HCS102 Communication and Human Services (8)

This is the first communication subject relating to work in the Human Services and is for students who have either not studied at university previously, and/or require further orientation to communicating in the Human Services profession. The subject incorporates the concepts of being, thinking and doing, and provides challenging learning experiences that cover a range of topics to illustrate communication on personal, social, organisational / political, and even spiritual levels. Students are required to actively do two things: to describe and to reflect critically upon their understanding and experience of communication; and to critique how and where, when and what, is communicated in those experiences. In doing so, students consider their own values and ethics in the context of the values and ethics of the helping professions, in order to demonstrate critical judgement about what content /information is appropriate in decision-making. The subject commences the process of critiquing research and arguments, through teaching thinking skills, including structured thinking, critical thinking, systemic thinking and lateral thinking. Students develop communication skills in the written form necessary for human services work, as well as knowledge about different levels of communication, including: intra-personal, inter-personal, trans-systems, and extra-dimensional communication.

Availability

Session 1 (30)
On Campus
Dubbo Campus
Port Macquarie Campus
Wagga Wagga Campus
Online
Wagga Wagga Campus
Session 2 (60)
Online
Wagga Wagga Campus

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: HCS102. Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject Information

Grading System

HD/FL

Duration

One session

School

School of Social Work and Arts

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to demonstrate an ability to study in an academic environment by applying basic principles of learning and research required for university study
  • be able to demonstrate an identification with, and have a basic understanding of, the values needed in the Human Services and an understanding of own values and approaches
  • be able to communicate in writing as required for successful university study and a career in the Human Services
  • be able to demonstrate the acquisition of introductory skills in critical thinking, critical reasoning, research and various forms of communicating in an academic environment
  • be able to apply knowledge of the different levels of communication competence, including intra-personal, inter-personal, trans-systems, and extra-dimensional layers, to study and work in the Human Services.

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:
  • Module 1: Foundations for study/ ethos of scholarship/ academic and professional standards/ adult communication management model
  • Module 2: Intra-self communication/ values and ethics in the Human Services/ critical thinking and reasoning
  • Module 3: Inter-personal communication/ thinking, being, doing/ information synthesis and analysis
  • Module 4: Trans-systems communication/ structured, systemic, and lateral thinking/ double-loop learning
  • Module 5: Extra-dimensional communication/ perspective transformation/ praxis

Indicative Assessment

The following table summarises the assessment tasks for the online offering of HCS102 in Session 2 2021. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated and can also differ to suit the mode of study (online or on campus).

Item Number
Title
Value %
1
Initial research & investigation task
25
2
Online presentation [ppt to wiki or blog]
45
3
Final learning stage - critical reflections
30

The information contained in the CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: June 2022. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

Back