Outline

Overview

Communication is integral to many organisational processes; for instance, effective planning, decision-making, negotiation, conflict management, change management and leadership all rely upon effective communication by organisational actors. At the same time, organisational communication has become more complex due to increasing levels of diversity in the workplace and an increasing reliance on emergent and rapidly changing communication technologies. Drawing on communication research models, theories and case studies, this unit provides students with insight into how to manage the complexities of contemporary organisational communication. The unit focuses primarily on internal organisational communication and examines communication processes at various levels: interpersonal (dyadic), group and organisation.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Work and Organisational Studies
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	Completion of at least 48 credit points
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	WORK2221
Assumed knowledge ?	WORK1004 or WORK2201
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Maria Ishkova, maria.ishkova@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Final exam (Take-home short release)	Final exam a combination of essay questions based on unit topics and class activities	40%	Formal exam period	3 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Team Project (UPSKILL) video presentation followed by class discussion and activities	20%	Multiple weeks Due date: 25 Mar 2022 at 12:00 Closing date: 20 May 2022	5-7 min video + 10-20 min facilitation
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Communication analysis report Written report	30%	Week 06 Due date: 28 Mar 2022 at 23:59 Closing date: 11 Apr 2022	1200 words
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Tutorial participation and overall engagement Informed contribution to class discussions synchronously and asynchronously	10%	Weekly	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ? = Type D final exam ?

Assessment summary

Tutorial participation and overall engagement: Learning to be a more effective communicator involves applying knowledge, practicing skills and developing new strategies, which cannot take place if students watch from the sidelines. Students will be assessed based on their preparation and active participation in class activities during tutorials and/or online discussion boards/forums.
Communication analysis report: Students are required to analyse and make recommendations about an organisational communication by drawing on, integrating, and applying the learnings from communication theories introduced in the first part of the course.
Team Project (UPSKILL): In groups of 4-6 members, students are required to examine a communication challenge/process through the lens of communication process theories, formulate recommendations to the company/industry of their choice, create a video Professional Development Resource UPSKILL in line with the analysis and recommendations and facilitate a class discussion and activities to support their presentation. Choice of topics will be provided early in the semester.
Final exam: This will consist of a combination of essay questions. The aim of the exam is to test understanding of the relevant topics, the ability to critically analyse and engage in self-reflection. Topics covered in the exam may be based on any of the weekly topics, activities and readings.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

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	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
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:

Late submission penalties for the individual report follow the Business School Policies. Team Project will have varied dates of submission in line with the chosen topic (starting from week 6). Key rule: both parts must be submitted before the actual day of the presentation. Please note that in the event that a team member does not contribute to the Team Project in a meaningful / reasonable way then the unit coordinator may consider the evidence and adjust the mark for that individual.

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	Introduction to the UoS and Flipped Classroom approach	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Feedback and Listening as a key to success in Organisational Communication	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 03	Understanding how communication in organisations is shaped by underlying assumptions and world views: Theories that shape communication in organisations	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 04	Key challenges to the Organisational Communication	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 05	Socialisation	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 06	Nonverbal communication and Emotion	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 07	Decision making and Persuasion	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 08	Self-study: working in teams and individually to progress assignments	Individual study (4 hr)
Week 09	Communication in groups and teams	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 10	Conflict management processes	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 11	Leadership processes	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 12	Organisational change	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 13	Content review	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Lecture recordings: All lectures are recorded and will be available on Canvas for student use. Please note the Business School does not own the system and cannot guarantee that the system will operate or that every class will be recorded. Students should ensure they attend and participate in all classes. In line with the Business School Policy, students are expected to attend a minimum of 90 per cent of timetabled activities for a unit of study, unless granted exemption through special consideration, special arrangement, previously arranged disability adjustment or by the Associate Dean. See Resolutions of the University of Sydney Business School (Faculty resolutions) https://www.sydney.edu.au/handbooks/business_school_PG/rules/faculty_resolutions.shtml

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

Readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library, available on Canvas. Recommended textbook:

Miller, K. (2015). Organizational Communication: Approaches and Processes.7th ed., Cengage Learning, Wadsworth.

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

LO1. understand the key challenges for organisations in managing and facilitating effective communication
LO2. analyse communication approaches and processes within organisations using communication theories
LO3. apply theory to communication challenges within organisations to identify strategies for improvement
LO4. analyse communication processes within groups and teams and identify strategies to improve these processes, as well as engage in experiential learning and learn by doing
LO5. develop an awareness and understanding of how individual differences, cognitive, affective and perceptual processes influence communication
LO6. develop effective interpersonal communication skills and learn to apply them in different contexts.

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

Responding to student feedback

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

The feedback from students showed that students-as-partners approach co-created together with students in this UoS in 2020-2021, proved to increase engagement, had a strong impact on students' motivation and allowed them to create a learning community. No changes were made to the UoS outline in S1-2022, we will keep fine-tuning our students-as-partners teaching and learning philosophy together with the new cohort of students and the Advisory Board from former students who were considered by their classmates as class influencers in the previous Semester.

Additional information

Usually, the activities for this UoS are scheduled for 13 weeks, however in S1-2022 due to the public holiday in week 8, they had to be rearranged over 12 weeks. In week 8, students will be expected to work individually and in teams to progress their assignments.

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

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

WORK3205: Organisational Communication

Semester 1, 2022 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

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

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect