Students

APPL8110 – Pragmatics and Intercultural Communication

2022 – Session 1, Online-flexible

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Lecturer and Unit convenor
Loy Lising
loy.lising@mq.edu.au
Contact via via iLearn
by appointment
Philip Chappell
philip.chappell@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MAppLing or MAppLingTESOL or MTransInter or MAdvTransInterStud or MTransInterMAppLingTESOL or MIntPubDip
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

In this unit, you will explore how meaning is constructed in intercultural communication contexts. Utilising key concepts in pragmatics and intercultural communication, you will have the opportunity to investigate three main challenges in intercultural communication: (1) the linguistic challenges of language learning, (2) the discursive challenges of stereotyping, and (3) the social challenges of inclusion and justice. You will engage with a wide variety of intercultural communication case studies across domains and organizations.

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 explain key phenomena in pragmatics and intercultural communication.
  • ULO2: Identify, describe, and evaluate key concepts and theories related to pragmatics and intercultural communication.
  • ULO3: Identify, describe, and explain the social consequences of (un)successful meaning making in intercultural communication across different communities and contexts.
  • ULO4: Communicate advanced knowledge and understanding of socially relevant aspects of the interplay between pragmatics and intercultural communication to diverse audiences.

General Assessment Information

Requesting an extension to assignment due date

Assignments are due at regular intervals throughout the semester and it is therefore not possible to receive extensions. Missing a small number of assignments is unlikely to jeopardize your successful completion of the unit. If you find you cannot keep up with the assessment tasks, due to special circumstances, please consult your unit convenor. Replacement tasks can be given in special circumstances, by completing a Special Consideration request. For more information on Special Consideration, see https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration  

Late submission of assignments

As assignments are due at regular intervals throughout the semester, late submission is not possible.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Understanding key concepts 40% No Weeks 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, & 9
A case study presentation 20% No Weeks 11 & 12
An intercultural communication in focus 40% No Week 13

Understanding key concepts

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Weeks 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, & 9
Weighting: 40%

 

Students will sit eight quizzes throughout the semester. Each quiz will be valued at 5%.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify, describe, and explain key phenomena in pragmatics and intercultural communication.
  • Identify, describe, and evaluate key concepts and theories related to pragmatics and intercultural communication.
  • Identify, describe, and explain the social consequences of (un)successful meaning making in intercultural communication across different communities and contexts.
  • Communicate advanced knowledge and understanding of socially relevant aspects of the interplay between pragmatics and intercultural communication to diverse audiences.

A case study presentation

Assessment Type 1: Media presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 12 hours
Due: Weeks 11 & 12
Weighting: 20%

 

Students will undertake a group project and present their findings in various oral and digital formats.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify, describe, and explain key phenomena in pragmatics and intercultural communication.
  • Identify, describe, and evaluate key concepts and theories related to pragmatics and intercultural communication.
  • Identify, describe, and explain the social consequences of (un)successful meaning making in intercultural communication across different communities and contexts.
  • Communicate advanced knowledge and understanding of socially relevant aspects of the interplay between pragmatics and intercultural communication to diverse audiences.

An intercultural communication in focus

Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 40%

 

Students will collect and analyse public data on an intercultural communication topic agreed with the convenor.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify, describe, and explain key phenomena in pragmatics and intercultural communication.
  • Identify, describe, and evaluate key concepts and theories related to pragmatics and intercultural communication.
  • Identify, describe, and explain the social consequences of (un)successful meaning making in intercultural communication across different communities and contexts.
  • Communicate advanced knowledge and understanding of socially relevant aspects of the interplay between pragmatics and intercultural communication to diverse audiences.

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

DELIVERY

This unit is taught weekly as a seminar. For those onsite, the class meets in the following schedule.

  • Tuesdays, 4.00 to 6.00 in 12 SW Rm 307

For those accessing this unit offsite, the session will be livestreamed and the recording made available via Echo in iLearn.

RESOURCES

The textbook for this unit is Ingrid Piller's (2017)  Intercultural Communication: A Critical Introduction. Please make sure you have a copy of the book. In addition, there will be supplemetary readings for each week which will be listed in iLearn and made available through Leganto. Make sure you log on to iLearn frequently and regularly.

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 2022.03 of the Handbook