Course coordinator
Dr Aparna Hebbani
For an online appointment, please book using this link: Book time with Aparna Hebbani: 10 minutes meeting
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 aims to equip final year Master of Communication students with requisite communication, management, and leadership skills to excel in the global workforce who can add value to organisations, be outstanding professionals, and achieve their career goals in any organisation. Fields which will be examined include critical thinking and problem solving, collaboration and teamwork, stakeholder management, and the role of strategic communication in organisational decision-making.
This is a relatively new course, being introduced in 2023. This is a capstone MCommun course, and so will be treated as such. This course demands significant self-study, with multiple readings to expand knowledge on the role and impact of communication in management and leadership. Thus, a great deal of onus lies on the student to make this course interactive and interesting. You will be expected to have read various assigned readings prior to the seminars, and have discussion questions ready for creating an egalitarian conversation in the seminars. In other words, in this course, you will receive information, be expected to digest the same, and apply the same to scenarios for when you graduate and (re)enter the workforce.
Course requirements
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
Students must have successfully completed 16 units of their program before enrolling in COMU7400.
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
COMU7002
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Aparna Hebbani
Tutor
Dr Doreen Busolo
Dr Kylie Navuku
Ms Sandhya Subramanian
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
This capstone course aims to equip final year Master of Communication students with requisite communication, management, and leadership skills to excel in the global workforce to add value to organisations, be outstanding professionals, and achieve their career goals in any organisation. Fields which will be examined include intro to communication management and leadership, negotiation, delegation and teamwork, internal/external stakeholder communciation management, destructive communication, and role of gender and culture in organisations.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Understand how communication impacts management and leadership in a range of organisations
LO2.
Gain knowledge about the role of communication in teamwork, negotiation in the workplace, and conflict resolution.
LO3.
Identify how interpersonal dynamics, gender and culture impact communication in local, national, and global contexts
LO4.
Develop the skills to showcase yourself as a potential manager and leader in the communication management domain
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quiz |
In-Class Quizzes
|
30% 6 quizzes |
Week 2 - Week 8
In-class activity in Weeks 2, 3 (postponed to Week 7 due to Cyclone Alfred), 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Communication Leaders: Research Report | 30% 1,000 words (excl. refs.) |
2/05/2025 4:00 pm |
| Presentation |
Interview Pitches
|
10% 3-minute pitch |
12/05/2025 - 26/05/2025
In-person presentation in class in Weeks 11, 12 and 13. |
| Examination |
Final Exam
|
30% |
End of Semester Exam Period 7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025 |
Assessment details
In-Class Quizzes
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 30% 6 quizzes
- Due date
Week 2 - Week 8
In-class activity in Weeks 2, 3 (postponed to Week 7 due to Cyclone Alfred), 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
Task description
Six in-class quizzes comprising of multiple choice questions.
This is an in-class only activity for which you must be present. Each quiz will be worth 5 marks, and each question is worth 1 mark, and thus, there will be a total of 30 questions over 6 quizzes, worth 30% of the course grade.
The quiz will be made available in class only at the end of every lecture via Blackboard - Assessment - Quizzes (in-class assessment). You will have a 10-minute window to complete the quiz, in an invigilated environment. The password will be provided in class.
Students are reminded to bring their own device to class in order to complete the quizzes on Blackboard. These are closed book quizzes with no other study materials permitted.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
This is an in-class only activity for which you must be present. The quizzes will be administered in class, via Blackboard. These are timed quizzes, to be completed within 10 minutes from start to finish.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
This assessment task is to be completed in person. Students are NOT able to apply for an extension via the Unitask portal for this assessment item. Please contact your tutor/course coordinator directly to see if alternative arrangements are available.
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.
Communication Leaders: Research Report
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 30% 1,000 words (excl. refs.)
- Due date
2/05/2025 4:00 pm
Task description
About the task: Identifying role models and individuals who inspire us can be an important aspect of professional development. Effective and successful communication leaders can be found in a diverse range of professional fields. For the purpose of this assessment task, students will identify an individual who they perceive to be a ‘communication leader’ that they would like to learn from and undertake research on the individual’s experiences and impact as a communication leader. The submission is to be written as a report using the Word template available in Blackboard (under Assessment).
There are six (6) parts of the assessment task (the template for this written assessment task is on BB). Read the entire task sheet placed on Blackboard before starting Part 1. The marking criteria is also available on Blackboard (under Assessment).
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
The submission is to be written as a report using the Word template available in Blackboard (under Assessment). 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 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.
Interview Pitches
- In-person
- Mode
- Oral
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 10% 3-minute pitch
- Due date
12/05/2025 - 26/05/2025
In-person presentation in class in Weeks 11, 12 and 13.
- Learning outcomes
- L04
Task description
You are required to make a 3-minute elevator pitch presentation as if you are taking part in a job interview.
Presentations will happen alphabetically (as per enrolment list from SI-Net) only during class time in Weeks 11, 12 and Week 13. There may be some variation to this depending on student enrolment numbers in this course. If any change is necessitated, the same will be communicated to you by the course coordinator well in advance.
The purpose of the presentation is to provide a practice arena for how to communicate and present yourself putting your 'best foot forward' to make the best impression as you graduate and (re)enter the job market.
On the day of your pitch (in-class), you will deliver it in person without technical aids or reading from any written script. Presentations will be recorded for marking purposes and associated records.
Numerous learning resources are available on the course BB site to assist with this assessment task. More task details will follow in Blackboard in Week 8.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and 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
On the day of your pitch (in-class), you will deliver it in person without technical aids or reading from any written script.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
This assessment task is to be completed in person. Students are NOT able to apply for an extension via the Unitask portal for this assessment item. Please contact your tutor/course coordinator directly to see if alternative arrangements are available.
Late submission
Late submission is not possible for this piece of assessment.
Final Exam
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025
Task description
The purpose of the End-of-Semester Examination is to test your knowledge and understanding of the issues covered in this course -- in lectures and specified reading material. Accordingly, the examination will cover topics taught in lectures and specified topics taken from any specified reading material.
The exam questions will test your comprehension of the major ideas and debates covered in the course, as well as your ability to think critically about them and to apply the skills and understanding you have developed to different examples or contexts. Further information will be provided on the Blackboard site for this course during the semester, and a practice exam opportunity will be available in Week 10.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Materials | Laptop compatible with Inspera |
| Exam platform | Inspera |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
UQ is presently rolling out a new assessment tool, Inspera Assessment. Inspera Assessment provides additional functionality to complement the existing suite of digital learning tools at UQ with a greater range of question types and accessibility provisions.
Inspera Assessment will be used for this invigilated on-campus digital assessment and students in this course will complete this using their own device. Details about Inspera Assessment, including an introduction to Inspera functionality and where to go for support, are available here: https://elearning.uq.edu.au/student-guides-original/inspera-assessment-original
Further information will be provided on Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 1 - 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.
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.
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 (24 Feb - 02 Mar) |
Seminar |
Week 1: Course Intro + Comm Foundations The first seminar presents an overlay of the course and assessments (incl. quizzes). Topic to be covered is Communication Foundations, Interpersonal Communication & Emotional Intelligence. Dwyer Ch. 1, 2 & 3. Learning outcomes: L01, L03 |
Week 2 (03 Mar - 09 Mar) |
Seminar |
Week 2: Negotiation & Conflict & ICC + Quiz 1! This week's seminar will present a broad overview of negotiation and intercultural communication wrt working in organisations. Dwyer Ch. 4 & 5 + Activities FIRST IN-CLASS QUIZ! Covering materials from Chapters 1-5. |
Week 3 (10 Mar - 16 Mar) |
Seminar |
Week 3: Communication in Organisations + Quiz 2! NOTE: THIS WEEK'S CONTENT IS POSTPONED TO WEEK 7 DUE TO TEACHING INTERRUPTION BY CYCLONE ALFRED! Chapter 6 and the quiz will now be covered in Week 7 (7 April, 2025) It will outline the important role of comms in the workplace. Dwyer Ch. 6 + Activities/Guest Speaker SECOND IN-CLASS QUIZ! Covering material from Chapter 6. Learning outcomes: L01 |
Week 4 (17 Mar - 23 Mar) |
Seminar |
Week 4: Leadership + Quiz 3! This week's seminar will cover a range of topics relating to leadership. Dwyer Ch. 7 + Activities/Guest Speaker THIRD IN-CLASS QUIZ! Covering material from Chapter 7. Learning outcomes: L04 |
Week 5 (24 Mar - 30 Mar) |
Seminar |
Week 5: Teams/Groups & Effective Meetings + Quiz 4! This week's seminar will focus on the inevitable :) Gain knowledge about the role of communication in teamwork, and group comms, and effective meetings. Dwyer Ch. 8 & 9 + Activities/Guest Speaker FOURTH IN-CLASS QUIZ! Covering materials from Chapters 8 & 9. |
Week 6 (31 Mar - 06 Apr) |
Seminar |
Week 6: Customer Engagement & PR + Quiz 5! This week's seminar will focus on a topic that we all have some knowledge about but from a slightly different lens - customer engagement and PR. Dwyer Ch. 10 & 11 + Activities/Guest Speaker FIFTH IN-CLASS QUIZ! Covering materials from Chapters 10 & 11. Learning outcomes: L01, L03 |
Week 7 (07 Apr - 13 Apr) |
Seminar |
Week 7: Comm in org + Oral Presentations, Public Speaking, NVC + Quiz 2 This week's seminar we will make up Week 3 content (10/3/25 UQ closure due to Cyclone Alfred) and will outline the important role of comms in the workplace. Dwyer Ch. 6 + Activities/Guest Speakers SECOND IN-CLASS QUIZ! Covering material from Chapter 6. This week we will also cover the most important skill the every comms graduate must do well - speaking in public. Dwyer Ch. 17 Learning outcomes: L01, L04 |
Week 8 (14 Apr - 20 Apr) |
Seminar |
Week 8: Job Search, Resume, Interviewing + Quiz 6! This seminar will address how to prepare to graduate and put your best foot forward into the job market. Dwyer Ch. 25. Guest speaker from Student Enrichment and Employability. SIXTH (LAST) IN-CLASS QUIZ! Covering materials from Chapters 17 & 25. Learning outcomes: L03, L04 |
Mid-sem break (21 Apr - 27 Apr) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
MID-SEMESTER BREAK |
Week 9 (28 Apr - 04 May) |
Seminar |
Week 9: Exam and Interview Pitch Delivery & Practice This week's seminar is focused on learning how to access and complete a mock exam in INSPERA to prepare you for the final exam (centrally timetabled). BRING YOUR DEVICES THIS WEEK SO SOFTWARE CAN BE DOWNLOADED IN PREPARATION FOR THE FINAL EXAM. It will also focus on enabling you to practice interview pitches (graded assessment task). Learning outcomes: L04 |
Week 10 (05 May - 11 May) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Week 10: NO CLASS - PUBLIC HOLIDAY |
Week 11 (12 May - 18 May) |
Seminar |
Week 11: Interview Pitches This is an in-class activity! You must be present in Weeks 11, 12 & 13 for this assessment task (pitches spread across 3 weeks). Learning outcomes: L04 |
Week 12 (19 May - 25 May) |
Seminar |
Week 12: Interview Pitches (cont.) Pitches continue. This is an in-class activity! You must be present in Weeks 11, 12 & 13 for this assessment task. Learning outcomes: L04 |
Week 13 (26 May - 01 Jun) |
Seminar |
Week 13: Interview Pitches (cont.) Last day of pitches. This is an in-class activity! You must be present in Weeks 11, 12 & 13 for this assessment task. Learning outcomes: L04 |
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.