Exam Prep · PCE

PCE Final Revision

CACS 109 · 6 units · revision sheet, frameworks, predicted questions, and 1-day plan

Unit 1

Language is Symbolic (uses signs), Arbitrary (no natural link between word and object), and Conventional (agreed upon)
Denotation = literal dictionary meaning. Connotation = emotional/cultural associations. E.g., "home" denotes a dwelling, connotes warmth/safety
Functions of language: Referential (facts), Expressive (emotions), Directive (commands), Phatic (social bonds), Aesthetic (beauty/creativity)
8-step communication process: Idea → Encode → Produce → Transmit → Receive → Decode → Respond → Feedback
Non-verbal communication: Kinesics (body), Paralanguage (voice tone), Proxemics (space), Haptics (touch), Chronemics (time)
Confusing word pairs: affect/effect, lie/lay, its/it's, principle/principal, complement/compliment, fewer/less
Communication is unavoidable, strategic, irreversible, and a process — words cannot be taken back
Readings: "Mother Tongue" (Amy Tan) — language & identity, multiple Englishes. "The Letter" (Dhumketu) — empathy in communication

Unit 2

Telephone 3-part checklist: Before (plan call, check number, gather files) → During (smile, check notes, get feedback) → After (make notes, take action)
Public speaking components: Speaker, Message, Audience, Channel, Feedback, Context
4 types of presentations: Informative (educate), Persuasive (change opinion), Demonstrative (how-to), Special Occasion
Meeting documents: Agenda (before, lists topics) → Minutes (after, records decisions). Verbatim mins = word-for-word, Resolution mins = decisions only
Elevator pitch: 30-60 sec. Hook → Problem → Solution → Value/Proof → Call to Action
Interview stages: Opening/Rapport → Core Q&A → Closing
Reading: "Our World on Fire Needs You" (Maria Ressa, 2024 Harvard) — press freedom, disinformation, platforms amplify anger/fear
Ressa received 90 hate messages/hour; arrested twice; 10 warrants. Key: technology companies weaponised for manipulation

Unit 3

7 Cs: Clear, Coherent, Concise, Concrete, Correct, Courteous, Complete (from Cutlip & Center)
Memo format: TO, FROM, REF, DATE, SUBJECT — no salutation or complimentary close. 4-part body: heading, intro, details, action
Notice: public announcement, prominent heading, minimal text, must state issuing authority
Business letter block format: all left-aligned, sender address → date → receiver → salutation → subject → body → close → signature
"Yours faithfully" when salutation = "Dear Sir/Madam". "Yours sincerely" when you used the person's name
Email: meaningful subject line, one purpose per email, short paragraphs, professional signature, assume nothing is private
Message types: Positive (direct approach), Negative (indirect: buffer → reasoning → bad news → alternative → close), Persuasive (AIDA)
AIDA for persuasive messages: Attention → Interest → Desire → Action

Unit 4

Interpersonal communication: two-way exchange in professional settings; career success depends on people skills
Communication climate: Healthy (respect, trust) vs Polluted (hostility, defensiveness). Climate affects job satisfaction
Tuckman's stages: Forming → Storming → Norming → Performing → Adjourning. Conflict in Storming is normal, not failure
Virtual teams: distributed work requires stronger clarity, digital etiquette, and trust across distance
Intercultural communication: ethnocentrism (own culture superior) and stereotyping → adapt, seek training, learn cultural self
Leadership communication: articulate vision, motivate, listen actively, give constructive feedback, storytelling for inspiration
Dealing with criticism: listen non-defensively, seek clarification, acknowledge valid points, work toward solutions
Reading: "Computers and the Pursuit of Happiness" (Gelernter) — technology changes structures but not human nature; threshold theory of happiness

Unit 5

Netiquette: respect privacy, verify before sharing, avoid fake identities, don't tag without consent, seek permission for video calls
Online professionalism: digital civility, emotional intelligence, business etiquette, digital credibility
Plagiarism types: Direct (copy-paste), Mosaic (patchwork), Self-plagiarism (resubmitting own work), Paraphrase (rewording without credit)
Consequences of plagiarism: zero grade, suspension, expulsion, degree revocation, legal liability, reputational damage
Social media in IT: recruitment (LinkedIn), employer branding, technical community (GitHub, Stack Overflow), thought leadership
Collaboration tools: Jira/Trello (project mgmt), Slack/Teams (messaging), GitHub (code review), Zoom/Meet (video)
Reading: "ChatGPT May Be Eroding Critical Thinking Skills" (Chow) — MIT study: ChatGPT users had lowest brain engagement, brain-only group highest creativity
MIT study found: ChatGPT essays were "soulless," extremely similar; independent writers showed higher curiosity and satisfaction

Unit 6

ACM Code: contribute to society, avoid harm, be honest, fair, respect privacy, honor confidentiality, maintain competence
IEEE Code: public safety paramount, honest in claims, maintain competence, avoid injury, treat all fairly
Nepal IT orgs: Computer Association Nepal (CAN), NAS-IT (software export industry)
Professional certifications: Vendor (specific tools), Industry (broader knowledge), Government licensing (rare in IT)
Whistle-blowing steps: assess seriousness → document → address internally → escalate → evaluate → seek legal advice → execute → accept consequences
Workplace challenges: conflict of interest, project misreporting, fraud (false representation), breach of contract, misrepresentation
Reading: "The Necklace" (Maupassant) — honesty saves time, admit mistakes quickly, pride causes downfall
Reading: "The Digital Citizen" (Ceccarini) — citizenship is active civic engagement, internet reshapes participation, digital rights & responsibilities