CMS1100 Communicating in the Sciences

Contents

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

STAFFING

RATIONALE

The contemporary world is characterised by increasing cultural and linguistic diversity and knowledge explosion and transmission. Effective communication in these changed contexts requires not only an understanding of the processes involved in communication and scholarship, but also the ability to apply these understandings to specific contexts. This course will help students access, master and demonstrate the specific genres, discourses and literacies required by academic and scientific fields.

SYNOPSIS

This course presents an introduction to the theory and practice of communication and academic and scientific scholarship. Students study the processes of academic and scientific reading and writing, including research and note taking skills and critical and analytical skills. Students will also study the processes involved in tailoring communication for specific audiences, in analysing tasks and in developing and structuring academic and scientific arguments. The importance of identifying and analysing sound arguments is also covered, along with the development of students' oral presentation, interpersonal and group/team communication skills.

OBJECTIVES

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

1.

find, evaluate and reference research information;

2.

explain the processes involved in communication and apply the theory to their communication in specific academic, scientific and professional contexts;

3.

analyse academic and scientific communication tasks and develop, structure and edit logically argued and valid academic/scientific arguments;

4.

identify, develop and communicate sound arguments in written and oral forms, as well as critically analyse and identify illogical and unsound arguments;

5.

identify the role and importance of effective interpersonal communication in academic, scientific and professional contexts;

6.

Specify the importance of interpersonal and team/group work to scientific and academic endeavour and develop students' abilities to be effective group/team members;

7.

Analyse the role of effective nonverbal communication in academic and professional effectiveness.

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).

TO BE ADVISED.

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 & Poole, M 2001, Assignment and thesis writing, 4th edn, Jacaranda Wiley Ltd, Milton.

Arnold, E & Boggs, KL 2003, Interpersonal relationships: Professional communication skills for nurses, Saunders, Missouri.

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

Burdess, N 1998, Handbook of student skills, 2nd edn, Prentice Hall, Sydney.

DeVito, J 2000, Messages building interpersonal communication skills, 5th edn, Allyn and Bacon, Boston, MA.

Dwyer, J 2002, Communicating in business: Strategies and skills, 2nd edn, Pearson Education, Australia.

Hay, I 2002, Communicating in geography and the environmental sciences, 2nd edn, Oxford University Press, Melbourne.

Hay, I, Bochner, D & Dungey, C 2002, Making the grade: A guide to successful communication and study, 2nd edn, Oxford University Press, Melbourne.

Lewis, G & Slade, C 2000, Critical communication, 2nd edn, Prentice Hall, Sydney.

Mahony, D 2004, Studying and writing effectively, QUT, Brisbane.

Mohan, T, McGregor, H, Saunders, S & Archer, R 1996, Communicating!: Theory and practice, 4th edn, Harcourt Brace, Sydney.

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

Tubbs, S & Moss, S 2000, Human communication, 7th edn, McGraw Hill, Boston.

Tyler, S, Kossen, C & Ryan, C 2004, Communication: A foundation course, 3rd edn, Prentice Hall, Sydney.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

NOTES

1.

This assessment item relates to Objectives 1,2 & 3.

2.

Requirements for this assessment will be advised at beginning of semester in Tutorial. This assessment item relates to all of the Objectives.

3.

This assessment item relates to Objectives 1,2,3,4,5 & 6.

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. For this course, normal attendance consists of one two-hour tutorial per week.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Examination information:
   There is no exam for this course.
7. 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.
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

ASSESSMENT NOTES

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

1. In view of the course objectives and their emphasis on the development of conceptual and applicable skills and, as much of the assessment relies on the objectives, students are very strongly advised to attend all classes.

This version produced 11 Dec 2009.