HDS101 - Communication and Diversity

Unit details

Year

2025 unit information

Enrolment modes:Trimester 1: Burwood (Melbourne), Warrnambool, Waterfront (Geelong), Online
Credit point(s):1
EFTSL value:0.125
Unit Chair:Trimester 1: Gemma Digby
Prerequisite:

Nil

Corequisite:Nil
Incompatible with: HDS715
Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment:

Online independent and collaborative learning activities, and a 2 hour on-campus seminar each week.

Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment:

Online independent and collaborative learning activities, including a 2 hour online seminar each week.

Typical study commitment:

Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit.

This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site.

Content

This unit examines the principles of effective communication and how these can be applied in a range of clinical and professional situations. The unit has a focus on communication with people with a disability, and those from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Students will learn about the process involved in spoken, written, and non-verbal communication, and the impact of communication partners and environments. They will examine communication issues specific to physical disability, autism spectrum disorder, brain injury, and vision/hearing impairment. Students will also practice applied communication skills including sign language, assertive listening, professional writing and communication resource development.

Learning Outcomes

ULO These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can:

Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs)

ULO1

Describe the processes involved in human communication, and the biopsychosocial factors that are associated with successful communication.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

ULO2

Explain the concept of communication access, and apply knowledge of Australian and international legislative/policy frameworks to this concept.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO2: Communication
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO8: Global citizenship

ULO3

Describe the communication characteristics and predict the communication support requirements for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those with a disability affecting speaking, hearing, reading, writing, understanding, and/or social communication.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO2: Communication
GLO4: Critical thinking

ULO4

Apply knowledge of the communication process, from a biopsychosocial perspective, to optimise communication environments and facilitate inclusion for people with communication disability or diversity.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO5: Problem solving

ULO5

Explain information about communication access, in an appropriate format, to members of the general public including people with a range of communication disabilities and diversities.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO2: Communication

ULO6

Reflect on instances of communication breakdown with reference to theoretical models of communication and disability.

GLO4: Critical thinking

Assessment

Assessment description Student output Grading and weighting
(% total mark for unit)
Indicative due week
Assessment 1: Online multiple choice quiz Multiple choice quiz 20%
  • Week 6
Assessment 2: Reflective essay 1600 words 40%
  • Week 8
Assessment 3: Communication profile Equivalent to 1600 words 40%
  • Week 11

The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.

Learning resource

The texts and reading list for HDS101 can be found via the University Library.

Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.

Unit Fee Information

Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.

Estimate your fees

For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.