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
- Communication & Arts School
Public interest communication brings together aspects of ethics, social and civic responsibility, and philosophy, to provide a new approach to communication theory and practice in the post truth era. It identifies communication as a central component of all social and political practice, and places the 'the public' or rather many 'publics' at the centre of this. In this way, it differs from an organisational or institutional approach that drives communication from the inside out. In this course, students will examine many fields that intersect with public interest frameworks including concepts that provide building blocks and strategies for communication - from organisational listening, capacity building, partnerships and alliances, to the importance of participation and activism in generating democratic debate. The course takes students into places and contexts where interest conflicts abound including the environment, public health, fast fashion, amongst others and challenges them to consider the positions of all stakeholders in determining public interest outcomes, driven by ethical and critical communication practice.
The course introduces students to critical and pragmatic approaches to communication within social, political and cultural spheres. Central to these is the concept of the public interest which is a fundamental element of democratic society. Itﾠintroduces students to concepts and strategies that provide building blocks for public interest communication including active listening, social capital, capacity building, partnerships and alliances, representation, agency and activism. The part played by diverse stakeholders/publics and public participation will come under close attention. Pre-recordedﾠlectures and the open-access pressbook (https://uq.pressbooks.pub/publicinterestcomm/), together with weekly activities and student-led seminars, provide a comprehensive immersion into course material via various pathways of learning.ﾠﾠ
Course requirements
Assumed background
This course assumes the student has previously completed COMU1052, COMU2180 and COMU3140
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
COMU1052, COMU1120
Recommended prerequisites
We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:
COMU1130, COMU1140, COMU1200
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Whilst every effort is made to place students in their preferred activity, it is not always possible for a student to be enrolled in their tutorial of choice. If you require assistance, please ensure that you email timetabling.commarts@enquire.uq.edu.au from your UQ student email with:
- Your name
- Your student ID
- The course code
- A list of three tutorial preferences (in order of preference)
- Reason for the change – e.g. timetable clash, elite athlete status, SAP
Teaching staff do not have access to change tutorials or help with timetables; all timetabling changes must be processed through the Timetabling Team.
Aims and outcomes
The course aims to encourage and develop critical and pragmatic thinking by communication students to assist them in navigating complex social and political issues. It aims to challenge students to consider the positions, claims, causes and interests of a diverse range of individuals and publics in determining pluralistic public interest decision-making. This includes considering minority and marginalised people as well as utilitarian social needs. Importantly, it aims to expose students to the role of democratic discourse in underpinning the importance of public interest communication.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Understand and apply a range of historical, theoretical, ethical and philosophical concepts that connect professional communication practice to wider social and political currents of society.
LO2.
Critically evaluate how interests are communicated and negotiated in civil society and the corporate and government sectors.
LO3.
Develop a critical understanding of the importance of publics, pluralism, social capital and capacity building in interrogating and resolving social problems.
LO4.
Learn how discussion, debate and active listening are acted out in a range of democratic contexts and settings.
LO5.
Use the United Nations Sustainability Goals (UNSDGs) and wicked problems to problematise and examine complex social issues.
LO6.
Work creatively and imaginatively to examine issues and problems in independent and group situations.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product/ Design, Project |
Audio podcast: 'Wicked problem'
|
30% 6-8 minute audio podcast |
12/09/2025 4:00 pm |
| Presentation, Reflection, Role play/ Simulation |
Seminar session: 'Public arenas'
|
40% 25-30 minute seminar session |
Week 9 - Week 12 |
| Essay/ Critique |
Peer review
|
30% 1,000 words (excludes reference list and title page) |
31/10/2025 4:00 pm |
Assessment details
Audio podcast: 'Wicked problem'
- Mode
- Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia
- Category
- Product/ Design, Project
- Weight
- 30% 6-8 minute audio podcast
- Due date
12/09/2025 4:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Student specific.
Task description
Using the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) identify a 'Wicked Problem' (or complex social problem) for your 6-8 minute audio podcast. Identify a local angle to explore and explain your chosen Wicked Problem and its relationship to the UNSDGs.
You should draw from class materials to explain how your podcast topic is about a Wicked Problem and which UNSDG/s you are referring to.
Your podcast may include the following:
- Your own narrative (this is a compulsory component)
- Interviews / Q&As /other people’s stories (encouraged)
- Audio / music / actualities (encouraged - from copyright-free sources)
- Other, as appropriate to your topic
Training workshops in podcasting, using Audition are available through MaPS. If you haven't attended an Audition workshop previously it is highly recommended to do so. There are also resources and links in the assignment folder to assist you. Adobe is available on campus in some labs (including Joyce Ackroyd Ideas Centre, room 215) and access to Adobe can be gained through the ITS support page.
Note: there are many examples of podcasts from previous years' classes used (with permission) in the course Pressbook Public Interest Communication by Johnston & Gulliver.
Use of AI & MT: This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
This is a podcast assessment. Uploading of the podcast is a crucial part of the process and directions will be made available on BB according to MaPS directions by Week 3. In addition, students need to:
1. Upload a cover sheet to Turnitin when they upload their podcast (and keep a record) and,
2. Send their tutor the link to the podcast with their name, course name and tutorial number, tutor's name. Please do NOT call your podcast the name of the course. Give it your own name so it is searchable.
TurnItIn Receipts:
Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using TurnItIn. Before submitting any assignments for this course you must ensure you have completed UQ's compulsory online Academic Integrity Tutorial.
When you successfully submit your assessment to TurnItIn you will see text confirming your submission is complete, before being redirected to your Assignment inbox. On this page you can:
- View the name of the submitted file
- View date and time of the upload
- Resubmit your paper (if necessary)
- Download your submitted paper
- Download digital receipt.
If you cannot see your submission in your Assignment inbox you should regard your submission as unsuccessful. Students are responsible for retaining evidence of submission by the due date for all assessment items, in the required form (e.g. screenshot, email, photo, and an unaltered copy of submitted work).
If the submission was not successful:
- Note the error message (preferably take a screenshot).
- Go to your assignment page and see if it is possible to submit again.
- If you cannot submit again email your course coordinator immediately with the assignment attached.
Please visit this webpage for further advice on how to submit your TurnItIn assignment.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
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.
Seminar session: 'Public arenas'
- Identity Verified
- Team or group-based
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Presentation, Reflection, Role play/ Simulation
- Weight
- 40% 25-30 minute seminar session
- Due date
Week 9 - Week 12
- Other conditions
- Peer assessed.
Task description
Working in groups of three or four students (to be confirmed with tutors by Week 5) you will run a seminar session (during Weeks 9, 10, 11 & 12) of 25-30 minutes during class time (n.b. students in the Monday class will not be timetabled to present in Week 10 due to the public holiday).
Assignment outline: Debate is a fundamental part of democratic discourse. Contested and controversial issues are acted out in public, with different perspectives discussed and argued. Sociologists use the term ‘public arenas of debate’ and communication theorists use ‘discourse arenas’ to describe places where public debate takes place – e.g. public meetings, protests, exhibitions, press conferences, social media campaigns, videos, lobbying meetings, street parades, and more.
We will make our classroom ‘public arenas’ to communicate and discuss a range of social issues and problems. You will run an ‘arena’ from a list supplied and allocated in class.
Your main materials must be original although you may use secondary sources (e.g. YouTube clips) to support your content. Preference is given for wholly original work. You are encouraged to be creative as well as evidence-based in their arenas. While you may run your arena from a dominant perspective, you should acknowledge alternative interests and perspectives from other stakeholders or publics at some point in your arena. You are encouraged not to rely on Power Point. Excessive reliance on slides or notes will result in marks deducted. This is a creative, innovative, and imaginative opportunity which is reflected in the marking criteria.
The assignment should integrate two parts:
Part 1 (30%)
- Your analysis, discussion, and execution of the topic to the class in your chosen ‘arena’
- Generate and incorporate input and discussion from your seminar (class) group
Part 2 (10%)
Submit an INDIVIDUAL 500-word reflective summary of your topic the week following your seminar session to Turnitin that incorporates:
- key themes covered
- rationale for selection of chosen arena
- how all/alternate positions/interests were acknowledged and addressed
- group work breakdown (include a Gantt chart)
- no referencing is required accept to cite any use of AI and MT for research purposes.
