Units
Communication 1
Unit code: QCD111
Contact hours: 4 per week
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
This unit focuses on the macro-skills of listening, reading, writing and speaking; establishes techniques for extending vocabulary; uses spoken and written texts of an academic nature to help students to summarise, analyse, make inferences and recognise key concepts; incorporates strategies for effective group participation in a cross-cultural context; helps students learn techniques for writing successfully in genres appropriate to their field of study.
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2013 13TP1 | Yes |
| 2013 Semester 2 | Yes |
| 2013 13TP3 | Yes |
Sample subject outline - 13 Week Teaching Period - 1 2013
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
A high level of English communication skills is essential for success in an Australian higher education context. This unit is designed to give you a stronger grounding in, and understanding of the learning process. It will develop your English communication skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking). You will also learn skills for carrying out scholarly research, and communicating it in written and spoken form in a post-graduate academic context.
Aims
The aim of this unit is to improve your skills in academic English and learning so that you can interact more confidently within a post-graduate learning community.
Objectives
On completion of this unit, you should be able to:
1. demonstrate the reading, writing, listening and speaking skills required to carry out research and communicate effectively in a variety of real world situations. (UCGC4)
2. communicate in a post-graduate context by following the conventions of academic English language, written and spoken genres and referencing. (UCGC1)
3. apply a critical thinking approach to evidence presented in academic work. (UCGC4, UCGC5)
Content
Weekly Topics
Week 1
Unit overview. Establishing a learning community
Week 2
Critical reading and note taking skills.
Week 3
Effective listening, reading and note-taking skills. Introduction to informatiion literacy.
Week 4
Note taking from listening and reading (formative test)
Week 5
Oral skills (Formative oral presentation)
Week 6
The writing process- Structuring Academic genres (Student seminars)
Week 7
The writing process - Researching and Academic honesty (including referencing conventions)
Week 8
The writing process Coherence, paraphrasing and Academic Tone (Essay draft due)
(Student seminars)
Week 9
Logical thinking
Peer review of Essay draft
Week 10
Critical thinking
Week 11
Non-discriminatory language (Essay due)
Week 12
Reflective learning and writing
Week 13
Review and exam preparation
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
There are two main approaches to teaching and learning in this unit.
The first approach involves integrating the skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking in a more metacognitive way. The second approach involves building your personal and interpersonal skills to help you to:
Late Assignment Policy
You will be penalised for late submission of assignments. Refer to the University Certificate in Tertiary Preparation Course Guide for details.
Review of Grades or Academic Rulings
For rules on how to apply for a review of grade, refer to the University Certificate in Tertiary Preparation Course Guide.
Consultation
Your lecturer and tutor will be available for consultation from Week 2. Times will be advised in class, on Blackboard and will also be displayed on a schedule at Reception on Level 3.
Exam Timetable
The exam timetable will be displayed on the Noticeboard on Level 3 by Week 11.
Assessment
Summative Assessment (SA) Summative assessment is included in the calculation of the final grade.
Formative Assessment (FA)Formative assessment is used to provide feedback to assist with students' progress.
This unit will require students to submit their assessment items through SafeAssign.You will receive detailed written and oral feedback on Assessments No. 1-6.
Assessment name:
Notetaking Test
Description:
Formative: Written note taking from listening and reading
Relates to objectives:
1, 2, 3.
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Week 4
Assessment name:
Reflective Writing
Description:
Formative.
Relates to objectives:
1,2,3
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Weeks 4, 9, 13
Assessment name:
Oral Presentation
Description:
Formative.
Relates to objectives:
3.
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Week 5
Assessment name:
Seminar Presentation
Description:
Summative.
Relates to objectives:
1, 2, 3.
Weight:
30%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Weeks 6-8
Assessment name:
Essay (Draft)
Description:
Formative.
Relates to objectives:
1, 2, 3.
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Week 8
Assessment name:
Essay (Final Copy)
Description:
Summative: 1500 - 2000 word expository essay.
Relates to objectives:
1, 2, 3
Weight:
35%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Week 11
Assessment name:
Final Exam
Description:
Summative
Relates to objectives:
1, 2, 3
Weight:
35%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Exam Period-Week 14
Academic Honesty
QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.
A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.
Resource materials
Please refer to the QCD111 Blackboard site for further information.
Risk assessment statement
There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.
Last modified: 14-Mar-2013
