Students

SPTH8851 – Communication and Concepts for Speech Pathology

2022 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Scott Barnes
scott.barnes@mq.edu.au
Elisabeth Harrison
elisabeth.harrison@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MSpchLngPath
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

In this unit, students will explore the core conceptual bases for speech pathology practice. It will address central features of human communication, and models of health, disability, and communication underpinning and guiding speech pathology practice. Students will critically analyse speech pathology assessment procedures and the application of evidence-based practice in speech pathology intervention.

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: Identify, describe, and analyse the features of human communication, with particular reference to embodied interaction, and the impact of impairments affecting communication.
  • ULO2: Apply models of health, disability, and communication to impairments affecting communication, and critically explore their alignment with speech pathology assessment and intervention.
  • ULO3: Analyse and evaluate measurement practices employed in speech pathology practice, focusing on their clinical purpose and measurement targets.
  • ULO4: Critically evaluate the roles of theory and research evidence in speech pathology assessment and intervention, with particular reference to their role in evidence-based practice.

General Assessment Information

Word limits

Assessment submissions with excessive word counts will receive a penalty commensurate with the amount the submission has exceeded the word limit stated in the assessment description. Excessive word counts will result in the following penalties:

  • From 11 to 20% over the word limit = reduction by one grading band.
  • More than 20% over the word limit = reduction by at least two grading bands, with further penalties applied at the discretion of the unit convenor.

For example: Word limit = 2000 words; Submission word count = 2240, i.e., 12% over the limit, and therefore a penalty is applied as follows:

  • Initial grade = D
  • Penalty = reduction of one grading band
  • Final grade = C 

Penalty for late submission

Late submission of assessments will result in the following penalties:

  • 1 day late = reduction by no more than one grading band, at the discretion of the unit convenor
  • 2 days late = reduction by no more than two grading bands, at the discretion of the unit convenor
  • 3 or more days late = reduction by at least two grading bands, with further reductions at the discretion of the unit convenor

For example: A submission is two days late, and therefore a penalty is applied as follows:

  • Initial grade = HD
  • Maximum penalty = reduction of two grading bands
  • Final grade = C 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Communication sample analysis 30% No Week 7
Critical analysis: assessment procedures 40% Yes Week 9
Critical analysis: evidence-based practice 30% No Week 13

Communication sample analysis

Assessment Type 1: Qualitative analysis task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 23 hours
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 30%

 

In this assessment task, students will identify, describe, and analyse features of typical communication and communication affected by impairments to the body systems supporting communication. They will then summarise their findings, and use them to plan further speech pathology assessment.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify, describe, and analyse the features of human communication, with particular reference to embodied interaction, and the impact of impairments affecting communication.
  • Analyse and evaluate measurement practices employed in speech pathology practice, focusing on their clinical purpose and measurement targets.

Critical analysis: assessment procedures

Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 31 hours
Due: Week 9
Weighting: 40%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

 

In this assessment task, students will critically analyse speech pathology assessment procedures for communication, focusing on their measurement targets, clinical purpose, and supporting research evidence. They will then outline and justify a comprehensive communication assessment battery for a chosen client population.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply models of health, disability, and communication to impairments affecting communication, and critically explore their alignment with speech pathology assessment and intervention.
  • Analyse and evaluate measurement practices employed in speech pathology practice, focusing on their clinical purpose and measurement targets.
  • Critically evaluate the roles of theory and research evidence in speech pathology assessment and intervention, with particular reference to their role in evidence-based practice.

Critical analysis: evidence-based practice

Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 23 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 30%

 

In this assessment task, students will critically analyse speech pathology intervention procedures for communication, focusing on their theoretical basis and supporting research evidence. They will then make recommendations for clients using the principles of evidence-based practice.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply models of health, disability, and communication to impairments affecting communication, and critically explore their alignment with speech pathology assessment and intervention.
  • Critically evaluate the roles of theory and research evidence in speech pathology assessment and intervention, with particular reference to their role in evidence-based practice.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

Students will participate in 2 hour lectorial classes blending teacher-fronted delivery with small group activities. Students will be expected to engage with learning materials before attending and participating in weekly classes, and then to complete learning activities following class. All scheduled learning activities will occur over the standard 13 weeks of the session.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/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

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

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.

Unit information based on version 2022.02 of the Handbook