COMM222 - Communication in a Global Society

Year

Credit points

Campus offering

Prerequisites

Nil

Teaching organisation

Unit rationale, description and aim

Communication in a global context is important because in an increasingly globalised world, people from different countries, languages, ethnicities, and cultural attitudes must be able to work together effectively. For productive business and interpersonal relationships to be formed, individuals from different backgrounds need to be aware of cultural specificities that will allow them to understand each another and communicate effectively so that they can work together. This unit will explore the emergence of the ‘globalised world’ examining in depth how communication manifests in different societies (cross-cultural communication) and how different societies interact (intercultural communication) across diverse cultural contexts. The aim of this unit is to build on broader notions of communication in society exploring how emergent ‘cultural globalisation’ impacts on traditional communication theories and practice. 

Learning outcomes

To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.

Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.

Explore the graduate capabilities.

On successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

LO1 - Critically analyse a range of theories of intercultural communication (GA4, GA5, GA8, GA10)

LO2 - Discuss and apply theories of cultural globalisation to the way we communicate face to face and in online communities (GA1, GA4)

LO3 - Evaluate and manage the dynamic processes and challenges associated with global communication (GA1, GA4, GA5, GA8)

LO4 - Identify, analyse and apply strategies that facilitate effective intercultural communication between individuals and diverse cultural groups (GA1, GA7, GA8, GA10)

Graduate attributes

GA1 - demonstrate respect for the dignity of each individual and for human diversity

GA4 - think critically and reflectively 

GA5 - demonstrate values, knowledge, skills and attitudes appropriate to the discipline and/or profession 

GA7 - work both autonomously and collaboratively 

GA8 - locate, organise, analyse, synthesise and evaluate information 

GA10 - utilise information and communication and other relevant technologies effectively.

Content

Topics may include:

•  Historical and theoretical frameworks in global communication
• The challenges of cultural globalisation
• Global communication and cultural change
• Globalisation and identity
• Conflict and power in global communication
• The effects of globalised media
• Issues of cross-cultural communication within Australian organisations
•  Inclusive communication and accessibility
• Theories of intercultural communication

Learning and teaching strategy and rationale

This unit will engage students in active learning activities, such as reading, writing, discussion and problem-solving to promote analysis, synthesis and evaluation of class content. This unit features a practice-led exploration of a range of discourses that are employed by the media professions in a global context. In an active learning environment, students will have the opportunity to engage with published texts in a variety of genres and then engage in writing activities that experiment with these. Assessment tasks will allow students to apply these skills to a range of professional contexts. Students will have the opportunity to experiment with real-world problems and challenges in global communication and develop strategies for problem-solving and decision-making in authentic contexts.

Assessment strategy and rationale

A range of assessment procedures will be used to meet the unit objectives consistent with University assessment requirements. 

 The assessment tasks for this unit are designed for students to demonstrate their achievement of each learning outcome. The Written Report aims to give students the opportunity to develop their knowledge of global and intercultural communication through research and it will help them to articulate their knowledge in a report format.

The Multimodal Presentation seeks to develop students’ oral and multimedia communication skills either as individuals or as team members. The Case Study Analysis allows students to demonstrate their comprehension of theoretical aspects of the unit by applying it to a particular global situation. Students will demonstrate the key skills of critical thinking, problem solving, and creativity within a global context.

Overview of assessments

Representative texts and references

Chen, Ling. Intercultural Communication. Edited by Ling Chen, De Gruyter Mouton, 2017.

Jandt, Fred Edmund. An Introduction to Intercultural Communication: Identities in a Global Community. Eighth edition., SAGE, 2016.

Korkut, Umut, et al. The Aesthetics of Global Protest Visual Culture and Communication. Edited by Umut Korkut et al., Project Muse, 2020.

Martin, Judith N., and Thomas K. Nakayama. Experiencing Intercultural Communication: an Introduction. Seventh edition., McGraw Hill, 2022.

Neuliep, James William. Intercultural Communication: a Contextual Approach. Seventh edition., Sage Publications, 2018.

Pinto, Juliet, et al. Climate Change, Media & Culture: Critical Issues in Global Environmental Communication. Edited by Juliet Pinto et al., Emerald Publishing, 2019.

Prince, Don, and Michael Hoppe. Communicating Across Cultures. Center for Creative Leadership, 2018.

Rings, Guido, and Sebastian M. Rasinger. The Cambridge Handbook of Intercultural Communication. Edited by Guido Rings and Sebastian M. (Sebastian Marc) Rasinger, Cambridge University Press, 2020.

Sorce, Giuliana. Global Perspectives on NGO Communication for Social Change. Edited by Giuliana Sorce, First edition., Routledge, 2022.

Zaharna, R. S. Boundary Spanners of Humanity: Three Logics of Communications and Public Diplomacy for Global Collaboration. Oxford University Press, 2022.