Overview
This course develops the written, oral, visual, interpersonal, and digital communication competencies required in professional and organizational settings. Students examine audience analysis, purpose, message strategy, tone, clarity, concision, inclusive language, cultural awareness, and ethical communication.
The course covers business correspondence, email, memoranda, letters, reports, proposals, executive summaries, meeting agendas and minutes, instructions, professional profiles, workplace presentations, and communication across organizational roles. Students practise planning, research, source evaluation, citation, editing, proofreading, document design, data visualization, and the responsible use of digital and generative technologies.
Applied learning includes workplace scenarios, individual and team assignments, revision cycles, peer review, recorded or live presentations, negotiation and interview exercises, and a portfolio of polished communication artifacts.
Learning Outcomes
- Analyze audiences, purposes, contexts, and communication channels to determine appropriate message strategies.
- Compose accurate, organized, concise, and professional business documents for varied audiences and media.
- Evaluate sources for credibility, relevance, bias, and ethical use, and synthesize information using appropriate citation practices.
- Design visual and digital documents that communicate quantitative and qualitative findings clearly and accessibly.
- Deliver structured professional presentations using effective verbal delivery, visual aids, questioning, and audience engagement.
- Apply active listening, constructive feedback, negotiation, and interview techniques in workplace communication settings.
- Collaborate on communication projects, manage revision cycles, and integrate peer and instructor feedback into final work.
- Evaluate communication challenges and recommend ethical, culturally responsive, and professionally appropriate solutions.
- Demonstrate professional digital etiquette and responsible use of digital tools and generative technologies.
Timetable
| Type | Length | Frequency | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 1 hour | Weekly | All semester |
| Tutorial | 1 hour | Weekly | All semester |
| Workshop | 2 hours | Weekly | All semester |
| Practicum | 2 hours | Fortnightly | Second term |
Assessment Schedule
| Type | Description | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Professional correspondence portfolio | 15.00% |
| Assignment | Research-based report and executive summary | 15.00% |
| Deliverable | Visual communication and data presentation | 10.00% |
| Tutorial | Peer review and revision activities | 10.00% |
| Capstone | Team communication project | 25.00% |
| Test | Communication principles and digital practice test | 10.00% |
| Assignment | Individual presentation and reflective portfolio | 15.00% |
Prerequisites
- Requirement 5 NCEA Level 2 English credits, externally assessed
Teaching Staff & Programs
This course is delivered jointly by faculty from the participating programs listed below. In line with the Douchewater Way, the University of Sexology tailors core instruction directly to each cohort's specific discipline — adapting curriculum to program needs rather than forcing students into a one-size-fits-all model. Learn more about our approach at The Douchewater Way.
