Undergraduate Handbook - School of Computing and Informatics ...

of computers; competently use the common office applications in at least two operating systems and competently
use common text editor in at least two operating systems.
Indicative Content: General computer organisation; Historical perspectives of computing; common Microsoft
office packages; office packages in other operating systems; text editors; Common Linux and Using the web.
Reference Books:
i. J. Preston, R. Ferret and S. Gaskin, Computer Literacy, 2007.
ii. J. Janrich and D. Oja, Practical Computer Literacy, 2001.
CSK 1101 Communication Skills (4 CU)
Course Description: This course provides students with skills of effective communication. These include verbal,
written, and gesture. The course aims at facilitating students appropriately and clearly communicate with others. The
aims of the course unit are to: Improve the communication competencies of the student; Improve problem solving
strategies of students; improve the art of critical thinking within the student; improve the student’s ability to collect
and synthesize information; provide students with knowledge to utilize the library and other educational resources.
Indicative Content:
• Writing Skills: Thinking critically/selectively before the writing process; selecting the relevant details;
organizing the relevant details logically; writing the reports essays, letters and taking notes in appropriate
register; avoiding ambiguities, fallacies, irrationalities; providing supportive evidence; editing documents,
proof reading; writing and expanding information; Quoting and citing references; writing a curriculum
vitae.
• Reading Skills: The use of skimming; scanning inference and prediction in reading; Intensive and critical
reading; Acquisition of specific reading skills; Interpretation of non linear texts; Locating information and
comprehension.
• Speaking and Listening Skills to Enhance Effective Public Relations: The art of persuasion in effective
speaking; Conducting interviews; Conducting meetings; Participating in group discussions and tutorials;
Non verbal communication clues; Presentation seminars, seeking clarification etc.; Expression of
politeness; Public speaking; Proper listening skills.
• Examination Skills; Preparing for examinations: How much one gets from group discussions; Proper
revision; Understanding examination rubric; Budgeting time during examination process; Writing
examinations and following instructions
Reference Books:
i. B. Bough, 101 ways to improve your communication skills instantly, 4th edition, 2005
ii. P. Klavs, The hard Truth About soft skills: Work Place Lessons Smart People wish they had learned
sooner, 2008.
DCS 1103: Gender and ICT (3 CU)
Course Description: This course tackles the concepts of gender and how it affects / is affected by the Information
and Communication Technologies. The course covers organizational, individual and technological aspects of the
relationship between gender and ICT. By the end of the course, students should be able to understand the social,
organizational and technological underpinnings of gender and how they affect/ are affected in the ICT environment.
Indicative Content: Introduction to Gender and ICT; Gender and Technology; Use of ICTs in addressing
addressing gender equality; Gender and ICTs: mapping the change; ICTs as tools to challenge gender inequality;
ICTs as tools to promote empowerment; Guidelines to gender sensitive policy making
Reference Books:
i. G. Lupton, P. M. Short and R. Whip, Society and Gender: An Introduction to Sociology, Macmillan, 1992.
ii. E. Rathgehen and E. O. Adena, Gender and the Information Revolution in Africa, 2000.
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