Overview
The ability to communicate effectively in a variety of formats with diverse individuals and groups is an essential skill for professionals such as psychologists which involve working with people. This unit will provide you with practical skills for effective communication, including interviewing and active listening skills. You will learn how different modes of communicating can be used for different audiences (professional, academic, peers, the general population, specific communities). You will reflect on your ongoing development of communication skills and how these apply to future work or study.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Students must be enrolled in CC42 Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours)
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 3 - 2024
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from SUTE
Provide more resources in addition to the existing recorded presentations.
Provide more resources such as articles and links to relevant websites.
Feedback from SUTE
The first and third linked assessments felt repetitive.
Review these two assessments. Make the differences between them in identifying short-term (Assessment 1) and then long-term (Assessment 3) skill development clearer.
Feedback from SUTE
In Assessment 2 (demonstrating interview skills), consider also measuring the skills of the Interviewee, not just the Interviewer.
Broaden Assessment 2 so that the Interviewee's communication skills are also assessed.
Feedback from SUTE
There was confusion as to how many peer feedback sheets were required to be submitted as it varied depending on group size.
Clarify the number of peer feedback sheets required to be submitted.
- Critically analyse the theory, research and practice underlying effective communication skills
- Apply effective communication skills to diverse audiences and in a variety of contexts
- Reflect on and critically evaluate your ongoing development of communication skills and how these apply to future work or study
Learning outcomes fulfil the level 2 pre-professional core competencies required by the updated Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) guidelines. The learning outcomes also meet the study criteria as specified by the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) and as appropriate for study at level 8 as stated by the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). The specific APAC competencies which will be demonstrated by students in completing this unit are:
2.2 Demonstrate appropriate interpersonal communication and interview skills in situations appropriate to psychologicalpractice and research. This includes active listening, clarifying and refl ecting, eff ective questioning, summarising andparaphrasing, developing rapport, appropriate cultural responsiveness and empathic responding.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 35% | |||
| 2 - Presentation - 30% | |||
| 3 - Written Assessment - 35% | |||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Communication | |||
| 2 - Problem Solving | |||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | |||
| 4 - Information Literacy | |||
| 5 - Team Work | |||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | |||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||
| 8 - Ethical practice | |||
| 9 - Social Innovation | |||
| 10 - First Nations Knowledges | |||
| 11 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
t.mcadie@cqu.edu.au
Week 1: THE FUNDAMENTALS: Interviewing skills
Begin Date: 04 Nov 2024Module/Topic
Interviewing Skills.
Kristina Glennon, CQUni Careers Consultant.
Recorded presentation.
Chapter
Relevant resources are available on Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Complete the Communication self-assessment task for Assessment 1.
Week 2: THE FUNDAMENTALS: Communicating science to a lay audience
Begin Date: 11 Nov 2024Module/Topic
Science communication to a lay audience.
Assoc. Prof. Amanda Rebar.
Recorded presentation.
Chapter
Relevant resources are available on Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 3: THE FUNDAMENTALS: Communication in the workplace
Begin Date: 18 Nov 2024Module/Topic
Teams and Leadership Communication.
Dr Cait White.
Recorded presentation.
Chapter
Relevant resources are available on Moodle.
Recorded lecture is available on Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 4: INFLUENTIAL COMMUNICATION FACTORS: Communicating complex information
Begin Date: 25 Nov 2024Module/Topic
Communicating complex information.
2019 Top 5 Science Scholar Award Winner: Assoc. Prof. Alex Russell.
Recorded presentation.
Chapter
Relevant resources are available on Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 5: INFLUENTIAL COMMUNICATION FACTORS: Messaging effectively
Begin Date: 02 Dec 2024Module/Topic
Getting your message across effectively.
National 5-Minute Research Pitch Competition Winner: Dr Grace Vincent.
Recorded presentation.
Chapter
Relevant resources are available on Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Your group interviews for Assessment 2 will need to start ASAP.
Week 6: WORKING WITH THE MEDIA
Begin Date: 09 Dec 2024Module/Topic
Media training.
Issy Symes, Communications & Engagement Coordinator.
Recorded presentation.
Chapter
Relevant resources are available on Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 7: PRESENTATION SKILLS
Begin Date: 16 Dec 2024Module/Topic
Better presentations.
Felix Parker.
Recorded presentation.
Chapter
Relevant resources are available on Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 23 Dec 2024Module/Topic
Take a break!
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 30 Dec 2024Module/Topic
Take a break!
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 8: COMMUNICATION FLAWS
Begin Date: 06 Jan 2025Module/Topic
Public health messaging campaigns and how to avoid creating stigma.
Prof. Matt Rockloff.
Recorded presentation.
Chapter
Relevant resources are available on Moodle.
Recorded lecture is available on Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 9: APPLICATIONS IN DIVERSE CONTEXTS
Begin Date: 13 Jan 2025Module/Topic
Communicating with the LGBTIQ+ community.
Chelsea Morrigan & Leah McCabe.
**Trigger alert!** This is not an easy presentation to watch.
Recorded presentation.
Chapter
Relevant resources are available on Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Complete the Communication self-assessment task for Assessment 3.
Interview recording Due: Week 9 Monday (13 Jan 2025) 9:00 am AEST
Week 10: APPLICATIONS IN DIVERSE CONTEXTS
Begin Date: 20 Jan 2025Module/Topic
Communicating in Indigenous and CALD contexts.
Prof. Jenni Judd.
Recorded presentation.
Chapter
Relevant resources are available on Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Complete the Communication self-assessment task for Assessment 3.
Week 11: APPLICATIONS IN DIVERSE CONTEXTS: Detecting lying
Begin Date: 27 Jan 2025Module/Topic
Deception and lying.
Dr Rebecca Wilcoxson.
Recorded presentation.
Chapter
Relevant resources are available on Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 12: APPLICATIONS IN DIVERSE CONTEXTS: Communication challenges
Begin Date: 03 Feb 2025Module/Topic
Communicating with people with hearing differences.
Zoe Hector.
Recorded presentation.
Chapter
Relevant resources are available on Moodle.
Recorded lecture is available on Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Please note the Friday 5pm deadline for Assessment 3.
Communication Deficits and Strengths (Part 2) Due: Week 12 Friday (7 Feb 2025) 5:00 pm AEST
Exam Week
Begin Date: 10 Feb 2025Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Written Assessment
The aim of this assessment is to demonstrate competence in the following unit learning outcomes: 1) Critically analyse the theory, research and practice underlying effective communication skills; 2) Apply effective communication skills to diverse audiences and in a variety of contexts; 3) Reflect on and critically evaluate your ongoing development of communication skills and how these apply to future work or study.
Assessment word count: 1500 words +/- 10% (not including reference list).
Overall Weight: 35%.
In Week 1 you will complete a range of communication skill self-assessment measures and record your measure-derived strengths and weaknesses. These measures will be downloadable from Moodle (under the Assessments tab and the Week 1 tab).
The ability to communicate effectively in a variety of formats with diverse individuals and groups is an essential skill for professionals, such as psychologists, which involve working with people. This assessment will allow you to reflect on your ongoing development of communication skills, provide you with the knowledge and skills of how to improve your communications skills, and how to apply these skills to future work or study. In addition, being able to reflect on one's deficits and strengths, and proposing solutions to one's own personal development, are skills expected in the contemporary workplace.
More details on this assessment are provided in the Assessment tab of Moodle.
Week 4 Monday (25 Nov 2024) 9:00 am AEST
Please submit to Moodle
Week 7 Monday (16 Dec 2024)
Marks and individual feedback will be able to be accessed on Moodle.
Your assignment should be structured as follows (and marks for each section are also shown):
1. Description of skill
- provide a detailed and accurate description of the communication skill you have identified (20%)
2. Evaluation and discussion of academic research
- critically evaluate and discuss the academic research related to the communication skill you have identified (35%)
3. Proposal of practical evidence-based solutions for self-improvement
- propose and justify practical solutions for enhancing your own performance in this communication area (35%)
4. Writing style and referencing:
- accurate spelling and grammar, academic writing style, correct use of undefinedAmerican Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition) referencing (10%)
- Critically analyse the theory, research and practice underlying effective communication skills
- Apply effective communication skills to diverse audiences and in a variety of contexts
- Reflect on and critically evaluate your ongoing development of communication skills and how these apply to future work or study
2 Presentation
The aim of this assessment is to demonstrate competence in the following unit learning outcomes: 1) Critically analyse the theory, research and practice underlying effective communication skills; 2) Apply effective communication skills to diverse audiences and in a variety of contexts; 3) Reflect on and critically evaluate your ongoing development of communication skills and how these apply to future work or study.
