Students
ACSH100 – Academic Communication in the Social Sciences and Humanities
2014 – S2 Day
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Margaret Wood
convenor
Maria Herke
Maria Herke
Tutor
Dana Skopal
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
3
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit is designed to support students in their transition to university by enabling them to understand and achieve standards of performance required in an academic environment. The unit provides a three-level focus which is initiated by supporting the development of academic practices, behaviours and values. Secondly, it fosters a level of familiarity with the disciplinary language, texts and conventions used when studying in programs offered by the Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Human Sciences. Finally, it raises an awareness of the diverse perspectives offered by disciplines and the different contributions they can make to solving problems and addressing issues of concern in contemporary society. Learning and assessment activities are designed to build the capacity for independent and collaborative approaches to learning. Students are guided to develop their capacity for reading, thinking and expressing ideas effectively and critically.
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Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- Read efficiently to gather specific information and ideas from discipline-specific sources.
- Demonstrate an ability to interpret and apply concepts from sources used in the discipline.
- Analyse the purpose, language and features of academic, disciplinary and professional genres.
- Critically evaluate information and ideas from academic, disciplinary and professional sources.
- Express ideas using appropriate language and structure for academic and professional purposes in written and/or oral texts.
- Apply academic referencing conventions accurately and appropriately.
- Apply reasoning to formulate and support a position or argument.
- Plan and produce texts to reflect academic and disciplinary standards.
- Engage in independent and collaborative learning activities.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Annotated Bibliography | 15% | Week 5 |
| Group Presentation | 15% | Week 7 |
| Literature Review + News Page | 35% | Week 10 |
| Persuasive Essay | 35% | November 21, 2014 |
Annotated Bibliography
Due: Week 5
Weighting: 15%
As part of a four-stage portfolio, students will be placed in groups and assigned a topic examining a social inclusion issue through the lens of human sciences and the humanities. This task requires students to critically read and evaluate a discipline-specific text related to the assigned topic. Each student is required to read one (1) relevant text and write an annotation, identifying the salient points, key statistics and points of reliability for why the article is a valid resource in the academic community.
N.B. Draft submission is due in the tutorial in Week 4; Formal submission is due through Turnitin and hardcopy to the Faculty of Human Sciences Undergraduate Student Office in Week 5
(500 words)
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Read efficiently to gather specific information and ideas from discipline-specific sources.
- Demonstrate an ability to interpret and apply concepts from sources used in the discipline.
- Analyse the purpose, language and features of academic, disciplinary and professional genres.
- Critically evaluate information and ideas from academic, disciplinary and professional sources.
- Express ideas using appropriate language and structure for academic and professional purposes in written and/or oral texts.
- Apply academic referencing conventions accurately and appropriately.
Group Presentation
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 15%
Group Presentation (Portfolio Part 2)
The Oral Presentation builds on the information synthesised in the Annotated Bibliography. Students organise information related to their topics and collaborate to produce a coherent, multi-dimensional informative report on the topic, evaluating the situation and presenting insightful recommendations to respond to a salient issue within the topic area.
Student presentations will demonstrate an ability to collaborate effectively to identify issues and problem-solve solutions. Each group member will deliver a 5-minute portion of the presentation followed by a 5-10 minute Q&A session in which the presenters will actively respond to audience enquiry. Students who are functioning as the “audience” of a given presentation will be required to complete a “Question Development Worksheet” and will be assessed on their ability to formulate probing questions relevant to their peer’s presentations.
Note: Presentations will include illustrative Tables and/or Figures to support the content of the presentation. Each presentation must include at least one original data diagram (Figure or Table) and at least one borrowed data diagram. Each data diagram will be presented with a coherent data commentary to explain the content and its relevance to the issue being presented.
In the presentation (PPT), students are required to reference at least four (4) sources and demonstrate the ability to synthesise
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Read efficiently to gather specific information and ideas from discipline-specific sources.
- Demonstrate an ability to interpret and apply concepts from sources used in the discipline.
- Analyse the purpose, language and features of academic, disciplinary and professional genres.
- Critically evaluate information and ideas from academic, disciplinary and professional sources.
- Express ideas using appropriate language and structure for academic and professional purposes in written and/or oral texts.
- Apply academic referencing conventions accurately and appropriately.
- Apply reasoning to formulate and support a position or argument.
- Plan and produce texts to reflect academic and disciplinary standards.
- Engage in independent and collaborative learning activities.
Literature Review + News Page
Due: Week 10
Weighting: 35%
Literature Review & News Page (Portfolio Part 3)
The Literature review will describe and discuss literature (i.e. articles, chapters, reports, etc.) relevant to the assigned social inclusion issue. It will expertly integrate the salient arguments and supporting evidence to present the critical points of knowledge relevant to the issue, including pertinent descriptions, statistics, perspectives (e.g. opposing theories for approaching the issue), related programs (and their impact) and general discussion of the core issue.
Students are required to reference at least four (4) sources outside the course material and demonstrate the ability to synthesise information and varying perspectives on a certain aspect of the social inclusion issue. The prescribed format will replicate the literature review examined in class. (1200 words)
The News Page will present the key points from the literature review as a newsletter page intended for a web-based newsletter. Since the News Page will be written for a general audience (rather than an academic audience), it will highlight the need to adjust language when communicating to different audiences. (400-500 words).
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Read efficiently to gather specific information and ideas from discipline-specific sources.
- Demonstrate an ability to interpret and apply concepts from sources used in the discipline.
- Analyse the purpose, language and features of academic, disciplinary and professional genres.
- Critically evaluate information and ideas from academic, disciplinary and professional sources.
- Express ideas using appropriate language and structure for academic and professional purposes in written and/or oral texts.
- Apply academic referencing conventions accurately and appropriately.
- Apply reasoning to formulate and support a position or argument.
- Plan and produce texts to reflect academic and disciplinary standards.
- Engage in independent and collaborative learning activities.
Persuasive Essay
Due: November 21, 2014
Weighting: 35%
The Persuasive essay will identify a recommendation in response to the social inclusion issue topic and develop a thesis to argue for this recommendation. The argument essay outlines the key arguments supporting a central thesis, referencing relevant evidence to support each argument before reiterating and reinforcing the thesis through a summary of salient arguments.
In the argument essay students are required to reference at least eight (8) sources and demonstrate the ability to synthesise information and views from a variety of perspectives to produce a coherent, well-supported recommendation. (1200 words)
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Read efficiently to gather specific information and ideas from discipline-specific sources.
- Demonstrate an ability to interpret and apply concepts from sources used in the discipline.
- Analyse the purpose, language and features of academic, disciplinary and professional genres.
- Critically evaluate information and ideas from academic, disciplinary and professional sources.
- Express ideas using appropriate language and structure for academic and professional purposes in written and/or oral texts.
- Apply academic referencing conventions accurately and appropriately.
- Apply reasoning to formulate and support a position or argument.
- Plan and produce texts to reflect academic and disciplinary standards.
- Engage in independent and collaborative learning activities.
Delivery and Resources
The learning and teaching strategies used in this Unit are weekly lectures with ECHO recordings (accessed through the unit’s iLearn site on request), discussions and assigned research and reading tasks.
It is expected that students in this unit will participate in individual and collaborative learning tasks such as working in groups and completing assigned preparation tasks. Students are also expected to complete preparation activities prior to tutorials.
Course content will be supplemented with course readings. Students are responsible for accessing and printing all assigned reading materials.
Prescribed Text:
Brick, J, 2011, Academic culture: A student’s guide to studying at university, 2nd ed., MacMillan, Sydney.
Unit Webpage
ACSH100 will provide resources via iLearn including lecture and tutorial materials and follow-up activities.
Copies of the Unit Guide and Assessment tasks are also available on this site.
Policies and Procedures
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.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
IT Help
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.
Graduate Capabilities
Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative
We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Read efficiently to gather specific information and ideas from discipline-specific sources.
- Demonstrate an ability to interpret and apply concepts from sources used in the discipline.
- Analyse the purpose, language and features of academic, disciplinary and professional genres.
- Critically evaluate information and ideas from academic, disciplinary and professional sources.
- Express ideas using appropriate language and structure for academic and professional purposes in written and/or oral texts.
- Apply academic referencing conventions accurately and appropriately.
- Apply reasoning to formulate and support a position or argument.
- Plan and produce texts to reflect academic and disciplinary standards.
- Engage in independent and collaborative learning activities.
Assessment tasks
- Annotated Bibliography
- Group Presentation
- Literature Review + News Page
- Persuasive Essay
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Read efficiently to gather specific information and ideas from discipline-specific sources.
- Demonstrate an ability to interpret and apply concepts from sources used in the discipline.
- Analyse the purpose, language and features of academic, disciplinary and professional genres.
- Critically evaluate information and ideas from academic, disciplinary and professional sources.
- Express ideas using appropriate language and structure for academic and professional purposes in written and/or oral texts.
- Apply academic referencing conventions accurately and appropriately.
- Apply reasoning to formulate and support a position or argument.
- Plan and produce texts to reflect academic and disciplinary standards.
- Engage in independent and collaborative learning activities.
Assessment tasks
- Annotated Bibliography
- Group Presentation
- Literature Review + News Page
- Persuasive Essay
Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills
Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Read efficiently to gather specific information and ideas from discipline-specific sources.
- Demonstrate an ability to interpret and apply concepts from sources used in the discipline.
- Analyse the purpose, language and features of academic, disciplinary and professional genres.
- Critically evaluate information and ideas from academic, disciplinary and professional sources.
- Express ideas using appropriate language and structure for academic and professional purposes in written and/or oral texts.
- Apply academic referencing conventions accurately and appropriately.
- Apply reasoning to formulate and support a position or argument.
- Plan and produce texts to reflect academic and disciplinary standards.
- Engage in independent and collaborative learning activities.
Assessment tasks
- Annotated Bibliography
- Group Presentation
- Literature Review + News Page
- Persuasive Essay
Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking
We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Read efficiently to gather specific information and ideas from discipline-specific sources.
- Demonstrate an ability to interpret and apply concepts from sources used in the discipline.
- Analyse the purpose, language and features of academic, disciplinary and professional genres.
- Critically evaluate information and ideas from academic, disciplinary and professional sources.
- Express ideas using appropriate language and structure for academic and professional purposes in written and/or oral texts.
- Apply academic referencing conventions accurately and appropriately.
- Apply reasoning to formulate and support a position or argument.
- Plan and produce texts to reflect academic and disciplinary standards.
- Engage in independent and collaborative learning activities.
Assessment tasks
- Annotated Bibliography
- Group Presentation
- Literature Review + News Page
- Persuasive Essay
Problem Solving and Research Capability
Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Read efficiently to gather specific information and ideas from discipline-specific sources.
- Demonstrate an ability to interpret and apply concepts from sources used in the discipline.
- Analyse the purpose, language and features of academic, disciplinary and professional genres.
- Critically evaluate information and ideas from academic, disciplinary and professional sources.
- Apply academic referencing conventions accurately and appropriately.
- Apply reasoning to formulate and support a position or argument.
- Plan and produce texts to reflect academic and disciplinary standards.
- Engage in independent and collaborative learning activities.
Assessment tasks
- Annotated Bibliography
- Group Presentation
- Literature Review + News Page
- Persuasive Essay
Creative and Innovative
Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Demonstrate an ability to interpret and apply concepts from sources used in the discipline.
- Analyse the purpose, language and features of academic, disciplinary and professional genres.
- Express ideas using appropriate language and structure for academic and professional purposes in written and/or oral texts.
- Apply reasoning to formulate and support a position or argument.
- Plan and produce texts to reflect academic and disciplinary standards.
- Engage in independent and collaborative learning activities.
Assessment tasks
- Group Presentation
- Literature Review + News Page
- Persuasive Essay
Effective Communication
We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Demonstrate an ability to interpret and apply concepts from sources used in the discipline.
- Analyse the purpose, language and features of academic, disciplinary and professional genres.
- Express ideas using appropriate language and structure for academic and professional purposes in written and/or oral texts.
- Apply academic referencing conventions accurately and appropriately.
- Apply reasoning to formulate and support a position or argument.
- Plan and produce texts to reflect academic and disciplinary standards.
- Engage in independent and collaborative learning activities.
Assessment tasks
- Annotated Bibliography
- Group Presentation
- Literature Review + News Page
- Persuasive Essay
Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens
As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Read efficiently to gather specific information and ideas from discipline-specific sources.
- Demonstrate an ability to interpret and apply concepts from sources used in the discipline.
- Analyse the purpose, language and features of academic, disciplinary and professional genres.
- Critically evaluate information and ideas from academic, disciplinary and professional sources.
- Express ideas using appropriate language and structure for academic and professional purposes in written and/or oral texts.
- Apply reasoning to formulate and support a position or argument.
- Plan and produce texts to reflect academic and disciplinary standards.
- Engage in independent and collaborative learning activities.
Assessment tasks
- Group Presentation
- Literature Review + News Page
- Persuasive Essay
Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible
We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Read efficiently to gather specific information and ideas from discipline-specific sources.
- Demonstrate an ability to interpret and apply concepts from sources used in the discipline.
- Analyse the purpose, language and features of academic, disciplinary and professional genres.
- Critically evaluate information and ideas from academic, disciplinary and professional sources.
- Express ideas using appropriate language and structure for academic and professional purposes in written and/or oral texts.
- Apply reasoning to formulate and support a position or argument.
- Plan and produce texts to reflect academic and disciplinary standards.
- Engage in independent and collaborative learning activities.
Assessment tasks
- Annotated Bibliography
- Group Presentation
- Literature Review + News Page
- Persuasive Essay