FIT2035 - Communications for IT professionals

Leader(s): Ros Rimington

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit provides a theoretical and practical overview of personal and professional communications, with particular emphasis on appropriate register. Topics include: the elements of communication, barriers, cultural differences; active listening and feedback cues; public speaking; technical and business text structures and language features; workplace communications; personal and professional ethics and codes of practice; negotiation skills and conflict resolution; cross-cultural sensitivity and communications in the global economy. This unit is a hurdle requirement for Industry-Based Learning (IBL) students before their professional placements.

Objectives

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

1. Describe the elements of effective communication and discuss barriers to the production and reception of meaning;
2. Explain and demonstrate the appropriate adjustment of register in formal and informal, social and professional, verbal and non-verbal interpersonal communications;
3. Be sensitive to and demonstrate understanding of cultural differences;
4. Select and use strategies for effective and efficient productive (speaking and writing) and receptive (reading and listening) communications;
5. Discuss a variety of organizational structures, management styles and culture;
6. Discuss workplace demeanour and reporting relationships;
7. Produce a variety of professional writing genres in the appropriate text structure using the appropriate language features. For example, memos, emails, faxes, business letters, reports and job application letters;
8. Describe the purpose, protocols and procedures for, and the roles of participants, in formal/informal meetings and interviews;
9. Demonstrate the ability to take leadership roles and work co-operatively with peers/colleagues;
10. Describe several conditions and procedures for negotiation and dealing with conflict;
11. Describe the cross-cultural understandings and challenges of participating in the global economy;
12. Outline the CSA code of ethics and professional practice and analyse the competing interests and possible consequences of a variety of ethical dilemmas;
13. Present a formal (oral) report to peers in a formal business setting and demonstrate the ability to translate the written genre into the spoken;
14. Demonstrate the ability to make an effective presentation, orally and in writing, of a technical IT subject to a non-technical audience;
15. Demonstrate the ability to make effective use of technology in oral and written communication;
16. Understand current ICT trends e.g. communications groupware.

Assessment

Workshops/participation: 20%; Oral presentation: 20%; Written assignment: 25% (Proposal 5%, Progress report 5%, Final report 15%); Resume: 10%; Exam: 25%

Contact hours

4 x contact hrs/week

Prerequisites

Completion of 24 points at first year.

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:

http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/units/fit2035