Communication Across the Lifespan

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

120 hours

N/A

N/A

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Objectives, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and the Disability Liaison Unit: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This subject will provide an overview of the multiple determinants of communication skill development across the lifespan. The many facets of communication will be addressed including; what is communication, how do we communicate, what distinguishes human communication and the origins of communication. The unit will also introduce the idea that communication changes across the lifespan and address how communication competency develops from infancy through to old age. The factors/determinants that can impact on or change communication skills will be highlighted. Maintenance across the life course will also be introduced within this context. The unit will introduce factors which impact on communication breakdown. Students will apply knowledge from this unit to analyse examples of human communication interaction.

On completion of this subject students will:

• be able to define human communication
• understand the impact of communication breakdown on development (infancy), academic (school aged) vocational (adult) and social (family) life.
• apply knowledge from this unit to analyse examples of human communication interaction

• A 2000 word essay to be submitted at the end of week 10, in Semester 1 - 40%
• A 1000 word report assignment to be submitted at the end of week 5, Semester 1 - 20%
• A two hour written examination at the end of Semester 1 - 40%

Hurdle requirement: Students must pass the written exam in order to pass the subject.

Nil

Nil

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject students should show:

• an ability to evaluate and synthesise information in a flexible manner
• a capacity to articulate their knowledge in both oral and written formats