Unit Guide

General Information

Unit convenor and teaching staff	Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor Kirsten Davies kirsty.davies@mq.edu.au Contact via 9850 8334 W3A, Room 505 by appointment
Credit points	Credit points 3
Prerequisites	Prerequisites 39cp including (LAWS250 or LAWS260) and permission of Executive Dean of Faculty
Corequisites	Corequisites
Co-badged status	Co-badged status
Unit description	Unit description Students will interact directly with policy makers from Participation and Community Engagement (PACE) partner organisations drawn from a range of sectors including government, civil society and the private sector. Mentors from partner organisations will work with students on real world research projects that will feed into and support the innovation and reform work of the partner organisation. Mentors will also discuss with students the highlights and challenges of working in policy development and the leadership role that their organisation plays in working for progress and policy reform. Students will work in professionally oriented teams to meet the research needs of the partner organisation and will present the results of their research to their partner organisation and their peers for consideration and feedback. Please note that applications to undertake LAWS300 in Session 2 will close at the end of Week 5 in Session 1, 2015. No late applications can be accepted. For information on the application process please contact arts.pace@mq.edu.au.

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:

Engage in a professional and collaborative way with a PACE Partner Organisation on a research project, ensuring that the goals of the research project are understood and met to the greatest extent possible.
Engage in a respectful and collaborative way with other students, including other team members. Ensure that all team members have the opportunity to contribute to the work and the success of the team project.
Undertake a detailed assessment of the research question posed by your Partner Organisation, including the sources and resources required to investigate the question. Demonstrate targeted, thorough, comprehensively referenced and academically rigorous research and analysis in response to the question.
Examine a real world research question from a range of angles, including comparative and cross disciplinary approaches where appropriate. Apply theoretical knowledge to complex real world questions.
Communicate orally and in writing using clear language and an appropriate communication style.
Recognise and reflect on your own strengths and limitations in relation to your interpersonal skills and your ability to work effectively in a team.

General Assessment Information

This unit offers 2 internship options, A and B.

Option A internships- Students have placements in organisations external to MQ

Option B internships- Students have placements that are conducted internally at MQ, working with Ku-ring-gai Council

All assignments, with the exception of the host supervisors evaluation, are to be submitted via LAWS 300 iLearn site. Ensure that your assignment file is saved with your name and student number e.g: Davies40109872Assignment1. Also include your name and student and assignment numbers on the header for all assignments

Assessment Tasks

Name	Weighting	Due
Assignment 1 - Project plan	15%	Week 5, 5pm Friday
Assignment 2 - CV	15%	Week 7, Friday 5pm
Assignment 3- Project report	30%	Week 12, Friday 5pm
Host supervisors assessment	30%	Week 12, Friday 5pm
Participation	10%	all semester

Assignment 1 - Project plan

Due: Week 5, 5pm Friday
Weighting: 15%

Option A and B students: Your project plan is a one page (approx. 500 -750 words) description of your internship, where you will be and what you will be doing. Don’t forget to include your name and student number on your paper.

On successful completion you will be able to:

Engage in a professional and collaborative way with a PACE Partner Organisation on a research project, ensuring that the goals of the research project are understood and met to the greatest extent possible.
Undertake a detailed assessment of the research question posed by your Partner Organisation, including the sources and resources required to investigate the question. Demonstrate targeted, thorough, comprehensively referenced and academically rigorous research and analysis in response to the question.
Examine a real world research question from a range of angles, including comparative and cross disciplinary approaches where appropriate. Apply theoretical knowledge to complex real world questions.
Communicate orally and in writing using clear language and an appropriate communication style.

Assignment 2 - CV

Due: Week 7, Friday 5pm
Weighting: 15%

For this assignment you will be submitting your biography, CV and reflective notes following Week 1 and 2 career development workshops.

Option A and B students: Your biography will involve a half page summary of your experience and skills related to the key selection criteria for graduates (week 1). Your CV will be 2-3 pages and include (but not limited to) the required headings (Education, Employment/Experience, Extra Curricular Activities, Referees) with information described briefly in chronological order (most recent activities e.g 2015 first and then work back). Your reflective notes, attached to the end of your CV, will be a one page ( approx 500 -750 words ) description of what you changed in your CV as a result of your learnings from the unit (weeks 1 and 2). Your assignment will be graded on the presentation of your biography and CV (5%) and your reflective notes (10%)

On successful completion you will be able to:

Engage in a professional and collaborative way with a PACE Partner Organisation on a research project, ensuring that the goals of the research project are understood and met to the greatest extent possible.
Communicate orally and in writing using clear language and an appropriate communication style.
Recognise and reflect on your own strengths and limitations in relation to your interpersonal skills and your ability to work effectively in a team.

Assignment 3- Project report

Due: Week 12, Friday 5pm
Weighting: 30%

Option A students: This report will comprise 2 sections, a report on your activities (approx. 1,500 words) -20% and a reflective essay where you describe the strengths and challenges of your placement (approx. 1,000 words) – 10%. Option B students: Students will produce a group report and will receive a group mark (20%) but will still need to write individual reflective essays (approx. 1,000 words) – 10%.

On successful completion you will be able to:

Engage in a professional and collaborative way with a PACE Partner Organisation on a research project, ensuring that the goals of the research project are understood and met to the greatest extent possible.
Engage in a respectful and collaborative way with other students, including other team members. Ensure that all team members have the opportunity to contribute to the work and the success of the team project.
Undertake a detailed assessment of the research question posed by your Partner Organisation, including the sources and resources required to investigate the question. Demonstrate targeted, thorough, comprehensively referenced and academically rigorous research and analysis in response to the question.
Examine a real world research question from a range of angles, including comparative and cross disciplinary approaches where appropriate. Apply theoretical knowledge to complex real world questions.
Communicate orally and in writing using clear language and an appropriate communication style.
Recognise and reflect on your own strengths and limitations in relation to your interpersonal skills and your ability to work effectively in a team.

Host supervisors assessment

Due: Week 12, Friday 5pm
Weighting: 30%

Option A and B students: Host supervisors (in the case of option B students, this will be staff from Ku-ring-gai Council) will be required to complete an assessment of the student’s performance. This assessment will be completed on the template provided and emailed directly to the unit convenor Dr. Kirsten Davies E: kirsty.davies@mq.edu.au These assessments will not be available to students.

On successful completion you will be able to:

Engage in a professional and collaborative way with a PACE Partner Organisation on a research project, ensuring that the goals of the research project are understood and met to the greatest extent possible.
Engage in a respectful and collaborative way with other students, including other team members. Ensure that all team members have the opportunity to contribute to the work and the success of the team project.
Examine a real world research question from a range of angles, including comparative and cross disciplinary approaches where appropriate. Apply theoretical knowledge to complex real world questions.

Participation

Due: all semester
Weighting: 10%

Option A and B students: The convenor and tutor will attribute a grade accounting for 10% of the final grade at the end of the semester. This grade will be calculated by student’s workshop attendances, online group discussions, final presentations and general participation in the unit.

On successful completion you will be able to:

Engage in a professional and collaborative way with a PACE Partner Organisation on a research project, ensuring that the goals of the research project are understood and met to the greatest extent possible.
Engage in a respectful and collaborative way with other students, including other team members. Ensure that all team members have the opportunity to contribute to the work and the success of the team project.
Examine a real world research question from a range of angles, including comparative and cross disciplinary approaches where appropriate. Apply theoretical knowledge to complex real world questions.
Communicate orally and in writing using clear language and an appropriate communication style.

Delivery and Resources

PACE

LAWS 300 Students will interact directly with policy makers from Participation and Community Engagement (PACE) partner organisations drawn from a range of sectors including government, civil society and the private sector. Mentors from partner organisations will work with students on real world research projects that will feed into and support the innovation and reform work of the partner organisation. Mentors will also discuss with students the highlights and challenges of working in policy development and the leadership role that their organisation plays in working for progress and policy reform. Students will work in professionally oriented teams to meet the research needs of the partner organisation and will present the results of their research to their partner organisation and their peers for consideration and feedback.

Option A internships

Your objective is to find a PACE activity/internship with a partner organisation where you will work on a research project that will feed into and support the innovation and reform work of the partner organisation.The partner organisation can be drawn from a range of sectors including government, civil society and the private sector. In planning your internship, you should ensure that the project experience meets the learning outcomes of the unit. PACE in Arts opportunities webpage (see link below) covers a range of Arts PACE units. As a starting point, you can review this list and research these opportunities and organisations to ensure they are good fit for you and align with the learning outcomes of LAWS300. http://arts.mq.edu.au/current_students/undergraduate/pace/opportunities. It is recommended to aim for an organisation that meets your interest and studies and that you would love to work with in the future. Your internship will provide you with opportunities to build networks and experience in the type of work you are interested in. Please check PACE Tips & Advice page to finding your own PACE Activity/Internship. http://arts.mq.edu.au/current_students/undergraduate/pace/pace_for_students/tips_and_advice

Option B internships

Students will be working on-campus with Ku-ring-gai Council on one of the following three projects: Project 1: Pool to Pond Council’s Pool to Pond program facilitates the conversion of unused swimming pools into ponds, by supplying native fish, aquatic plants and technical advice for the conversion, to promote urban biodiversity in the Ku-ring-gai Local Government Are (LGA) Research questions: What is the legal status of swimming pools converted to ‘ponds’ under the ‘Pool to Pond’ program? Does the legal status of a swimming pool remain regardless of the fact the facility is now a pond whose purpose is biodiversity conservation rather human recreation? Please investigate and provide a report on your findings. Contact: Peter Clarke Project 2: 10/50 Rule On 1 August 2014 the NSW Government announced the commencement of the 10/50 Vegetation Clearing legislation and Code of Practice (the 10/50 Code), in accordance with section 100Q of the Rural Fires Amendment (Vegetation Clearing) Bill 2014.Council believes the 10/50 Code is fundamentally flawed, and is causing irrevocable environmental damage to the Ku-ring-gai Local Government Area (LGA) for little gain in a reduction in bushfire risk for the community. Research questions: What is the difference (if any) between the aims and objectives of the 10/50 rule and the reality of the outcomes? What have been the unintended outcomes in the Ku-ring-gai Local Government Area (LGA) and can they be quantified? Please investigate and provide a report on your findings. Contact: Marnie Kikken Project 3: Climate Wise Communities Council’s Climate Wise Communities program aims to build community resilience to the impacts of climate change (particularly extreme weather events). Part of the project is to investigate the feasibility of developing a community network in Ku-ring-gai to respond to extreme weather events. Research questions: Are there any case studies available that show how local community members / groups have worked together to increase the resilience of each resident to extreme weather events such as extreme heat, prolonged drought, bushfire emergency or major storms? Are there any examples of successful community volunteer / community network models that could be applied to the Climate Wise Communities project? Please investigate and provide a report on your findings. Contact: Jenny Scott

Unit Schedule

Option A internships: Students have placements in organisations external to MQ.

Option B internships: Students have placements conducted at MQ, working with Ku-ring-gai Council.

Option A - Students are required to attend three on campus workshops in week 1, 2 and 12, Wednesdays 11am – 1pm. These sessions will be located in W2.4A 2.300 Active Learning Space.

Option B - Students are required to attend all campus workshops from week 1 through to week 12, Wednesdays 11a.m – 1 pm. These sessions will be located in W2.4A 2.300 Active Learning Space.

Week and date	Activity	Attendance Required by:	Notes & assignments
Week 1	-Welcome and outline of the unit and its activities -PACE staff to meet students and outline PACE requirements and support -Tania Currie to commence working with students on their biographies and Cvs	Option A and B students	Tania Currie - careers section (1hr) Making the most of your LAW300 experience (15mins) will introduce employer graduate selection criteria here Resume/Cover letter guidelines (will link to biography) and workshop (45mins) students to complete the pre survey that will be emailed to them the week before commencement of semester * students to bring in their own resume to work on
Week 2	Tania Currie to work with students re preparing for the workforce e.g. networking, interview techniques	Option A and B students	Tania Currie- careers section (1hr) The importance of networking (15mins) (will link to biography component of Assign 2) Interview techniques and STAR exercise (45 mins)
Week 3	Ku-ring-gai Council (KC) to brief students on projects	Option B students
Week 4	Option B students to work on KC projects in groups	Option B students
Week 5	Option B students to work on KC projects in groups	Option B students	Assignment 1- Project plan – week 5 submit Friday 5 pm – 15%
Week 6	Option B students to work on KC projects in groups	Option B students
Week 7	Option B students to work on KC projects in groups	Option B students	Assignment 2 - Biography, CV and reflective notes - week 7 submit, Friday by 5 pm – 15%
Week 8	Option B students to work on KC projects in groups	Option B students
Week 9	Option B students to work on KC projects in groups	Option B students
Week 10	Option B students to work on KC projects in groups	Option B students
Week 11	Option B Students to present to Ku-ring-gai Council projects	Option B students	Tania Currie- 5 min wrap up on career and skills reflection
Week 12	Option A students to share their internship experiences ( briefly and informally, no PPP, with the class) Generally discussion of the unit, what students enjoyed, what was challenging.	Option A and B students	Tania Currie- 5 min wrap up on career and skills reflection Assignment 3- Project report, including reflections – week 12 submit by Friday , 5 pm- 30% Host supervisors assessment – week 12- by Friday - 30% Participation grade – 10% ** Students to complete post survey

Learning and Teaching Activities

Learning and Teaching support

Learning Skills: http://www.students.mq.edu.au/support/learning_skills/ provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study. For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

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/

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.

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

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 outcome

Engage in a professional and collaborative way with a PACE Partner Organisation on a research project, ensuring that the goals of the research project are understood and met to the greatest extent possible.

Assessment tasks

Assignment 1 - Project plan
Assignment 2 - CV
Assignment 3- Project report
Host supervisors assessment
Participation

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 outcome

Recognise and reflect on your own strengths and limitations in relation to your interpersonal skills and your ability to work effectively in a team.

Assessment tasks

Assignment 2 - CV
Assignment 3- Project report

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 outcome

Recognise and reflect on your own strengths and limitations in relation to your interpersonal skills and your ability to work effectively in a team.

Assessment tasks

Assignment 2 - CV
Assignment 3- Project report

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

Undertake a detailed assessment of the research question posed by your Partner Organisation, including the sources and resources required to investigate the question. Demonstrate targeted, thorough, comprehensively referenced and academically rigorous research and analysis in response to the question.
Examine a real world research question from a range of angles, including comparative and cross disciplinary approaches where appropriate. Apply theoretical knowledge to complex real world questions.

Assessment tasks

Assignment 1 - Project plan
Assignment 3- Project report
Host supervisors assessment
Participation

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

Engage in a professional and collaborative way with a PACE Partner Organisation on a research project, ensuring that the goals of the research project are understood and met to the greatest extent possible.
Undertake a detailed assessment of the research question posed by your Partner Organisation, including the sources and resources required to investigate the question. Demonstrate targeted, thorough, comprehensively referenced and academically rigorous research and analysis in response to the question.
Examine a real world research question from a range of angles, including comparative and cross disciplinary approaches where appropriate. Apply theoretical knowledge to complex real world questions.

Assessment tasks

Assignment 1 - Project plan
Assignment 2 - CV
Assignment 3- Project report
Host supervisors assessment
Participation

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

Engage in a professional and collaborative way with a PACE Partner Organisation on a research project, ensuring that the goals of the research project are understood and met to the greatest extent possible.
Undertake a detailed assessment of the research question posed by your Partner Organisation, including the sources and resources required to investigate the question. Demonstrate targeted, thorough, comprehensively referenced and academically rigorous research and analysis in response to the question.
Examine a real world research question from a range of angles, including comparative and cross disciplinary approaches where appropriate. Apply theoretical knowledge to complex real world questions.

Assessment tasks

Assignment 1 - Project plan
Assignment 2 - CV
Assignment 3- Project report
Host supervisors assessment
Participation

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

Engage in a professional and collaborative way with a PACE Partner Organisation on a research project, ensuring that the goals of the research project are understood and met to the greatest extent possible.
Engage in a respectful and collaborative way with other students, including other team members. Ensure that all team members have the opportunity to contribute to the work and the success of the team project.
Communicate orally and in writing using clear language and an appropriate communication style.

Assessment tasks

Assignment 1 - Project plan
Assignment 2 - CV
Assignment 3- Project report
Host supervisors assessment
Participation

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 outcome

Engage in a respectful and collaborative way with other students, including other team members. Ensure that all team members have the opportunity to contribute to the work and the success of the team project.

Assessment tasks

Assignment 3- Project report
Host supervisors assessment
Participation