Outline

Overview

In this unit, students learn theories of communication and how they apply within organisations, at an organisational, team and individual level. In the unit, we review the concept of communication through different theoretical and philosophical lenses so that students gain an understanding of how different perspectives provide different insights into communication within organisations. The unit also examines communication processes and how communication occurs between individuals and within groups. There is also a focus on communication challenges such as technology, diversity and globalisation. The unit incorporates practical exercises and case studies to enable students to evaluate their own communication practices and to apply the knowledge and understanding they gain from the unit to their own organisations and careers.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Work and Organisational Studies
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	ECOF6030 or ECOF6040
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Maria Ishkova, maria.ishkova@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written exam ?	Final exam a combination of essay questions based on unit topics and class activities	35%	Formal exam period	2 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
In-person practical, skills, or performance task or test	Team Project (Professional Development Workshop UPSKILL) Developing and facilitating a Professional Development Workshop, which includes creative UPSKILL video and supporting class activities	20%	Multiple weeks	~ 30 minutes	AI limited - refer to Canvas
Outcomes assessed:
Creative work	3MT Competition TEDx-style pitch in-class assessment	15%	Multiple weeks	3 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Evaluation	Feedback Literacy ongoing peer evaluations and self-reflection based on in-class engagement and teamwork	15%	Ongoing	n/a	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Workshop participation and overall engagement Informed contribution to class discussions and all activities	15%	Ongoing	n/a	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Workshop participation and overall engagement: Learning to be a more effective communicator involves applying knowledge, practicing skills and developing new strategies, which cannot take place if students watch from the sidelines. Students will be assessed based on their preparation and active participation in class activities during workshops, the online discussion boards/forums and action learning experiments
3MT Competition: This task involves preparing a 3-minute TEDx-style pitch, and delivering it in person without technical aids or reading from the script. Topics will be announced via Canvas.
Feedback Literacy: The ability to provide constructive and helpful feedback is a skill crucial to your success in organisational communication. This assessment will require you to engage in peer evaluations on a regular basis - and reflect on feedback provided to you.
Team Project (UPSKILL): In groups of 4-6 members, students are required to examine a communication challenge/process through the lens of communication process theories, formulate recommendations to the target audience, create a video Professional Development Resource UPSKILL in line with the analysis and recommendations and facilitate a class discussion and activities to support their presentation. A choice of topics will be provided early in the semester.
Final exam: This will consist of a combination of essay questions. The aim of the exam is to test the understanding of the relevant topics, and the ability to critically analyse and engage in self-reflection. Topics covered in the exam may be based on any of the weekly topics, activities, and readings.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Team Project will have varied dates of submission in line with the chosen topic (starting from week 7). Please note that in the event that a team member does not contribute to the Team Project in a meaningful / reasonable way then the unit coordinator may consider the evidence and adjust the mark for that individual.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Part 1: Introduction to the UoS and Flipped Classroom approach. Part 2: Feedback and Listening as key to success in Organisational Communication	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 02	Nonverbal communication and Emotion	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 03	Persuasion. 3MT Competition (Part 1)	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 04	Persuasion. 3MT Competition (Part 2)	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 05	Persuasion. 3MT Competition (Part 3, Grand Finale)	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 06	Decision Making. UPSKILL Team Projects	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 07	Socialisation. UPSKILL Team Projects	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 08	Communication in groups and teams. UPSKILL Team Projects	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 09	Conflict management processes. UPSKILL Team Projects	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 10	Leadership processes. UPSKILL Team Projects	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 11	Organisational change. UPSKILL Team Projects	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 12	Part 1: Understanding how communication in organisations is shaped by underlying assumptions and world views: Theories that shape communication in organisations. Part 2: Key challenges to the Organisational Communication	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 13	Content review	Workshop (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

To allow for the best engagement in class, Workshops are not being recorded. In line with the Business School Policy, students are expected to attend a minimum of 90 percent of timetabled activities for a unit of study, unless granted exemption through special consideration, special arrangement, previously arranged disability adjustment or by the Associate Dean. The same rule applies to feedback giving - it is expected that students engage with this task weekly unless they have special consideration to miss a class and activities. See University of Sydney Business School Resolutions: Coursework Awards https://www.sydney.edu.au/handbooks/business-school-pg.html and relevant rubrics on Canvas for more details

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

There is no prescribed textbook. All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library, available on Canvas.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. analyse communication approaches and processes within organisations using communication theories
LO2. apply theories and models of communication to intra-personal and interpersonal communication practices
LO3. analyse communication processes within groups and identify strategies to improve these processes
LO4. develop interpersonal communication skills to become more effective across different work and career contexts
LO5. apply theory to communication challenges within organisations to identify strategies for improvement.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

S2-2025 of this award-winning unit of study will build on the successful delivery in 2023 and 2024. The unit's design was exceptionally well received, and no structural changes are introduced.

Additional information

Business School Policies

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

WORK6118: Managing Communication in Organisations

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal evening] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links