57605 Foundations in Strategic Communication
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particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Postgraduate
Result type: Grade and marksThere are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
This subject introduces students to key communications theory and how it applies in a professional context. Students explore how communication occurs, where it occurs and the factors which influence its success. In addition, students examine and critically evaluate how people access and consume information today. They become familiar with the multiple 'touchpoints' between organisations and their publics and the need for organisations to ensure consistency and complementation in their public communication. Students analyse the media representation and barriers for participation for Indigenous Australians, and consider the cultural competencies professionals need to acquire in order to ethically work with and for Indigenous Australians.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| a. | Identify key concepts on communication traditions and theories |
|---|---|
| b. | Apply key theories of advertising and public relations in a professional context |
| c. | Critically analyse communication techniques and strategies |
| d. | Identify key cultural competencies required by professionals when working with and for Indigenous Australians |
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)
- Critically reflect on communication and engagement practices to build professional capability to work effectively with and for Indigenous peoples (4.1)
- Counsel decision-makers about challenges and solutions in diverse contexts on issues of diversity, inclusion, equity, social justice and sustainability (5.1)
- 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 is made up of weekly lectures, face to face workshops (90 minutes) and self-directed learning weeks. Students will receive formative feedback from the tutorials on weekly activities and in preparation for their first assessment before the census date.
Content (topics)
Foundation theories of communication strategy and planning, along with key media theories will be explored. Students will analyse the Australian media landscape and the role it plays in society. Students will look at the research required for identifying and understanding audiences and planning communication activities.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Critical Essay
| Objective(s): | a, b and d | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 50% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Length: | 1500 words | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 2: Theory to Practice Report
| Objective(s): | a, b, c and d | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 50% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Length: | 1500 words | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Minimum requirements
In this subject assessment tasks are cumulative. Each task builds understanding and/or skills that is informed by formative feedback. All assessments must be submitted for students to pass the subject. Each task assesses unique subject learning objectives.
Attendance is essential in this subject. These classes are 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).
Referencing
Use of Generative AI needs to be referenced. Please refer to UTS Library guide. In addition, students are required to include clickable links for all references in the Reference List if available.
References
Alberts JK, Martin JN. Introduction to human communication. In: Nakayama TK, Martin JN, eds. Human Communication in Society. 4th ed. Pearson; 2016:1-23.
Borchers TA. Persuasion and ethics in the media age. In: Persuasion in the Media Age. 3rd ed. Waveland Press; 2013:67-93.
Carlson B, Frazer R. “They Got Filters”: Indigenous Social Media, the Settler Gaze, and a Politics of Hope. Social media + society. 2020;6(2):205630512092526-. doi:10.1177/2056305120925261
Fennis, B. M., & Stroebe, W. (2010). The Psychology of Advertising Psychology Press.
Fiske, J. (1982). Introduction to Communication Studies (6th Reprint ed.). Methuen. (1982)
Hallahan K, Holtzhausen D, van Ruler B, Ver?i? D, Sriramesh K. Defining Strategic Communication. International journal of strategic communication. 2007;1(1):3-35. doi:10.1080/15531180701285244
Kellner D. Habermas, the public sphere, and democracy. In: Boros D, Glass JM, Bronner SE, eds. Re-Imagining Public Space : the Frankfurt School in the 21st Century. 1st ed. Palgrave Macmillan; 2014:19-43. https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/uts/detail.action?docID=1913582
Kaiser J. What Happened to the Public Sphere? The Networked Public Sphere and Public Opinion Formation (excerpt from Ch.22). In: Elias G. Carayannis DFJC, ed. Handbook of Cyber-Development, Cyber-Democracy, and Cyber-Defense. Springer International Publishing; 2018:433, 440-446.
Lasswell, H. D. (1948). The Structure and Function of Communications in Society. In W. Schram & D. F. Roberts (Eds.), The Process and Effects of Mass Communication Revised Edition (Second Printing ed., pp. 84 - 99). University of Illinois Press. (1971)
Littlejohn, S., Foss, K.A., & Oetzel, J. (2017), Theories of Human Communication (11th Edition), Waveland Press Inc, IL (printed and e-book versions available)
McGuire, W. J. (1989). Theoretical Foundation of Campaigns. In R. E. Rice & C. K. Atkin (Eds.), Public Communication Campaigns: 2nd Edition (2 ed., pp. 43 - 65). SAGE Publications. (1981)
Smith RD. Step 3: Analyzing the publics. In: Strategic Planning for Public Relations. 5th ed. Routledge; 2017:63-99. https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/uts/reader.action?docID=4862851&ppg=98
Sparks GG. Media Effects Research : a Basic Overview . Fifth edition. Cengage Learning; 2016.