Course Title: Manage organisational communication strategies

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2017

Course Code: BUSM6396C

Course Title: Manage organisational communication strategies

School: 650T Vocational Business Education

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6140 - Advanced Diploma of Business (Public Relations)

Course Contact: Julia Makin

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 5175

Course Contact Email: Julia.makin@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Claire Gourlay

Claire.gourlay@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 25

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

This course covers competency in developing, implementing, reviewing and evaluating communication strategies and promoting effective communication techniques in the workplace.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

PUACOM004B Manage organisational communication strategies

Element:

1. Develop communication strategies

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Strategies for effective internal and external dissemination of information are developed to meet the organisation's requirements.

1.2 Special communication needs  are considered in developing strategies to avoid discrimination  in the workplace.

1.3 Communication strategies  are analysed, evaluated and revised where necessary to make sure they are effective.

Element:

2. Establish and maintain communication pathways

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Pathways of communication are established to meet requirements of organisation and workforce.

2.2 Pathways are maintained and reviewed to ensure personnel are informed of relevant information.

Element:

3. Promote the use of communication strategies

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Information is provided to all areas of the organisation to facilitate implementation of the strategy.

3.2 Effective communication techniques are articulated and modelled to the workforce.

3.3 Personnel are given guidance about adapting communication strategies to suit a range of contexts.


Learning Outcomes



Details of Learning Activities

A range of learning activities are planned for this course including self-paced and collaborative classroom based activities.
The self-paced activities will be delivered thought various technology platforms and include your contribution to online research activities, quizzes and interactive sessions.
The collaborative classroom based activities will include group discussion, group problem solving activities and opportunities to practice your skills in a simulated/real workplace environment.
We expect you to participate and contribute in all scheduled learning activities.
 


Teaching Schedule

This subject is co delivered and co assessed with  MKTG7828C Develop and Implement Crisis Management Plans

Teaching Schedule

Week

Week Commencing

Topics

 

1

6th Feb

Course Induction

  • Course delivery and assessment details
  • Grading
  • Plagiarism
  • Appeals, Extensions, Feedback
  • Privacy
  • Submission requirements, Resubmission policy
  • Student responsibilities

Pre-Training Review

  • Includes skills analysis and Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfers

 

2

13th Feb

What is a crisis – Types of Crisis/impact

 

3

20nd Feb

Crisis Management - Identify crisis management best practice

 

 

4

27th Feb

Crisis Management – Key stakeholders  Internal communication and adapting communication to suit audience

 

5

6th March

Developing a CMP – Use of templates and impact of organisational structure

 

6

13th March

Implementing CMP – Leadership and issue monitoring

 

7

20th March

Implementing CMP – Leadership and issue monitoring

 

8

27th March

Implementing CMP - Crisis Communication  - External Media

 

9

3rd April

Implementing CMP  The Crisis Team, resource centre

 

Mid-semester Break 13–19 April  (Thursday to Wednesday)

10

10th April

Implementing CMP – Training and reviewing plan

 

11

25th April

Crisis Lifecycle  - Crisis continuity plan and business recovery

 

12

2nd May

Crisis Lifecycle  - Crisis continuity plan and business recovery

 

13

9th may

Communication plan review and update

 

14

16th may

Review and wrap up

 

15

23rd May

In class test 1 hour

 

16

1st June

Resubmits and consultation

 

 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

Nil


Overview of Assessment

Assessment may incorporate a variety of methods including technical requirements documentation, homework, assignments, group and/or individual projects, in class exercises, written and practical assessments, problem solving exercises, presentations, direct observation of actual and simulated work practice, presentation of a portfolio of evidence which may comprise documents, and/or photographs and/or video and audio files, review of products produced through work-based or course activities.

Students are advised that they are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate their assessment work to their teacher to ensure that the relevant competency standards are being met. Students will be provided with feedback throughout the course to check their progress.


Assessment Tasks

You are required to complete 3 assessment tasks. This subject is co delivered and co assessed with MKTG7828C Develop and Implement Crisis Management Plans 

You must successfully complete all 3 tasks to be deemed competent in this course. Each assessment contributes equal value towards your final grade

Full details of all assessments and assessment coversheets will be available on the Blackboard shell.

Assessment Task 1 – Case Study - Research and Analysis 
Date handed out: Week 2
Date and time due: Week 6 Sunday 19th March 12pm Midnight

Group or Individual: Individual

Purpose:
To demonstrate your ability to review and evaluate crisis communication response. To show that you understand the need to adapt crisis communication for different audiences

Requirements:
This assessment requires students to research and write an analytical report on a recent crisis

Scope:Format: Written report - Word count 1200-1500
This is a research assessment so it is expected that you will use a number of different sources for the information in this report. 
Submitted on Blackboard

Assessment Task 2 –Develop and Implementation of a  Crisis Management Plan

Date handed out: Week 6
Date and time due: Week 12 Sunday 7th May 12pm Midnight. To be submitted on Blackboard

This is a group assessment  - Groups of 3 any variance must be pre approved by your teacher. 

As time will be allocated in class to work on activities related to this assessment - Students who do not attend classes may be asked to complete this assessment individually

Purpose:To develop and plan the implementation of a crisis management plan. Including who would input into it and key stakeholder communication. Demonstrating your understanding of organisational communication, tools and techniques.

Requirements:
This assessment requires groups to research and develop and implement a crisis communication plan.

Format: This a professional Report and should include relevant formatting including:
• Title Page
• Table of contents
• Footers
• Appropriate referencing throughout text
Length: Approx 3000 words (There are 3 parts to this assessment)It is expected that extensive research will be carried out on the incident, the industry and the organisation.
 

Assessment 3 In class test
A 1 hour test with short answer questions will be conducted in Week 15 in class. 

Week 15 in class (WC Monday 22nd May) students going to Vietnam will sit the test in Week 13

This will be based on activities and quizzes conducted in class.

 

Further details regarding assessments

Submission Requirements
You should:

• Ensure that you submit assessments on or before the due date.
• Always retain a copy of your assessment tasks. (hard copy and soft copy)
• When you submit work for assessment at RMIT University you need to use a cover sheet that includes a declaration and statement of authorship. You must complete, sign and submit a cover sheet with all work you submit for assessment, whether individual or group work. On the cover sheet you declare that the work you are presenting for assessment is your own work. An assignment cover sheet for submission of each assessment task is available on blackboard.
• Each page of your assessment should include footer with your name, student number, the title of the assessment, unit code and title and page numbers. For example, Julie Macpherson, 324567, Task 2, OHS2345C Ensure safe workplace, Page 1 of 10.
 

Late Submission Procedures
You are required to submit assessment items and/or ensure performance based assessment is completed by the due dates.
If you are prevented from submitting an assessment item on time, by circumstances outside your control, you may apply in advance to your teacher for an extension to the due date of up to seven calendar days.

More Information: http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment/extension
Form to use:http://mams.rmit.edu.au/seca86tti4g4z.pdf
Where an extension of greater than seven days is needed, you must apply for special consideration. Applications for special consideration must be submitted no later than two working days after the assessment task deadline or scheduled examination.

More Information: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=g43abm17hc9w (unresolved)
Form to use: http://mams.rmit.edu.au/8a5dgcaqvaes1.pdf

Resubmissions (VET Programs):
If you are found to be unsuccessful in a Course Assessment Task you will be allowed one resubmission only. Your teacher will provide feedback regarding what you need to do to improve and will set a new deadline for the resubmission. The highest grade you will receive if your resubmission is successful is “CAG”.
If you are still not meeting the assessment requirements you must apply to your Program Manager in writing outlining the steps you will take to demonstrate competence in your course. Your submission will be considered by the Program Team and you will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible.
 

Adjustments to Assessment
In certain circumstances students may be eligible for an assessment adjustment. For more information about the circumstances under which the assessment arrangements might be granted please access the following website:

More Information: http://rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=7usdbki1fjf31
 

Marking Guide (Competency):
You must demonstrate that you have all the required skills/knowledge/elements in the unit of competency you are studying. You will receive feedback on each assessment task that will inform you about your progress and how well you are performing.
Marking Guide (Grading)
 

After achieving competency we then grade your performance in the unit and you will achieve one of the following grades:
 

Final Grades table:
CHD Competent with High Distinction
CDI Competent with Distinction
CC Competent with Credit
CAG Competency Achieved – Graded
NYC Not Yet Competent
DNS Did Not Submit for assessment


Further information regarding the application of the grading criteria will be provided by your teacher
 


Assessment Matrix

Full details on how this course is assessed against the Unit Elements and performance criteria plus critical aspects of evidence can be found in the learning and Assessment Tool available from your course teacher.

Other Information

Nil

Course Overview: Access Course Overview