QCD211 Communication 2

Unit Outline: College 1 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Overview

A high level of English communication skills is essential for success in an Australian higher education context. This unit focusses on the ability to manage complex information and produce extended academic text. It complements QCD111 in developing key academic skills required to be a successful, ethically responsible, independent learner at the postgraduate level.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Adhere to the ethical responsibilities of students in Australian universities through appropriate use of academic integrity practices
   Relates to: PG Business Capabilities: SE (5.1)
2. Analyse, critically evaluate and synthesise information from a range of sources
   Relates to: PG Business Capabilities: HO (2.1), HO (2.2)
3. Construct a coherent, well-argued literature review drawing on evidence from relevant academic sources
   Relates to: PG Business Capabilities: HO (2.1), KS (1.1)
4. Use appropriate spoken and written academic genres to communicate concepts and ideas to a range of audiences
   Relates to: PG Business Capabilities: PC (3.1), PC (3.2), TS (4.2)

Content

Learning Approaches

This unit takes a blended approach to learning and teaching. You will be provided with both eContent and timetabled activities such as tutorials and workshops and practicals. During the timetabled activities, the unit coordinator and/or your tutor will further explain content and you will be provided with opportunities to explore this content in a collaborative learning environment. eContent will be clearly identified on your BB site for you to engage with on a weekly basis before your classes. eContent could include videos, readings, self-reflection and/or peer activities designed to enhance your learning experience. After your weekly classes, you should continue to engage with unit resources to ensure you consolidate your understanding of the unit content. Teaching team members will also be available for one-on-one consultations to assist you with your learning journey.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:

• Informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, personal consultation
• Formal: in writing, such as checklists, rubrics, written commentary
• Direct: to individual students, either in written form or in consultation
• Indirect: to the whole class

Assessment

Overview

There are four summative assessment tasks to be completed in this unit. Formative assessment activities, undertaken in class, will provide you with opportunities for feedback and discussion. Assessment activities in this unit are designed to support your learning and enable you to provide evidence of your achievement of the unit learning outcomes.

Summative Assessment (SA)
Summative assessment is included in the calculation of your final grade.

Formative Assessment (FA)
Formative assessment is used to provide feedback to you to assist with your progress.

See the Canvas site for this unit for assessment submission details.

Modification to assessment may be required based on mode of study.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Group Discussion

This task has two parts. Firstly, you must select what you consider to be a significant or influential source to use in your literature review. You should evaluate and reflect on this source and be prepared to discuss it with a small group of your peers. Each group member will have 4-5 minutes to participate in the discussion. Secondly, you will be required to complete a 350 written word document where you analyse the significance of your chosen source and reflect on its usefulness to your research.

The first part of this assessment item is completed as a group, but graded individually. The second part is completed and graded individually.

The second part of this assessment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Assessment: Literature Review

You will produce a literature review based on a research topic provided to you. This task will require you to conduct your own research and follow the organisational structure and linguistic features of a literature review.

There are two parts to this task:

1. Draft Literature Review (15%): For this task you are required to produce a partial critical analysis of academic literature related to the research topic you have been provided.
2. Final Literature Review (35%): For this task you are required to produce a critical analysis of academic literature related to the research topic you have been provided with. You are required to build on the draft literature review assessment submitted in Week 7.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Assessment: Oral Critical Response

You will prepare and deliver a video presentation in which you will respond to a question given to you and which relates directly to the semester research topic. This task calls for you to critically respond to the research you have carried out by presenting your views and opinions on the literature you have read.  For this task you will record a 6-8 minute video where you speak ‘directly to camera’.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Risk Assessment Statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.

Standards/Competencies

This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.

QUT Business Capabilities (Postgraduate)

HO (2.1): Critical Analysis

Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Group Discussion, Literature Review

HO (2.2): Independent Judgement and Decision-Making

Relates to: ULO2, Oral Critical Response

KS (1.1): Discipline and Professional Practice Knowledge

Relates to: ULO3, Literature Review

PC (3.1): Professional Communication (Written)

Relates to: ULO4, Literature Review

PC (3.2): Professional Communication (Oral)

Relates to: ULO4, Group Discussion, Oral Critical Response

SE (5.1): Ethical and Legal Understanding

Relates to: ULO1, Group Discussion, Literature Review, Oral Critical Response

TS (4.2): Teamwork Knowledge and Skills

Relates to: ULO4, Group Discussion

Course Learning Outcomes

BS37 Graduate Certificate in Business and Communication

1. Demonstrate and apply integrated and advanced discipline and professional practice knowledge, including knowledge of relevant research principles and methods.
   Relates to: ULO3, Literature Review
2. Critically investigate real world business issues and problems drawing on analysis, evaluation and synthesis of discipline knowledge, including theory and practice.
   Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Group Discussion, Literature Review
3. Exercise creativity and intellectual independence and make informed decisions and judgements in planning, designing, and executing strategic and research-based responses to address real world issues and problems.
   Relates to: ULO2, Oral Critical Response
4. Use information literacy skills and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes, contexts and audiences.
   Relates to: ULO4, Literature Review
5. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices of business in critically analysing and effectively responding to complex business issues.
   Relates to: ULO1, Group Discussion, Literature Review, Oral Critical Response

EN60 Graduate Certificate in Communication for Engineering

1. Demonstrate and apply specialised knowledge and technical skills in at least one Engineering discipline.
   Relates to: Group Discussion, Literature Review
2. Critically investigate real world engineering issues and solve complex problems drawing on specialised creative skills, analysis, evaluation and synthesis of discipline knowledge, theory and practice.
   Relates to: Literature Review, Oral Critical Response
3. Employ effective written and oral professional communication skills across social, cultural and discipline domains.
   Relates to: Group Discussion, Literature Review, Oral Critical Response
4. Exercise responsibility and accountability in applying knowledge and skills for own learning and effective practice including working independently, ethically and collaboratively.
   Relates to: Group Discussion