COMM218 - Communication in the Workplace

Year

Credit points

Campus offering

Prerequisites

COMM102 Introduction to Communication OR COMM103 Written Communication

Unit rationale, description and aim

The ability to communicate successfully in workplace contexts is a highly-regarded skill, This unit aims to develop the analytical and practical skills that underpin effective communication in the contemporary workplace. The unit will explore communication situations such as using persuasion with customers or colleagues; computer-mediated communication in the workplace; negotiating workplace relationships; shaping teams and working with difficult team members; giving and receiving feedback; recruitment; networking and mentoring and communicating technical information. Students will also consider the ethical dimensions of the workplace situations explored in the unit. 

Learning outcomes

To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.

Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.

Explore the graduate capabilities.

On successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

LO1 - Synthesise and analyse current literature exploring the theories, processes and characteristics of workplace communication (GA5)

LO2 - Analyse situations that are common in the workplace, such as virtual communication, recruitment, giving and receiving feedback, using persuasion with customers, communicating technical information, and managing workplace relationships, and evaluate the most appropriate ways of communication to use (GA4, GA5, GA8, GA9)

LO3 - Shape communication in speech and writing to workplace purposes, audiences, and contexts including computer-mediated communication (GA4, GA5, GA9)

LO4 - Critically reflect on ethical issues in communicating in the workplace (GA3, GA4)

Graduate attributes

GA3 - apply ethical perspectives in informed decision making

GA4 - think critically and reflectively 

GA5 - demonstrate values, knowledge, skills and attitudes appropriate to the discipline and/or profession 

GA8 - locate, organise, analyse, synthesise and evaluate information 

GA9 - demonstrate effective communication in oral and written English language and visual media 

Content

Topics may include:

• The processes and theories associated with workplace communication
• Organisational culture and communication
• Computer-mediated communication, including communication in the virtual workplace
• Communicating with clients in a new media and blogging environment
• Engaging and persuading clients
• Dealing with difficult people in workplace situations
• Leading change and developing staff through workplace communication
• Shaping recruitment and interview situations
• Effective meetings
• Communicating technical information effectively in the workplace
• Seeking and giving feedback
• Networking, coaching and mentoring
• Intercultural communication in the workplace
• Ethical issues in workplace communication

Learning and teaching strategy and rationale

Learning in this unit takes place lectures and tutorials, which are used to provide unit content and develop unit-related skills. Students also learn in a small-group environment in tutorials, where class discussions, skills workshops, small group activities and individual or group presentations take place.

Assessment strategy and rationale

The assessment tasks for this unit are designed for you to demonstrate your achievement of each learning outcome. Assessment 1 aims to give students the opportunity to develop their knowledge of workplace communication through research. Assessment 2 seeks to develop students’ oral or multimedia communication skills either as individuals or as team members. Assessment 3 provides a summative evaluation of students’ comprehension of theoretical aspects of the unit. 

Overview of assessments

Representative texts and references

Blundel, R., Ippolito, K., & Donnarumma, D. (2013). Effective organisational communication: Perspectives, principles and practices. (4th ed.) Harlow, England: Pearson.

Chesebro, J. L. (2014). Professional communication at work: Interpersonal communication for a better workplace. New York: Routledge

Gurak, L. (2013). Strategies for technical communication in the workplace, Boston, Pearson,

Heide, F. P., & Mitra, R. (2019). Movements in organizational communication research: current issues and future directions. New York: Routledge

Schuman, S. (2010). The handbook for working with difficult groups: How they are difficult, why they are difficult and what you can do about it, Hoboken, Wiley

Varner, I. (2011). Intercultural communication in the global workplace, New York: McGraw-Hill/Irwin

Waldron, Vincent R. (2011). Managing risk in communication encounters: strategies for the workplace, Los Angeles, Sage

Wrench, J (2013). Workplace communication for the 21st century: Tools and strategies that impact the bottom line, Santa Barbara, CA, ABC-CLIO