Course duration
6 weeks
Excluding orientation
Language
English
Access resources from start date
Effort
8–10 hours per week
Self-paced learning online
Course overview
“In an ongoing crisis, clear communication is more important and more difficult than when things seem normal. Employees and customers are hungry for information, so we’re tempted to pull together presentations and communicate with urgency instead of with careful planning.”
– Nancy Duarte
Harvard Business Review (May, 2020).
“The ability to create a well-thought-out narrative provides communicators a powerful method of persuasion, motivating audiences to act.”
– Roshni Wijayasinha, Foxquilt
Forbes (Jun, 2020).
Duration: 6 weeks (excluding orientation)
In an increasingly complex global and local environment, where individuals need to cope with rapid change and abundant information, effective communication is crucial. The fast-paced and public nature of digital communication can mean a single misstep can lead to loss of credibility at both a company and an individual level.
The Communication and Influence in the Digital Age online short course from the University of Cape Town (UCT) explores traditional communication skills adapted for today’s connected and technology-driven environment. Led by UCT faculty and subject matter experts, you’ll learn to communicate effectively with your teams, stakeholders, and digital audience to improve trust, clarity, and goodwill.
You’ll learn how to navigate the current communication landscape through critical thinking, persuasion, storytelling, cultural awareness, interpersonal communication, presentation, and crisis management, all integral to manifesting influence and communicating successfully.
Is this course for you?
This course is aimed at professionals across industries who are looking to build their communication abilities – in person and online – to meet the needs of an increasingly complex, digitised world. In occupations where effective communication skills are required to engage with a range of stakeholders, this course will help to develop an interpersonal skill set applicable to the current communications landscape. If you’re seeking ways to influence and inspire others, build greater self-awareness and interpersonal skills, and communicate effectively, the course provides a practical roadmap to promote trust, clarity, and goodwill in your professional context.
Relevant to early- and mid-career professionals who need to engage with a wide range of personnel, as well as new or aspiring leaders who need to communicate effectively with teams, you’ll be compelled to assess your interpersonal communication skills and the value of investing in communication as a professional and a leader. No matter what your context, building influence is crucial for reaching your personal and professional goals. This course will help you develop your personal brand and hone your presentation skills in order to cultivate influence and communicate persuasively.
Course overview
Introduction
Duration: 6 weeks (excluding orientation)
In an increasingly complex global and local environment, where individuals need to cope with rapid change and abundant information, effective communication is crucial. The fast-paced and public nature of digital communication can mean a single misstep can lead to loss of credibility at both a company and an individual level.
The Communication and Influence in the Digital Age online short course from the University of Cape Town (UCT) explores traditional communication skills adapted for today’s connected and technology-driven environment. Led by UCT faculty and subject matter experts, you’ll learn to communicate effectively with your teams, stakeholders, and digital audience to improve trust, clarity, and goodwill.
You’ll learn how to navigate the current communication landscape through critical thinking, persuasion, storytelling, cultural awareness, interpersonal communication, presentation, and crisis management, all integral to manifesting influence and communicating successfully.
Is this course for you?
This course is aimed at professionals across industries who are looking to build their communication abilities – in person and online – to meet the needs of an increasingly complex, digitised world. In occupations where effective communication skills are required to engage with a range of stakeholders, this course will help to develop an interpersonal skill set applicable to the current communications landscape. If you’re seeking ways to influence and inspire others, build greater self-awareness and interpersonal skills, and communicate effectively, the course provides a practical roadmap to promote trust, clarity, and goodwill in your professional context.
Relevant to early- and mid-career professionals who need to engage with a wide range of personnel, as well as new or aspiring leaders who need to communicate effectively with teams, you’ll be compelled to assess your interpersonal communication skills and the value of investing in communication as a professional and a leader. No matter what your context, building influence is crucial for reaching your personal and professional goals. This course will help you develop your personal brand and hone your presentation skills in order to cultivate influence and communicate persuasively.
