CDS 1001 Human Relations and Communications

STAFFING:

RATIONALE:

The last decade has seen major changes in the role of community workers and community development officers. Increasingly they are required to work cooperatively in the development of community vision, community goals and objectives and to assist in the development of submissions for funding and services. Such activities require high levels of understanding human relations and a high level of skill in communication, in collaborative consultation, and in interpersonal problem solving and mediation.

SYNOPSIS:

This course is designed to assist students in developing interpersonal skills necessary for workplace success. Human relations will be customized to complement community welfare and community development programs. Content may include teamwork, problem solving, equity and diversity issues, and personal development. This course is designed to introduce students to the theory and practice of collaborative consultation and related communication and interpersonal problem solving skills. The course is designed to meet the needs of community welfare and community development officers.

OBJECTIVES:

On completion of this course students will be able to:

1. Explain the meaning and impact of successful human relations in the workplace.
2. Pinpoint how work and personal life influence each other.
3. Demonstrate effective and efficient interpersonal and communication skills.
4. Define consultation as it applies in the field of community welfare.
5. Critically review the theory and models of consultation used in the social sciences.
6. Provide a rationale for why support workers should be familiar with the processes and skills of consultation.
7. Define collaborative consultation.
8. Demonstrate an understanding of the process of collaborative consultation in the workplace.
9. Review and discuss the efficacy and limitations of collaborative consultation.

TOPICS:

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed:

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

NOTES:

1.

Tutorial Participation and Journal - due dates will be outlined in the first class.

2.

Exam will be open book and scheduled during exam period at the end of the semester.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   It is the student's responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities (such as lectures, tutorials, laboratories and practical work) scheduled for them, and to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration. This course requires weekly involvement in interactive group processes around the development of a project by students. Students should reflect on their readiness to engage in such an experience. If they have been through personal crisis, they need to assess their capacity to cope with an interactive group experience. If they have doubts about their capacity to cope, they should contact their personal counsellor or speak with the course lecturer prior to commencing. Students have an ethical right to choose their level and timing of involvement, and this will be respected. However, a lack of satisfactory participation could have a negative impact on marks, and potentially generate reactions from other group members which could result in difficult group dynamics.
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   To be assured of completing each assessment item satisfactorily a student must submit all of the items of summative assessment by the due date and achieve on each the minimum specified standards outlined in 4 (Requirements for a pass in the course).
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   If students submit assignments after the due date without prior approval, then a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the assignment will apply for each of the first FIVE working days late, after which a zero mark will be given.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of a passing grade, students must demonstrate, via the summative assessment items, that they have achieved the required minimum standards in relation to the objectives of the course by: (i) satisfactorily completing the examination and assignments; and (ii) obtaining at least 50% of the total weighted marks for all summative assessment items.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the weighted aggregate of the marks (or grades) obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
6. Examination information:
   The exam for this course is an OPEN EXAMINATION, and candidates may have access to any material during the examination except the following: electronic communication devices, bulky materials, devices requiring mains power and material likely to disturb other students.
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   Any deferred or supplementary examinations for this course will be held during the next examination period.
8. University Regulations:
   Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6. Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm or in the current USQ Handbook.

ASSESSMENT NOTES