Culture and Communication

The unit introduces students to a range of approaches to the study and research of different forms of communication and their cultural contexts. The focus is on developing knowledge and understanding of the complex inter-relations between communication and culture, and the key role communication plays in all aspects of life. Emphasis is placed on practical applications, and on the various factors which affect communication, including global culture and intercultural influences. The unit reflects on the impacts of the digital communication revolution and the ongoing changes to communication interactions in contemporary Australia. Areas to be explored include: the complex inter-connections between culture and communication; types of communication; verbal and non-verbal communication; language and gender; communication and the self; narrative and communication; subconscious dimensions of communication, consumer culture and communication; communicating with music; global culture; the dominance of mobile communication and its impacts

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Identify and assess key issues in the discipline of communication studies and present their contemporary relevance;
2. Elaborate the importance and key role of communication in personal, interpersonal, intrapersonal, professional, social and cultural life;
3. Investigate and synthesise some key research areas and issues related to the study of communication;
4. Apply analytical thinking and conceptualisation skills to a range of issues in communication interactions; and
5. Synthesise theoretical and analytical ideas and apply them to ‘real life’ communication situations.