Students

APPL8110 – Pragmatics and Intercultural Communication

2023 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

Download as PDF
Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Loy Lising
loy.lising@mq.edu.au
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 theoretical principles and contemporary research in pragmatics and intercultural communication.
  • ULO2: Apply current theories of pragmatics and intercultural communication to a range of institutional contexts.
  • ULO3: Identify, describe, and explain the social consequences of successful and unsuccessful 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

Grade descriptors and other information concerning grading are contained in the Macquarie University Assessment Policy.

All final grades are determined by a grading committee, in accordance with the Macquarie University Assessment Policy, and are not the sole responsibility of the Unit Convenor.

Students will be awarded a final grade and a mark which must correspond to the grade descriptors specified in the Assessment Procedure (clause 128).

To pass this unit, you must demonstrate sufficient evidence of achievement of the learning outcomes, meet any ungraded requirements, and achieve a final mark of 50 or better.

Further details for each assessment task will be available on iLearn.

Requesting an extension to assignment due date

On occasion, you may be in a situation when you aren't able to submit an assessment task on time. Extensions are only 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

If you haven't been approved for an extension and you submit your assessment task late, penalties are applied. You should consult your unit convenor if you are in this position. Late submissions will receive a 5% per day penalty. If you submit the assessment task 10 days or more beyond the due date, without an approved extension, you will be awarded a maximum of 50% of the overall assessment marks. Weekends and public holidays are included. 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Understanding key concepts 40% No Weeks 3, 6, 9, and 12
A case study presentation 20% No Week 8
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 3, 6, 9, and 12
Weighting: 40%

 

Students will complete four quizzes throughout the semester. Each quiz will be valued at 10%.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify, describe, and explain key theoretical principles and contemporary research in pragmatics and intercultural communication.
  • Apply current theories of pragmatics and intercultural communication to a range of institutional contexts.
  • Identify, describe, and explain the social consequences of successful and unsuccessful 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: Week 8
Weighting: 20%

 

Students will undertake a group project on an aspect of pragmatics and intercultural communication and present their findings either in class or as a recorded video presentation.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify, describe, and explain key theoretical principles and contemporary research in pragmatics and intercultural communication.
  • Apply current theories of pragmatics and intercultural communication to a range of institutional contexts.
  • Identify, describe, and explain the social consequences of successful and unsuccessful 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 data on an intercultural communication topic agreed with the convenor and explained in detail in the iLearn site for the unit and in class.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify, describe, and explain key theoretical principles and contemporary research in pragmatics and intercultural communication.
  • Apply current theories of pragmatics and intercultural communication to a range of institutional contexts.
  • Identify, describe, and explain the social consequences of successful and unsuccessful 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

As a student enrolled in this unit, you will engage in a range of learning activities, including pre-seminar tasks, readings, online modules, videos and lectures. Details can be found on the iLearn site for this unit.

Recommended Readings

Piller, I. (2017). Approaching Intercultural Communication. Intercultural Communication: A Critical Introduction. Edinburgh University Press.

Technology Used

Active participation in the learning activities throughout the unit will require students to have access to a tablet, laptop or similar device. Students who do not own their own laptop computer may borrow one from the university library.

Unit Schedule

The unit weekly plan follows the order of topics outlined in the textbook for this unit. Please ensure you check the unit iLearn site prior to the semester's commencement and regularly once semester begins.

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.

Changes from Previous Offering

Assessment Task

  • The previous offering required students to sit eight quizzes throughout the semester. 

Unit information based on version 2023.03 of the Handbook