CQUniversity Unit Profile
BUSN20017 Effective Business Communications
Effective Business Communications
All details in this unit profile for BUSN20017 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

The unit aims to develop your skills and abilities to communicate effectively in business environments. The unit recognises employer and graduate needs to improve communication in different contexts. You will be introduced to different communication concepts including, but not limited to, models, competence, culture, media choice, channels and climate. You will also be introduced to the elements of effective communication for participation in business meetings, presentations, interpersonal and group interaction.

Details

Career Level: Postgraduate
Unit Level: Level 8
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 10
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

There are no requisites for this unit.

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 3 - 2020

Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Sydney

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Postgraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. On-campus Activity
Weighting: 45%
2. Group Work
Weighting: 55%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from Qualitative written evaluation

Feedback

Moodle site was confusing

Recommendation

Simplify the presentation of information on Moodle

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Recognize advanced knowledge and skills required in written, oral, and interpersonal communication to address complex business problems
  2. Apply professional business writing and oral communication skills to effectively inform or persuade a target audience
  3. Deliver effective presentations to transmit knowledge, skills and ideas to both specialist and non-specialist audiences and achieve business objectives
  4. Critically analyse communication challenges faced by organisations by applying established theories to develop innovative strategies to address them
  5. Apply autonomous thinking to reflect on good practices in workplace communication in different organizational contexts
  6. Engage and collaborate with team members to demonstrate oral, written, and interpersonal communication.

Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5 6
1 - On-campus Activity - 45%
2 - Group Work - 55%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5 6
1 - Knowledge
2 - Communication
3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills
4 - Research
5 - Self-management
6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility
7 - Leadership
8 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1 - On-campus Activity - 45%
2 - Group Work - 55%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

Work Communication: Mediated and Face-to-Face Practices

(2015)
Authors: Guirdham
Palgrave
ISBN: 9781137351449
Binding: eBook

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Cait White Unit Coordinator
c.j.white@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 09 Nov 2020

Module/Topic

Introduction to BUSN20017 Effective Business Communications and the Communication Process

Chapter

Assigned Textbook Chapters and Excepts:

Guirdham, M (2015). Chapter 1 Introduction. In Work communication: Mediated and face-to-face practices. (pp. 3-26). London: PALGRAVE.

Girdham, M (2015). Chapter 5 Interaction. In Work communication: Mediated and face-to-face practices. (pp. 105-130). London: PALGRAVE.

Excepted Textbook Chapter:

Hartley, P., & Chatterton, P. (2015). Developing your communication: Deciding where to start. In Business communication: rethinking your professional practice for the postdigital age. (pp. 13-35). (2nd ed.). London: Routledge.

Other articles that you need to read are on your Unit Moodle website.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 Begin Date: 16 Nov 2020

Module/Topic

Foundation Effective Business Communication Concepts

Chapter

Excepted Textbook Chapter:

Dwyer, J. (2016). Chapter 3 Interpersonal communication. In Communication for business and the professions: Strategies and skills (6th ed.).  (pp. 46-78). Melbourne, VIC: Pearson Australia.

Other articles that you need to read are on your Unit Moodle website.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 Begin Date: 23 Nov 2020

Module/Topic

Effective Professional Genres of Written Communication

Chapter

Excerpted Textbook Chapters:

Cenere, P., Gill, R., Lawson, C., & Lewis, M. Correspondence: Letters, memos, emails. In P. Cenere, R. Gill, C. Lawson, & M. Lewis Communication skills for business professionals. (pp. 277-306). Port Melbourne, VIC: Cambridge University Press.

Judith, D., & Hopwood, N. (2016). Chapter 16 write business letters. In J. Dwyer and H. Nicole (2015). The business communication handbook. (10th ed.). (pp. 492-531).

Judith, D., & Hopwood, N. (2016). Chapter 17 write email, memos, and short reports. In J. Dwyer & H. Nicole (2015). The business communication handbook. (10th ed.). (pp. 532-570).

Judith, D., & Hopwood, N. (2016). Chapter 18 write long reports. In The business communication handbook. (10th ed.). (pp. 571-609).

Judith, D., & Hopwood, N. (2016). Chapter 19 write technical documents and proposals. In The business communication handbook. (10th ed.). (pp. 610-633).

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4 Begin Date: 30 Nov 2020

Module/Topic

Effective Business Presentations

Chapter

Excerpted Textbook Chapter:

Dwyer, J. (2012). Chapter 5 Deliver presentations and speeches. In The Business communication handbook (9th ed.). (pp. 118-140). Melbourne, VIC: Pearson Australia.

Other articles that you need to read are on your Unit Moodle website.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Vacation Week Begin Date: 07 Dec 2020

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 5 Begin Date: 14 Dec 2020

Module/Topic

Effective use of Communication Media within Business

Chapter

Assigned Textbook Chapters and excerpts:
Guirdham, M (2015). Chapter 2 Work communication modes. In Work communication: Mediated and face-to-face practices. (pp. 27-50). London: PALGRAVE.
Guirdham, M. (2015). Chapter 6 Demography, culture, situation and mode as influences on communication. In Work communication: Mediated and face-to-face practices. (pp. 145-154). London: PALGRAVE.
Guirdham, M. (2015). Chapter 9 Cooperation, work relations and knowledge sharing. In Work communication: Mediated and face-to-face practices. (pp. 227-229). London: PALGRAVE.
Other articles that you need to read are on your Unit Moodle website.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 21 Dec 2020

Module/Topic

Effective Interpersonal Business Communication

Chapter

Assigned Textbook Chapter:

Girdham, M (2015). Chapter 3 Social cognition and impression management. In Work communication: Mediated and face-to-face practices. (pp. 53-78). London: PALGRAVE.

Girdham, M (2015). Chapter 4 Contributing to communication, self-presentation and impression management. In Work communication: Mediated and face-to-face practices. (pp. 79-104). London: PALGRAVE.

Excerpted Textbook Chapter:

Dunn, D. M., & Goodnight, L. J. (2014). Creating a positive communication climate. In Communication embracing difference. (pp. 123-142). (4th ed.). London: Routledge.

Other articles that you need to read are on your Unit Moodle website.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Vacation Week Begin Date: 28 Dec 2020

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 7 Begin Date: 04 Jan 2021

Module/Topic

Academic Written Communication

Chapter

Excepted Textbook Chapters:

Grellier, J. & Goerke, V. (2014). Chapter 7 Reflective writing. In Communication skills toolkit: Unlocking the secrets of tertiary success. (3rd ed.). (pp. 91-104). Melbourne, VIC.: Cengage Learning.

Summers, J., & Smith, B. (2014). Chapter 3 Report writing. In Writing communications skills handbook, (4th ed.). (pp. 43-52). Milton, QLD: Wiley.

Summers, J., & Smith, B. (2014). Chapter 4 The case study. In Writing communications skills handbook, (4th ed.). (pp. 53-68). Milton, QLD: Wiley.

Summers, J., & Smith, B. (2014). Chapter 5 Essay writing. In Writing communications skills handbook, (4th ed.). (pp. 69-78). Milton, QLD: Wiley.

Events and Submissions/Topic

The online assessment covers weeks one, two, three, four, five, and six.  Please refer to the Assessment One: Online Assessment description. You will undertake this assessment during your assigned workshop--no exceptions.


Online Activity Due: Week 7 Monday (4 Jan 2021) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 8 Begin Date: 11 Jan 2021

Module/Topic

Effective Team and Group Business Communication

Chapter

Assigned Textbook Chapter:

Girdham, M (2015). Chapter 10 Working in groups and teams. In Work communication: Mediated and face-to-face practices. (pp. 244-274). London: PALGRAVE.

