Abstract

Introduction: Research shows that empathy is a core competence of communication professionals. Still, the pedagogy of including empathy in professional communication curricula has been underexposed in the literature. About the case: This article describes the development and evaluation of a course aimed at increasing students’ empathy competence in the final year of a Dutch bachelor-level communication program. A detailed description of the course is provided. Situating the case: The course operationalizes a recent model of empathy competence in professional communication settings. It focuses on empathy-related skills, knowledge, and attitudes. Experiential learning and student-led discussions are core elements in the course. Methods/approach: The course was taught in two different classes (N = 47). Student evaluations and reflections included standard institutional course assessment data, a report from an institution-led student panel evaluation, and student reflections during coursework as well as before, immediately after, and two years after the course. Results/discussion: The course was evaluated very positively in the institutional course assessment and panel evaluation. The student reflections show that students had a great appreciation for the course overall, as well as for specific course elements. The course made them aware of the complexity and multifaceted nature of empathy, and had a profound impact on their professional and personal identity. Conclusion: This article demonstrates the effectiveness of a course designed to develop empathy competence in communication professionals and advocates for future research to explore long-term effects and cross-industry applications.

Journal
IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
Published
2024-12-01
DOI
10.1109/tpc.2024.3455448
CompPile
Search in CompPile ↗
Open Access
OA PDF Green
Topics
Export

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (0)

No articles in this index cite this work.

Cites in this index (6)

  1. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  2. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
  3. Technical Communication Quarterly
  4. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  5. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Show all 6 →
  1. Technical Communication Quarterly
Also cites 18 works outside this index ↓
  1. 10.1016/j.pec.2023.108063
  2. 10.1371/journal.pone.0289793
  3. 10.1111/j.1741-5446.2000.00063.x
  4. 10.7551/mitpress/9780262012973.003.0002
  5. 10.2189/asqu.51.1.1
  6. 10.1108/JCOM-07-2016-0051
  7. 10.1109/ProComm52174.2021.00024
  8. 10.1109/IPCC.2007.4464058
  9. 10.1109/ProComm52174.2021.00030
  10. 10.1080/00909880600769944
  11. 10.1177/0146167297234003
  12. 10.1093/fampra/cmh621
  13. 10.1177/108056999906200407
  14. 10.1177/09579265030146003
  15. 10.1080/08351813.2014.925663
  16. 10.1108/ICT-03-2021-0020
  17. 10.1108/EUM0000000005910
  18. 10.1177/1080569912450312