1997 QUT Handbook

■ CON405 COMMUNICATION PROJECT
Students in the coursework Masters program undertake a study
of an applied or theoretical communication issue. This will
be based on the published literature and may also involve primary
research. Students may wish to undertake a study of a
communication issue or problem in a particular organisation
or industry. Project supervision will be arranged by the Course
Coordinator through consultation with the student and available
staff members. The report should be of approximately
7000 words.
Courses: BS88 Prerequisites: PG only
Credit Points: 24
■ CON406 COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES
Communication theory put into practice. Examples of policy
and plans; how to produce the appropriate change through
communication. The ethics of persuasion and the problems of
cooperation explored in the process of policy formation and
planning. Students take into account the social implications
of producing change, the role of the change agent and ways to
monitor the effects in Australia as well as developing societies.
Courses: BS63, BS92, BS93, BS88
Prerequisites: PG only; UG degree in Communication or
CON420
Credit Points: 12 Contact Hours: 3 per week
Incompatible with: CON101
■ CON407 COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY &
GLOBAL NETWORKS
This unit examines the technical principles and organisational
features of contemporary and emerging communication technologies,
and specifically focuses on global networks used
for interpersonal and inter-organisational purposes within national
and international communities. Theories of planned and
unplanned change are applied to assess the social and economic
impact of these technologies. Among the topics to be
addressed are information society, participatory forms of social
change, the integration of interactive media through the
global transmission of data in digital form, and the organisational
applications of high-definition video.
Courses: BS63, BS88, BS92, BS93
Prerequisites: PG only
Credit Points: 12 Contact Hours: 3 per week
Incompatible with: COP108
■ CON408 CRISIS COMMUNICATION
This subject examines the strategic management of crisis communication
including pre-crisis planning, issues identification,
audience prioritisation, strategy formulation, tactical planning
and implementation and evaluation. The subject covers both
internal and external communication during times of crisis.
Pre-crisis issues management will be addressed as well as
proactive and defensive communication strategies during crisis.
The subject will demonstrate the application of general
communication tools to a specialised area.
Courses: BS93 Prerequisites: PG only
Credit Points: 12 Contact Hours: 3 per week
■ CON409 FINANCIAL COMMUNICATION
The unit reviews all aspects of the public relations function in
communicating with financial markets. Specific focus is placed
on how publicly listed companies meet both regulatory and
marketing requirements in communicating with external audiences.
Suitable communication tools will be examined for
use in ongoing investor relations programs as well as in specialist
situations including financial communication during
takeover and capital raising periods.
Courses: BS88, BS93 Prerequisites: PG only
Credit Points: 12 Contact Hours: 3 per week
■ CON410 INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION &
NEGOTIATION
This unit explores the theory and practice of interpersonal
communication and negotiation. It focuses on the role of interpersonal
and group skills in the development of effective
work teams. Current understandings of the dynamics of power
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and participation in communication processes in organisations
will be used to contextualise the experience of the individual
and the group. An analysis of the possibilities of, and the constraints
on, effective interpersonal communication will be
undertaken to provide the opportunity for students to develop
strategies to support workplace practice.
Courses: BS88 Prerequisites: PG only
Credit Points: 12 Contact Hours: 3 per week
Incompatible with: COB213, COB205
■ CON411 INDEPENDENT STUDY UNIT
An opportunity for advanced level postgraduate students to
undertake individual research in an area which is complementary
to their course work.
Courses: BS72, BS73, BS88, BS93
Prerequisites: PG only
Credit Points: 12 Incompatible with: COP111
■ CON412 INTERNATIONAL ADVERTISING
The unit considers the assertion by Levitt that companies
should globalise marketing and advertising strategies by applying
the same strategy in all foreign and domestic markets.
This viewpoint is contrasted by theorists such as Kashani, and
Murrow, who suggest that a number of factors necessitate the
development of separate strategies in some international advertising
situations. Issues of international advertising will be
discussed, including regulatory requirements for comparative
advertising, children’s advertising, media availability and local
production considerations.
Courses: BS93 Prerequisites: PG only
Credit Points: 12 Contact Hours: 3 per week
■ CON413 ISSUES IN INTERCULTURAL
COMMUNICATION
This unit addresses issues which are related to: culture as a
determinant of human behaviour (stereotypes, typifications
and human uniqueness); the dynamics of intercultural contact
for interpersonal cooperation and/or competition; the
implications of cultural diversity for societal enrichment or
disintegration; the consequences for self identity in an interconnected
world.
Courses: BS88, BS93 Prerequisites: PG only
Credit Points: 12 Contact Hours: 3 per week
Incompatible with: COB107
■ CON414 PUBLIC COMMUNICATION
CAMPAIGNS
This unit explores the scope and context of public communication
campaigns – how they are constructed, their assumptions
and research methods underpinning them, and asks students
to consider whether campaign planning and evaluation
is as effective as it might be. The unit also explores community
activities to develop a public issue, and community consultation
as a process.
Courses: BS88, BS93 Prerequisites: PG only
Credit Points: 12 Contact Hours: 3 per week
■ CON415 PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGEMENT
This unit provides an understanding of the theory and practice
of public relations. The history, theories, models and
management of public relations activities and processes are
covered including methods of communicating with different
groups within society. Students will explore areas of specialisation
including issues management, community consultation,
crisis management, community relations, media liaison and
government relations.
Courses: BS88 Prerequisites: PG only
Credit Points: 12 Contact Hours: 3 per week
■ CON416 READINGS IN COMMUNICATION
This unit provides students with the opportunity to explore in
depth the literature on a particular topic or area of communication
under the direction of a supervisor. The readings should
integrate and consolidate aspects of the studies undertaken in
the course to date. Students are required to meet regularly
with the supervisor for discussion and advice and to submit a
paper of 3 500 to 4 000 words at the end of semester.