Course document
ENGL251 - Communication Skills
Course syllabus, assessment framework, schedule, policies, and learning resources.
Course overview
ENGL251 – Communication Skills prepares students to communicate clearly, ethically, and professionally in contemporary academic and workplace contexts shaped by artificial intelligence, digital platforms, hybrid work, and multicultural collaboration. In the course, students study audience, purpose, tone, context, culture, and channel while applying a three-phase writing process of planning, drafting, and revising. They practice essential forms of workplace communication, including emails, memos, short digital messages, positive and neutral messages, bad-news messages, persuasive and sales messages, presentation materials, teamwork and meeting communication, résumés/CVs, cover messages, interview responses, and follow-up messages. The course also teaches students to evaluate and use AI tools responsibly as support for brainstorming, revision, preparation, design awareness, rehearsal, and reflection without replacing human judgment, accuracy, empathy, or academic integrity. Through lectures, discussion, message analysis, writing workshops, peer review, presentations, and practical assignments, students develop the communication competence needed for professional credibility, career readiness, and ethical participation in AI-supported workplaces.
Instructor and course information
Course coordinator: Walid M Rihane — walid.rihane@liu.edu.lb
Your class instructor will provide their name, university email, class time, classroom, office location, and office hours or appointment arrangements.
Your class instructor will provide their name, university email, class time, classroom, office location, and office hours or appointment arrangements.
Course at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Course | ENGL251 – Communication Skills |
| Core textbook | Communication Skills in the Age of AI: Writing, Speaking, Professionalism, and Career Success in the Modern Workplace |
| Main course hub | ENGL251 Google Site (link to be posted later) |
| Main learning platforms | Google Classroom, ENGL251 Google Site, Google Docs, Google Slides, Gamma.app, ENGL251 CV Generator, ENGL251 Gemini Companion, ENGL251 ChatGPT Companion |
| Assessment profile | Job Interview; Business Presentation; Portfolio; Midterm; Final exam |
| Key skill areas | Professional writing, digital communication, responsible AI use, career communication, professionalism, teamwork, meetings, presentations, and follow-up communication |
Course objectives
- CO1: Analyze professional communication situations by considering audience, purpose, context, culture, tone, channel, and ethical implications in contemporary workplace environments.
- CO2: Apply audience-centered communication principles and systematic planning, drafting, and revising processes to produce clear, concise, ethical, and professional workplace messages using digital and AI-supported tools responsibly.
- CO3: Communicate effectively and independently in interpersonal, team, presentation, and career-related contexts through appropriate verbal, nonverbal, visual, and digital communication strategies.
Course learning outcomes
- CLO1: Analyze professional communication situations by identifying audience, purpose, context, culture, channel, tone, and ethical considerations in digital and AI-supported workplaces.
- CLO2: Compose and revise clear, concise, organized, and audience-centered workplace messages, including emails, memos, chat messages, positive and neutral messages, bad-news messages, persuasive messages, and sales messages.
- CLO3: Apply responsible AI and digital communication practices by verifying information, protecting privacy, avoiding plagiarism, recognizing AI-generated inaccuracies and bias, and maintaining human judgment, empathy, and credibility.
- CLO4: Demonstrate professional oral, interpersonal, team, meeting, and presentation skills through active listening, appropriate nonverbal communication, inclusive language, effective visuals, and confident delivery.
- CLO5: Produce career-readiness communication materials, including an ATS-compatible résumé/CV, tailored cover message, professional online content, interview responses, and follow-up employment messages.
Covered topics
- Communicating at Work in the Age of AI
- Writing Business Messages in the Age of AI
- Short Workplace Messages, Digital Media, and AI
- Positive and Neutral Messages in the Age of AI
- Bad-News Messages in the Age of AI
- Persuasive and Sales Messages in the Age of AI
- The Job Search, Résumés, and Cover Messages in the Age of AI
- Interviewing and Following Up in the Age of AI
- Business Presentations in the Age of AI
- Professionalism at Work in the Age of AI: Business Etiquette, Teamwork, and Meetings
- Responsible AI use, digital ethics, privacy, credibility, and academic integrity integrated throughout the course
Assessment and passing requirement
The passing grade for ENGL251 is 60/100. Students who earn below 60 receive F according to the grading scale.
Assessment components total 100%. Select a card to review its course purpose and CLO alignment.
Classwork, Active Participation, Portfolio and LinkedIn Profile
10%
In-class activities, discussions, peer feedback, workshops, responsible participation, and preparation.
CLO alignment: CLO1, CLO3, CLO4, CLO5
Job Interview Task
15%
Short assessments of concepts, terminology, analysis, and applied communication skills. Based on chapter 10.
CLO alignment: CLO3, CLO4, CLO5
Business Presentation
15%
In class business presentation based on Chapter 8.
CLO alignment: CLO1, CLO3, CLO4
Midterm Exam
25%
Integrated assessment covering Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.
CLO alignment: CLO1, CLO2, CLO3
Final Exam
35%
Integrated assessment covering Chapters 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, plus applied professional communication skills.
CLO alignment: CLO1, CLO2, CLO3, CLO4, CLO5
Assessment and CLO alignment
| Assessment | CLOs addressed |
|---|---|
| Classwork, Active Participation, Portfolio and LinkedIn Profile | CLO1, CLO3, CLO4, CLO5 |
| Job Interview Task | CLO3, CLO4, CLO5 |
| Business Presentation | CLO1, CLO3, CLO4 |
| Midterm Exam | CLO1, CLO2, CLO3 |
| Final Exam | CLO1, CLO2, CLO3, CLO4, CLO5 |
Business writing assignments
CV and Job Search Portfolio
Purpose: Students prepare career-readiness communication materials that are accurate, professional, tailored, and appropriate for digital job-search contexts.
Required components: ATS-friendly résumé/CV, tailored cover message, professional profile/LinkedIn summary or equivalent profile writing, and interview follow-up or employment message as instructed.
Tools: Google Docs; FlowCV if approved; ENGL251 CV Generator on the ENGL251 Google Site; instructor-provided job-search resources; AI companions only when permitted for practice or revision awareness.
Suggested grading: Suggested distribution may be provided by the instructor according to the submitted portfolio components.
CLO alignment: CLO2, CLO3, CLO5
Business Presentation
Purpose: Students prepare and deliver a professional business presentation that demonstrates clear purpose, audience awareness, ethical use of technology, strong organization, effective visuals, and confident oral delivery.
Required components: Professional slide deck, oral delivery, audience-appropriate organization, clear introduction/body/conclusion, ethical and accessible visuals, rehearsal, and presentation reflection when assigned.
Tools: Google Slides; Gamma.app if approved by the instructor; ENGL251 Google Site resources; optional instructor-approved AI support for brainstorming, rehearsal, or design awareness only.
Suggested grading: Suggested distribution: 30 points for oral delivery and 20 points for slides.
CLO alignment: CLO1, CLO3, CLO4
Digital tools and course platforms
Important note on AI companions
The ENGL251 Gemini Companion and ENGL251 ChatGPT Companion are learning support tools. They may support study, practice, guided revision awareness, and preparation when permitted by the instructor, but they do not replace student effort, instructor guidance, original writing, or academic integrity requirements.
