BU1001 - Communicating in the 21st Century

Credit points:	03
Year:	2008
Student Contribution Band:	Band 3
Administered by:	School of Business

We all communicate. Communication plays a major role in all human activity and being a good communicator at a personal and professional level is an essential skill for personal success. Communicating in the 21st Century draws on concepts in management, marketing, psychology, sociology, evolutionary biology and philosophy to describe the various concepts and principles of professional communication. The subject develops communication skills both as a foundation for further study and for use within the workplace. Topics include the principles of communication; written and oral communication approaches; the dynamics of interpersonal communication; the significance of intercultural communication; the use of language and non-verbal communication; managing communication in small groups and teams; persuasion and logic, negotiation and conflict resolution; and communicating with customers and the public. There is a strong practical focus on improving oral and written skills within a range of contemporary business documents and contexts, and also on developing skills for the effective management of interpersonal and teamwork situations. The subject also includes practical activities and scenarios for improving individual and small group communication. The subject is relevant to students studying business, law, education, social sciences or the arts.

Learning Outcomes

• 2. Research and use information for communicative tasks 2.1 Analyse the requirements of different communicative tasks in terms of key purposes and audience expectations. 2.2 Locate, evaluate and reference information from a range of academic, professional and other sources. 2.3 Understand the procedures and issues related to referencing and plagiarism 2.4 Structure ideas logically and persuasively, using appropriate supporting evidence;
• 1. Acquire an understanding of communication principles in a range of professional contexts. 1.1 Explain the communication process and barriers to successful communication. 1.2 Explain and analyse key principles of interpersonal, intercultural, group, and organisational communication and negotiation. 1.3 Use these principles to apply problem-solving skills to individual and small group oral and written tasks;
• 3. Participate in oral communication scenarios and group work. 3.1 Participate in workshop role plays, scenarios, discussions and activities. 3.2 Plan and complete cooperative group projects;
• 4. Produce written academic and professional documents. 4.1 Undertake the research and planning processes necessary to produce a business report, and executive summary. 4.2 Plan, draft, revise, edit, and proofread these documents to an acceptable professional standard. 4.3 Identify and explain aspects of the writing process (idea planning, document formats, sentence and paragraph structures, conventions of grammar, spelling, and punctuation, revision and editing techniques).

Graduate Qualities

• The ability to think critically, to analyse and evaluate claims, evidence and arguments;
• The ability to adapt knowledge to new situations;
• The ability to define and to solve problems in at least one discipline area;
• The ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences;
• The ability to lead, manage and contribute effectively to teams;
• The ability to speak and write logically, clearly and creatively;
• The ability to access and employ online technologies effectively;
• A coherent and disciplined body of skills, knowledge, values and professional ethics in at least one discipline area;
• The ability to use a variety of media and methods to retrieve, analyse, evaluate, organise and present information;
• The ability to reflect on and evaluate learning processes and products;
• The ability to learn independently and in a self-directed manner;
• A commitment to lifelong learning and intellectual development.

Inadmissible Subject Combinations:

BU1000

Availabilities
JCU Singapore, Internal, Study Period 51
Census Date 28-Mar-2008
Coord/Lect:	Dr Pierre Benckendorff.
Contact hours:	26 hours workshops/Seminars
Assessment:	end of semester exam (45%); quizzes or tests (20%); workshop participation (10%); report (25%).

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.