792-162 Communication

Credit Points

HECS Band

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

The objective of this subject is to extend participants' ability to:

• understand the process of communication in a rural community;

• use scientific methods to increase awareness and solve agricultural problems;

• present themselves as professional workers in agriculture.

The content includes: Social research in agriculture - Use statistical and theoretical methods to write and present information. Extension - Identify the basics of the communication process. Describe the principles of extension in an agricultural setting. Identify personal attributes required to ensure effective communication. Identify and analyse critical issues facing agriculture today. Writing skills - technical reports (research, style, structure, design, documentation), business letters (format, structure, style), news release. Oral skills - public speaking, visual and audio-visual aids, public and 2-way radio, communication through video, listening skills.

Assessment

Oral presentation (30%); research report (30%); two assignments (20% each).

Prescribed Texts

• Taylor A, Meyer A, Rosegrant T and Samples B T (1989), Communicating (5th ed). Prentice Hall, Sydney.