What will set you apart
Course curriculum
Orientation module
Welcome to your Online Campus
Module 1
The current communications landscape
Module 2
Critical thinking: Avoiding miscommunication
Module 3
Persuasive communication
Module 4
Communicating with influence: Strategies and techniques
Module 5
Communication as an investment in leadership and ethics
Module 6
Crisis communication and reputation management
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What past students
think
Duschanka Hitzeroth
Corporate Communications and Marketing Manager, Canon South Africa
This course provided informative and engaging content that really shifted the approach to communication and the value it holds for an organisation, especially in the digital age. It was exciting being able to put names to experiences and discuss a variety of concepts with a diverse group of peers, which allowed further exploration of these theories in a practical setting. [I] absolutely enjoyed our Head Tutor, Ms Masemola-Jones, who was encouraging and posed thought-provoking questions that enhanced the understanding of the course material, ensuring we’re practically able to implement these learnings.
Course Convenors
Dr Signe Rousseau
Lecturer in Critical Literacy and Professional Communication, UCT
Gao Nodoba
Lecturer in Corporate Communication, Intercultural Communication, Diversity and Reputation Management, UCT
About the certificate
Discover the significance of communication for influence development as you earn an official certificate of completion from the University of Cape Town.
Assessment is continuous and based on a series of practical assignments completed online. In order to be issued with a digital certificate, you’ll need to meet the requirements outlined in the course handbook. The handbook will be made available to you as soon as you begin the course.
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Want to know more?
Why choose GetSmarter?
GetSmarter operates as edX's partner for premium online short course products from the world's leading universities and institutions. With edX, we leverage our people, technology, and resources to power your education and your potential.
We deliver market-led courses that equip working professionals with the expertise required to upskill, reskill or kickstart a completely new career. Through a data-driven approach, we analyze future skills requirements and ensure all courses address this need. We ensure that leading universities and institutions are your expert guides and our people, technology, and resources are your engine – together we power more than just education, we power your potential.
Read more about GetSmarter here and edX here.
Find out more about GetSmarter’s approach to digital learning, course design, and online delivery here.
Payment options
You can pay your course fees before the course starts, or you may opt for a split payment plan on courses that are nine weeks and shorter. For courses 10 weeks and longer, there is a three-part payment plan available. To find out more about payment options please visit our Payment and Financing page, or contact an Enrollment Adviser, to find out which option you qualify for.
Manage your time
GetSmarter's learning model is designed to help you, as a working professional, improve your skills without compromising on work and family responsibilities. The course work is broken up into weekly, manageable bite-sized modules, with incremental deadlines, designed to help you pace yourself over the duration of the course and allow you the legroom to work when it suits you best.
At the beginning of each module you'll be presented with the course content and assignments necessary for completion. You also have access to your Success Adviser who will help you manage your time, and support you with any administrative or technical queries you might have.
Seek employer assistance
By improving your skills and industry knowledge, you'll have an influence on the success of your organization. Why wouldn't you ask your boss to help you fund your studies if it's going to have an impact on the way you do business?
Of our past students, 37 percent have received financial assistance from their employers. You can ask for help, too. Here is a guide to show you how to request financial assistance from your employer.
If you are a Learning & Development (L&D) manager, or involved in training and upskilling for an organization, you can request information regarding our corporate offering on our GetSmarter for business page.
How to change your start date
As part of our commitment to your professional development, GetSmarter offers you a two-week period to change your course start date or request your money back if you’re not fully satisfied.
To qualify for a deferral of your course start date, or to cancel your enrollment and receive a refund of your course fee, your request would need to reach our Success Advisers before the release of Module 2. For more information, please read our Terms and Conditions.
Discover the Online Campus
The Online Campus will be your virtual classroom for the duration of your course. Through its easy-to-use interface you'll have access to a diverse variety of course content formats including: interactive videos, module notes, practice quizzes, presentations, assignment briefs, and additional web resources.
On the Online Campus, you'll also be able to ask questions and interact with your fellow students and teaching team through the discussion forums. If you are looking for your Online Campus login, please see the list of university partner login pages here.
Financing options
We've recently partnered with financial services firm, FeverTree, to offer you another convenient way to finance your short course education. Find out how you can apply for a short-term loan below.
How do I apply?
- You have the option of applying for a full course-cost loan agreement with FeverTree (South African citizens and short courses only)
- FeverTree works with GetSmarter to ensure your studies are financed right away, giving you the chance to join the soonest presentation
- You can find out if you pre-qualify in seconds. Send an SMS with your “Name*Surname*ID Number*Gross Salary” to 30082
- FeverTree’s application process is simple and quick – expect a 15-minute turnaround to find out if you’ve been successful with your loan application
- Even if you aren’t successful in your FeverTree application, you’ll still be eligible for the payment plan options with GetSmarter