Note: All team members must attend and contribute to their seminar to be awarded a mark. A workshop on group work will be conducted in class and it should be referred to in the reflection.
A topic list will be supplied on Blackboard and discussed in class. Only one group in each class can do each topic (from the list supplied). Students running the seminars in Week 9 will have first choice of topic. After that, the tutor will assign groups to topics and seminar weeks (10, 11 & 12). Due to the tight schedule, these dates will be final.
Use of AI & MT: This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies to assist with research, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Recording of Oral and Practical Assessment: When a student is required to complete a live oral or practical assessment item worth 20% or more, the performance will be recorded in accordance with Appendix 1 of the Assessment Procedure and retained as the official recording of the item for re-mark purposes.
The Associate Dean (Academic) may waive the recording of an assessment performance under clause 89 if they are satisfied that one or more of the following apply:
a. The assessment occurs in a setting where recording is not permitted (e.g. a clinical setting where recording of patients will compromise patient privacy and confidentiality);
b. There is an inability to feasibly record the content required to inform examiner judgment equivalent to the original performance (e.g. face-to-face clinical assessments such as the objective structure clinical examinations (OSCEs)); or
c. The filming process will disrupt the assessment performance and/or compromise assessment validity.
As per point C, above, in order not to disrupt the assessment or compromise assessment validity of this assessment, extensive written notes will be taken instead of recording. These notes will be written up in a timely fashion. In addition, moderation will take place via tutors moderating some (but not all) workshops other than their own, with tutor cross-marking immediately following the class. All students' short reflection on this task, submitted via TurnItIn, will provide a pathway for thorough and timely written feedback.
Submission guidelines
Part 2 of this assignment is the individual reflective summary which should be uploaded to Turnitin one week following your arena/presentation. Due to the mid-semester break, students presenting their arena in Week 9 can upload in Week 10 (which is two weeks after their arena).
TurnItIn Receipts:
Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using TurnItIn. Before submitting any assignments for this course, you must ensure you have completed UQ's compulsory online Academic Integrity Tutorial.
When you successfully submit your assessment to TurnItIn you will see text confirming your submission is complete, before being redirected to your Assignment inbox. On this page you can:
- View the name of the submitted file
- View date and time of the upload
- Resubmit your paper (if necessary)
- Download your submitted paper
- Download digital receipt.
If you cannot see your submission in your Assignment inbox you should regard your submission as unsuccessful. Students are responsible for retaining evidence of submission by the due date for all assessment items, in the required form (e.g. screenshot, email, photo, and an unaltered copy of submitted work).
If the submission was not successful:
- Note the error message (preferably take a screenshot).
- Go to your assignment page and see if it is possible to submit again.
- If you cannot submit again email your course coordinator immediately with the assignment attached.
Please visit this webpage for further advice on how to submit your TurnItIn assignment.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Part 1- Seminar Session: Due to the nature of the arenas which are run to a tight schedule in class time, no extensions are available for Part 1of this assessment. If any group member is sick on the day of their arena the group will still present as per the schedule. Students who present in such an instance will not be penalised. Any student absent due to illness/extreme circumstances must provide medical/appropriate documentation to the course coordinator and, if approved, will be given an alternative, written assessment.
Part 2 - Individual Reflective Summary: Students may be able to apply for an extension for Part 2 of this assessment.
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.
Late submission is not possible for Part 1 (seminar session). Late submission penalties are applicable to Part 2 (individual reflective summary) only.
Peer review
- Identity Verified
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 30% 1,000 words (excludes reference list and title page)
- Due date
31/10/2025 4:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Student specific, Peer assessment factor.
Task description
Assessment outline: You will write a peer review of TWO other class public arenas drawn from two separate weeks of class (between weeks 9-12). The peer review will examine the two other student public arenas using the assessment criteria (see assignment 2 rubric, task sheet and other relevant material) and support their review with scholarly references. This assessment item calls for first-hand observation of the two public arenas. Therefore, you are strongly advised to attend ALL weeks of arenas and take notes on the content and delivery of the arenas presented by your classmates. In addition, you should contribute to arena discussion to gain the greatest level of understanding about their content.
