308012 (v.1) Communication Skills 016

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Area:	Faculty of Science
Credits:	12.5
Contact Hours:	2.0
Seminar:	1 x 2 Hours Weekly
Syllabus:	Introduction to primary research - searching and identifying research material, use of the library, electronic databases and the internet, SPI booklet. Harvard Referencing. Paraphrasing and summarising. Plagiarism. Synthesising information from more thanone text. Formal language use in academic writing. Presentation requirements for university assignments - language, audience and purpose, thesis statements and introduction to report and essay writing. Continuing primary and secondary research, introduction to report writing - decimal notation, recommendations, writing introductions, conclusions and executive summaries, integrating visuals into reports. Introduction to essay writing - logical argument development, sentence and paragraph structure, clear,correct writing. Integrating primary and secondary research into written assignments. Oral communication skills - language, purpose, audience and context; non-verbal language and collaborative and teamwork skills.
Unit Outcomes:	Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to - Access information for research purposes, particularly using electronic media, such as library databases, electronic databases and the internet. Read and critically evaluate texts appropriate to university study. Reference your written work using the Harvard system. Develop sound, logical arguments in both written and oral work. Make formal written and oral presentations in clear, concise English. Use the conventions of written essays and/or reports. Present written documents in an appropriate professional format. Work collaboratively with others and articulate practices that lead to successful teamwork.
Text and references listed above are for your information only and current as of September 30, 2003. Please check with the unit coordinator for up-to-date information.
Unit References:	Summers, J. and Smith, B. (2002). Communication Skills Handbook: How to Succeed in Written and Oral Communication, Milton, Wiley and Sons.
Unit Texts:	Summers, J. and Smith, B. (2002), Communication Skills Handbook: How to Succeed in Written and Oral Communication, Milton, Wiley and Sons. Bate, D. and Sharpe, P. (1996), Writers' Handbook for University Students, Sydney, Harcourt Brace. Jaffe, C. (1998), Public Speaking: Concepts and Skills for a Diverse Society, (2nd ed)., Wadsworth. Kirkman, J. (1992), Good Style: Writing for Science and Technology, Spon, London. Marshall, L. and Rowland, F. (1998), A Guide to Learning Independently, 3rd ed., Melbourne, Addison Wesley Longman. Style Manual for Authors, Editors and Printers, 6th ed., Milton, John Wiley and Son. Windschuttle, K. and Elliot, E. (1999), Writing, Researching, Communicating, 3rd ed., Sydney, McGraw Hill.
Unit Assessment Breakdown:	Assignments (3) 60%, Final Examination 25%, Library Assignment 10%, Participation and Preparation 5%. This is a grade/mark assessment.
Year Location Period Internal Area External Central External 2004 Bentley Campus Semester 2 Y