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This course examines core communication functions in contemporary organisations and discusses how these can be fulfilled in a global business setting. It seeks to provide students with a sound theoretical framework from which to develop their professional communication practices.
Upon completion of this course students will be able to:Demonstrate a sound understanding of a range of communication theories and be able to derive from these implications and guidelines for professional practice in a range of contemporary professional settings.Critically analyse the communication requirements of a range of professional situations and design communication plans soundly grounded in communication theory and research that meet these requirements.Apply communication theory to the design and delivery of written and oral communication performances in a critical and reflective fashion.
MGMT100 or MGMT101. RP: MGMT206
MGMT206
Colleen Mills
AssessmentThe assessment in MGMT240 is designed to link communication theory to practice in a way that will benefit all students but especially those studying for a professional qualification (e.g., BCom, LLB, B.E, BHSc). It gives students the opportunity to examine real examples of business/professional communication and demonstrate that they can derive from these a set of sound communication skills and principles that are founded in the most current theory and research findings. The practical communication skills workshops (written and oral) will enhance students’ ability to perform competently in both academic and professional business settings and are tightly coupled to assessments 1 and 2. The course has FOUR assessments:1. Written assignment (40%)2. Oral presentation (20%) 3. Test (30%)4. Participation assessment (10%)1. Written Assignment (40%)This assignment requires students to assess two business situations, one relating to a local business and the other to a multi-national operation and propose how the business communication needs of key stakeholders could be more effectively met. The marking criteria for this assessment task are stated below.Students will demonstrate their ability to: 1. Understand communication theory and use this to assess the elements of a business case.2. Propose well-founded improvements to the communication described in the cases.3. Present their ideas in a concise, logical, coherent and well-structured manner.4. Demonstrate they can follow a style guide (APA edition 6) and edit their work to a high professional standard (i.e., error free).Written Assignment Format The case analyses are to be presented in no more than 2000 words including references. Note that this word limit is a maximum length NOT a target length. It is possible to complete this assignment effectively and to a high standard in fewer than 2000 words.The written assignment must be submitted online as a .doc file. The text must be in Times New Roman font, font size 12 and with 1.5 line spacing and standard margins. All formatting should follow American Psychological Association (APA) Style Book (Edition 5). The first page must be a cover sheet giving the student’s name and/or, ID number, course name, examiner’s name and assignment title.Submitting Late AssignmentsLateness is to be avoided as penalties will be incurred. See the Departmental Assessment Policy for details. If lateness is unavoidable an extension should be requested BEFORE the due date. No extensions will be granted on the due date except in very unusual circumstances.2. Oral Assignment (20%)This assignment requires students to craft and deliver a 10-minute public presentation that would be suitable for a specific professional business audience. The specific audience will be assigned by the lecturer during class. The students will demonstrate their ability to: 1. Apply communication theory to a speaking task. 2. Assess the needs of a particular professional audience in a stated situation (e.g., potential customers at a product launch, community group, jury, Board of Directors, staff meeting, select-committee hearing) and tailor a speech suitable for these circumstances.3. Consistently use inclusive language and content (in terms of gender, culture, generational level, level of authority).4. Present content in a logical, coherent, appropriately structured, well-balanced, and error free manner.5. Speak in a concise manner (i.e., free from unnecessary waffle and repetition).6. Speak confidently and in a professional manner.3. Test (30%)This 3-hour test will require students to demonstrate: 1. An understanding of communication theory and research as presented in the textbook, lectures, set readings and other resources provided.2. An understanding of the challenges of interpersonal, intercultural, group, public and mass communication in contemporary professional settings.3. Written presentation.4. Participation assessment (10%)MGMT240 includes a range of activities in addition to the assessment activity. Students are expected to participate in these activities and their level of participation will determine their final participation mark.WorkloadThe workload each week will vary but the expectation is that overall between 2 and 4 hours of self-directed work will be required each week in addition to class (face-to-face and virtual) and workshop attendance. GradingMarks for all assessment items may be scaled before a final grade is determined. You should not regard 50% as a pass mark.
Crossman, Joanna. , Bordia, Sarbari., Mills, Colleen E; Business communication : for the global age ; 1st ed; McGraw-Hill, 2010.
The following journals are valuable sources of research on communication and related subjects. Articles published in these journals can be accessed through various management and social science online databases. Go to the library webpage and click on databases. ProQuest and ABI Inform are databases that will allow you to access full-text PDF files from many of these journalsJournal of Communication ManagementJournal of Business CommunicationManagement Communication QuarterlyJournal of CommunicationCommunication MonographsCorporate CommunicationsThe Journal of Applied Communication ResearchAustralian Journal of CommunicationCommunication Journal of New ZealandMedia International AustraliaPublic Relations JournalPublic Relations QuarterlyPolitical CommunicationJournal of Public Relations ResearchJournal of Public AffairsStrategic Communication Management (Practitioner-based)Harvard International Journal of Press and PoliticsHuman RelationsOrganization StudiesOrganization
Online Theory Resource is a quick and valuable source of information about communication theories. It provides a simple way of finding out more about a theory. LEARN
Departmental Academic Policies The Department assumes that you have read this document.You should also read the General Course and Examination Regulations Dishonest PracticeThe University of Canterbury considers cheating and plagiarism to be serious acts of dishonesty. All assessed work must be your own individual work unless specifically stated otherwise in the assessment guidelines. Material quoted from any other source must be clearly acknowledged. You must not copy the work of another person (student or published work) in any assessment including examinations, tests and assignments. Any person, who is found to have copied someone else's work, or to have allowed their work to be copied, will receive a fail grade for that piece of assessment and may face disciplinary action which may lead to a fine, community service or exclusion from the university.IMPORTANT: Where there are concerns regarding the authorship of written course work, a student can be required to provide a formal, oral explanation of the content of their work.Coversheets - Group and Individual
Domestic fee $655.00
International fee $2,888.00
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see Management, Marketing and Tourism .