Monash University Handbook 2010 Postgraduate - Unit

Synopsis

The unit addresses the fundamentals of political advocacy, professional writing for publics, public sector communication, and public relations. Students gain experience and understanding of writing techniques, oral rhetoric, and visual imaging suited to different channels of public communication and to diverse public spheres including governmental, organizational, and associational.

Objectives

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

1. Knowledge, skills and attributes necessary for the understanding and utilising the ethics, techniques, channels and limits of public advocacy and influence;

2. Increased understanding of and competency in formulating and making, public statements, images, and gestures;

3. Increased understanding of the large-scale and long-term context in which public communications has developed;

4. Increased knowledge, skills, and attributes necessary for independent research, enhanced capacity to formulate and research public communications, to analyse and evaluate arguments, and to understand critical approaches to the conduct of public communications;

5. Enhanced intellectual independence, and greater self-reliance and critical distance in intellectual and professional activity especially regarding the effective and ethical formulation and delivery of public communication;

6. Significantly increased ability to engage in public communication.

Assessment

Assignment 1 Rhetoric Exercise (3000 words): 33.3%;

Assignment 2 Writing Exercise (3000 words): 33.3%;

Assignment 3 Visual Exercise (3000 words): 33.3%

Contact hours

3 hours (1 x 3 hour seminar) per week.

Off-campus attendance requirements

Students will be expected to participate for a minimum of one hour per fortnight in on-line discussion.

Prohibitions

COM5207