CYB112 Communication and Composition


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Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Unit code:CYB112
Credit points:12
Equivalent:CWB101
Coordinator:Glen Thomas | gj.thomas@qut.edu.au
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

Writing is an essential skill that you will need to succeed in your university program, as researching, composing, analysing, and forming a persuasive argument are fundamental to all assessment tasks. This unit introduces you to the conventions and practices of academic and evidence-based writing and will train you to interpret and analyse information to form a logical and persuasive argument. This unit confronts how digital technology shapes the form and practice of written communication today to build your information/digital literacies and research/evaluation skills. This unit will equip you with the necessary academic and factual writing skills to complete your assessment at a high standard throughout your course of study. 

Learning Outcomes

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

  1. Write and edit documents that adhere to the conventions of academic writing
  2. Critically interpret and analyse a range of texts in different genres and media
  3. Structure and synthesise information to form an academic argument
  4. Evaluate the quality of information and evidence
  5. Reflect upon your own writing, study, learning skills and practices

Content

The unit’s content covers:

  • the basis of academic writing (description, narration, exposition, structure, analysis, argument)
  • the impact and implications of digital technology on written communication
  • clear writing, and grammatically correct writing
  • conventions for factual writing/journalism skills
  • critical, creative and analytical thinking
  • research skills
  • methods of academic referencing.

Learning Approaches

This unit is taught using a mix of lectures, tutorials and self-learning. Lectures will survey a key element of written communication each week, which will then be discussed and applied in tutorials. Set readings and exercises each week will guide your learning, and introduce you to various forms of written communication and discourse. 

You will be expected to complete any prescribed self-study, including readings out of class, and in preparation for subsequent classes.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Feedback on your performance in this unit will be provided to you in various ways, including:

  • Feedback on formative tasks completed in tutorials
  • Advice delivered through Canvas communications
  • Feedback and support from peers in your tutorial
  • Criteria sheets and additional comments on summative assessment tasks

Feedback from teaching staff on your assessment and draft assessment

Assessment

Overview

There are three assessment items for this unit. The Annotated Bibliography allows you to demonstrate your research and analytical skills in preparation for the Research Essay. The Portfolio allows you to demonstrate the development of your skills and proficiency as a writer across a series of tasks.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Annotated Bibliography

You will compile an annotated bibliography to analyse and evaluate sources of research. This assessment task will prepare you for the research essay assessment task.

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

Weight: 30
Length: 1000 -1500 words
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 8
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 4

Assessment: Portfolio

The Writing Portfolio will consist of a series of tasks and/or responses to assigned readings, activities, and other unit material. Your portfolio will also include a critical reflection and self-reflection on your writing proficiency.

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

Weight: 30
Length: 1000 – 1500 words
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 12
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 4, 5

Assessment: Research Essay

You will apply your critical research, evaluation, and persuasive writing skills in a research paper that synthesises your own analysis with that of secondary sources. Your research essay will demonstrate the skills learnt throughout the semester.

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

Weight: 40
Length: 1500 – 2000 words
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 14
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4

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.

Requirements to Study

Requirements

All students are requested to visit and review the Health and Safety information on the HiQ web pages.

You will be advised if a unit requires additional mandatory health and safety inductions.  

Resources

All readings and learning resources will be posted to the unit's Canvas site.

Resource Materials

Other

To enable your full participation in units that utilise virtual learning environments, for example participating in online activities and engaging with online learning materials, you will need access to a reliable computer with an internet connection, webcam, headset and microphone, as well as a learning environment where you are able to fully participate undisturbed when required. 

Risk Assessment Statement

For risks associated with using campus buildings or QUT facilities, refer to the HiQ Health and Safety information.

You are advised to take regular rest breaks when engaging in prolonged computer-based work and ensure that your workstation is set up for optimal comfort to prevent strain or injury.

Please be advised that this unit may include the presentation and scholarly analysis of material and subject matters that may be considered confronting, such as certain representations of race, class, gender and violence. QUT counselling support is available should you feel the need to avail yourself of these services.

Course Learning Outcomes

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

KC40 Bachelor of Communication

  1. Demonstrate capacity to understand and critique the historical, cultural, technological, and regulatory implications of digital media, entertainment, communication, and news industries.
    Relates to: ULO2, Annotated Bibliography, Portfolio, Research Essay
  2. Demonstrate capacity to engage with and apply specialised knowledge of one or more areas of digital media, entertainment, communication, and news industries, including the relationship between disciplinary theory, research methodologies, and professional practice.
    Relates to: ULO4, Annotated Bibliography, Portfolio, Research Essay
  3. Demonstrate effective communication skills with the ability to adapt strategies across different media and professional settings and for diverse audiences.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Annotated Bibliography, Portfolio, Research Essay
  4. Critically analyse, evaluate and synthesise complex forms of information and evidence to inform decision-making, problem solving and argumentation.
    Relates to: ULO5, Portfolio