Public Interest Communication (COMU3015)
Information valid for Semester 2, 2024
Course level
Undergraduate
Faculty
Humanities Arts Social Science
School
Communication & Arts School
Units
2
Duration
One Semester
Attendance mode
In Person
Class hours
Lecture 1 Hour/ Week
Seminar 2 Hours/ Week
Prerequisite
COMU1052; COMU1120
Recommended prerequisite
COMU1130; COMU1140; COMU1200
Assessment methods
Podcast
Seminar Presentation
Essay
Course enquiries
Associate Professor Jane Johnston ()
Study Abroad
This course is pre-approved for Study Abroad and Exchange students.
Current course offerings
Course offerings | Location | Mode | Course Profile |
Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024) | St Lucia | In Person | Course Profile |
Please Note: Course profiles marked as not available may still be in development.
Course description
Public interest communication brings together aspects of ethics, social and civic responsibility, and philosophy, to provide a new approach to communication theory and practice in the post truth era. It identifies communication as a central component of all social and political practice, and places the 'the public' or rather many 'publics' at the centre of this. In this way, it differs from an organisational or institutional approach that drives communication from the inside out. In this course, students will examine many fields that intersect with public interest frameworks including concepts that provide building blocks and strategies for communication - from organisational listening, capacity building, partnerships and alliances, to the importance of participation and activism in generating democratic debate. The course takes students into places and contexts where interest conflicts abound including the environment, public health, fast fashion, amongst others and challenges them to consider the positions of all stakeholders in determining public interest outcomes, driven by ethical and critical communication practice.
Archived offerings
Course offerings | Location | Mode | Course Profile |
Semester 2, 2023 (24/07/2023 - 18/11/2023) | St Lucia | In Person | Course Profile |
Semester 2, 2022 (25/07/2022 - 19/11/2022) | St Lucia | Internal | Course Profile |
Semester 2, 2022 (25/07/2022 - 19/11/2022) | External | External | Course Profile |
Semester 2, 2021 (26/07/2021 - 20/11/2021) | St Lucia | Internal | Course Profile |
Semester 2, 2021 (26/07/2021 - 20/11/2021) | External | External | Course Profile |
Semester 2, 2020 (03/08/2020 - 21/11/2020) | External | External | Course Profile |
Semester 2, 2020 (03/08/2020 - 21/11/2020) | St Lucia | Flexible Delivery | Course Profile |