COMMS 105 : Introduction to Communication and Leadership

Arts

2023 Semester Two (1235) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Introduces key concepts and theories of leadership with an emphasis on the fundamental role of communication. Explores the diverse contexts in which leadership operates: from complex and hierarchical organisations to small start-up enterprises; and from large public institutions to community groups. Considers the strengths and weaknesses of different styles and practices of leadership communication in light of real-world examples.

Course Overview

Leaders help us make sense of a complex world and channel our collective efforts for social and political change. Communication is fundamental to understanding how we create leaders, how leaders communicate and sustain their followers' enthusiasm, and how a group of diverse people comes together, despite differences, to achieve their collective goals.

In the COMMS 105: Introduction to Communication and Leadership course, students will learn the art and science of leadership communication based on communication theories and real-world examples. Students will develop core competencies in storytelling, emotional intelligence, and impression management. They will understand the role of communication in diverse leadership settings: family, community, workplace and business, and the public sector. Students will also critically evaluate examples of leadership failures. This course will take the students on a journey to discover their innate leadership skills and chart a leadership plan.

This is a required course for the Communication in Leadership major in the new Bachelor of Communication degree and will equip students with foundational knowledge and basic skills necessary to progress through the major.

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Communication

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Explain the important role of communication in leadership (Capability 1 and 2)
  2. Demonstrate understanding of the diverse contexts in which leadership operates (Capability 1 and 2)
  3. Identify strengths and weakness of different styles and practices of leadership communication (Capability 2 and 5)
  4. Develop some basic skills in effective, ethical and inclusive leadership communication (Capability 3, 4, 5 and 6)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Reflection 20% Individual Coursework
Essay 30% Individual Coursework
Final Exam 40% Individual Coursework
Tutorials 10% Individual Coursework

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 2 hours of lectures, a 1 hour tutorial, 2 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 5 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected and in some cases required at scheduled activities including tutorials to complete and receive credit for components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other interactive learning activities including tutorials will not be available as recordings.
The course may include some live online events including group discussions.
Attendance on campus is required for the exam.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable/block delivery.

This course is not available for delivery to students studying remotely outside NZ in 2023.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

This course was offered for the first time in 2022. Students found classroom and tutorial activities to be fun which also helped them better understand complex theories in leadership communication. Based on the student feedback, the 2023 course will have more detailed instructions on the assignments as well as additional classroom activities and games. 

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Well-being always comes first
We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - for more information, look at this Canvas page https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/33894, which has links to various support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 21/10/2022 03:57 p.m.