ACX701 - Communication Concepts
Unit details
| Year | 2027 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes | Trimester 1: Burwood (Melbourne), Online Trimester 2: Burwood (Melbourne), Online |
| Credit point(s) | 1 |
| EFTSL value | 0.125 |
| Unit chair | Trimester 1: Emma Hayes Trimester 2: Emma Hayes |
| Prerequisite | Nil |
| Corequisite | Nil |
| Incompatible with | ACO411, ACX702 |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment | 1 x 2-hour on-campus seminar per week |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment | 1 x 2-hour online seminar per week (recordings provided) |
| Typical study commitment | Students will on average spend 150-hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. |
Content
In this unit you will explore and creatively respond to the communication challenges that shape our world. Through a practical, hands-on approach that bridges the gap between theory and practice, you will apply communication-related thinking tools and research methods to real-world scenarios, strengthen your digital and media literacies, produce knowledge about the future of communication, and become adept at solving communication problems. You will leave the unit equipped to conduct your own communication research project and/or to communicate more effectively in a diverse range of professional and everyday contexts.
Learning outcomes
| ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Use communication concepts to critically analyse real-world problems and case studies relating to communication and media in both professional and everyday contexts | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO4: Critical thinking |
| ULO2 | Collaborate with peers to solve communication-related challenges | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO7: Teamwork |
| ULO3 | Critically reflect on your own communication practices, identity, and positionality within a complex and rapidly changing media landscape | GLO2: Communication GLO4: Critical thinking |
| ULO4 | Collect and analyse data in order to investigate a diverse range of communication scenarios, applying discipline-specific research methods | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO3: Digital literacy |
Note – From 2026, Deakin commenced introducing Graduate Attributes (GAs), which define the distinctive characteristics of a Deakin graduate. You may notice some units still refer to Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) during this transition period.
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1: (Group and Individual) Group video and individual reflection | 2500 words total 5 minute video (group component) and a 1500 word piece of reflective writing (individual | 50% | Week 6 |
| Assessment 2: Portfolio of practical tasks and live feedback sessions | 2500 words 4 x 500 word practical tasks and weekly participation in live feedback sessions held during | 50% | Week 10 |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Hurdle requirements
To be eligible to obtain a pass in this unit, students must achieve an overall mark of at least 50% in assessment task 2, Portfolio of practical tasks and live feedback sessions to evidence a minimum proficiency in the aligned discipline learning outcomes included in this unit.
Learning resource
ACX701 uses an open textbook entitled Communication Concepts. The textbook is free and available online via the Deakin Open eBooks Pressbooks platform. It will not cost you anything to access the text, which can be read online or downloaded using the link below:
https://deakin.pressbooks.pub/communicationconcepts/
Hawley, Erin. 2023. Communication Concepts. Deakin University. https://oercollective.caul.edu.au/communication-concepts/
In addition to the textbook, a selection of readings and resources will be available on the ACX701 unit site.
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
To fully engage with Deakin's learning experiences, students must be able to access and use internet-connected devices as outlined in computing requirements at Deakin.
To support student success at Deakin, we have a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) learning environment that acknowledges that students and educators bring with them the digital tools they regularly use to complete academic tasks. These tools stay with you beyond the classroom, helping you to keep learning, explore ideas more deeply, and connect with knowledge in ways that matter to you.
Students requiring a loan device should visit our Loan Laptop webpage or students requiring longer-term assistance should visit our Student Financial Assistance webpage.
Unit fee information
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.