57604 Communication Theory and Practice

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.

Subject level:

Postgraduate

Description

This subject equips students with an understanding of human communication, enhancing their ability to learn about strategic communication practices in areas such as advertising, public relations, organisational communication, among others. Students learn to apply theoretical concepts from various disciplines such as rhetoric, semiotics, and socio-psychology in understanding communication. Through reviewing various models, students develop skills to identify and overcome challenges in diverse communication scenarios. The learning process is interactive, blending theoretical knowledge with practical application to real-world contexts.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject engages with the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs), which are tailored to the Graduate Attributes set for all graduates of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences:

• Critically, creatively and/or collaboratively analyse, debate and reflect on strategic communication models, practices and solutions by planning and executing a body of research to solve complex problems (2.1)
• Navigate and embrace the value of intercultural contexts for strategic communication practices (3.1)
• Persuade and engage diverse audiences through both written and oral communication strategies, across a range of media formats, with consideration of others' needs and views. (6.1)

Teaching and learning strategies

This subject follows a blended learning approach. Students use a mix of on campus and online activities that encourage collaborative and reflective critical analysis of the role of communication theory in professional contexts. Students prepare for weekly face-to-face seminars by accessing subject resources online such as recorded concept videos, case studies, industry reports, readings, and preparatory interactive activities. In class, students unpack weekly topics by participating in small-group discussions, simulations, digesting readings and case studies, group discussions and presentations. Standard peer learning methods are followed for students to provide feedback on each other’s participation in assigned group works.

An aim of this subject is to help you develop academic and professional language and communication skills in order to succeed at university and in the workplace. To determine your current academic language proficiency, you are required to complete the OPELA. If you receive a Basic grade for the OPELA, you must attend additional Language Development Tutorials (weeks TBA) in order to pass the subject. These tutorials are designed to support you to develop your language and communication skills. Students who do not complete the written diagnostic and/or do not attend 80% of the Language Development Tutorials will receive a Fail X grade.

Content (topics)

The subject introduces students to an understanding of human communication by focussing on theoretical approaches that inform communicative practices such as rhetoric, semiotics, socio-cultural, socio-psychological and critical traditions, among others. Students use public communication campaigns and/or activities, both local and overseas, as contexts for discussions in bridging theory and practice. The scholarly and practical scope of the subject prepare students to recognise the importance of applying communication theories to managing communicative competence in the workplace and other settings.

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Theory-to-Practice Critical Analysis

Assessment task 2: Team Presentation on Cross-Cultural Campaign Analysis

Assessment task 3: Exegesis of Cross-Cultural Campaign Analysis

Minimum requirements

It is a requirement of this subject that all students complete OPELA [or a written diagnostic task]. Students who receive a Basic grade in the OPELA [or the written diagnostic task] are required to attend 80% of the Language Development Tutorials to pass the subject. Students who do not complete the OPELA and/or do not attend 80% of the Language Development Tutorials will receive a Fail X grade.

Attendance is essential in this subject. This subject is based on a collaborative approach that involves essential workshopping and interchange of ideas with other students and the tutor to build capacities towards meeting the subject learning objectives. A roll will be taken at each class (whether on campus or online). Students who have more than two absences from class will be refused marking of their final assessment (see Rule 3.8).

Required texts

Any edition below (digital or print):

Littlejohn, S., Foss, K. & Oetzel, J. (2017). Theories of Human Communication (11th Edition), Waveland Press, Illinois.

Littlejohn, S. & Foss, K.A. (2011). Theories of Human Communication (10th Edition), Thomson Wadsworth, Belmont, CA.

Littlejohn, S. & Foss, K.A. (2008). Theories of Human Communication (9th Edition), Thomson Wadsworth, Belmont, CA. (Print only)

References

Alberts, J. Nakayama, T. & Martin, J. (2007). Human Communication in Society, Pearson/Prentice Hall.

Anderson, J. (1996). Communication Theory: Epistemological Foundations, Guildford Press.

Adler, R. & Rodman, G. (2003). Understanding Human Communication, Oxford University Press.

Carey, J. (2009). Communication as Culture, Routledge, New York (Original work published 1989)

Craig, R. & Muller, H. (eds) (2007). Theorising Communication: Readings Across Traditions, Sage

Publications, Thousand Oaks, CA.

Dance, F. (ed) (1982). Human Communication Theory: Comparative Essays, Harper & Row, New York.

Demers, D. (ed.) (2000). Mass Communication and Society – Special issue: Communication Theory in the 21st Century, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Deetz, S. (2000). 'Conceptual Foundations', in F. Jablin & L. Putnam (eds), The New Handbook of Organizational Communication : Advances in Theory, Research, and Methods, Sage, Thousand Oaks, CA, pp. 3-46.

Griffin, E. (2009). A First Look at Communication Theory, 7th edn., McGraw Hill.

Herrick. J. (2001). The History and Theory of Rhetoric: An Introduction, 2nd edn, Allyn and Bacon.

Macnamara, J. (2014). The 21st Century Media Revolution: Emergent Communication Practices, 2nd edn, Peter Lang.

Miller, K. (2005). Communication Theories: Perspectives, Processes and Contexts, 2nd edn, McGraw- Hill.

Mohan, T. McGregor, H. Saunders, S. & Archee, R. (2008). Communicating as Professionals, 2nd edn, Cengage Learning Australia.

Severin, W. & Tankard, J. (2000). Communication Theories: Origins. Methods and Uses in Mass Media, Addison-Wesley Longman.