The peer review is expected to promote deeper learning of the role of public arenas as a democratic communication forum, promote critical thinking, enhance student understanding of the class content and aims, and provide an opportunity to deliver an evidence and observation-based critique. This will call on your attendance in class and your capacity to apply theory to your observations.
Use of AI & MT: This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies for research purposes, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submit via TurnItIn.
TurnItIn Receipts:
Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using TurnItIn. Before submitting any assignments for this course you must ensure you have completed UQ's compulsory online Academic Integrity Tutorial.
When you successfully submit your assessment to TurnItIn you will see text confirming your submission is complete, before being redirected to your Assignment inbox. On this page you can:
- View the name of the submitted file
- View date and time of the upload
- Resubmit your paper (if necessary)
- Download your submitted paper
- Download digital receipt.
If you cannot see your submission in your Assignment inbox you should regard your submission as unsuccessful. Students are responsible for retaining evidence of submission by the due date for all assessment items, in the required form (e.g. screenshot, email, photo, and an unaltered copy of submitted work).
If the submission was not successful:
- Note the error message (preferably take a screenshot).
- Go to your assignment page and see if it is possible to submit again.
- If you cannot submit again email your course coordinator immediately with the assignment attached.
Please visit this webpage for further advice on how to submit your TurnItIn assignment.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
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. |
| 2 (Fail) | 25 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Additional course grading information
- Where fractional marks occur in the calculation of the final grade, a mark of x.5% or greater will be rounded up to (x+1)%. A percentage mark of less than x.5% will be rounded down to x%.
- Where no assessable work is received, a Grade of X will apply. ﾠ
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
- Further information regarding the assessment, including marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course.
- Marks Cannot Be Changed After Being Released: Marks are not open to negotiation with course staff. If you wish to discuss the feedback you have received, you should make an appointment to speak with the Course Coordinator.
- Assessment Re-mark: If you are considering an Assessment Re-mark, please follow the link to important information you should consider before submitting a request.
- Integrity Pledge: Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using Turnitin. Before submitting any assignments for this course, you must ensure you have completed UQ's compulsory online Academic Integrity Modules.ﾠIn uploading an assignment via Turnitin you are certifying that it is your original work, that it has not been copied in whole or part from another person or source except where this is properly acknowledged, and that it has not in whole or part been previously submitted for assessment in any other course at this or any other university.
- Withholding marks prior to finalisation of grades: Per UQ Assessment Procedures – Release of Assessment Item Marks and Grades: The final assessment item and the marks for the assessment item are to be released only after the final grade for the course has been released.
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.
Additional learning resources information
The principal course material which will be linked to the Blackboard site is the pressbook, available here https://uq.pressbooks.pub/publicinterestcomm/
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 |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (28 Jul - 03 Aug) |
Lecture |
Week 1: Lecture (live/face to face lecture) Overview / Public interest history & public interest theories |
Seminar |
Week 1: Seminar Introduction to course, Pressbook and key concepts. |
|
Week 2 (04 Aug - 10 Aug) |
Lecture |
Week 2: Lecture (pre-recorded) Wicked problems / Enlightened self-interest and other theories. Introduction to the United Nations Sustainability Goals. |
Seminar |
Week 2: Seminar Time allocated to discuss all assessment and key concepts from the first chapters of the Pressbook. Discussion of the UNSDGs and how they will apply to classwork. Sign up for MaPS Audition workshops for podcast from this week onward. Time to enrol in MaPS Audition workshop in class. |
|
