QCD110 Academic Communication 1


To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.


Unit Outline: College Summer 2026, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Unit code:QCD110
Credit points:12
Anti-requisite:QCD111, QCD120
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

A contributing factor to success in a higher education context relates to the understanding and use of communication skills specific to academia. This introductory unit provides a fundamental understanding of the academic communication genre and is designed to introduce you to essential academic language and literacy skills needed to support your learning in undergraduate university programs. As part of this, you will also begin to explore the ethical and responsible use of Generative AI tools to support academic communication and learning.

The unit is studied concurrently with discipline specific units related to the undergraduate degree in your chosen field of study. It supports your transition into university by building the academic communication skills necessary for success across all areas of study.

Learning Outcomes

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

  1. Read and interpret academic texts to identify key arguments.
  2. Research, analyse and reason from evidence to reach an effective outcome.
  3. Plan and produce academic texts with the required structure and language features appropriate to audience, purpose and context.
  4. Demonstrate effective teamwork and interpersonal communication skills.
  5. Develop reflective thinking skills to evaluate and adapt academic practices.

Content

Major topics covered in this unit include:

  • Notetaking
  • Searching for academic sources
  • Decoding and comprehending texts
  • Critical thinking and argument
  • Academic language features
  • Ethical and responsible use of Generative AI
  • Collaborating with peers
  • Developing feedback strategies
  • Critical reflection
  • Academic honesty, citation and referencing

Learning Approaches

This unit encourages you to be an active learner by engaging you in a variety of learning activities such as lectures, workshops and tutorials. You will also engage with weekly eContent on Canvas to support your learning. After classes you are expected to continue engaging with unit resources to consolidate your understanding with one-on-one support available from the teaching team as needed. 

Within the unit there is a supportive learning environment where you will be encouraged to take risks with your academic language production. You will be challenged by regular tasks that incrementally build your academic literacy and language knowledge and skills. In this process, you will learn to use reflective practice to improve your awareness around seeking and using feedback. The knowledge and skills you gain in this unit will also apply to your discipline units.

This unit adopts an approach which relies on your engagement in activities prior to and after classes. An important aspect of this unit are Study Advantage and Language Lab sessions. These sessions are designed to meet your needs as students new to QUT and the Australian educational landscape. Additionally, they allow you to develop their functional academic language skills. This unit values the knowledge you bring with you and as such, there is an emphasis on sharing and building on this knowledge while understanding how to work with your peers.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

You 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

Formative assessment will occur to give you an opportunity to gauge your own progress and for tutors to provide feedback on your learning. Summative assessment tasks will occur at points throughout the unit so you can better pace your workload. This will also allow for scaffolded learning where your academic literacy skills are slowly built though incremental tasks at greater levels of complexity. The assessment tasks and associated feedback will be learning opportunities and will provide support for you to complete the unit successfully. There will be a focus throughout the unit on drafting and redrafting your work based on feedback to support your learning and skill development. In Academic Communication 1, there is emphasis on learning through dialogue and teamwork. This is assessed through both formative and summative methods on an ongoing basis.

Assessment in this unit is designed around academic skills necessary for successful participation in undergraduate university programs. They are authentic and relevant tasks that will support you in your future studies in your chosen discipline area.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Group Presentation

You will work with one or more of your peers to prepare and deliver a presentation focusing on a prescribed academic reading. Each person in your group will be required to present for 4-5 minutes. This assessment item is completed as a group, but graded individually.

 

Weight: 20
Length: 4-5 minutes per person
Individual/Group: Individual and group
Due (indicative): Week 5
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 4

Assessment: Analytical Report

You will plan and write a 1400-word report that investigates a key skill relevant to success in your field of study. Based on the research and analysis, you will justify the importance of this skill and provide recommendations to a client.

The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.

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

Weight: 50
Length: 1400 words (+/- 10%)
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 8
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 5

Assessment: Examination

You will be required to write a critical reflection on knowledge acquired throughout the unit.

Weight: 30
Length: 500 words (+/- 10%)
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): During central examination period
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 5

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

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.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

QCD110 Canvas site
QUT Cite/Write

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 (Diploma)

HO (2.1): Critical Analysis

Relates to: ULO2, ULO3

HO (2.2): Independent Judgement and Decision-Making

Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, ULO5

KS (1.2): Technical and Technological Skills

Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3

PC (3.1): Professional Communication (Written)

Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, ULO5

TS (4.1): Self-Reflection and Accountability

Relates to: ULO5

TS (4.2): Teamwork Knowledge and Skills

Relates to: ULO4

Course Learning Outcomes

This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.

AB02 Diploma in Architectural Studies

  1. Communicate fundamental knowledge, ideas and creative solutions to a range of audiences using diverse modes.
    Relates to: Group Presentation, Analytical Report, Examination

BS40 Diploma in Business

  1. Use technical and technological skills to understand real world business operations.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3
  2. Investigate real world business problems and situations through the effective analysis and evaluation of foundational theoretical and practical knowledge.
    Relates to: ULO2
  3. Communicate effectively using academic language and literacy skills appropriate to purpose and context across a range of written genres.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, ULO5
  4. Exercise initiative, judgement and personal responsibility to enhance organisation and performance of own work and demonstrate self reflection in relation to own learning and practice.
    Relates to: ULO5
  5. Apply teamwork knowledge and skills for effective collaboration.
    Relates to: ULO4

EN02 Diploma in Engineering

  1. Make decisions ethically within the social, cultural, and organisational contexts of professional engineering practice.
    Relates to: ULO5
  2. Engage stakeholders professionally and communicate the outcomes of your work effectively to expert and non-expert audiences using appropriate modes.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Group Presentation, Analytical Report, Examination
  3. Display leadership, creativity, and initiative in both self-directed and collaborative contexts of professional engineering practice.
    Relates to: ULO4, Group Presentation

HL10 Diploma in Health Science

  1. Demonstrate foundational knowledge and skills relating to the provision of safe, person-centred, evidence-based practice across the lifespan.
    Relates to: ULO4, ULO5
  2. Apply critical thinking, problem solving and digital literacy skills to evidence-based decision making that aims to promote the health and wellbeing of individuals and/or groups in the community.
    Relates to: ULO2
  3. Communicate effectively in an academic and professional manner across a range of contexts and diverse audiences.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, ULO4, Group Presentation, Analytical Report, Examination

HL11 Diploma in Health Science (Health Studies)

  1. Demonstrate broad, foundational knowledge and skills for future studies in a range of health science disciplines.
    Relates to: ULO1
  2. Apply critical thinking, judgement and evaluative skills to the analysis and synthesis of a range of predictable problems related to the health and wellbeing of individuals and/or groups in the community.
    Relates to: ULO2, Analytical Report, Examination
  3. Communicate effectively in an academic and professional manner to a range of audiences using a variety of formats.
    Relates to: ULO3, Analytical Report
  4. Demonstrate the ability to apply teamwork skills to work productively with others in addressing health and wellbeing challenges
    Relates to: ULO4, Group Presentation
  5. Apply self-reflective, ethical, and inclusive approaches to health professional practice with a diverse range of individuals and/or groups in the community.
    Relates to: ULO5, Examination

IF06 Diploma in Creative Industries

  1. Demonstrate broad, coherent theoretical knowledge for creative enterprise, career development and interdisciplinary collaborations in the Creative Industries sector
    Relates to: ULO1
  2. Apply critical and creative thinking, digital literacy and problem solving skills to identify, analyse and evaluate a range of authentic creative enterprise issues
    Relates to: ULO2, Analytical Report
  3. Communicate effectively using a range of forms across different professional settings and diverse audiences.
    Relates to: ULO3, Analytical Report
  4. Apply leadership and teamwork skills to work productively with others in addressing real-world challenges
    Relates to: ULO4, Group Presentation
  5. Exercise self-reflection, adaptability and self-direction in order to devise and refine new ideas, approaches and ways of doing and knowing.
    Relates to: ULO5, Examination