Overview
This unit introduces you to elementary professional communication concepts. Topics include communication theory and practice, small group communication, oral and written communication, teamwork, and ethical issues. All topics are discussed with an emphasis on practical exercises and application.
Details
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 1 - 2017
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).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate 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
Assessment Overview
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.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
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 Student feedback and Annual Program Review meeting.
Feedback overall is currently excellent. Students on the whole appreciated and enjoyed the unit. Slight adjustments will be made to account for future possible inclusion as a core unit in Business.
Continue with the broad format of the unit. Change the blog assessment to six activities, three of which will be compulsory.
Feedback from Student feedback and Annual Program Review meeting.
Some students found the group work problematic and the weighting of 40 percent too high for a group assessment.
The value of learning group work, including negative experiences, outweighs any argument for its removal. Group work will be maintained. The weighting of the group report to be changed to 30 percent. Change from groups of two to groups of three to take into account problems if one student in the group drops out.
- Discuss general communication concepts.
- Discuss the relationship between communication and technology in professional contexts, including information management and knowledge transfer.
- Discuss ethical use and dissemination of information in a professional context.
Skills
By the end of this unit, you will be able to communicate effectively with peers and superiors. You will have improved your skills in the core areas of:
- writing
- oral communication
- interpersonal communication
- research.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||
---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | |
1 - Written Assessment - 35% | |||
2 - Written Assessment - 35% | |||
3 - Presentation and Written Assessment - 30% |
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||
---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | |
1 - Communication | |||
2 - Problem Solving | |||
3 - Critical Thinking | |||
4 - Information Literacy | |||
5 - Team Work | |||
6 - Information Technology Competence | |||
7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||
8 - Ethical practice | |||
9 - Social Innovation | |||
10 - 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 | 9 | 10 | |
1 - Written Assessment - 35% | ||||||||||
2 - Written Assessment - 35% | ||||||||||
3 - Presentation and Written Assessment - 30% |
Textbooks
Communication Skills for Business Professionals
(2015)
Authors: Phillip Cenere, Robert Gill, Celeste Lawson and Michael Lewis
Cambridge University Press
Melbourne Melbourne , Victoria , Australia
ISBN: 978-1-107-65662-8
Binding: Paperback
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 6th Edition (APA 6th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
l.costigan@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Introduction to communication concepts in a professional context
Chapter
See Weekly Lesson 1 for associated readings
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Audience and context
Chapter
See Weekly Lesson 2 for associated readings
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
The medium and the message
Chapter
See Weekly Lesson 3 for associated readings
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Information gathering: research and information literacy
Chapter
See Weekly Lesson 4 for associated readings
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Writing for understanding
Chapter
See Weekly Lesson 5 for associated readings
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Intercultural communication
Chapter
See Weekly Lesson 6 for associated readings
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Oral presentations
Chapter
See Weekly Lesson 7 for associated readings
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Non-verbal communication
Chapter
See Weekly Lesson 8 for associated readings
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Teamwork, conflict resolution and negotiation
Chapter
See Weekly Lesson 9 for associated readings
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Understanding yourself and others
Chapter
See Weekly Lesson 10 for associated readings
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
See Weekly Lesson 11 for associated readings
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Review
Chapter
Weekly Lesson 12 reviews key unit concepts discussed throughout the term
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Written Assessment
Essay or Video Script: 1,500 words (35 marks)
Your assignment is to complete ONE of the following tasks (A or B):
(A) Write an essay on one of the following topics:
1. Discuss the importance of business professionals understanding their audiences. Discuss what are audiences. Discuss what factors business professionals need to be aware of to successfully target these audiences. Discuss this using examples from your specific study area or intended career path.
OR
2. There has been much written about 'generation Y' or the 'millennial generation'. This has implications for how they can be perceived in the workplace. Discuss the perceptions employers may have about generation Y or the millennial generation and how these generations can counter these perceptions.
OR
(B) Write a 5-minute video script based on one of the following scenarios:
1. You are giving a Tedx talk on the importance of professional communicators understanding their audiences. Discuss this referring to your specific study area or intended career path.
OR
2.You are giving a Tedx talk on the perceptions employers may have of 'generation Y' or the 'millennial generation' and how these generations can counter these perceptions.
In both A and B options:
You are to use at least FOUR sources in addition to the textbook in your referencing of this assignment, Your sources should include journal articles accessed from the Library databases. You are to use the American Psychological Association (APA) style of referencing.
Further details on this assessment and a criteria sheet are provided on the Moodle unit website. Please review all assessment information before beginning this assignment.
Week 6 Friday (21 Apr 2017) 6:00 pm AEST
This assignment is due on Friday of Week 6 by 6pm AEST (Australian Eastern Standard Time).
Week 8 Friday (5 May 2017)
Marks and feedback will normally be returned within two weeks of submission.
This assessment task relates to the general assessment criteria below:
- Written argument
- Use of sources to support argument
- Structure
- Writing standard
- Referencing
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Discuss general communication concepts.
- Discuss the relationship between communication and technology in professional contexts, including information management and knowledge transfer.
- Discuss ethical use and dissemination of information in a professional context.
2 Written Assessment
Communication Blog: 1,000-1,200 words (35 marks)
Students are expected to engage with the unit material and each other in this task. Specifically, you will:
Set up a blog on blog program Wordpress (https://signup.wordpress.com/signup/). Use your name or a (professional) title for the blog - do not use the unit name or code in the title.
Post the URL link of your blog in the Blog Discussion Forum by the end of Week 3. You should invite reviews from your fellow students as well as offering your review of at least three other student blogs. The Unit Coordinator and local Tutors will monitor both the blogs and the reviews, providing feedback as necessary/helpful.
Write Five (5) posts (200-240 words for each post). The posts will be improved if they are illustrated with a variety of communication media (e.g. written text, links to further information, photographs, diagrams, audio, gifs, videos etc.).
The first post must be published by the end of week 3. The remaining four posts are to be published in weeks 5, 6, 7 and 9.
Post 1 due in Week 3:
Firstly, introduce yourself in about 50 words: for example, what you are studying; what you hope to get out of your course and this unit; your interests, ambitions. Secondly, you are to review the orientation/welcome video and course profile and then give an overview of what the unit is about, what is expected of you, and important dates (such as assignment due dates).
Posts 2, 3 and 4 due in Weeks 5, 6 and 7.
These three posts should respond to any three of the following topics. You will need access to the textbook as the topics are review or reflection questions contained in the textbook.
- Page 9 in the textbook gives an example of how the use of punctuation can change the meaning of a message. Discuss the importance of correct punctuation and give another example of how punctuation changes the meaning of the message.
- Explain how technology has impacted communication. Provide an example of how technology has influenced how you communicate. (p. 79)
- What are the critical success factors for team work? What can the team leader do to ensure that they are achieved? (p. 168)
- What is meant by socialisation and how is it different for each individual? (p. 192)
- Describe what exercising emotional intelligence means. (p. 224)
- What makes a good public speaker? (p. 369)
Each of these three posts should have at least two information sources (references). The inclusion of relevant journal articles is highly recommended. You are to use the American Psychological Association (APA) style pf referencing.
Post 5 due in Week 9
In this post you are to provide a review of your previous blog posts and reflect on blog learning (e.g. what have you learned; can you see improvements throughout your blog posts; what would you like to improve upon; were there any challenges; what did you like or dislike; what would you do differently next time?).
Further details on this assessment and a criteria sheet are provided on the Moodle unit website. Please review all assessment information before beginning this assignment.
Week 10 Friday (19 May 2017) 6:00 pm AEST
Posts throughout the term. Final submission by Friday Week 10, 06:00 PM AEST (Australian Eastern Standard Time).
Week 12 Friday (2 June 2017)
Marks and feedback will normally be returned within two weeks of submission.
This assessment task relates to the general assessment criteria below:
- Writing standard
- Writing/presentation structure
- Research and referencing
- Link between response, topic and key communication concepts.
- Attention to requirements of task
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Information Literacy
- Ethical practice
- Discuss general communication concepts.
- Discuss the relationship between communication and technology in professional contexts, including information management and knowledge transfer.
- Discuss ethical use and dissemination of information in a professional context.
3 Presentation and Written Assessment
Group Report: 2,000 word written report OR 10-15 minute recorded presentation with slideshow (30 marks)
A website as a communication tool enables organisations to connect globally with individuals, other organisations and communities. However, organisations need an understanding of how to successfully utilise the online world and successfully target their audiences. In this task, you are to produce a report on factors an organisation needs to understand when developing a website to successfully target and engage their audiences. You can research and write this from the perspective of an organisation in your study area or intended career.
The written report must have correct report format. The recorded presentation must include a slide show (PowerPoint, Prezi or other form of slide presentation). You are required to research and include at least five (5) reputable references in the report/presentation. The inclusion of journal articles is highly recommended.
The report is required to be worked on in groups of three. All group members are required to contribute equally to the final result. In exceptional circumstances students may be permitted to submit the assessment as an individual. Please contact the Unit Coordinator if you believe your situation to be genuinely problematic.
Some points to consider in your report include:
- Benefits of a website for the organisation.
- Understanding audiences, purpose and objectives of the organisation and website.
- Writing for the website - content, style, language etc.
- Potential problems - intellectual property rights, privacy, online fraud etc.
On-campus students are to seek group members from within their class. On-campus students are required to arrange meeting times to complete this task.
Distance students are to use the discussion forum to seek group members. If you cannot locate group members, the Unit Coordinator will put you with other students. Distance students should maintain regular contact with the Moodle unit website and with your group members through Zoom or Skype, email and/or phone.
A Group Report Forum will be made available on the Moodle site to share questions/problems/ideas.
Further details on this assessment and a criteria sheet are provided on the Moodle unit website. Please review all assessment information before beginning your report.
Review/Exam Week Monday (5 June 2017) 6:00 pm AEST
This assignment is due on Monday of Review/Exam Week by 6pm AEST (Australian Eastern Standard Time).
Marks and feedback will normally be returned within two weeks of submission.
This assessment task relates to the general assessment criteria below:
- Report structure (written/oral presentation)
- Use of sources
- Argument
- Writing/presentation standard
- Referencing
- Group work
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Team Work
- Discuss general communication concepts.
- Discuss the relationship between communication and technology in professional contexts, including information management and knowledge transfer.
- Discuss ethical use and dissemination of information in a professional context.
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.