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Communication Across the Lifespan (AUDI90025)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

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Semester 1
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This subject will provide an overview of the multiple determinants of communication skill development across the human lifespan, ranging from communication development in the prenatal period and early infancy through to communication changes that occur with ageing. The many facets of communication will be addressed including: What is communication? How do we communicate? What distinguishes human communication from other communication? What are the theories and origins of human communication? In this subject, you will be introduced to the idea that communication changes across the lifespan. We will address how communication competency develops and changes during early infancy through to old age. The many factors/ determinants that can impact on, or change, communication skills will be highlighted. Maintenance of communication across the lifespan will also be introduced within this context, as well as factors which impact on communication breakdown. You will apply your knowledge gained in this subject to analyse examples of human communication and to produce an essay on a selected communication topic.

Intended learning outcomes

At the completion of this subject, you will be able to:



  • define human communication and explain the different components (e.g. verbal, non-verbal, listening) that contribute to competent communication;
  • identify and discuss the components of communication across the lifespan – hearing, speech, language, voice, fluency and swallowing;
  • describe and evaluate the typical speech and language development of children from birth through to adolescence (including cognitive, pre-linguistic, phonological, morpho-syntactic, semantic, pragmatic and literacy development);
  • examine and explain the multiple determinants of communication skill development and maintenance across the lifespan;
  • understand and analyse the changes that occur to hearing, communication and swallowing with aging;
  • recognise, analyse and debate the diversity in communication skills across the lifespan due to individual differences, gender, cultural and linguistic diversity, and biological and social determinants; and
  • explain the components of the World Health Organisation’s ‘International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health’ (ICF, WHO, 2001) and apply the framework of the ICF (2001) and ICF-CY (2007) as relevant to speech pathology and clinical practice.

Generic skills

At the completion of this subject, you should be able to:

  • access knowledge from a variety of sources, and critically examine, synthesise and evaluate knowledge
  • think analytically and critically about relevant literature, including scientific research papers
  • develop and apply specialist in-depth knowledge to your ongoing learning, problem solving, decision making and clinical practice
  • work constructively, flexibly, collaboratively and respectfully with peers during class and group activities
  • demonstrate professional and academic written communication skills, including correct use of APA Style (6th Edition) and academic referencing in your written assignments
  • demonstrate excellent and effective interpersonal skills, and develop greater awareness of your own oral communication skills, enhanced by your learning about human communication within this subject

Last updated: 5 March 2024

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

All of

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
ANAT90011 Anatomy and Physiology
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
AUDI90027 Clinical Processes A
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
LING90033 Linguistics for Speech Pathology
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

Non-allowed subjects

None

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 5 March 2024

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

A report assignment to be submitted at the end of week 5

  • 1000 words
Week 520%

An essay to be submitted at the end of week 10

  • 2000 words
Week 1040%

A written examination

  • 2 hours
Hurdle requirement: Students must pass the written exam in order to pass the subject overall.		End of semester40%

Last updated: 5 March 2024

Dates & times

  • Semester 1
    CoordinatorYeptain Leung
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hours48 hours
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period26 February 2024 to 26 May 2024
    Last self-enrol date 8 March 2024
    Census date 3 April 2024
    Last date to withdraw without fail 3 May 2024
    Assessment period ends21 June 2024

    Semester 1 contact information

Time commitment details

170 hours

What do these dates mean

Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:

  • Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
  • And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
    - Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).

    Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.

Last updated: 5 March 2024

Further information

  • Texts

    Prescribed texts

    Nil

    Recommended texts and other resources

    Nil

  • Related Handbook entries

    This subject contributes to the following:

    TypeName
    CourseMaster of Speech Pathology

Last updated: 5 March 2024