Course Title: Apply Oral and Written Communication Skills in a Justice Environment

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2012

Course Code: EMPL5505

Course Title: Apply Oral and Written Communication Skills in a Justice Environment

School: 365T Global Studies, Soc Sci & Plng

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6077 - Advanced Diploma of Justice

Course Contact : Irene Pagliarella

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 99254581

Course Contact Email:irene.pagliarella@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Karen Linstrom
9925 4957
karen.linstrom@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 20

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

There are no pre-requisites for this course

Course Description

This course covers the development and application of oral and written communication skills required in the Justice environment


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

VBQU372 Apply Oral and Written Communication Skills in a Justice Environment

Element:

1. Identify research requirements for a range of report writing related to the Justice environment

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Specific requirements for report writing are identified.
1.2 Relevant legislation, literature and journals to support the basis for the report are identified.
1.3 Research formats required to write investigative reports and briefing papers are identified.
1.4 The difference between descriptive, analytical, evaluative and interpretative reports is examined.
1.5 Appropriate grammar and syntax applicable to a range of written materials are identified.

Element:

2. Research and review relevant literature for a relevant report

Performance Criteria:

2.1 The topic or question or subject to be researched is clarified.
2.2 Resources to be used are established.
2.3 A bibliography of texts, articles, discipline-based journals, legislation, and 2.4 vetted electronic sources of information are identified
2.5 The difference between primary, secondary and tertiary sources of evidence is identified.

Element:

3. Interpret researched information

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Findings of research are interpreted.
3.2 Conclusions are drawn based on the findings.
3.3 Recommendations are proposed as a result of findings.

Element:

4. Develop report writing skills

Performance Criteria:

4.1 A descriptive report format is developed to discipline standards.
4.2 An analytical report is developed to discipline standards.

Element:

5. Develop writing skills for specific needs

Performance Criteria:

5.1 The material required is determined.
5.2 The stakeholders are identified.
5.3 Materials are developed to discipline standards
5.4 Analytical and interpretative skills are applied in the development of the materials.
5.5 In-text citation of sources and reference page are listed in a format required.

Element:

6. Develop presentation skills

Performance Criteria:

6.1 Audience needs and requirements are identified.
6.2 Complex ideas to be presented in an accurate and engaging manner are identified.
6.3 Use of technology or visual aids is applied to facilitate presentation.


Learning Outcomes


See Elements


Details of Learning Activities

Workshops in : research skills, referencing, professional writing and editing skills, analysis of information, presentation skills


Teaching Schedule

Day One: Academic writing and oral presentation skills 
Day Two: Essay and report writing, and referencing skills 
Day Three: Team work exercises
Day Four: Library research tutorials


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

Students are encouraged to purchase 'A Guide to APA Style Referencing'. There are copies for sale in the RMIT Bookshop. Alternatively students can log into the RMIT Library and download the APA Guide from the referencing section found on the left side of the library home page.


References


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

Students will be required to complete a range of written reports and to make an oral presentation. Details are in Part B.


Assessment Tasks

1. Oral presentation (25%)
2. Report (40%)
3. Essay  (20%)
4. Participation (15%)

Students will be provided a detailed handout of each of the above assessments that includes the assessment outline, the assessment criteria and the due date by the first week of the semester.


Assessment Matrix

The assessment has been designed to cover all Learning Outcomes and will be graded in accordance with RMIT’s Mark Table 7 which is as follows:
HD 80-100, DI 70-79, CR 60-69, PA 50-59, NN 0-49

All written work must adhere to the following criteria:
1. Written reports, research projects or essays are to demonstrate an understanding of the concepts and familiarity with the prescribed or negotiated topics
2. It is expected that all submitted work will be well written, with clear and consistent grammar, expression and punctuation. It must be well structured and cogently address the issues raised in the chosen topic in a logical, ordered and organised manner
3. The concepts must be well defined and demonstrate a critical analysis of the chosen topic
4. Written submissions must demonstrate appropriate preparation, reading and research
5. In-text references must follow the APA style of referencing. In addition, you must provide a bibliography with correct and comprehensive details in relation to texts, articles, research reports and other sources that you have used
6. Double or 1.5 spacing and a font size of 10-12 must be used

Other Information

Assessment Deadlines
Any due date for any assignment is to be considered a deadline. Students can submit work at any time prior to the submission date, but it must be into the Administration office by close of business of the day the submission is due.
Extensions will not be granted by teachers or Administrative staff.
In accordance with RMIT policy, students may apply for an extension where there have been unexpected or extenuating circumstances, e.g.
a) Hospital admission, serious injury, severe asthma, severe anxiety or depression. This does not include minor illness such as a cold, period pain or hay fever.
b) Loss or bereavement – e.g. death of a close family member, family/relationship breakdown.
c) Hardship/trauma – e.g. victim of crime, sudden loss of income or employment, severe disruption to domestic arrangements.

Students requiring extensions for 7 calendar days or less (from the original due date) must complete and lodge an Application for Extension of Submittable Work (7 Calendar Days or less) form and lodge it with the Program Coordinator/ Program Manager. The application must be lodged no later than one working day before the official due date. The student will be notified within no more than 2 working days of the date of lodgment as to whether the extension has been granted.

Students seeking an extension of more than 7 calendar days (from the original due date) must lodge an Application for Special Consideration form under the provisions of the Special Consideration Policy, preferably prior to, but no later than 2 working days after the official due date.

Assignments submitted late without approval of an extension will not be accepted or graded.

Students must keep a copy of their paper until the graded essay has been returned or marks have been posted. Assignments are to be submitted in the Assignment box in Bld 37, Lvl 2. (Assignment cover sheets will be available from Building 37 level 2).

Assignments are not receipted, if receipts are required then students should submit the assignments to the relevant academic/teaching staff member via the following email account AdvDipJusticeassignments@rmit.edu.au and keep the email as proof of submission.


Plagiarism is the presentation of the work, idea or creation of another person, without appropriate referencing as though it is one’s own. Plagiarism is not acceptable. It is a form of cheating and is a very serious academic offence that may lead to expulsion from the University. Plagiarised material can be drawn from, and presented in, written, graphic and visual form, including electronic data, and oral presentations. Plagiarism occurs when the origin of the material used is not appropriately cited.

You must acknowledge the use of another person’s work or ideas. If texts or ideas are reproduced they are to be clearly acknowledged in one of the conventional ways, such as by use of quotation marks, indentation for longer passages and clear citation of the source. Failure to separate one’s own contribution from that of another constitutes plagiarism – a form of cheating and may result in outright failure. Random checks will be made on students’ work.

Other Information: All email communications will be sent to your RMIT email address.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview