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Course Outline

CMN106 Contemporary Communication Theory and Trends

Course Coordinator:Jennifer Francis (jfrancis@usc.edu.au) School:School of Business and Creative Industries

2026Trimester 1

UniSC Sunshine Coast

UniSC Moreton Bay

 Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Online

 Online You can do this course without coming onto campus, unless your program has specified a mandatory onsite requirement.

Please go to unisc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

The successful completion of this course will provide you with an understanding of the contemporary landscape and employment opportunities in the communication sector, and the theories that help us to understand the relationship between media and society. Examining critical theories will help you to understand power and voice in mediated communication. You will also evaluate the skills and values needed to be successful in the communication sector. Finally, the course will introduce you to the discipline areas within the Communications Program at USC to help you clarify your study choices.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – Self-directed online pre-workshop learning materials. 1hr Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Scheduled face-to-face workshops. 2hrs Week 1 10 times
Online
Learning materials – Asynchronous online delivery of learning material. 1hr Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Synchronous online workshops. 2hrs Week 1 10 times

Course Topics

  • Introduction to Communication
  • Text and Audience
  • Mass Communication Theories
  • Written, visual and oral communicaton
  • Semiotic analysis
  • Representation, power, ethics
  • New media and communication
  • Health communication
  • Intercultural communication

What level is this course?

100 Level (Introductory)

Engaging with discipline knowledge and skills at foundational level, broad application of knowledge and skills in familiar contexts and with support. Limited or no prerequisites. Normally, associated with the first full-time study year of an undergraduate program.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Identify your individual skills, qualities and connections that will help you to become successful in the communication sector. Empowered
2 Employ critical theories to inform your understanding of the cultural power of media forms. Knowledgeable
3 Locate, evaluate, and utilise relevant academic research. Knowledgeable
4 Employ appropriate and ethical conventions of communication to convey meaning in written, oral and non-verbal formats. Ethical

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

Not applicable

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Nil

Microcredential Information

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

Informal formative assessment is regularly provided within tutorial activities, via face to face consultations and email.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Oral and Written Piece Group 20% 
Discussion Group (6 mins presentation and 2 min discussion) and summary and reference list to be submitted.
 Refer to Format In Class
All 2 Essay Individual 40% 
1,000 words
 Week 9 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 3 Oral and Written Piece Group 40% 
10 minutes + 250 word self-reflection.
 Week 12 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check and in class
All - Assessment Task 1:Discussion Group
Goal: 
Discussion Group 

Oral Presentation. Groups of 3-4 students will present a brief summary of the week’s learning materials and provoke class discussion through the presentation of related materials and questions.
Product: Oral and Written Piece
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
Oral presentation.
Groups will present a summary of their assigned week's learning materials in the workshop. 

Assessed on ONE in-class presentation allocated between Week 2-6. Reference list/accompanying materials submitted online.

Presentations should be designed to provoke class discussion. Reference list and summary/overview of presentation to be submitted to Canvas.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Accuracy and Depth of Engagement with Course Material
 2
2 
Oral and written communication
 4
3 
Application of knowledge to timely and relevant examples
 2 3
4 
Evidence of appropriate research
 3
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Collaboration, Organisation
All - Assessment Task 2:Written Essay
Goal: 
In this task students will demonstrate an ability to apply a relevant theoretical approach in the analysis of current cultural trends and/or issues in communication.
Product: Essay
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
Academic Format

In 1000 words, students will construct an essay outlining a critical analysis of a current cultural  trend or issue in communication. The analysis will be focused by the selection of one core theory through which the chosen trend or issue will be analysed. Essays should include a reference list and references within the text to support arguments of a minimum 6 scholarly sources and 2 media/non-academic sources.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Apply chosen theory and supporting arguments to produce a critical analysis
 2
2 
Synthesise and evaluate ideas to produce a convincing piece of written communication
 2 3
3 
Apply principles of academic writing, including essay form, academic language, grammar, spelling, and punctuation
 4
4 
Produce correctly formatted reference list (APA or Harvard) evidencing relevance and credibility of supporting sources
 3
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 3:Oral presentation
Goal: 
The goal of this task is to present a critical take on a 20th Century communication theory, by discussing an application of the theory in 21st Century contexts. The presentation should occur in a paired or panel interview style in which participants will interrogate concepts for their relevance and application to communication in current contexts.

Students will also submit a short written statement reflecting on their individual skills and qualities in the preparation and execution of this task.
Product: Oral and Written Piece
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
Academic Format
In seven minutes, each group will introduce ONE theoretical concept and critique it with reference to literature and relevant examples. Groups of 2-4 may choose variations on presentation style to accommodate the pair or panel interview format. The tone of the presentation should remain professional, with rationalised arguments throughout. This task provides the opportunity to work on verbal and non-verbal communication skills. The goal is not to arrive at a conclusion that a theory is right or wrong, but to produce a stimulating and engaging discussion. 

Presentations will be delivered and assessed in tutorials for on-campus students. Online students will negotiate submission requirements with the coordinator. Students must submit their self-reflection and a reference list of at least 6 scholarly sources and 2 media or non-scholarly sources supporting your presentation, online. 

All group members must contribute equally in preparation, contribution and speaking time.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Demonstrate understanding and critical reflection on communication theory
 2
2 
Interpret and apply appropriate supporting evidence
 2 3
3 
Model effective verbal and non-verbal communication (including visual aids and adherence to time limits)
 4
4 
Produce a correctly formatted reference list of relevant and credible sources
 2 3 4
5 
Reflect critically on individual skills and qualities
 1
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Collaboration, Organisation, Applying technologies

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

There are no required/recommended resources for this course.

Specific requirements

Students must have access to a computer and the internet to undertake this course.

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
(a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%; and
(b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submissions may be penalised up to and including the following maximum percentage of the assessment task’s identified value, with weekdays and weekends included in the calculation of days late:
(a) One day: deduct 5%;
(b) Two days: deduct 10%;
(c) Three days: deduct 20%;
(d) Four days: deduct 40%;
(e) Five days: deduct 60%;
(f) Six days: deduct 80%;
(g) Seven days: A result of zero is awarded for the assessment task.

The following penalties will apply for a late submission for an online examination:
Less than 15 minutes: No penalty
From 15 minutes to 30 minutes: 20% penalty
More than 30 minutes: 100% penalty

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

For course-specific questions, contact your teaching staff or Course Coordinator.  

For other enquiries or to access support, please contact Student Central: 

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