MDIA 7009 - Leadership in Strategic Communication

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2024

This course will focus on professional development in strategic communication. You will learn about different career paths, and will focus on topics including career planning, leadership and management skills, workplace communication, freelancing, and workplace culture. You will have the choice of two pathways. Pathway A involves a self-organised industry internship of 100 hours. You will gain experience in your chosen industry sector by working with a supervisor in an internal or external host organisation. All placements must be approved and all paperwork completed prior to commencement. Pathway B allows you to design and undertake a self-directed research or professional development project, as approved by the Course Coordinator. You will identify an industry-relevant research question or professional development strategy related to your career goals and industry interests. Through industry and peer-to-peer networking activities, supported by a seminar program, this course will enhance your understanding of contemporary industry trends and workplace cultures, and assist you in the transition to the next phase of your career.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code MDIA 7009
    Course Leadership in Strategic Communication
    Coordinating Unit Media
    Term Semester 2
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 6
    Contact Up to 2 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Prerequisites 12 units of Level VII MDIA courses
    Restrictions Available to students enrolled in the Master of Media, GradDip, and GCert (Strategic Communication) only
    Course Description This course will focus on professional development in strategic communication. You will learn about different career paths, and will focus on topics including career planning, leadership and management skills, workplace communication, freelancing, and workplace culture. You will have the choice of two pathways. Pathway A involves a self-organised industry internship of 100 hours. You will gain experience in your chosen industry sector by working with a supervisor in an internal or external host organisation. All placements must be approved and all paperwork completed prior to commencement. Pathway B allows you to design and undertake a self-directed research or professional development project, as approved by the Course Coordinator. You will identify an industry-relevant research question or professional development strategy related to your career goals and industry interests. Through industry and peer-to-peer networking activities, supported by a seminar program, this course will enhance your understanding of contemporary industry trends and workplace cultures, and assist you in the transition to the next phase of your career.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Victoria Fielding

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
    1. Demonstrate knowledge of industry trends, career paths and workplace practices in strategic communication.
    2. Apply work-integrated learning principles (if undertaking Pathway A) or research and professional development best-practice (if undertaking Pathway B) to engage with contemporary industry challenges, employment opportunities and career planning in the media and communications sector.
    3. Manage contact with external bodies, build professional relationships with supervisors, co-workers and external groups, and communicate professionally in a range of genres used in the sector.
    4. Reflect on, critically assess, consolidate and synthesise academic and industry learning.
    5. Form personalised learning objectives and career plans for ongoing professional development.








    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1, 2, 4

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    2, 3, 4, 5

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    3, 5

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    1, 2, 3, 4, 5

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    1, 2, 3, 4, 5

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    3, 4, 5
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Required readings will be provided electronically through MyUni.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Nine two-hour workshops will be run synchronously on campus and via-Zoom throughout the semester
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    On-campus workshops: 18 hours per semester
    Reading: 72 hours per semester
    Assignment preparation: 116 hours per semester
    Placement/research/professional development: 106 hours per semester
    Learning Activities Summary
    The course consists of nine 2-hour tutorials as well as independent completion of an internship or research/professional development project.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessments are dependent on whether students choose pathway A - 100 hour internship, or pathway B - professional research or professional development project.
    Assessment Detail
    Pathway A

    Self-sourced internship or through CareerHub

    Assessments:

    Reflective analysis (30%)
    Host evaluation (20%)
    Final report (40%)

    Participation and professionalism (10%)


    Pathway B

    Individual research project focusing on industry-relevant question

    OR

    Professional development project (e.g. mentoring to develop career pathway, workplace-based development project)

    Assessments:

    Reflective analysis (30%)
    Research or professional development report
    Submission
    Assessments are submitted via MyUni using Turnitin.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.