Course coordinator
Associate Professor Jane Johnston
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Communication & Arts School
This course offers an individually designed program that enables students to gain hands-on experience in the practical application of communication principles and processes in a work environment. Students undertake short-term or part-time assignments with a host organisation of their choice. Tasks to be involved in will need to apply and build on the knowledge and skills gained from the Field of Study courses, for instance, creating a communication strategy or campaign, facilitating stakeholder engagement, creating relevant policy briefs, writing a research paper, developing project proposals, conducting a participatory situation analysis, capacity building, or reviewing existing communication practices. Suitability of proposed placements are discussed with each student individually.
The key aim of the course is to provide students with the opportunity toﾠexperience the application of their studies in a real-life work situation. Workshops to assist students to improve their employability and gain critical job-ready skills will be held throughout the course.
Although recommended, students do not have to have secured a placement before applying for COMU7015. Assistance is offered through the course administration team and all placements are checked and approved. If a student has not secured a placement before the census date, then they should drop COMU7015.
Through a short-term or part-time placement within the semester students will work with a government, non-government, community or service organisation, a commercial organisation, or any other relevant agency, on a set of tasks that build on the knowledge and skills that they gained from the core courses in their Field of Study.
Employability workshops held at the start of the semester will focus on preparing for employment in an international market. Students are expected to attend and participate in these workshops (unless otherwise arranged with the convenor).
Course requirements
Assumed background
This is an elective course in the Master of Communication.
A GPA of 5.5 is required to be allowed to take this course. Completion of the following prerequisite courses by major is also required:
- Communication for Social Change Major students: COMU7000 and COMU7013.
- Strategic Communication Major students: COMU7301 and COMU7302 and COMU7304.
Students from other postgraduate programs can enrol in this course provided they have received permission from their own Program Director; and a suitable placement that builds on prior learning in their program has been found and discussed with the Course Coordinator. Students negotiate workplace activities with the placement host/ provider.
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
Students must have completed at least two but preferably four Field of Study courses in their specific Field of Study to be eligible to undertake COMU7015.
Recommended prerequisites
We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:
A GPA of 5.5 is generally required to be allowed to take this course. The required courses should minimally include the following - Communication for Social Change Field of Study: COMU7000 and COMU7013. Strategic Communication Field of Study: COMU7301, COMU7302, COMU7304.
Course contact
Placements officer
Mr Sven Fea
Course staff
Lecturer
Associate Professor Jane Johnston
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
An introductory session is organised during Week 1 of the semester.
The placement at the host organisation involves no less than 75 hours (which approximates to two working weeks). More hours may be negotiated with the placement organisation and the course administrator (Sven Fea). The placement may be done part-time during the semester, full-time during the semester (if timetables allow), or during the break preceding the semester. Suitability of the placement and timing for undertaking the work will be discussed individually with each student. Please email the Course Coordinator jane.johnston@uq.edu.au and Course Administrator s.fea@uq.edu.au with inquiries (copy both).
Aims and outcomes
The aim of the placement course is to provide students with the opportunity to apply what they have learned in their specialist Field of Study, develop their competencies and reflect on the application of the theory and practice of their Field of Study in a specific work situation.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Understand the application of academic learning in your specialist Field of Study to a real-life work situation.
LO2.
Explain how the theory of your Field of Study can be successfully utilised in enhancing practical field applications.
LO3.
Draft project documentation which is logical, coherent and relevant to clientele needs and expectations, as well as the interests and requirements of potential funding agencies.
LO4.
Display an understanding of the modus operandi of a not-for-profit, commercial, government or other relevant organisation involved in strategic communication, social change or other relevant field.
LO5.
Display enhanced skills in working with individuals and teams in diverse offices and/or field environments.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Placement |
Workplan
|
PASS/FAIL |
To be submitted within 2 days after starting with the host organisation by 4pm on the relevant date. |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Placement, Presentation |
Reflective report
|
PASS/FAIL |
23/05/2025 4:00 pm
Presentation: In person in class in Week 12. Report: Submitted by 4pm Friday of Week 12. |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Placement |
Evaluation by supervisor at the host organisation
|
PASS/FAIL |
Submitted by industry supervisor to the course coordinator. |
Assessment details
Workplan
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Placement
- Weight
- PASS/FAIL
- Due date
To be submitted within 2 days after starting with the host organisation by 4pm on the relevant date.
