Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Estela Valverde
Contact via estela.valverde@mq.edu.au
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Credit points |
Credit points
3
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Permission of Executive Dean of Faculty
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
In this unit students are required to individually research a particular subject under the guidance of a staff member of Spanish and Latin American Studies.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Late assignment policy:
As a general rule, extensions will not be granted without a valid and documented reason (e.g. medical certificate). Late submissions will be penalised by 5% for each day (including weekends) the assignment task is late.
Name | Weighting | Due |
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Preliminary work | 20% | End of week 5 |
Research presentation | 10% | Beginning week 9 |
Draft research paper | 30% | End of week 10 |
Final research paper | 40% | End of week 13 |
Due: End of week 5
Weighting: 20%
Preliminary work towards the final research paper includes a brief research proposal and a bibliographical literature review. The preliminary work will be marked by the supervisor alone.
Due: Beginning week 9
Weighting: 10%
Students enrolled in SPN300 will be expected to present their research projects to each other at the end of week 9. Final arrangements to facilitate this process will be made no later than week 8, and should facilitate the preparation of the first draft.
Due: End of week 10
Weighting: 30%
Students enrolled in this unit will have to produce a carefully articulated research paper of 5000 to 6000 words, written either in English or Spanish. The bibliography is not included in the word count. To gain an idea of what is expected, students may want to identify a published scholarly paper of the appropriate length that they find approachable, interesting and thought-provoking. The aim is to produce something similar. An advanced draft is to be submitted in week 10, taking into account feedback received in weeks 5 to 9. The draft will be marked by the supervisor.
Due: End of week 13
Weighting: 40%
The final submission (line spacing 1.5) will be marked by the supervisor and one other staff member in the Spanish and Latin American Studies programme. The following marking rubric will be used:
Fail
Pass
Credit
Distinction
High Distinction
Research question articulated
/10
Inadequately defined and unjustified
Adequately defined, not well justified
Reasonably well defined and reasonably well justified
Clearly defined and justified
Original, clearly defined and well justified
Argument/development of ideas
/20
The argument is unclear and the development of ideas is not logical. The lack of structure hinders comprehension of the main arguments of the essay.
Some flaws in development and flow of argument and ideas. Some structural flaws but the writing is generally structured in paragraphs and there is general coherence.
Reasonably clear and logical argument. Ideas reasonably well developed. Good structure.
Very clear and logical argument. Consistent flow and development of ideas. Very good structure.
Exceptionally clear, logical and original argument. Ideas clearly developed throughout the essay. Outstanding structure.
Evidence/Research
/20
Inadequate use of evidence, examples to support main argument.
Adequate used of evidence, examples to support the argument. Sometimes not successfully integrated into body of essay.
Reasonable use of evidence, examples to support argument, generally well integrated into body of essay.
Evidence and examples used very well to support argument and very well integrated into body of essay.
Original use of evidence and examples to support argument, expertly woven into essay.
Analysis/Conclusion
/20
Poor analysis of topic, research question not adequately answered, conclusion does not draw the strands of the essay together.
Adequate analysis, a conclusion that draws most strands of the essay together but lacks consistency.
Reasonably good analysis, some inconsistencies, a conclusion that generally draws the essay together linking the research question, argument and evidence.
Excellent analysis which demonstrates some critical thinking, a conclusion that draws the essay together linking the research question, argument and evidence.
Outstanding analysis which demonstrates independent critical thinking, a conclusion that expertly draws the essay together linking the research question, argument and evidence.
Writing style
/20
Incomprehensible.
Language impedes comprehension of argument.
Adequate use of language to discuss the argument. Grammatical and stylistic errors present but not to the degree to impede comprehension.
Reasonably good use of language to discuss the argument. Some grammatical and stylistic errors present but not to the degree to impede comprehension.
Very good use of language to discuss the argument. Generally correct but with some errors present.
Exceptional use of language to discuss the argument.
Referencing
/10
Little or no clear referencing used. Conventions of referencing not respected or very inconsistent. Insufficient bibliography for topic.
Limited range of bibliographical sources. Conventions of referencing generally respected with some errors or inconsistencies noted.
Variety of sources used. Conventions of referencing generally respected.
Relevant, very good quality bibliography with sufficiently wide range of sources listed, consistent referencing system used.
Excellent referencing, extensive, high quality bibliography demonstrating wide reading on topic, consistent referencing system used throughout the essay.
There are no scheduled classes in this unit. Meetings will be held weekly on a half hour basis.
Standard requirements apply. You are deemed to have regular computer and internet access to carry out the tasks associated with the research project. Computing skills required for this unit are limited to word processing skills and familiarity with the use of internet resources.
There are no scheduled classes in this unit. Regular contact with their supervisor (on average weekly for half an hour) will ensure that students remain focused on their chosen topic so their research activities (based on extensive reading) are concentrated on a deeper rather than wider level of knowledge. It is expected that students keep in regular contact via email with their supervisors for feedback and guidance.
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
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