CMS1000 Communication and Scholarship

CMS	1000	90421	2, 2009	ONC	Communication and Scholarship	1.00	Toowoomba
Subject	Cat-nbr	Class	Term	Mode	Description	Units	Campus

Academic group:	FOART
Academic org:	FOA003
Student contribution band:	1
ASCED code:	100700

Staffing
Rationale
Synopsis
Objectives
Topics
Texts
Reference materials
Student workload
Assessment details
Graduate qualities and skills
Important assessment information
Assessment notes
Other requirements
Production date
PDF version

STAFFING

Examiner: Marcus Harmes
Moderator: Eleanor Kiernan

RATIONALE

Advances in communication are occurring globally at a rapid rate. In the contemporary world, effective communication requires an understanding of these new complex processes. It also requires individuals to possess a broad range of transferable skills to meet the demands of change, and to apply these in an equally broad range of contexts.

SYNOPSIS

This course presents an introduction to the theory and practice of Communication, with particular application to academic and professional settings. Students study the processes of research and scholarship, and of tailoring communication for specific audiences. Students develop an understanding of barriers to communication, and strategies which can be used to overcome these barriers. Verbal and nonverbal communication thinking skills, and the dynamics of interpersonal and group communication will be explored. Students also gain the written, verbal and personal transferable skills essential to their role in a rapidly changing environment.

OBJECTIVES

On completion of this course students will be able to:

1.: define and describe the process of communication;
2.: identify the importance of adapting the styles of written and oral communication to the needs of particular audiences;
3.: analyse and develop a given task, and to conduct a literature review in order to fulfil the task;
4.: identify and explain the principles of referencing and apply an accepted referencing system;
5.: communicate information, in written and oral forms, clearly, logically and concisely at a high level of proficiency;
6.: apply a systematic approach to drafting, revising and editing written communication;
7.: identify, develop and communicate sound arguments in written and oral forms, and to counter unsound and illogical arguments;
8.: explore problem solving and decision making strategies;
9.: understand the dynamics of communication within groups and organizations;
10.: demonstrate knowledge of the dynamics of interpersonal communication, and apply this knowledge in a number of contexts;
11.: identify and apply the principles of nonverbal communication to enhance the communication process;
12.: identify and minimise barriers to effective communication and use a range of strategies to overcome these barriers;
13.: identify the importance of transferable skills and be able to apply the skills gained in a number of contexts.

TOPICS

	Description	Weighting (%)
1.	Foundation module	20.00
2.	Capstone module	20.00
3.	Written communication module	10.00
4.	Oral communication module	10.00
5.	Clear thinking, problem solving and decision making module.	10.00
6.	Interpersonal communication module	10.00
7.	Nonverbal communication module	10.00
8.	Group and organisational communication module	10.00

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).

Instructional package

Tyler, S, Kossen, C & Ryan, C 2005, Communication: a foundation course, 2nd edn, Pearson Education, Frenchs Forest, NSW.

REFERENCE MATERIALS

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

Anderson, J and Poole, M 2001, Assignment and thesis writing, 4th edn, John Wiley & Sons, Milton, Qld.

Baker, E, Barrett, M & Roberts, L 2002, Working communication, John Wiley & Sons Aust Ltd, Milton, Qld.

Clegg, CS 1988, Critical reading and writing across the disciplines, Holt, Rinehart & Winston, New York.

DeVito, J 2005, Messages: building interpersonal communication skills, 6th edn, Allyn and Bacon, Boston, MA.

DeVito, J 2006, Human communication: the basic course, 10th edn, Pearson Education Inc, Sydney.

Eunson, B 2005, Communicating in the 21st century, John Wiley & Sons Aust Ltd, Milton, Qld.

Grellier, J & Goerke, V 2006, Communication skills toolkit: unlocking the secrets of tertiary success, Cengage Learning, Melbourne.

Mohan, T, McGregor, H, Saunders, S & Archee, R 2004, Communicating as professionals, Thomson Learning, Southbank, Vic.

Ober, S 2004, Fundamentals of contemporary business communication, Houghton Mifflin, Boston.

Putnis, P & Petelin, R 1999, Professional communication: principles and applications, 2nd edn, Prentice Hall, Sydney.

Tubbs, S & Moss, S 2000, Human communication, 8th edn, McGraw-Hill, Boston.

