Outline

Overview

Students will acquire knowledge about typical communication development in English across the lifespan and in cultures relevant to the Australian context. Students will learn about the sequence of normal communication development from prelinguistic communication development through to adult language; the significance of context and function in the development of language; the universality of communication development, and the effect of gender in communication development. Students will learn relevant theories and knowledge regarding the development of communication including phonetics, phonology, semantics, syntax, pragmatics, and non-verbal communication and gain an introduction into literacy development. This unit of study prepares students to undertake observation of communication and to demonstrate understanding of the theories and facts in the normal acquisition of communication skills and apply this knowledge across the lifespan. Students will also begin accumulating knowledge about professional communication skills needed by health professionals to work with clients, carers and colleagues with practical application including small group assessment tasks.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Communication Sciences
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	HSBH1003
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	CSCD1034
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Gregory Flannery, gregory.flannery@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Mikaela Bow, mikaela.bow@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Gregory Flannery, gregory.flannery@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Presentation	Health promotion product Health promotion product and video presentation	30%	Week 05 Due date: 10 Sep 2021 at 23:59	Health Promotion Product + Video (3 min)
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Cultural competence modules 1 and 2 Online module	0%	Week 05 Due date: 03 Sep 2021 at 23:59	1 hour
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Language Sample: Transcription & MLU Transcription of language sample	10%	Week 06 Due date: 17 Sep 2021 at 23:59	50 utterances
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Clinical Discussion Paper Discussion on clinical elements of communication	20%	Week 09 Due date: 15 Oct 2021 at 23:59	750 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Language Sample: Analysis & Report LARSP analysis of language sample & interpretation report	40%	Week 12 Due date: 05 Nov 2021 at 23:59	Analysis, plus 2-3 page report
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Cultural Competence Modules: Students are required to complete online cultural competence modules 1 and 2.
Health promotion product: Students will work in groups of 3 to 4 students and create a health information product for consumers. Students will present the product via a short video.
Language sampling - analysis and report: Students will work in pairs to take a language sample of a child aged between 4 and 4 years 11 months. Students will analyse the language characteristics of the sample using Language Assessment, Remediation and Screening Procedure (LARSP) and interpret the results. This assessment has two components 1) transcription & MLU, and 3) analysis and report
Clinical discussion paper: students will write a 750 word discussion paper on communication.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Note: Students must complete all tasks to pass this unit of study. Failure to complete all assessments will result in a Fail grade, regardless of the cumulative total of marks

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Assignments are due 11.59pm on the day outlined in Canvas. Submission after this time is deemed late. 5% is deducted from the mark for each day it is late. After 10 days the assignment is not marked. Any student unable to submit by the deadline should apply for Special Consideration. Further information can be found https://www.sydney.edu.au/policies/showdoc.aspx?recnum=PDOC2012/267&RendNum=0

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	1. Introduction to unit; 2. Definitions and interactions between speech, language and literacy	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 01	Health promotion product information & support	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 02	1. Development across the lifespan; 2. Theoretical models; 3. Literature search strategies	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Search strategies for health promotion product	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 03	1. Infants and toddlers; 2. Language sampling: sematic relations and two-word utterances	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Language sampling	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 04	1. Preschool years; 2. Language assessment, remediation and screening procedure: what is it?	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Language assessment, remediation and screening procedure	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 05	1. School age children; 2. Language assessment, remediation and screening procedure application	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Language assessment, remediation and screening procedure - simple level analyses	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 06	Communication in adolescence	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Language assessment, remediation and screening procedure - complex level analyses	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 07	Communication in adulthood;	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	LARSP - analysis of collected samples	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 08	Factors affecting communication	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	LARSP - analysis of collected samples	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 09	Literacy 1. Development; 2. Role of the speech-language pathologist	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	LARSP - analysis of collected samples	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 10	Professional Skills 1. A/typical development 2. Interpreting & conveying results	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Interpreting & reporting results	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 11	Professional Skills - cultural competence	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Interpreting and reporting results	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 12	Neurobiological and cognitive bases for speech and language	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Discussion and report completion	Tutorial (1 hr)

