Course Coordinator:Sarah Casey (scasey3@usc.edu.au) School:School of Business and Creative Industries
UniSC Sunshine CoastUniSC 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. |
Please go to usc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.
This course introduces you to the role of communication across a range of sectors in a global media environment. You will explore notions such as media platforms, power, agency, propaganda, rhetoric, and public opinion and examine tactics and strategies to influence the public sphere. Through the development and analysis of case studies, you will develop a critical understanding of strategic communication practices, gaining insights into how the ethical practice of public communication contributes to the sustainability of organisations and communities.
Activity | Hours | Beginning Week | Frequency |
Blended learning | |||
Learning materials – Interactive online learning activities. | 1hr | Week 1 | 12 times |
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Scheduled face to face workshops. | 2hrs | Week 1 | 12 times |
Online | |||
Learning materials – Interactive online learning activities. | 1hr | Week 1 | 12 times |
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Scheduled online workshops (Recorded). | 2hrs | Week 1 | 12 times |
100 Level (Introductory)
12 units
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 and describe key concepts, principles and theories that inform professional strategic communication practice. | Knowledgeable |
2 | Recognise theoretical debates, contestations and contemporary perspectives in strategic communication and public relations literature. | Knowledgeable |
3 | Deploy ethical principles in the critical analysis of strategic communication cases. | Ethical |
4 | Evaluate strategic communication problems and issues in a sustainable and culturally responsible manner. | Sustainability-focussed |
Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Standard Grading (GRD)
High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL). |
In week 3 a non-graded quiz will be conducted and students will get feedback to ensure their understandings of the key concepts explored in the course so far
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 | Artefact - Creative, and Written Piece | Individual | 20% | 500 word equivalent (100 words of explanation of concept + image) |
Week 6 | Online Submission |
All | 2 | Oral and Written Piece | Group | 40% | 10 minute group presentation of a case study with an individual reflection of 200 words (written) about the group component |
Week 10 | Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check |
All | 3 | Report | Individual | 40% | 10 minute individual vlog or 1200 word blogpost report. |
Week 13 | Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check |
All - Assessment Task 1:Creative | |||||||||||||
Goal: | This task is designed to build and enhance your theoretical and conceptual knowledge of contemporary global media and communication |
||||||||||||
Product: | Artefact - Creative, and Written Piece | ||||||||||||
Format: | Creative communication piece (meme, social media post, video; infographic as per student choice) to visually communicate one core concept from between Weeks 1-5) plus one x 100 word explanation of the piece and concept. Reference of core concept x 1 required in Harvard. |
||||||||||||
Criteria: |
|
||||||||||||
Generic Skills: | Communication, Problem solving, Information literacy |
All - Assessment Task 2:Group Oral Presentation of a case study with individual written reflection of group work | |||||||||||||||||||
Goal: | This task is designed to develop your case study, oral and team work skills. |
||||||||||||||||||
Product: | Oral and Written Piece | ||||||||||||||||||
Format: | You will make a team oral presentation of how theory relates to practice by identifying one theory and relating it to one contemporary global media and communication issue. Your presentation should be visually appealing and you should enhance audience experience. The case study will be a group endeavour where you will cite a minimum of six scholarly sources correctly in Harvard Style. In the case study you will explain your rationale for the selection of the case and theory. 10% of the overall mark will be individual reflection on the group work elements. 30% for the group component. |
||||||||||||||||||
Criteria: |
|
||||||||||||||||||
Generic Skills: | Communication, Collaboration, Problem solving, Applying technologies, Information literacy |
All - Assessment Task 3:Vlog or Blog report | ||||||||||||||||
Goal: | This task is designed for you to produce a report that critically analyses five core concepts from a theoretical perspective, with reference to contemporary global media and communication examples for each concept. Minimum of seven scholarly sources. |
|||||||||||||||
Product: | Report | |||||||||||||||
Format: | Blogpost or vlog report. Must be communicated in a a professional and engaging manner. This must be referenced correctly. |
|||||||||||||||
Criteria: |
|
|||||||||||||||
Generic Skills: | Communication, Problem solving, Information literacy |
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.
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.
Not applicable
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.
Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying: The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4% The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct.
Late submission of assessment tasks may be penalised at the following maximum rate: - 5% (of the assessment task's identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. - 10% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the third day - 20% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. - A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.
UniSC is committed to a culture of respect and providing a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community. For immediate assistance on campus contact SafeUniSC by phone: 07 5430 1168 or using the SafeZone app. For general enquires contact the SafeUniSC team by phone 07 5456 3864 or email safe@usc.edu.au.
The SafeUniSC Specialist Service is a Student Wellbeing service that provides free and confidential support to students who may have experienced or observed behaviour that could cause fear, offence or trauma. To contact the service call 07 5430 1226 or email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au.
For help with course-specific advice, for example what information to include in your assessment, you should first contact your tutor, then your course coordinator, if needed.
If you require additional assistance, the Learning Advisers are trained professionals who are ready to help you develop a wide range of academic skills. Visit the Learning Advisers web page for more information, or contact Student Central for further assistance: +61 7 5430 2890 or studentcentral@usc.edu.au.
Student Wellbeing provide free and confidential counselling on a wide range of personal, academic, social and psychological matters, to foster positive mental health and wellbeing for your academic success.
To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 1226.
Ability Advisers ensure equal access to all aspects of university life. If your studies are affected by a disability, learning disorder mental health issue, injury or illness, or you are a primary carer for someone with a disability or who is considered frail and aged, AccessAbility Services can provide access to appropriate reasonable adjustments and practical advice about the support and facilities available to you throughout the University.
To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email AccessAbility@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 2890.
For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:
For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching
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.