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Overview

Course Prescription

Explores how research in the Communication field can be applied to address complex challenges of the contemporary world and contribute to the development of solutions. Themes and topics will vary from year to year in line with changing societal issues and the research projects of contributing staff.

Course Overview

Comms 706 is offered online only in 2025. 

The syllabus is structured around a series of case studies by Communication scholars who will outline their current research project in a series of two-week Research Modules. Each scholar will present the projects they are working on or have worked on, and describe how their research relates to the central questions of the course, particularly looking at 'challenges to the contemporary world' and how they are contributing to the 'development of solutions.' The Research Modules will vary from year to year, depending on both the research direction of the scholars participating, but also on changing societal issues.

The course is comprised of five modules, each two weeks in length. Each module is based on an in-depth interview with the researcher which is presented as an Interview Podcast. The podcast addresses a range of issues and ideas including - the theory that informs the research involved in the case study; the methodology chosen to explore its central question, for example, qualitative, quantitative (or both), or a creative approach, for example, the production of a documentary or creative output; a discussion of the actual research output or a work-in-progress; a consideration of how the project developed; and its findings and expected and unexpected outcomes. Scholars will also discuss how their case study engages with the subject of the course, that is, how it intersects with social change and how it contributes to possible solutions. For example, will it help shape policy? Engage and inform the public? Empower and mobilise certain communities? Contribute to and update an existing body of knowledge?

Module topics could include but are not limited to, indigenous data, futures, documentary production and social issues, labour issues and the precariat, communication, media representation, and climate change.

This course is asynchronous that is, there are no formal lectures or tutorials. Students will receive course content through Canvas, which will include but is not limited to readings, videos, and more. Those enrolled will work through their material in their own time. However, there will be group sessions and lecturer/student and peer exchanges through Zoom or Teams.

Assessment is likely to involve developing a critical reading of one of the modules and the development of a research proposal aligned with one of them. There will also be a series of activities assigned weekly to engage students with the topic at hand.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 30-point, 700-level course and students are expected to spend 20+ hours per week of graduate-level work, meaning 3 hours of active participation in online activities and discussions, plus 17 hours of work outside the class for readings and assignments. 

Locations and Semesters Offered

LocationSemester
Auckland Online

Teaching and Learning

Online

The course will not include live online events.

Study material will be available at course commencement.

This course runs to the University semester/quarter timetable and all the associated completion dates and deadlines will apply.

This course is available for delivery to students studying remotely outside NZ in 2025.

Learning Resources

Taught courses use a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas to provide students with learning materials including reading lists and lecture recordings (where available). Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Additional Information on Learning Resources

Readings will be available through Talis and Canvas.

Short videos produced by the lecturer and the researchers involved will be available online.

Other Canvas functions will be deployed to engage the students, such as quizzes and collaborative tools.  

Copyright

The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license.


You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third-party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Similarly, research students must meet the University’s expectations of good research practice. This requires:

  • Honesty - in all aspects of research work
  • Accountability - in the conduct of research
  • Professional courtesy and fairness – in working with others
  • Good stewardship – on behalf of others
  • Transparency – of research process and presentation of results
  • Clarity - communication to be understandable, explainable and accessible

For more information on the University’s expectations of academic integrity, please see the Academic Conduct section of the University policy hub.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about taught courses is made available to enrolled students in Canvas.

Students may be asked to submit assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.


Assessment and Learning Outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes

CLO #OutcomeProgramme Capability Link
1
2
3
4
5

Assessments

Assessment TypeAssessment PercentageAssessment Classification

Additional Information on Assessment

A note here - as this course is still in development, the assessments may change but it will be 100% coursework with no exam.

Assessment to CLO Mapping

Assessment Type12345

Student Feedback, Support and Charter

Student Feedback

Feedback on taught courses is gathered from students at the end of each semester through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions. Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students. In addition, class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Additional Information on Student Feedback

This is a new course.

Class representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Tuākana

Tuākana is a multi-faceted programme for Māori and Pacific students providing topic specific tutorials, one-on-one sessions, test and exam preparation and more. Explore your options at Tuakana Learning Communities.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website.

Wellbeing

We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - please see the Support Services page for information on support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed work is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due. If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page. This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter.

Student Academic Complaints and Disputes

Students with concerns about teaching including how a course is delivered, the resources provided, or supervision arrangements, have the right to express their concerns and seek resolution. The university encourages informal resolution where possible, as this is quicker and less stressful. For information on the informal and formal complaints processes, please refer to the Student Academic Complaints Statute in the Student Policies and Guidelines section of the Policy Hub.