Interview length: 15 minutes
Overall weighting: 30%
The ability to communicate effectively in a variety of formats with diverse individuals and groups is an essential skill for professionals, such as psychologists, which involve working with people. This assessment will allow you to apply your oral communication and active listening skills, as well as your ability to work in a team and provide constructive feedback. You will also demonstrate your learnings from Assessment 1 on the theory, research, and practice of effective communication skills and critically evaluate your own and others’ performances. It will also give you the opportunity to consider the skills required in the contemporary workplace.
There are two parts to this assessment: i) practice sessions and obtaining written feedback from all group members, ii) recording an interview as an Interviewer - based on feedback from group members and self reflection.
More details on this assessment are available in the Assessment tab on Moodle.
Week 9 Monday (13 Jan 2025) 9:00 am AEST
Please upload to Moodle, making sure that it is an Echo360 recording
Week 11 Friday (31 Jan 2025)
Marks and individual feedback will be available on Moodle
Below are the assessment criteria and corresponding weighting of each section.
First impressions (10%)
Introduction (10%)
Developed rapport (10%)
Communication (25%)
Interpersonal skills (20%)
Preparation, timing & wind-up (10%)
Demeanor (10%)
Group & self-feedback rubrics (5%)
A much more detailed marking rubric is available on Moodle.
- Critically analyse the theory, research and practice underlying effective communication skills
- Apply effective communication skills to diverse audiences and in a variety of contexts
3 Written Assessment
The aim of this assessment is to demonstrate progress in the following unit learning outcomes: 1) Critically analyse the theory, research and practice underlying effective communication skills; 2) Apply effective communication skills to diverse audiences and in a variety of contexts; 3) Reflect on and critically evaluate your ongoing development of communication skills and how these apply to future work or study.
Assessment word count: 1500 words +/- 10% (not including reference list)
Overall Weighting: 35%
By Week 10 you will re-assess your communication skills using the self-assessment measure(s) you used in Week 1 (under the Assessments tab and the Week 10 tab) or the alternate measure that you chose. For this assessment, you will reflect on the communication skills, knowledge, and experience you have gained in this particular unit and throughout your university studies. You will describe and discuss any changes (or lack of changes) in your self-assessment measure score, reflecting on the previous two assessment tasks, the process of change you have undergone in this unit and throughout your studies, and your ongoing skill development. You will identify any skills that need to be developed further in the future and how these will be important to your future work or study.
To aid the ‘communication skills journey’ reflections, you may find it useful to review some written assignments from your first year of study and contrast those with your current communication skill set.
More detailed instructions are available in the Assessments tab in Moodle.
Week 12 Friday (7 Feb 2025) 5:00 pm AEST
Please note the FRIDAY due date
You will be able to access your mark and feedback on Moodle, these will be returned as soon as possible - but no sooner than 2 weeks after submission.
This is the assessment criteria and corresponding weighting of each section.
1. Description of pre- and post- scores on your communication self-assessment (10%)
2. Discussion and reflection of your experiences and learnings (50%)
- from the current unit assessments and course material
- from the evidence-based solutions you proposed in Assessment 1 and have undertaken during the course
- from your entire university journey
3. Identification and discussion of ongoing skill development and transferable communication skills that are relevant to your future work or study (30%)
4. Accurate spelling and grammar, academic writing style, and correct use of American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition) referencing (10%)
A much more detailed marking rubric is available in the Assessments tab in Moodle.
- Critically analyse the theory, research and practice underlying effective communication skills
- Apply effective communication skills to diverse audiences and in a variety of contexts
- Reflect on and critically evaluate your ongoing development of communication skills and how these apply to future work or study
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
