The Responsible Communicator (12230.1)
| Available teaching periods | Delivery mode | Location |
|---|---|---|
| View teaching periods | Online real-time On-campus |
Bruce, Canberra |
| EFTSL | Credit points | Faculty |
| 0.125 | 3 | Faculty Of Arts And Design |
| Discipline | Study level | HECS Bands |
| School Of Arts & Communication | Level 1 - Undergraduate Introductory Unit | Band 2 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021) Band 4 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021) Band 4 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan Social Work_Exclude 0905) |
In this unit, you will explore what it means to be a responsible communicator - understanding ethical and legal responsibilities, recognising misinformation and bias, engaging with diverse perspectives, applying inclusive communication practices, and making evidence-based communication decisions. You will also examine how emerging technologies shape the credibility of information and consider when and how these tools should be used ethically in professional communication.
Learning outcomes
After successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:1. Explain the range and importance of ethical and legal responsibilities for professional communicators;
2. Evaluate the credibility of media and information, recognising misinformation, bias, and power dynamics, and identify techniques for countering them;
3. Engage with diverse voices, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives and practices, employing inclusive and culturally responsive communication in professional and interpersonal contexts; and
4. Use research and credible sources to inform ethical decision-making and evidence-based communication outputs.
Graduate attributes
1. ÂÜÀòÊÓÆµ graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills1. ÂÜÀòÊÓÆµ graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. ÂÜÀòÊÓÆµ graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
1. ÂÜÀòÊÓÆµ graduates are professional - work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict
1. ÂÜÀòÊÓÆµ graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
2. ÂÜÀòÊÓÆµ graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
2. ÂÜÀòÊÓÆµ graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
3. ÂÜÀòÊÓÆµ graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development
3. ÂÜÀòÊÓÆµ graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware
3. ÂÜÀòÊÓÆµ graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
4. ÂÜÀòÊÓÆµ graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing - apply their knowledge to working with Indigenous Australians in socially just ways
4. ÂÜÀòÊÓÆµ graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing - communicate and engage with Indigenous Australians in ethical and culturally respectful ways
Skills development
In this unit, you will explore what it means to be a responsible communicator, including the importance of understanding ethical and legal responsibilities, recognising misinformation and bias, engaging with diverse perspectives, applying inclusive communication practices, and making evidence-based communication decisions. You will also examine how emerging technologies shape the credibility of information and consider when and how these tools can be used ethically in professional communication. This unit challenges you to assess the credibility of media and information, think critically about the role of power and representation in media and society, and grapple with contemporary challenges of applying responsible communication practices in professional settings.
Prerequisites
None.Corequisites
None.Incompatible units
None.Equivalent units
11081 Producing Credible CommunicationAssumed knowledge
None.| Year | Location | Teaching period | Teaching start date | Delivery mode | Unit convener |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Bruce, Canberra | Semester 2 | 10 August 2026 | Online real-time | Dr Ashleigh Haw |
| 2026 | Bruce, Canberra | Semester 2 | 10 August 2026 | On-campus | Dr Ashleigh Haw |
| 2027 | Bruce, Canberra | Semester 2 | 09 August 2027 | On-campus | Dr Ashleigh Haw |
| 2027 | Bruce, Canberra | Semester 2 | 09 August 2027 | Online real-time | Dr Ashleigh Haw |
Required texts
All required readings can be found via the Canvas Reading List
Submission of assessment items
Extensions & Late submissions
Where possible, all assessment items will be submitted online via the teaching site in ÂÜÀòÊÓÆµLearn. The first page of each assessment item should
include the following information:
• Student ID number
• Assessment Name
• Word Count (if applicable)
Assessment items must be submitted to the assignment area in the ÂÜÀòÊÓÆµLearn teaching site, relating to that piece of assessment. It is the student's
responsibility to upload the correct and corresponding draft or assessment item, to the right submission section.
Late submissions will only be accepted for a limited period. If more than one late submission is made within that period, only the first late
submission will be accepted for marking and may be subject to penalties as detailed in the .
Artificial intelligence (AI):
Students are only permitted to use generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) as indicated in the assessment instructions for this unit.
GenAI may only be used in authorised ways when completing assessments at ÂÜÀòÊÓÆµ. This means that GenAI can only be used for an assessment
when:
1. the Unit Convener has authorised GenAI use for that assessment task;
2. the student uses GenAI in the way that the assessment instructions allow; and
the student fully acknowledges their use of GenAI, with proper citations, references and a GenAI Acknowledgement Statement in line
with the assessment instructions.
3. Where the assessment instructions do not specifically state that GenAI may be used and how, then its use is not permitted for that assessment.
Students must still provide the required GenAI Acknowledgement Statement to indicate whether GenAI has or has not been used in the
preparation of the assessment. If unsure, students should seek advice from the Unit Convener.
The provides further information, including how to reference GenAI.
Extensions and late submissions
Students can apply for an extension to the submission due date for an assessment item due to extenuating, evidenced circumstances (specific
details are found in the ). An extension must be applied for before the due date. Documentary evidence (e.g. medical
certificate) will be expected for an extension to be granted, however this will not guarantee that the application will be successful. The Unit
Convener or relevant Program Director/Course Convener will decide whether to grant an extension and the length of the extension.
An Assignment Extension form is available from the Student Forms page.
The following late submission period and penalty is applicable to any teaching period commencing after 1 April 2024:
To support the provision of timely feedback to students within the unit, late penalties will apply for summative assessments where late
submission is permitted. Late submissions without an approved extension or reasonable adjustment will result in a penalty of a mark reduction of
10% of the maximum available marks for the assessment item per day (or part thereof) up to and including three calendar days. If a student
submits more than three calendar days late without an approved extension or reasonable adjustment, the student will be allocated a mark of
zero for that assessment, with no feedback provided.
Approval of extensions based on extenuating circumstances will be dependent upon the production of supporting documentation and at the
discretion of the unit convener.
For teaching periods commencing prior to 1 April 2024, a late penalty of 5 % of the maximum available marks for the assessment item per day
(or part thereof) was applied up to and including seven calendar days. An assignment submitted over 7 days late will not be accepted.
Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at ÂÜÀòÊÓÆµ. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.
Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.
ÂÜÀòÊÓÆµ students have to complete the annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).
ÂÜÀòÊÓÆµ uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.
Information is provided in the , , and ÂÜÀòÊÓÆµ (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.
Learner engagement
In order to get the most out of your studies, it is strongly recommended that you plan your time commitments, actively engage in class
discussions (online or face-to-face) and work with your peers as part of your study. The amount of time you will need to spend on study in this
unit will depend on a number of factors including your prior knowledge, learning skill level and learning style. Nevertheless, in planning your time
commitments you should note that for a 3 credit point unit, the total notional workload over the semester or term is assumed to be 150 hours.
The total workload for units of different credit point value should vary proportionally. For example, for a 6 credit point unit the total notional
workload over a semester or term is assumed to be 300 hours.
Participation requirements
None
Required IT skills
This unit involves an online weekly lecture (which will be pre-recorded each week for students to access and revisit in their own time). For Realtime (online) students, your tutorial will be accessible via the Canvas 'Virtual Room'. To participate verbally in online classes, you will need a working microphone, which will generally be available via your smartphone or webcam device.
Work placement, internships or practicums
None