Dr Reza Arab
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Languages & Cultures School
This course introduces students to the main concepts and theories in intercultural communication. It focuses on diversity not only among cultures, but also within cultures and within our social interaction, both verbal and non-verbal. The topics covered in the course include high- and low-context cultures, acculturation patterns, microcultures, identities, language and thought, politeness and various forms of non-verbal communication.
Course requirements
Assumed background
COMU1002 does not assume knowledge of a language other than English. If you have knowledge of another language you will be able to use it in COMU1002, but the course is designed to allow you to explore cultural differences without knowing another language. The most important factor that you can bring to the course isﾠcuriosity about different cultures, how they affect the way we communicate and your own personal experience.
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
CLCS1020
Course staff
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
The course has two timetabled teaching activities: (1) 2-hour tutorials in Weeks 1-13 and (2) 3-hour workshops in Weeks 5, 8 and 11.
Public holidays:
Alternative arrangements for affected students will be announced through the Blackboard site.
Class allocation:
In order to optimise the student experience, it may be necessary to reallocate students to a different class from their first choice. Before this happens, every effort will be made to enable students to voluntarily change into an alternative class that is suitable.
Please note: Teaching staff do not have access to the timetabling system to help with class allocation. Therefore, should you need help with your timetable and/or allocation of classes, please ensure you email hass.mytimetable@uq.edu.au from your UQ student email account with the following details:
- Full name,
- Student ID, and
- the Course Code
Additional information and support can be found here.
Aims and outcomes
This is an introductory course in communicating between cultures. Its goal is to cover the key areas of language, culture and context which affect communicating between cultures, to investigate a wide range of specific issues, and to give students an understanding of the foundation literature in this discipline area. The course links especially, but not only, to programs in languages, communication and culture studies.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination |
End-of-module assessment
|
60% (3 x 20% per module) |
WEEK 5 - 27/08/2025 WEEK 8 - 17/09/2025 WEEK 11 - 15/10/2025
This 90-minute assessment task is completed during the 3-hour Workshop in WEEKS 5, 8 and 11. |
| Poster |
Group preparation poster
|
10% |
26/09/2025 5:00 pm
WEEK 9 (PDF file submission by Friday 5pm) |
| Presentation |
Group project presentation
|
20% |
20/10/2025 - 31/10/2025
Prior to WEEK 12, groups will choose the week in which they will present (either WEEK 12 or WEEK 13). It will be determined on a first-come, first-served basis. |
| Reflection |
Post-presentation reflection
|
10% |
24/10/2025 - 31/10/2025
The post-presentation reflection will have to be submitted by Friday 5pm in the week you presented your workshop (either WEEK 12 or WEEK 13). |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
End-of-module assessment
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 60% (3 x 20% per module)
- Due date
WEEK 5 - 27/08/2025
WEEK 8 - 17/09/2025
WEEK 11 - 15/10/2025
This 90-minute assessment task is completed during the 3-hour Workshop in WEEKS 5, 8 and 11.
- Other conditions
- Secure.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03
Task description
This is an IN-CLASS end-of-module assessment held during the Weeks 5, 8 and 11 workshops.
Duration: 90 minutes
It will cover the course content studied in each module. It will consist of:
- multiple choice questions;
- open-ended questions regarding course content and readings;
- data analysis emphasising your familiarity with the concepts and their application (it will need to be supported with the research from the relevant required readings).
This assessment will be done on paper in class.
You will have 90 minutes to answer all the questions. There will be no time to look for the answers.
You are allowed to use the course material (slides, readings and your notes), but that does NOT mean that you are allowed to copy-paste your answers from the slides or any sources. If you do, you will receive 0 marks for those questions, as that will not show your understanding of the course content, and it might be considered plagiarism leading to the consequences outlined in the UQ academic integrity policy.
AI/MT Statement
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed book examination - specified written materials permitted |
| Materials | Materials provided in the course |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Paper submission in class.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Group preparation poster
- Team or group-based
- Online
- Mode
- Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia
- Category
- Poster
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
26/09/2025 5:00 pm
WEEK 9 (PDF file submission by Friday 5pm)
- Learning outcomes
- L04
Task description
GROUP PREPARATION POSTER (10%)
In Week 9, your group (3-4 students) will need to submit a group preparation poster (a pdf file) that needs to include:
- Tentative title of your presentation;
- Planned preparation timeline (when are you going to meet and what are you going to discuss/prepare in those meetings);
- The role of each member and their current/planned contribution (use bullet points) - discussed as a group, but each group member needs to write up this part individually.
You are free to create your poster as you like, but make sure that all the information is included.
The poster needs to be created collaboratively, but only one member of the group will need to submit the poster on behalf of all the group members.
NB: Based on this assessment, your inclusion in the presentation will be determined. If you do not contribute to the project by Week 9, you will not be able to pass this assessment and, as a result, the course.
AI/MT Statement
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Via Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Given the nature of the group project, if one group members requires an extension of more than 7 days, they will need to submit their contribution to poster separately to the group. The reason for this is that presentations start in Week 12, for which the preparation time of 2-3 weeks is required.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Group submission: late submission penalty is applied to all group members.
Group project presentation
- Hurdle
- Team or group-based
- In-person
- Online
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
20/10/2025 - 31/10/2025
Prior to WEEK 12, groups will choose the week in which they will present (either WEEK 12 or WEEK 13). It will be determined on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Other conditions
- Student specific.
- Learning outcomes
- L02, L03, L04
Task description
Develop a group presentation (a workshop or group discussion) to raise the audience's Intercultural Communication Awareness/skills in relation to the chosen cultural context, e.g. regional culture, religious groups, educational settings, etc.
3-4 students will be assigned to each group.
This is NOT a one-way presentation, but it should be an interactive training workshop that would engage the audience.
All students are required to contribute equally to the preparation and delivery.
Each group member will receive the same mark for the presentation (out of 20 marks) and individual marks for the preparation poster (10 marks) and the post-presentation reflections (10 marks)
Presentation (20%) - COMPULSORY assessment; MUST be done to pass the course
Students who do NOT meet the requirements of this piece of assessment will receive a fail grade (3 or lower) and will not be able to apply for a supplementary assessment.
Research
Choose a topic that will reflect the theme 'Diversity within cultures', i.e. focus on the microcultural level, NOT national cultures. Find relevant literature to define your topic and your approach. In preparation, you are encouraged to have contact with the members of your chosen cultural context, e.g. by interviewing them to gain first-hand knowledge.
Apply 2 concepts from the course that are crucial to understand the chosen microculture and provide examples of why those concepts are relevant.
Guidelines
Duration: 8-10 minutes
Key components:
1) Introduce the microcultural context that you have chosen, explaining why you think it is important to raise people's awareness of it.
2) Introduce your chosen concept that is crucial to that microculture and its role in terms of intercultural communication. Use readings from the course and additional readings to explain the concept.
3) Explain the relevance of the concept with specific examples from that microculture. Examples could be a role-play, short interview, a film segment, or an exercise you developed: be creative. Provide an analysis of examples that aligns with the data analysis done in the course.
4) Conclude by showing why your chosen cultural context and concept are essential to develop awareness and skills to deal with ICC.
Key dates
Week 4: group work survey;
Week 6: groups of 3-4 students formed;
Week 9: preparation poster to be submitted;
Weeks 12-13: presentations take place;
Weeks 12-13: post-presentation reflection to be submitted.
IMPORTANT
- If a student does not engage with the course, i.e. does not attend the tutorials, does not form a group and does not submit assessment, by Week 6, they will NOT be eligible to do this assessment.
AI/MT Statement
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
Students who do NOT meet the requirements of this piece of assessment will receive a fail grade (3 or lower) and will not be able to apply for a supplementary assessment.Submission guidelines
Presentation in person.
PDF file must be submitted electronically prior to the presentation.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
If extended in Week 12 or Week 13, all group members must agree for the extension to be granted. If longer extension is required, you will need to present (if needed, modified) on your own and will receive an individual mark for it.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Group submission: If the pdf file is submitted late, all group members will receive the penalty.
Post-presentation reflection
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Reflection
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
24/10/2025 - 31/10/2025
The post-presentation reflection will have to be submitted by Friday 5pm in the week you presented your workshop (either WEEK 12 or WEEK 13).
- Other conditions
- Student specific.
- Learning outcomes
- L02, L04
Task description
This is an individual assignment completed after your group work.
Your reflection will consist of a number of questions that will be related to the work with your group members. You will be required to provide detailed answers (NOT 'yes, 'no', 'good', 'I didn't notice anything') that would clearly show your understanding of any challenges your group (might have) faced and your critical reflection on how you and your group members approached them in terms of the course content.
AI/MT Statement
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Via TurnItIn.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 24 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student has failed to hand in the required assessable work by the specified date. |
| 2 (Fail) | 25 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student's work is uneven and of limited merit, showing an inability to master the concepts and material of the course. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: The student has shown some understanding of the concepts and material covered in the course, but has not demonstrated a coherent, soundly based comprehension of Intercultural Communication, its concepts and approaches. |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student's work shows a basic level of understanding of concepts and methods; some ability to communicate and argue; and some ability to link ideas to practice. This understanding, however, is not extended or sophisticated. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student shows a richer, deeper and more articulated level of understanding than for a result of 4, with better interdisciplinary links and a more critical approach to the literature and its interpretation. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student shows a firm understanding of the key concepts of the course; has shown some originality in developing the themes of the course and exploring them further; and in relating the literature to practice. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student shows originality and initiative in approaching the themes of the course, together with an advanced level of understanding and ability to synthesise diverse material, to link the literature to ideas and practice, and to engage in discourse about the course at an advanced level. |
Additional course grading information
Marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is not available for some items in this course.
Supplementary assessment is not available for some items in this course.
Additional assessment information
** Please check the Assessment section on the Blackboard site for COMU1002 for a more detailed explanation of each assessment. Consult the course coordinator if you have requests for further information about the assessments.
*** Unless a request for extension is submitted by the student and approved by the course coordinator, there is a 10% late submission penalty for each calendar day that the assignment is overdue.
**** Instructors reserve the right to adjust individual grades in group assignments to reflect identified differences in individual contribution.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 13 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Multiple weeks From Week 5 To Week 11 |
Workshop |
Workshop In Weeks 5, 8 and 11 Learning outcomes: L03 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.