Representation and Diversity (12220.1)

Communication professionals bear responsibility for ethical and inclusive communication practices that involve and affect the lives of people who experience disadvantage on the basis of identity factors such as race, culture, gender, sexuality, class, and disability. They also need to understand how to address areas of sensitivity and risk, including suicide and gender-based violence. In this unit, you will develop an understanding of the challenges facing communication professionals confronted with these issues. You will examine and critically reflect upon principles and guidelines for inclusive communication about diverse communities, including best practice models to inform your own work in the communication sector.

Learning outcomes

After successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Evaluate issues in representing diverse and at-risk groups inclusively and equitably, and consider how irresponsible communication can cause harm;
2. Analyse the principles underpinning guidelines and recommendations for responsible and culturally aware communication; and
3. Develop the ability to communicate ethically and inclusively in fields such as journalism, digital communication, community engagement, public relations, and strategic communication.

Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
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 - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
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 - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development
4. UC graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing - apply their knowledge to working with Indigenous Australians in socially just ways
4. UC graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing - communicate and engage with Indigenous Australians in ethical and culturally respectful ways

Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

12027 Reporting Diversity, 12080 Ethics and Inclusion in Organisational Communication

Assumed knowledge

None.