| Tool / Platform | Main Use in ENGL251 | Student Responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| NotebookLM | Study and review approved ENGL251 materials; summarize chapters; review key concepts; generate study questions; create audio overviews; and connect ideas across course topics. | Use only instructor-approved materials; verify summaries and answers against the textbook, workbook, and class explanations; do not use it to replace reading, participation, or original writing. |
| ENGL251 Google Site | Central course hub for resources, links, digital tools, support materials, the ENGL251 CV Generator, and AI companions. The link will be posted later. | Check the site regularly once the link is shared and use only approved tools and materials. |
| Google Classroom | Primary platform for announcements, assignment instructions, materials, submissions, and non-confidential course communication. | Monitor announcements, deadlines, feedback, and posted resources regularly. |
| ENGL251 CV Generator | Course-specific CV/résumé builder available on the ENGL251 Google Site and used for BWA 1: CV and Job Search Portfolio. | Use it to format and organize accurate, student-written CV content. |
| ENGL251 Gemini Companion | Course companion for study support, practice questions, review, and guided learning when permitted. | Use it ethically and do not submit companion-generated work as your own. |
| ENGL251 ChatGPT Companion | Course companion for tutoring, revision awareness, practice, and communication support when permitted. | Verify output, revise using your own judgment, and follow the AI policy. |
| Google Docs | Drafting, revising, peer review, collaboration, and written assignment submission. | Keep drafts organized, share files correctly, and submit by the required deadline. |
| Google Slides | Slide design, collaborative presentation preparation, and presentation submission. | Create clear, accessible, professional slides and prepare oral delivery. |
| Gamma.app | Presentation design support and visual ideation when approved by the instructor. | Use only for design support when permitted; do not use it to generate presentation content for graded work unless explicitly authorized. |
| Google Forms or instructor-selected platforms | Short practice tasks, reflections, or assessment activities. | Complete required forms within the announced window. |
Course schedule
This schedule may be adjusted according to course progress, instructional needs, or institutional requirements.
Week 1Chapter 1 – Communicating at Work in the Age of AICLO1, CLO3, CLO4
Module: Module 1 -Communicating Professionally in AI-Driven Workplaces
Session 1: Course orientation; communication as a career skill; 21st-century skills; digital professionalism; AI-supported workplaces; credibility.
Session 2: Active listening; nonverbal communication; culture and intercultural communication; responsible AI use and professional judgment.
CLOs addressed: CLO1, CLO3, CLO4
Week 2Chapter 2 + Chapter 3CLO1, CLO2, CLO3
Module: Module 1 -Communicating Professionally in AI-Driven Workplaces
Session 1: Chapter 2: communication process; noise and feedback; 3-x-3 writing process; audience, purpose, tone, channel; asynchronous course pack support.
Session 2: Chapter 3: short workplace messages; email, memos, enterprise chat, workplace texting, social media, digital footprint, phishing, misinformation, and deepfakes.
CLOs addressed: CLO1, CLO2, CLO3
Week 3Chapter 4 – Positive and Neutral Messages in the Age of AICLO1, CLO2, CLO3
Module: Module 2 -Writing Effective Workplace Messages with Responsible AI Support
Session 1: Direct organizational pattern; routine requests; routine responses; clear openings; positive and neutral message structure.
Session 2: Instruction messages; direct claims and complaints; adjustment messages; goodwill messages; human voice in AI-assisted revision.
CLOs addressed: CLO1, CLO2, CLO3
Week 4Chapter 4 + Chapter 5CLO1, CLO2, CLO3
Module: Module 2 -Writing Effective Workplace Messages with Responsible AI Support
Session 1: Chapter 4 consolidation: writing practice, revision, message analysis, and application of direct positive/neutral strategies.
Session 2: Begin Chapter 5: goals of bad-news communication; direct and indirect strategies; buffers, reasons, bad-news placement, and respectful closings.
CLOs addressed: CLO1, CLO2, CLO3
Week 5Chapter 5 – Bad-News Messages in the Age of AICLO1, CLO2, CLO3
Module: Module 2 -Writing Effective Workplace Messages with Responsible AI Support
Session 1: Refusals, customer complaints, complaint responses, and negative-news organization with empathy and clarity.
Session 2: Online criticism, service recovery, apology, audience protection, goodwill, and responsible AI-risk review for negative messages.
CLOs addressed: CLO1, CLO2, CLO3
Week 6Chapter 6 + Midterm RevisionCLO1, CLO2, CLO3
Module: Module 2 -Writing Effective Workplace Messages with Responsible AI Support
Session 1: Chapter 6: persuasion vs. manipulation; AIRA strategy; ethos, logos, and pathos; ethical persuasive communication.
Session 2: Midterm revision and integrated practice. Midterm coverage: Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.
CLOs addressed: CLO1, CLO2, CLO3
Week 7Chapter 6 + Chapter 9CLO1, CLO2, CLO3, CLO5
Module: Module 2/3 / Transition
Session 1: Chapter 6 continued: persuasive requests, proposals, sales/promotional messages, authenticity, privacy, and AI support.