- Other conditions
- Work integrated learning.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L04
Task description
Prepare a workplan providing brief information about the host organisation and/or project to be involved in and describing the tasks to be undertaken during the practicum. For each task the expected outcomes for the host organisation, the learning objectives for the student, and timing should be elaborated.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Machine Translation (MT) may support students in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of MT in each instance. A failure to reference MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submit via TurnItIn on Blackboard.
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 cannot defer or apply for an extension for 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.
Reflective report
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Placement, Presentation
- Weight
- PASS/FAIL
- Due date
23/05/2025 4:00 pm
Presentation: In person in class in Week 12.
Report: Submitted by 4pm Friday of Week 12.
- Other conditions
- Work integrated learning.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
The final report should outline the student's activities and achievements in the industry operational environment and a reflection on the experience:
- overview of the organisation/agency in which the practicum experience was achieved;
- description of the tasks undertaken and reflection onf how challenges were dealt with;
- outcomes achieved for the host organisation, including examples attached to the report as annexes;
- reflection on achievement of the learning objectives; and
- reflection on the overall experience and lessons learned, including successes/failures noted by the student.
This is submitted at the completion of the placement in conjunction with a short oral presentation (10 minutes) to class in Week 12.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Machine Translation (MT) may support students in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of MT in each instance. A failure to reference MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Recording of Oral and Practical Assessment
- All presentations will be recorded for marking purposes via recording facilities available where the assessment takes place (eg. ECHO360, Zoom, camera device)
- Recordings will be retained by the School of Communication and Arts for at least 12 months from the release of the final grade for the course.
- Recordings will be stored in a secure manner and will only be accessed by authorised school staff for the purposes of:
- Moderation of marking;
- Provision of feedback to the student(s) recorded; and/or
- Re-marking following a successful re-mark application
Submission guidelines
Submit report via TurnItIn on Blackboard.
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 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.
Evaluation by supervisor at the host organisation
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Placement
- Weight
- PASS/FAIL
- Due date
Submitted by industry supervisor to the course coordinator.
- Other conditions
- Work integrated learning.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L04, L05
Task description
The supervisor of the work placement at the host organisation will be requested to provide a brief evaluation report (using the template provided) on the student's performance and give a PASS or FAIL assessment.
Submission guidelines
A template report will be provided to the supervisor. The supervisor will be asked to complete the form and email it to the course coordinator.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Pass/Fails | Description |
|---|---|
| P |
Course grade description: A student will have been deemed to haveﾠpassed the course following a criticalﾠand successful evaluation of their workplan and reflection reportﾠby the Course Coordinatorﾠand a positive report (either verbal or written) from the host organisation's supervisor where the student undertook a placement. |
| F |
Course grade description: A student will have been deemed to have failed the course if (a) he/she does not undertake a practical assignment as mutually agreed with the Course Coordinator prior to the engagement, (b) fails to deliver a workplan and/or reflection report, or (c) is found to have been comprehensively unsatisfactory in their performance in their supervisor at the host organisation. |
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is not available for some items in 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
Not scheduled |
Not Timetabled |
Industry Placement Field specific tasks for a host organisation (actual start/finish dates/times and number of hours of work to be mutually agreed between the student and the course administrator/coordinator). Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 1 (24 Feb - 02 Mar) |
Seminar |
Week 1: Introductory Session Introduction to the Industry Placement and placement opportunities. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Week 2 (03 Mar - 09 Mar) |
Workshop |
Week 2: Employability Workshop 1 Three workshops will be conducted in weeks 2, 4 and 5. These will be run by the Course Coordinator and UQs Careers team. While students are encouraged to attend in person, there will be a Zoom link for students conducting their placement remotely. Links will be placed on the Blackboard site. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 4 (17 Mar - 23 Mar) |
Workshop |
Week 4: Employability Workshop 2 Three workshops will be conducted in weeks 2, 4 and 5. These will be run by the Course Coordinator and UQs Careers team. While students are encouraged to attend in person, there will be a Zoom link for students conducting their placement remotely. Links will be placed on the Blackboard site. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 5 (24 Mar - 30 Mar) |
Workshop |
Week 5: Employability Workshop 3 Three workshops will be conducted in weeks 2, 4 and 5. These will be run by the Course Coordinator and UQs Careers team. While students are encouraged to attend in person, there will be a Zoom link for students conducting their placement remotely. Links will be placed on the Blackboard site. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 12 (19 May - 25 May) |
Seminar |
Week 12: Presentations and Evaluation Students will share and reflect on their experiences in the meeting weeks - weeks 1, 2, 4, 5 and 12. Week 12 will be an oral presentation based on the final reflection, highlighting key learnings (5-10 minutes). Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
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 - 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.