COMMS 705 : Communication Perspectives

Arts

2024 Semester One (1243) (30 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Critical review of key debates and perspectives in the Communication field, with a particular emphasis on social change communication. Balances broad coverage of dominant approaches in the field with the study of under-represented perspectives including through studies of Indigenous scholarship and research from the Global South.

Course Overview

This course introduces students to communication theories and perspectives that enable them to develop in-depth communication-centred approaches for examining and analysing contemporary communication problems. It covers topics that include but are not limited to: Grounded Practical Theory (GPT), Cultural Discourse Analysis (CuDA), gender and leadership, digital labour and affective communication, and indigenous activism on social media. 

Students will also have the opportunity to apply what they have learned to a specific communication topic/problem in their own area of interest. 

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 2: Sustainability
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism
Graduate Profile: Master of Communication

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Develop an advanced understanding of Communication as an interdisiciplinary and practical field with established approaches (Capability 3, 4 and 8)
  2. Assess and articulate the value of diverse modes of communication research and theorisation for addressing contemporary themes in social change (Capability 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8)
  3. Articulate the vital role of Indigenous scholarship and research from the Global South in Communication Studies (Capability 1, 3, 4, 6 and 8)
  4. Design a research-informed applied communication project situated within the wider context of Communication Studies as a field of research and inquiry (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Coursework 100% Group & Individual Coursework

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 30 point, 700-level course and students are expected to spend 20+ hours per week of graduate-level work, meaning 3 hours of active participation in online activities and discussions, plus 17 hours of work outside the class for readings and assignments. 

Delivery Mode

Online

This course is delivered 100% online through Auckland Online (https://www.online.auckland.ac.nz/). 

All course materials (readings, video recordings, assignments, etc.) are available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas. Zoom webnars will also be available for students to directly interact with the lecturer and ask questions. 

This course runs to the University semester/quarter timetable and all the associated completion dates and deadlines will apply.

This course is available for delivery to students studying remotely outside NZ in 2024. 

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.

N/A. Please note that this is a brand new course being offered for the first time in S1 2024. 

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 for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, 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 06/11/2023 04:06 p.m.