Week 3 (11 Aug - 17 Aug) |
Lecture |
Week 3: Lecture (pre-recorded) Stakeholders/publics & participation. |
Not Timetabled |
Week 3: Seminar (no seminars due to Wednesday public holiday) No workshops scheduled for this week due to Wednesday public holiday. Students should use this time to research and develop their podcast and/or complete an Audition workshop with MaPS. |
|
Week 4 (18 Aug - 24 Aug) |
Lecture |
Week 4: Lecture (pre-recorded) Ethics & agency / Active listening & dialogue. |
Seminar |
Week 4: Seminar Students should bring to class their idea for their podcast. Time to discuss and workshop podcast ideas. Discussion of lecture material and key concepts (weeks 1-4) and how it applies to the podcast. |
|
Week 5 (25 Aug - 31 Aug) |
Lecture |
Week 5: Lecture (pre-recorded) Public discourse arenas / Civil society. |
Seminar |
Week 5: Seminar Time allocated to discuss podcast (Assignment 1). Students must bring to class a brief, written outline/plan of their podcast to discuss in class. These will be collected. Time will be allocated to discuss the 'public discourse arenas' (Assignment 2). All students will be placed in groups this week for Assignment 2. |
|
Week 6 (01 Sep - 07 Sep) |
Lecture |
Week 6: Lecture (pre-recorded) Advocacy & activism (interview) / Social capital & capacity building. |
Seminar |
Week 6: Seminar Final week to work on the podcast. Note: students must have shown their tutor their podcast plan by this week. Time allocated to discuss public interest arenas, choose topics and allocate weeks for Assignment 2. This is the final week to organise groups for the arena (Assignment 2). Students who do not attend will be allocated a topic, a group and a week to present their arena. Any student absent this week please check emails for contact from your tutor. |
|
Week 7 (08 Sep - 14 Sep) |
Lecture |
Week 7: Lecture (pre-recorded) (Corporate) Social responsibility / Social enterprise & partnerships. |
Seminar |
Week 7: Seminar Discussion and workshopping of 'public discourse arenas' (Assignment 2). This will also include a mini workshop on working in groups/teams. |
|
Week 8 (15 Sep - 21 Sep) |
Lecture |
Week 8: Lecture (pre-recorded) Guest lecture interviews. |
Seminar |
Week 8: Seminar Discussion and workshopping of (group-based) public discourse arenas (assessment 2). Discussion of (individual) peer-reviews of public discourse arenas presented by other class members (assignment 3). |
|
Week 9 (22 Sep - 28 Sep) |
Lecture |
Week 9: Lecture (pre-recorded) Review the short pre-recorded lectures and pressbook. |
Seminar |
Week 9: Seminar Student-run 'public discourse arena' seminars (as per schedule) begin this week. Further discussion of peer-reviews (assignment 3). |
|
Mid Sem break (29 Sep - 05 Oct) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Mid-Semester Break |
Week 10 (06 Oct - 12 Oct) |
Lecture |
Week 10: No Lecture |
Seminar |
Week 10: Seminar Student-run 'public arena' seminars (as per schedule). Note: Monday's seminar will not be timetabled this week due to the public holiday. Further brief discussion of peer-reviews (assignment 3). |
|
Week 11 (13 Oct - 19 Oct) |
Lecture |
Week 11: No Lecture |
Seminar |
Week 11: Seminar Student-run 'public arena' seminars (as per schedule). Further brief discussion of peer-reviews (assignment 3). |
|
Week 12 (20 Oct - 26 Oct) |
Lecture |
Week 12: No lecture Students should use this time to reflect on key themes in lectures and Pressbook for the essay. |
Seminar |
Week 12: Seminar Final week of student-run 'public arena' seminars (as per schedule). Q&A for Assignment 3 (Essay). |
|
Week 13 (27 Oct - 02 Nov) |
Lecture |
Week 13: No Lecture Students should finalise and submit their peer-review (assessment 3). |
Seminar |
Week 13: No seminars Students should finalise and submit their peer-review (assessment 3). |
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.
Course guidelines
Communication Expectations
While you are a student at UQ, all communication must be conducted according to the UQ Student Code of Conduct. The UQ Library has a helpful Communicate and collaborate online module.
- Email is the primary way for you to send messages to, and receive information from, the School and our staff.
- You must use your UQ email address (not a private address) to communicate with staff.
- You should add a clear subject line, including course code, and a 2-3 word statement.
- You can send email at any time, however, please do not expect responses outside normal working hours (Monday to Friday from ~8am to ~5pm).
- Emails that constitute bullying, harassment or discrimination against staff contravene the Student Code of Conduct. Emails like this will be reported to the University, and the matter will be pursued as misconduct.