Session 2: Begin Chapter 9: job search communication; résumés/CVs; cover messages; digital job searching; networking and personal branding.
CLOs addressed: CLO1, CLO2, CLO3, CLO5
Week 8Chapter 9 – The Job Search, Résumés, and Cover Messages in the Age of AICLO2, CLO3, CLO5
Module: Module 3 - Career Readiness and Employment Communication in the Age of AI
Session 1: Résumé/CV formats and sections; ATS-friendly formatting; action verbs; measurable achievements; honesty and proofreading.
Session 2: Tailoring résumés/CVs to job ads; customized cover messages; professional profile/LinkedIn writing;
CLOs addressed: CLO2, CLO3, CLO5
Week 9Chapter 10 – Interviewing and Following Up in the Age of AICLO3, CLO4, CLO5
Module: Module 3 - Career Readiness and Employment Communication in the Age of AI
Session 1: Interview types; employer research; screening, virtual, in-person, and panel interviews; STAR/CAR stories; digital first impressions.
Session 2: Common, behavioral, situational, salary, and challenging questions; professional answers; authenticity and responsible interview preparation.
CLOs addressed: CLO3, CLO4, CLO5
Week 10Chapter 10 + Chapter 8Job Interview (Graded)
Module: Module 3/4 / Transition
Session 1: Chapter 10 continued: thank-you messages, follow-up queries, acceptance and rejection messages, resignation letters, and AI mock interview practice.
Session 2: Begin Chapter 8: business presentation types; audience analysis; purpose and objectives; structure; introductions, bodies, conclusions, and storytelling.
Assessment: Job Interview (Graded)
CLOs addressed: CLO1, CLO3, CLO4, CLO5
Week 11Chapter 8 – Business Presentations in the Age of AICLO1, CLO3, CLO4
Module: Module 4 - Professional Presence, Business Presentations, and AI-Era Communication
Session 1: Chapter 8 continued: visual aids, slide design, charts, images, multimedia, accessibility, and ethical presentation design.
Session 2: Delivery skills: voice, body language, confidence, rehearsal, technology checks, virtual/hybrid delivery, and AI/Gamma-supported design awareness without content generation.
CLOs addressed: CLO1, CLO3, CLO4
Week 12Chapter 7 – Professionalism at Work in the Age of AICLO1, CLO3, CLO4
Module: Module 4 - Professional Presence, Business Presentations, and AI-Era Communication
Session 1: Professionalism in on-site, online, and hybrid contexts; incivility; ethics; verbal communication; phone, voicemail, and mobile etiquette.
Session 2: Teamwork; psychological safety; agendas; meetings; minutes; follow-up; digital etiquette; smart note-taking tools and professional responsibility.
CLOs addressed: CLO1, CLO3, CLO4
Week 13Oral PresentationsOral Presentations (Graded)
Module: Module 4 - Professional Presence, Business Presentations, and AI-Era Communication
Session 1: Oral presentations.
Session 2: Oral presentations.
Assessment: Oral Presentations (Graded)
CLOs addressed: CLO1, CLO3, CLO4
Week 14Oral Presentations + Chapters 9–10 Writing WorkshopCLO2, CLO3, CLO4, CLO5
Module: Module 4 - Professional Presence, Business Presentations, and AI-Era Communication
Session 1: Oral presentations continued.
Session 2: Writing workshop on Chapters 9 and 10: CV/résumé, cover message, professional profile, interview follow-up, and employment messages.
CLOs addressed: CLO2, CLO3, CLO4, CLO5
Week 15Final RevisionCLO1, CLO2, CLO3, CLO4, CLO5
Module: Revision
Session 1: Final exam revision and integrated case practice.
Session 2: Final exam revision, applied workplace writing practice, and review of responsible AI use. Final coverage: Chapters 6, 9, 10, 8, and 7.
CLOs addressed: CLO1, CLO2, CLO3, CLO4, CLO5
Responsible AI use and academic integrity
Maintaining academic integrity is essential in ENGL251. Students must submit original work, properly acknowledge borrowed ideas or language, and avoid presenting another person’s work or AI-generated work as their own. Because the course studies communication in the age of AI, students will analyze, critique, and revise AI-generated text as part of learning activities, but graded work must reflect student judgment, effort, and voice.
Allowed only with instructor permission
- Brainstorming possible topics, structures, keywords, or practice questions before writing.
- Creating outlines for planning or revision awareness when the instructor allows it.
- Grammar awareness, proofreading support, tone comparison, or clarity checking before the student makes final decisions.
- Mock interview practice, reflection prompts, presentation rehearsal, timing practice, and delivery feedback when permitted.
- Designing presentation visuals, layouts, slide style options, accessibility improvements, or visual organization in Google Slides, Gamma.app, or similar tools.
- Analyzing, critiquing, and revising AI-generated drafts as part of class learning activities.
- Using ENGL251 Gemini Companion, ENGL251 ChatGPT Companion, or NotebookLM for guided study and review when permitted.
- Comparing a student-written draft with AI feedback to notice possible improvements.
- Documenting permitted AI use through prompts, drafts, notes, or reflection when required by the instructor.
Not allowed
- Submitting AI-written work as your own or presenting AI-generated content as original student work.
- Using AI during the midterm exam, the final exam, or in-class graded tasks unless explicitly allowed.
- Generating full graded assignments, message-analysis answers, presentation content, CVs/résumés, cover messages, scripts, or exam answers.
- Using AI to invent experience, qualifications, statistics, sources, quotations, or workplace information.
- Using AI, Gamma.app, or any presentation tool to generate the actual presentation content, arguments, analysis, speaker notes, or full slides for graded submission unless explicitly authorized.
- Copying AI text without verification, revision, citation/disclosure when required, and human judgment.
- Uploading confidential information, private data, client/student records, unpublished class materials, or another person’s work into AI tools.
- Relying on AI instead of reading the textbook, participating in class, drafting independently, or completing original work.
- Failing to disclose AI use when disclosure is required, or using AI in any way that violates instructor instructions or university academic-integrity policy.
Course policies and communication
Business Writing Assignments
Late submissions may receive a grade deduction. Submissions beyond the allowed late-submission window receive a grade of zero unless a documented and approved university petition applies.
Make-up Policy: Midterm and Final Exams
Students who miss a scheduled exam must submit a valid petition through the University Management System. Approval depends on documentation, attendance, performance, and university/instructor discretion.
Attendance Policy
Attendance is mandatory according to Lebanese International University policy. Students in ENGL251 are allowed a maximum of 10 absences. Exceeding this number will result in AW (Automatic Withdraw).
University Email
Use the official university email account for formal communication.
Google Classroom
Use Google Classroom for announcements, class discussions, submission instructions, and non-confidential course questions.
Professional Communication
Use professional tone, complete sentences, respectful language, and clear subject lines in all course-related messages. Do not contact the instructor through social media for course-related matters.
Grading system
| Percent Range | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 90 and above | A |
| 85–89 | B+ |
| 80–84 | B |
| 75–79 | C+ |
| 70–74 | C |
| 65–69 | D+ |
| 60–64 | D |
| Below 60 | F |
Textbook and online references
Course Textbook: Rihane, Walid M. Communication Skills in the Age of AI: Writing, Speaking, Professionalism, and Career Success in the Modern Workplace. ENGL251 – Communication Skills, Lebanese International University.
Course Workbook: Communication Skills in the Age of AI: Workbook and Supplementary Exercises. ENGL251 – Communication Skills, Lebanese International University.
ENGL251 interactive textbook and workbook
OWL at Purdue UniversityGeneral writing, grammar, citations, business letters, and presentation support.
SkillsYouNeedPractical communication, interpersonal skills, active listening, and workplace communication.
BBC Learning EnglishGrammar, vocabulary, listening, pronunciation, and writing support.
Daily Writing TipsGrammar, punctuation, vocabulary, spelling, and writing style.
Google Workspace Learning CenterGuidance for Google Docs, Slides, Drive, Classroom-related tools, and collaborative work.
Instructor-provided resources on AI ethics, workplace communication, résumé/CV writing, interview preparation, presentation design, and responsible technology use.
ENGL251 Course Coordinator
Walid M Rihane — walid.rihane@liu.edu.lb