Course Title: Persuade and influence opinion
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2018
Course Code: MKTG7880C
Course Title: Persuade and influence opinion
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
Alain Grossbard
99255522
Nominal Hours: 50
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 unit covers high-level workplace communication for working at a senior level with internal and external clients, colleagues and other staff. It includes preparing for high-level communication, critically analysing and responding to opinions, persuading and influencing others, and reflecting on and honing communication strategies.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
PSPGOV605A Persuade and influence opinion |
Element: |
1 . Prepare for high-level communication |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Communication objectives are clarified, those to be present are confirmed and communication mode is identified. 1.2 Analysis is undertaken to anticipate the likely attitudes of and positions to be taken by those present on the matters under discussion. 1.3 Communication styles of those to be present are considered and their effect on the tone and likely direction/progress of the discussion is assessed. 1.4 Critical self-evaluation of communication strengths and vulnerabilities is undertaken and compared with other participant/s knowledge, styles and likely approaches in planned encounters. 1.5 Subject matter is researched/organised, key messages to be conveyed are distilled and tactics planned to utilise personal strengths and maximise outcomes for the organisation in accordance with legislation, policy and guidelines. |
Element: |
2 . Critically analyse and respond to opinions |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Others are listened to critically and responsively to evaluate complex levels of meaning in spoken communication and to identify impartiality, bias or unsupported argument. 2.2 Tone, style, non-verbal elements and points of view of speakers are noted and their use in influencing and affecting particular outcomes is considered. 2.3 Reaction to speakers and their point of view is analysed to identify and manage emotional triggers and maintain objectivity. 2.4 Opposing/challenging views are welcomed and examined for their value in achieving the same ends. 2.5 Communication is examined for subtext, significant inclusions and exclusions, socio-cultural values, attitudes and assumptions. 2.6 Complex concepts and ideas are explored to clarify understanding, and to challenge and justify interpretations based on underlying assumptions, beliefs and values. |
Element: |
3 . Persuade and influence others |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Communication approach is chosen and used to maximise effect with the given audience. 3.2 Sustained points of view are asserted with determination and conviction. 3.3 Content and approach are modified when speaking to an unresponsive audience, and diversions and unexpected questions handled confidently. 3.4 A variety of verbal and non-verbal behaviour is used to explain abstract ideas and expand on complex issues to maintain listener interest. 3.5 Complex questions and arguments are responded to quickly and saliently, backed by reasoned explanation. 3.6 Disagreements or conflicting personalities are handled objectively and agreements are negotiated where possible, concluding with positive summaries of achievement. |
Element: |
4 . Reflect on and hone communication strategies |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1 Feedback from others is obtained, outcomes are assessed and underlying interactions and motivations analysed. 4.2 Own vulnerability to emotional and other seductive appeals is analysed dispassionately. 4.3 Lessons learnt are articulated and used to underpin future interactions. 4.4 Sophisticated language structures and features that influence audiences to a preferred point of view are developed and practised. 4.5 Creative and innovative communication strategies are explored and practised for a range of workplace applications in accordance with organisational requirements. |
Learning Outcomes
Details of Learning Activities
A range of activities including workshop case studies, reports, speakers and research will be covered in this semester
This course is co-assessed and co-delivered with Apply Government Systems
Teaching Schedule
Course Schedule
|
Week
|
Week Commencing 2018 |
Topics |
1 |
5 February |
Course Induction
|
2 |
12 February July |
Course introduction – Overview on Government systems. Current knowledge of government systems: Why is the knowledge of government systems important to public relations practitioners? Why do we need government relations? Quiz |
3 |
19 February |
Current knowledge of government systems: Why is the knowledge of government systems important to public relations practitioners? Why do we need government relations? What are the three tiers of government and are they related? Who are our political parties? Quiz Workshop activity
|
4 |
26 February |
The structure of the Federal Government, the role of federal parliamentarians, the judiciary and the public service; lobbyists and how they work. The art of influence. Quiz Workshop activity |
5 |
5 March |
Lobbyists and how they work. Persuade and influence opinions Quiz Workshop activity
|
6 |
12 March |
The structure of the State Government, the role of state parliamentarians, the judiciary and the public service; lobbyists and how they work. Persuade and Influence Opinion. Quiz Workshop activity
|
7 |
19 March |
The structure of Local Government in Victoria; the roles and responsibilities of Councils and Council Officers; how do these differ from other forms of government? Guest speaker – Local Councillor or PR Manager from Local Council
|
8 |
26 March |
Quiz Workshop report |
|
Mid Semester Break (29 March to 5 April 2018 inclusive)
| ||
9 |
10 April |
Elections and campaigning; political parties, their images and the role of public relations within them. Guest speaker – Political campaigner Quiz Workshop activity |
10 |
17 April |
Visit to State Parliament. Guest speaker – State Member of Parliament
|
11 |
24 April |
Pressure groups; who are they, how do you deal with them; what influences are exerted on governments, why and how? Guest speaker – Pressure group leader |
12 |
1 May |
Role of PR in the delivery of a government service Quiz Workshop activity
|
13 |
8 May |
Excursion/visit to Melbourne Town Hall Council Chambers Guest speaker on local government; the role of communications and its importance in a large metropolitan council; dealing with the extensive number of stakeholders. Guest speaker – Lord Mayor
|
14 |
15 May |
Test |
15 |
22 May |
Return final assessment and schedule any resubmission for next week |
16 |
29 May |
Interviews/Assessment feedback/resubmissions |
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
Assessment 1: Activities dealing with persuade and influence opinion and apply government systems
Individual activities. These three reports are worth 60% of the total course submission.
Length: 200 to 500 word each activity .
Aims: 1. Analyse and describe current techniques to persuade and influence opinion using government system concepts and tools.
- Suggest ways the issue could have been reduced or resolved, in hindsight.
- Apply skills in finding information using real life situations, online resources, books, journals and newspapers.
Identify a current or past story in the news which portrays a political issue. The lectures will list categories of issues to assist you think of a news story.
Describe and comment on the event, with the benefit of hindsight, using political risk management concepts and tools. Briefly describe the event (attach a copy of the article if convenient). From the point of view of a public relations practitioner, describe the context of the issue or event, the actual risks associated with the issue or event, who the issue affected and how it affected them.
What political reduction strategies were already in place or likely to have been in place before the event? What other issue reduction strategies could have been used or have been used since?
Assessment criteria:
- Application of persuasion and influence opinion and government systems concepts and tools to answer the questions
Good use made of a variety of resources
Assessment 2: Quizzes dealing with persuade and influence opinion and apply government systems
Weekly quizzes will be answered covering past and present issues in opinion making and government systems.
Assessment 3 Test covering lectures and activities/workshops
Individual activity
Students complete number of activities and workshops that will be assessed via a final test in class. There will be a number of short answer questions that will cover all the lectures covered in both “Apply Government Systems’ and ‘Persuade and Influence Opinion’. The Test will be conducted in Week 14 and will take one hour to complete.
Assessment Matrix
An assessment matrix will be provided during the first half of the semester.
Other Information
Nil
Course Overview: Access Course Overview