Other articles that you need to read are on your Unit Moodle website.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 9 Begin Date: 18 Jan 2021

Module/Topic

Effective Organizational Communication

Chapter

Assigned Textbook Excerpt:

Girdham, M (2015). Chapter 12 Organizational structures and cultures. In Work communication: Mediated and face-to-face practices. (pp. 312-316). London: PALGRAVE.

Excerpted Textbook Chapter:

Eunson, B. (2007). Chapter 5 Networks, virtual organisations and networking. In Eunson, B. (2007). Communication in the Workplace. (pp. 71-87). Milton, QLD: Wrightbooks.

Other articles that you need to read are on your Unit Moodle website.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 10 Begin Date: 25 Jan 2021

Module/Topic

Effective Intercultural Communication within Business Contexts

Chapter

Excerpted Textbook Chapter:

Tuleja, E. A. (2017). Culture and context in communication. In Intercultural Communication for Global Business: How Leaders Communicate for Success (pp. 156-187). London: Routledge.

Other articles that you need to read are on your Unit Moodle website.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 11 Begin Date: 01 Feb 2021

Module/Topic

Effective Persuasion, Influence, and Argument and Thinking Critically within the Business Context

Chapter

Assigned Textbook Excerpt:

Guirdham, M (2015). Chapter 8 Influencing, handling conflict and negotiation. In Work communication: Mediated and face-to-face practices. (pp. 193-205). London: PALGRAVE.

Excerpted Textbook Chaptes:

Cottrell, S. (2017). Chapter 7 Does it add up? In Critical thinking skills: Effective analysis, argument and reflection. (3rd ed.). (pp. 89-105). London: PALGRAVE.

Inch, E. S. & Tudor, K. H. (2018). Chapter 4 constructing claims. In Critical thinking and communication: The use of reason in argument. (7th ed.). (pp. 118-146). Boston: Pearson.

Other articles that you need to read are on your Unit Moodle website.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 12 Begin Date: 08 Feb 2021

Module/Topic

The Unit In Review

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Presentation and Short Academic Essay Due: Week 12 Friday (12 Feb 2021) 11:55 pm AEST
Exam Week Begin Date: 15 Feb 2021

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment Tasks

1 On-campus Activity

Assessment Title
Online Activity

Task Description

Assessment Type: Online Assessment Activity

Weighting: This assessment total weighting is 45% of your overall grade.

Content: The online assessment activity is based upon the content of weeks one, two, three, four, five, and six. 

Format: The online activity consists of 30 multiple-choice questions that are worth one mark each. There will also be one written response question that is worth 15 marks. The multiple-choice questions will ask you to choose one of five potentially correct answers to the question. There is only one correct response for each question. The written response question will consist of a memo written in response to a case study provided in the quiz. The memo should be 200-300 words in length.

Date and Time: The online assessment activity will be administered in Week Seven during your allocated workshop. There will be a link to the assessment within the Week Seven section of Moodle. Once you begin the assessment, you will have 90 minutes to complete and submit the assessment. After 90 minutes, your responses with be automatically submitted. While you have 90 minutes to undertake this assessment, please remember that you must take the assessment during the two hours allocated to your workshop. This means that if your workshop runs from 12.00 PM-2.00 PM and you start the assessment at 1.00 PM, you only have one hour to take the assessment because the link closes at 2.00 PM. My advice to you is to start the assessment close to the official commencement time of your workshop. You may only undertake this assessment during your assigned workshop.

Further details about this assessment are provided on the Unit Moodle site.


Assessment Due Date

Week 7 Monday (4 Jan 2021) 11:45 pm AEST

This on-line activity will be administered during your workshop in Week 7


Return Date to Students

Marks will be uploaded in Moodle.


Weighting
45%

Assessment Criteria

There is only one correct answer to the multiple-choice questions (30 marks).

The written response question is evaluated based on the following assessment criteria:

1. Heading-2 marks

2. Opening statement-2 marks

3. The problem-3 marks

4. The solution to the problem-4 marks

5. Closing-2 marks

6. Presentation and Quality of Writing-2 marks



Referencing Style

Submission

No submission method provided.


Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Apply autonomous thinking to reflect on good practices in workplace communication in different organizational contexts


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Communication
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills
  • Self-management
  • Ethical and Professional Responsibility

2 Group Work

Assessment Title
Presentation and Short Academic Essay

Task Description

Assessment type: Part I: Group Oral Video Presentation and Part II: Individual Short Essay

Weighting: This assessment accounts for 55% of your final grade.  Part I is worth 32 marks and Part II is worth 23 marks.

Due date:  Part I: Group oral video presentation is due Friday, February 5th, Week 11 2021 at 11:55 PM AEST. There is a late deduction of 2.75 points per day after the due date.  Part II: Individual Short Essay is due Friday, February 12th, Week 12 at 11:55 PM AEST. There is a late deduction of 2.75 points per day after the due date.

Format: There are two parts to this assessment. These are:

Part I:

1. A group oral presentation, a sentence level speaking outline, and a team charter. The recording of the presentation must include PowerPoint slides and a 'live' image of the speakers. There are additional resources of Moodle that will assist you with the required structure and format of the presentation, sentence-level speaking outline, and team charter. You must follow the required format.

References: The recorded presentation must include 15 academic references (assumedly 5 references for each speaker). You must use the APA reference style (7th Edition). You may only use articles from the Required Journal List (RJL). The references list must be included both in the sentence level speaking outline and the presentation PowerPoint slides.

Length: The presentation must be between 15- 20 minutes in length.

Part II:

2. An individual short essay, that reflects upon your individual experiences as a member of the group undertaking this assessment (Part I). You will complete this part of the assessment individually. There are additional resources on Moodle that will assist you with the required structure of an academic essay. The essay must follow the required format for an academic essay.

References: The short essay must include five academic references. You must use the APA reference style (7th Edition). You may only use articles from the Required Journal List (RJL)

Length: This essay must be 1000 words in length including the references.

Further details about this assessment are provided on the Unit Moodle site.


Assessment Due Date

Week 12 Friday (12 Feb 2021) 11:55 pm AEST

You will need to submit: 1. A link to your presentation; 2. Your Team Charter; 3. Your Sentence-Level Speaking Outline, which includes your References; and 4. Your Individual Essay


Return Date to Students

Marks and feedback will only be released after Certification of Grades.


Weighting
55%

Assessment Criteria

The Video Presentation group contribution is evaluated based on the following assessment criteria:

1. Introduction-5 marks

2. Conclusion-3 marks

3. Sentence-level speaking outline-5 marks

4. References-5 marks

5. Team Charter- 5 marks

The Video Presentation individual contribution is evaluated based on the following assessment criteria:

1. Main point-6 marks

2. Delivery-3 marks

The Individual Short Essay is evaluated based on the following assessment criteria:

1. Introduction-5 marks

2. Reflection-5 marks

3. Recommendations-5 marks

4. Conclusion-3 marks

5. References-5 marks


Referencing Style

Submission
Online Group

Submission Instructions
There is a video and a written document instructing you how to use Zoom and upload your correctly formatted video into Moodle

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Recognize advanced knowledge and skills required in written, oral, and interpersonal communication to address complex business problems
  • Apply professional business writing and oral communication skills to effectively inform or persuade a target audience
  • Deliver effective presentations to transmit knowledge, skills and ideas to both specialist and non-specialist audiences and achieve business objectives
  • Critically analyse communication challenges faced by organisations by applying established theories to develop innovative strategies to address them
  • Apply autonomous thinking to reflect on good practices in workplace communication in different organizational contexts
  • Engage and collaborate with team members to demonstrate oral, written, and interpersonal communication.


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Communication
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills
  • Research
  • Self-management
  • Ethical and Professional Responsibility
  • Leadership

Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?