies Rules and Regulations handbook)

Dear Student,

Welcome to Communication Studies!

"Communication studies" is the academic discipline that studies communication. Seems quite obvious, doesn’t it? But why does anyone need to study communication? The answer to that question might not be obvious to you now, but that is about to change.

As we become increasingly aware of our place within this ‘global village’ we also become acutely conscious of the need to communicate within ourselves, with others in our immediate sphere and with those beyond our regional borders. Whether we like it or not, people still judge us by our ability to communicate effectively. This is where Communication Studies fits into the picture.

Whether you plan to be a teacher, lawyer, doctor, sales clerk, politician, airline pilot, sports personality or media worker, or if you have not even figured out yet what you want to be, the Communication Studies course will work for you.

The examining body (CXC) says that CAPE Communication Studies ‘integrates, enhances, deepens and broadens language skills already developed in the CSEC English A course.’ However, many of the linguistic concepts to which you will be exposed in Communication Studies will be new material. Having said that, though, this new material will both stimulate you and challenge you to do more with the language skills you have already acquired.

The portfolio, for instance, will definitely expose your creativity. And even though Standard English might not be a spontaneous aspect of your speech repertoire at present, it will become easier by the time we have prepared you for your oral expository presentation.

In addition, we will have you gathering and processing information in a more structured context. We will also have you examining the social, cultural and other factors which have influenced the way we speak. And we will definitely seek to have you investigate, and possibly change, your attitude to language.

The course is assessed internally and externally, with the former accounting for a whopping 20% of your final grade!

And here’s the really great news: should you decide to go to the world-rated University of the West Indies, a good grade in Communication will exempt you from the English course requirement, without which you do not get that certificate. So, need we say more? Welcome, once again, to Communication Studies! We look forward to helping you become a more conscious
communicator; if you do your part you should find this an enjoyable experience.

The Communication Studies Team
Miss Paulette Williams
Miss Jannis Deane
Mrs Clare John
Mr Elsworth Abrams