The Art and Power of Communication (11079.1)

Please note these are the 2019 details for this unit
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The Art and Power of Communication
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods On-Campus
 Bruce, Canberra
UC College, Bruce, ACT
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.125 3 Faculty Of Arts And Design
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
School Of Arts And Communications Level 1 - Undergraduate Introductory Unit Band 2 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
Band 4 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 4 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan Social Work_Exclude 0905)
Communication is powerful: it gives meaning to our lives, shaping who we are and how we see our world. As professional communicators, we create narratives to build brands, report news, change behaviour, create awareness, pitch ideas, market goods and services and even to curate and promote our 'selves'. In this unit you learn to craft your narratives to inform and persuade. You write narratives for multiple and diverse platforms. You explore the ways that narratives generate meaning: from the big stories that shape our world view to the everyday tales we tell about ourselves. You interrogate the structure, content and purpose of narratives, and test the boundaries of stories - the cultural conventions, rules and regulations that control what we can and can't say.

Learning outcomes

After successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate understanding of narratives as cultural and ethical texts;
2. Construct written narratives that demonstrate the skillful and creative use of language;
3. Tailor narratives for digital and non-digital platforms; and
4. Engage with, reflect on and demonstrate an appreciation of cultural difference in narrative formation, content and delivery.


Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
2. UC graduates are global citizens - adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries
2. UC graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
2. UC graduates are global citizens - understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - evaluate and adopt new technology
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development


Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

None.
Availability for enrolment in 2024 is subject to change and may not be confirmed until closer to the teaching start date.
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
2023 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 06 February 2023 On-Campus Dr Scott Bridges
2023 UC College, Bruce, ACT UC College Trimester 2 05 June 2023 On-Campus Miss Swarali Sidhaye
2024 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 05 February 2024 On-Campus Dr Erin Stapleton
2024 UC College, Bruce, ACT UC College Trimester 1 05 February 2024 On-Campus Miss Chenchen Li
2024 UC College, Bruce, ACT UC College Trimester 3 23 September 2024 On-Campus Miss Chenchen Li
Not available

Required texts

Required readings for each week come from Chandler & Munday (2011), A Dictionary of Media and Communication. Oxford. Oxford University Press.

This resource is available through the Reading List on the unit Canvas site. 


 

Inclusion and engagement

The values of inclusion and respect for diversity are central to the University, and particularly within this unit. 

The University of Canberra has outlined the following commitment to fostering an environment which supports all students. This includes a commitment to;

Recognise, encourage and celebrate students from all sections of society;
Promote an environment that fosters fairness, equity and respect for social and cultural diversity;
Support students and staff to reach their full potential through the promotion of reasonable expectations and provision of an inclusive learning environment
Offer programs that aim to overcome disadvantage for student and staff equity groups; and
Ensure that staff and students are aware of their rights and responsibilities as members of the University community 
More information about Equity and Diversity at the University of Canberra is available here: http://www.canberra.edu.au/about-uc/equity-diversity


In addition, class rosters and University data systems are provided to instructors with students legal names and gender indications. However, knowing that not all students use their legal names or sex/gender assigned at birth, teaching staff in this unit are happy to use the name and/or pronouns that you use. We will take time during our first class together to do introductions, at which point you can share with all members of our learning community what name and pronouns you use. Additionally, if these change at any point during the semester, please us know and we can develop a way to share this information with others in a way that is comfortable and safe for you. 

Policy on Children in Class:

It is my belief that if we want women in academia, that we should also expect children to be present in some form. Currently, the university does not have a formal policy on children in the classroom. The policy described here is thus, a reflection of my own beliefs and commitments to student, staff and faculty parents. 

1) All exclusively breastfeeding babies are welcome in class as often as is necessary to support the breastfeeding relationship. I never want students to feel like they have to choose between feeding their baby and continuing their education. You and your nursing baby are welcome in class anytime.

2) For older children and babies, I understand that minor illnesses and unforeseen disruptions in childcare often put parents in the position of having to choose between missing class to stay home with a child and leaving him or her with someone you or the child does not feel comfortable with. While this is not meant to be a long-term childcare solution, occasionally bringing a child to class in order to cover gaps in care is perfectly acceptable.

3) I ask that all students work with me to create a welcoming environment that is respectful of all forms of diversity, including diversity in parenting status.

4) In all cases where babies and children come to class, I ask that you sit close to the door so that if your little one needs special attention and is disrupting learning for other students, you may step outside until their need has been met. Non-parents in the class, please reserve seats near the door for your parenting classmates.

5) Finally, I understand that often the largest barrier to completing your coursework once you become a parent is the tiredness many parents feel in the evening once children have finally gone to sleep. The struggles of balancing school, childcare and often another job are exhausting! I hope that you will feel comfortable disclosing your student-parent status to me. This is the first step in my being able to accommodate any special needs that arise. While I maintain the same high expectations for all student in my classes regardless of parenting status, I am happy to problem solve with you in a way that makes you feel supported as you strive for school-parenting balance. Thank you for the diversity you bring to our classroom.  

Participation requirements

Listening to lectures and participation in tutorials enables students to best meet the criteria in all assessment items. Work undertaken in tutorials directly feeds into Assignments 1 and 3, and informs Assignment 2.

Required IT skills

Students are expected to be able to access materials on the unit's Canvas site, and competency in PC-based operating systems is expected (e.g Powerpoint, Word). 

Work placement, internships or practicums

None