Centre for Communication and Critical Thinking

The Centre for Communication and Critical Thinking (CCCT) is a key innovation of JK Lakshmipat University which is integral to innovative pedagogies practised on campus.

The CCCT integrates liberal arts, scientific temperament, group dynamics, and interpersonal communication to support students’ personal and professional growth. Through a combination of credited courses, communication labs, and diverse events, the CCCT enhances students' capacity in critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication, preparing them for both career and life.

Courses

The CCCT supplements students’ learning journeys through six unique credited courses focused on capacity building in communication, critical thinking, negotiation, problem-solving, and decision-making. These courses are embedded as core components across the three institutes of the university, ensuring that students, regardless of their discipline, gain essential cognitive and communication skills.

An Active Learning Approach is employed in these courses, engaging students in activities that allow them to practice and refine their skills instead of merely absorbing theoretical knowledge.

Fundamentals of Communication

This course provides an introduction to the importance of effective communication, the consequences of poor communication, and the different elements of verbal and non-verbal communication. Students learn about, and enhance, the components of communication: kinesics, paralanguage (voice) and language.

Critical Thinking and Storytelling

The modern world offers confounding opinions and choices that need to be navigated judiciously. This course explores frameworks and processes to critically examine narratives, reconstruct them, and craft well-reasoned stories that can be told using impactful communication.

Perspectives on Contemporary Issues

In an era of globalization, there is an increasing need for the youth to be able to empathize with others, value diverse perspectives and cultures and understand how events around the world are intertwined. Global issues revolve around social, economic and environmental factors which ultimately add to the interconnectedness of countries. In this course, students will employ key critical thinking concepts to analyze contemporary issues from multiple perspectives. They will explore the impact at micro and macro levels.

Understanding and Managing Conflict

In today’s increasingly complex and fragmented world, it is important to be able to resolve conflicts and build healthy relationships. Interpersonal and Group Dynamics is a course designed to prepare students to identify conflicts, manage emotions, analyze the situation and characters, and practice different frameworks to deal with conflicts.

Communication and Identity

This course enables students to explore their personal and professional identities, to create their distinctive presence. It intends to help them gain an understanding of the basic purpose, benefits, and responsibilities of self-presence, and to begin the process of defining their values, strengths, and goals.

Critical Thinking for Decisions at Workplace

In today's world, the idea of right and wrong is being challenged by businesses, use of technology, economic conditions, and norms of societies. The relevance of a well-reasoned decision is crucial. This course intends to make students take better decisions keeping in mind purpose, context, and ethics.

Labs

Together with courses, the CCCT offers a 10-12-hour compulsory Communication Laboratory where students receive personalised guidance in thinking, writing, and speaking.

The lab is structured into four interactive formats:

Reading Circles

Think

Encouraging analytical reading and discussion.

Focused Groups

Write

Enhancing structured and effective writing skills.

Public Speaking

Speak

Developing confidence in verbal communication.

Open Office Hours

Mentor

Providing individual mentoring for improvement.

This personalised pedagogy ensures that every student gradually improves their communication and critical thinking skills over time.

Latest Events

The CCCT actively organises events, expert talks, workshops, and field visits to expose students to diverse perspectives and real-world applications. Students are encouraged to plan and manage these events, helping them develop confidence, leadership, and organisational abilities.