Course Outline

CMN252 Writing for Strategic Communication

Course Coordinator:Jane Frank (jfrank@usc.edu.au) School:School of Business and Creative Industries

2026Trimester 2

UniSC Sunshine Coast

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

Writing for Strategic Communication introduces a range of professional and social communication writing methods and techniques. The course offers rhetorical and media-user theories as ethical context to developing skills necessary for strategic communication practice in the public sphere. You will analyse media platforms, online social narratives and interactive audiences, and design communication strategies to engage with and write for targeted audiences via relevant media outlets. Additionally, you will collect a portfolio of your own work which will serve as a valuable resource. 

How will this course be delivered?

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

Course Topics

Theories of rhetoric

Communication theories

Communication ethics

Platform power and Social Media in PR

Communication strategies design

Audience research and segmentations

What level is this course?

200 Level (Developing)

Building on and expanding the scope of introductory knowledge and skills, developing breadth or depth and applying knowledge and skills in a new context. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally, undertaken in the second or third full-time year of an undergraduate programs.

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 and explain the theories and ethics that inform and validate professional public relations writing. Knowledgeable
Ethical
2 Translate journalistic approaches into creative public relations writing for the news media. Creative and critical thinker
Empowered
3 Respect and value different opinions and approaches while prioritising public interest for client’s best interest. Creative and critical thinker
Empowered

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)

Students should have a basic level of English writing and grammar skills.

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

During week 3 workshop session, tutor approval for client selection will be sought and a draft of task 1 web copy will be peer-reviewed.

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 Written Piece Individual 25%
500 words
Week 4 Online Submission
All 2 Portfolio Individual 50%
1500 -2000 words
Week 10 Online Submission
All 3 Activity Participation Group 25%
Written component - Media conference plan - 500-750 words
Oral component: 15-20 minutes including questions
Week 12 In Class
All - Assessment Task 1:Web Copy
Goal:
You are to write copy for an assigned client taking into account its relevance to specific publics and stakeholders (e.g. journalists, current customers, prospective customers etc.).
Product: Written Piece
Authorship Statement:
Format:
You will individually develop a professional piece of web copy detailing features of the product/service/site for your client's website.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
​Persuasive style of writing
2
2
Sophisticated promotional content
2 3
3
Elements of newsworthiness
1 2
4
Succinctly written
2
5
Appropriate for client’s website
1 3
6
Supports client’s goals and objectives
1 3
Generic Skills:
Communication, Organisation, Applying technologies, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 2:Media Kit
Goal:
You will develop a portfolio of media relations materials in the form of a media kit for news media informed by news values to promote your chosen client.
Product: Portfolio
Authorship Statement:
Format:
You will individually develop a range of news media-related tasks adhering strictly to industry format. These written pieces will form a portfolio for entry-level jobs in public relations.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
​Cover letter to media
1 2
2
Media release
1 2 3
3
Fact Sheet or Q&A or FAQ Sheet
3
4
Media Contact List
1 3
Generic Skills:
Communication, Organisation, Applying technologies, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 3:Media Conference Simulation
Goal:
In pairs you will develop a simulated media conference in response to an emergency situation.
Product: Activity Participation
Authorship Statement:
Format:
You will organise a simulated media conference. During this, you will implement media strategies and be prepared to answer questions. Structure and details on Canvas.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
​Persuasive style of writing
2 3
2
Sophisticated promotional content
1 2 3
3
Elements of newsworthiness
3
4
Succinctly written
2
5
Supports client’s goals and objectives
1 2 3
6
Clear, appropriate oral presentation
2 3
Generic Skills:
Communication, Collaboration, Problem solving, Organisation, Information literacy

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

Nil

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.  

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