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

McLeod, S. & McCormack, J. (Eds.). (2015). Introduction to Speech, Language and Literacy. South Melbourne: Oxford University Press.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. describe normative data on communication development from conception to old age in cultures relevant to Australia including Australia’s indigenous population
LO2. apply population-based statistical information to interpret normal communication behaviour and development (normal curve, standard deviation, percentile rank)
LO3. collect and analyse a conversational sample in relation to normative data
LO4. demonstrate the ability to present information visually and orally to professionals and peers
LO5. demonstrate the ability to write clear and concise reports for communicating information to non-professional care givers
LO6. use information technology for professional tasks (e.g. creating and/or critiquing health information such as blogs, YouTube videos and flyers)
LO7. understand advanced syntax, keyword and subject heading search terms to find appropriate learning resources
LO8. critically appraise journal articles and information resources with regard to peer- review and content
LO9. identify and analyse the roles of communication specialists in a variety of settings
LO10. demonstrate awareness of cultural and linguistic difference in communication development in cultures relevant to the Australian context
LO11. accommodate personal, cultural and linguistic difference in professional communication with a range of health professionals, carers and consumers in cultures relevant to Australia
LO12. exercise critical judgement in the interpretation of communication development including selecting appropriate norms and health information from credible sources.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes	Competency standards
	Competency-based Occupational Standards for Speech Pathologists - 2.1. Analyse and interpret speech pathology assessment data.
	Competency-based Occupational Standards for Speech Pathologists - 2.1. Analyse and interpret speech pathology assessment data.
	Competency-based Occupational Standards for Speech Pathologists - 1.3. Administer speech pathology assessment relevant to the communication and/or swallowing condition. 2.1. Analyse and interpret speech pathology assessment data.
	Competency-based Occupational Standards for Speech Pathologists - 4.6. Undertake preventative, educational and/or promotional projects or programs on speech pathology and other related topics as part of a team with other professionals.
	Competency-based Occupational Standards for Speech Pathologists - 2.5. Provide feedback on results of interpreted speech pathology assessments to the client and/or significant others and referral sources, and discuss management.
	Competency-based Occupational Standards for Speech Pathologists - 4.6. Undertake preventative, educational and/or promotional projects or programs on speech pathology and other related topics as part of a team with other professionals.
	Competency-based Occupational Standards for Speech Pathologists - 4.6. Undertake preventative, educational and/or promotional projects or programs on speech pathology and other related topics as part of a team with other professionals.
	Competency-based Occupational Standards for Speech Pathologists - 4.6. Undertake preventative, educational and/or promotional projects or programs on speech pathology and other related topics as part of a team with other professionals.
	Competency-based Occupational Standards for Speech Pathologists - 4.5. Identify the scope and nature of speech pathology practice in a range of community and work place contexts.
	Competency-based Occupational Standards for Speech Pathologists - 4.5. Identify the scope and nature of speech pathology practice in a range of community and work place contexts.
	Competency-based Occupational Standards for Speech Pathologists - 2.1. Analyse and interpret speech pathology assessment data. 7.1. Uphold the Speech Pathology Australia Code of Ethics and work within all the relevant legislation and legal constraints, including medico-legal responsibilities.

Competency-based Occupational Standards for Speech Pathologists -

Competency code	Taught, Practiced or Assessed	Competency standard
1.3		Administer speech pathology assessment relevant to the communication and/or swallowing condition.
2.1		Analyse and interpret speech pathology assessment data.
2.5		Provide feedback on results of interpreted speech pathology assessments to the client and/or significant others and referral sources, and discuss management.
3.1		Use integrated and interpreted information (outlined in Unit 2) relevant to the communication and/or swallowing condition, and/or the service provider’s policies and priorities to plan evidence-based speech pathology practice.
4.5		Identify the scope and nature of speech pathology practice in a range of community and work place contexts.
4.6		Undertake preventative, educational and/or promotional projects or programs on speech pathology and other related topics as part of a team with other professionals.

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Tutorials redeveloped to better teach LARSP analysis and reporting

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

CSCD1032: Human Communication

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect