ALR376 - Ethics, Persuasion and Society
Unit details
| Year | 2025 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 1: Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online Trimester 3: Online |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Previously coded as: | ALR276 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 1: Kristin Demetrious Trimester 3: Lauren Bevilacqua |
| Prerequisite: | Students must pass any two level 2 units |
| Corequisite: | Nil |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment: | 1 x 2-hour on-campus seminar per week |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment: | 1 x 2-hour online seminar per week |
Content
This unit explores persuasive language practices in public relations within the context of communication industries to analyse the consequences and impacts for people and society. The unit uses case studies to focus on corporate bad behaviour, digital disinformation, as well as advocacy campaigns for social change. In an applied approach, students also research media texts to analyse how persuasion works to change opinion in contemporary neoliberal settings, like public debates. Students will explore ethical frameworks of key thinkers in sociological and communicative fields and how they can be used to develop resilient communities and public understanding of important issues, such as climate change.
Learning Outcomes
| ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Apply knowledge of ethics, persuasive language practices in communication industries and analyse the consequences for people and society | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO4: Critical Thinking GLO5: Problem Solving |
| ULO2 | Apply theories and frameworks to critically reflect on the case studies in relation to ethics, and social impact | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO4: Critical Thinking GLO5: Problem Solving GLO8: Global Citizenship |
| ULO3 | Critically engage with real-world texts to analyse persuasion using accepted writing techniques | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO4: Critical Thinking |
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1: Written Assignment | 1600 words or equivalent | 40% | Information not yet available |
| Assessment 2: Online exercises | 800 words or equivalent | 20% | Information not yet available |
| Assessment 3: Written Assignment | 1600 words or equivalent | 40% | Information not yet available |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning resource
The texts and reading list for ALR376 can be found via the University Library.
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Unit Fee Information
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.