"Open Book Project" Communication

This course outline is designed for a Level 7 Advanced Communication course at Portland Community College. It addresses listening, speaking, pronunciation, and presentation skills by drawing inspiration from The Human Library®  an organization and concept that promotes dialogue, understanding, and inclusion. The idea is to create a "library" where the "books" are people who share their personal stories, often about topics that involve stereotypes, discrimination, or prejudice. Participants borrow a "human book" for a conversation, asking questions and engaging in dialogue to learn more about the person's experiences and perspectives. This interactive activity, dubbed the Open Book Project here, fosters empathy, breaks down stereotypes, and encourages open-mindedness.

The curriculum is designed for a 10-week term. Each class period is 2.5 hours long, and the class meets twice weekly for a total of 20 class periods plus final exam. During the course, students complete several projects: 

• a Pecha Kucha-style presentation

• a short impromptu speaking activity

• two versions of the Open Book Project events (once as a “reader” and once as a “book”)

• one formal speech that includes light research

You may notice that this curriculum is not a typical textbook that can be printed at the college print center and sold at the bookstore or printed by students themselves. That's because it needs to remain flexible. Many documents need to be edited by the teacher for the context and timing of their course. Items related to the projects, for example, are not "plug and play" but require the teacher to make a copy of the materials and edit to fit their situations. Other items are simply controlled assessment materials that should not be delivered to students in advance.

This project was funded in part by the Portland Community College OER Steering Committee.