Students
MMBA8077 – Rhetoric and Persuasion in Management
2020 – MGSM term 1, Intensive attendance, North Ryde
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, any references to assessment tasks and on-campus delivery may no longer be up-to-date on this page.
Students should consult iLearn for revised unit information.
Find out more about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and potential impacts on staff and students
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor and Lecturer
Randal Tame
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MBA or GradCertMgtPostMBA or GradDipMgt
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
The ability to communicate persuasively is a key skill of leadership. This unit offers a practical introduction to persuasion theory and persuasive communication and aims to develop in students an applied understanding of the psychology of persuasion and the art of rhetoric. The approach is theory and practice. We will explore both classical and contemporary ideas of persuasion with an emphasis on recent social psychological theory and research. Students will also practice critical skills in analysing, organising, information gathering, goal setting, evaluating and public speaking. The unit is more audience-centric than the speaker-centric units that focus primarily on the speaker's delivery skills. The focus in this unit is on the co-active preparation and delivery of persuasive messages, on the quality of the argument and the engagement of the audience, rather than on the theatrics of the speaker's delivery.
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Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- ULO1: Employ deliberate persuasive strategies and rhetoric to encourage others to change their attitudes toward objective things in the world.
- ULO2: Analyse and apply rational concepts and methods in a creative process to propose a path out of a current predicament or a solution to a current problem.
- ULO3: Learn from and engage with audiences of diverse cultural, social and political attitudes and identities to persuade them to come together using a variety of communication techniques.
- ULO4: Critique a variety of speakers and ways of communicating to deliver persuasive messages.
Assessment Tasks
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
Assessment details are no longer provided here as a result of changes due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Students should consult iLearn for revised unit information.
Find out more about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and potential impacts on staff and students
General Assessment Information
Extensions and Penalties:
No extensions will be granted. There will be a deduction of 10% of the total available marks made from the total awarded mark for each 24 hour period or part thereof that the submission is late (for example, 25 hours late in submission – 20% penalty). This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for special consideration is made and approved. No submission will be accepted after solutions/results/feedback have been posted.
Delivery and Resources
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
Any references to on-campus delivery below may no longer be relevant due to COVID-19.
Please check here for updated delivery information: https://ask.mq.edu.au/account/pub/display/unit_status
Prescribed Textbook
Heinrichs, J., (2017). Thank you for arguing: What Aristotle, Lincoln, and Homer Simpson can teach us about the art of persuasion. Three Rivers Press (CA). ISBN: 9780804189934
Where to purchase textbook?
The Coop Bookshop: The Coop Bookshop is our main retailer for textbooks and other related academic material. For information on textbook prices and online ordering, please refer to The Co-Op Bookshop webpage at http://www.coop.com.au
Disclaimer: MGSM does not take responsibility for the stock levels of required textbooks from preferred retail outlets and other book retailers. While we advise our preferred book retail outlet, The Co-op Bookshop, of our maximum expected number of students purchasing specific required text each term, The Co-op Bookshop and other book retailers will make their own judgement in regard to their physical holding stock levels. To prevent disappointment if a textbook is out-of-stock, we highly advise students to order their textbooks as early as possible, or if the required textbook is currently out-of-stock, place an order with the book retailer as soon as possible so that these book retailers can monitor demand and supply, and adjust their stock orders accordingly.
Access to Technology
Access to a personal computer and internet connection is required to access learning material/resources online on Macquarie University's online learning management system called iLearn.
iLearn - Your class online learning resources page
The class iLearn page for this unit is located at: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/. You must be enrolled in this class to see the class iLearn page.
Lecture Slides
Lecture slides will be provided to students only in soft-copy format via the class iLearn page. You must be enrolled in this class to see these items in the class iLearn page.
Readings
Readings are provided to students only in soft-copy format via the class iLearn page. You must be enrolled in this class to see these items in the class iLearn page.
Unit Schedule
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
The unit schedule/topics and any references to on-campus delivery below may no longer be relevant due to COVID-19. Please consult iLearn for latest details, and check here for updated delivery information: https://ask.mq.edu.au/account/pub/display/unit_status
This unit will be presented over 10 sessions as follows.
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Class sessions are scheduled from: Please look at the MGSM timetable for class dates and times (https://students.mgsm.edu.au/sydney-students/units/timetables). |
(The proposed program might be subject to some minor changes as the term progresses (TBA)).
| Session | Topics and Activities |
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1 |
Topic: Introduction to persuasion and rhetoric; The 5 canons of rhetoric |
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2 |
Topic: Audience psychology |
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3 |
Topic: Logos: Developing a persuasive argument |
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4 |
Topic: Logos: Reasoning and logical fallacies Activity: Debate (topic to be assigned) |
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5 |
Topic: Persuasive tactics: Identity & Framing Activity: Debate (topic to be assigned) Assignment 1: Individual presentations |
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6 |
Topic: Pathos Activity: Rhetorical analysis exercises |
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7 |
Topic: Ethos: Credibility and audience tuning |
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8 |
Topic: Eloquence: Debate and delivery exercises |
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9 |
Assignment 2: Team presentations |
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10 |
Assignment 2: Team presentations (continued) |
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)
Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.