Verderber, RF & Verderber, KS 2002, Communicate!, 10th edn, Wadsworth Pub Co, Belmont, California.

Waller, BN 2001, Critical thinking: consider the verdict, 4th edn, Prentice-Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ.

Zobel, J 2004, Writing for computer science, 2nd edn, Springer, London.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ACTIVITY	HOURS
Directed Study	61.00
Private Study	67.00
Workshops	34.00

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

Description	Marks out of	Wtg(%)	Due date	Objectives assessed	Graduate skill	Level assessed	Notes
SELF TEST	0.00	0.00	20 Jul 2009
PRELIMINARY ESSAY PLAN	100.00	10.00	17 Aug 2009	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13	U1, U3, U4, U8	1, 1, 1, 1	(see note 1)
REPORT	100.00	35.00	29 Sep 2009	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13	U1, U3, U4, U8	1, 1, 1, 1	(see note 2)
ESSAY	100.00	35.00	16 Oct 2009	All	U1, U3, U4	1, 1, 1	(see note 3)
ORAL PRESENTATION	100.00	20.00	30 Oct 2009	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 13	U4	1	(see note 4)

NOTES

1.: This assessment item aligns with Objectives 1,2,3,4,5.
2.: This assessment item aligns with Objectives 1,2,3,4,5.
3.: This assessment item aligns with all of the Objectives.
4.: This assessment item aligns with Objectives 2,3,4,5.

GRADUATE QUALITIES AND SKILLS

Elements of the following Graduate Skills are associated with the successful completion of this course.

Graduate skill assessed	Level assessed
Ethical Research & Enquiry (Skill U1)	Introductory (Level 1)
Academic & Professional Literacy (Skill U3)	Introductory (Level 1)
Written & Oral Communication (Skill U4)	Introductory (Level 1)
Managmt, Planning & Org Skills (Skill U8)	Introductory (Level 1)

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

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. For this course, normal class attendance consists of one two hour workshop per week.
Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
To successfully complete an individual assessment item, a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks or a grade of at least C-. This statement must be read in conjunction with Statement 4 below.
Penalties for late submission of required work:
If students submit assignments after the due date without extenuating circumstances and without prior approval, then a penalty of a maximum of 5% of the assigned mark may apply for each working day late, up to a maximum of 10 working days, at which time a mark of zero can be recorded for that assignment.
Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
To be assured of receiving a passing grade, a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.
Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the aggregate of the weighted marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
Examination information:
There is no exam for this course.
Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
Given the details under (6) above, there are no deferred exams for this course. However, if any deferred/makeup work is granted, it would have to be submitted by a date set by the examiner.
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

ASSESSMENT NOTES

(a) The due date for an assignment is the date by which a student must lodge the assignment at the USQ. (b) All Faculty of Arts assignments must be lodged in the Faculty Assessment Centre on the Ground Floor of Q Block no later than 12 noon on the due date. (c) In the event that a due date for an assignment falls on a local public holiday in their area, such as a Show holiday, the due date for the assignment will be the next day. Students are to note on the assignment cover the date of the public holiday for the examiner's convenience. (d). Students must retain a copy of each item submitted for assessment. This must be despatched to USQ within 24 hours if requested by the Examiner. (e) In accordance with University's Assignment Extension Policy (Regulation 5.6.1), the examiner of a course may grant an extension of the due date of an assignment in extenuating circumstances such as documented ill-health. (f) Students who have undertaken all of the required assessments in the course but who have failed to meet some of the specified objectives of the course within the normally prescribed time may be awarded the temporary grade: IM (Incomplete-Makeup). An IM grade will only be awarded when, in the opinion of the examiner, a student will be able to achieve the remaining objectives of the course after a period of non-directed personal study. (g) Students who, for medical, family/personal, or employment-related reasons, are unable to complete an assignment or sit for an examination at the scheduled time, may apply to defer an assessment in the course. Such a request must be accompanied by appropriate supporting documentation. One of the following temporary grades may be awarded: IDS (Incomplete - Deferred Examination; IDM (Incomplete Deferred Make-up); IDB (Incomplete - Both Deferred Examination and Deferred Make-up).

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

In view of the course objectives and their emphasis on the development of conceptual and applicable skills, students are strongly advised to attend all classes.
Students will require access to email and have internet access to UConnect for this course.

This version produced 19 Nov 2009.