Students

PLH 302 – Polish Research Option

2016 – S1 External

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor
Kamila Walker
Contact via 02 9850 7014
W6A.322
Tuesdays 12:00pm to 13:00pm
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Permission of Executive Dean of Faculty
Corequisites Corequisites
PLH324
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This distance education unit adopts an active research-based learning format and emphasizes skills and abilities in critical analytical reading, interpretive analysis, and research in the field of Polish studies. Students will devise and individually research their own topic under the supervision/guidance of a staff member from the Polish Studies program. The research topic must be approved by the unit convenor. Students will conduct extensive research and produce an essay of 5,000 words in Polish or 6,000 words in English. Topics can be chosen from the fields of Polish literature, language and culture.

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:

  • Understand and be able to describe the literary texts, and/or discuss a range of issues relating to history, language and culture in the field of Polish studies.
  • Ability to apply the understanding of Polish literature and/or cultural and linguistic knowledge to other forms of language study and textual analysis.
  • Ability to demonstrate critical, analytical and interpretive skills.
  • Ability to demonstrate research initiative in finding one’s own sources of information, in books and journals and on the internet.
  • Effectively communicate ideas by writing a well-informed, well-structured and well-expressed essay in line with the departmental conventions of referencing.
  • Conduct research in an efficient and timely manner.
  • Ability to effectively participate in online sessions, on campus sessions and associated activities.

General Assessment Information

Research essay will be assessed on the originality of approach to the question; quality of argument; extent of scholarly research and an effective incorporation of research material; correct and consistent method of acknowledging sources; expression and presentation.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Due
Detailed Research Essay Plan 30% Week 6
Final Research Essay 70% Week 14

Detailed Research Essay Plan

Due: Week 6
Weighting: 30%

Detailed Research Essay Plan


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand and be able to describe the literary texts, and/or discuss a range of issues relating to history, language and culture in the field of Polish studies.
  • Ability to demonstrate critical, analytical and interpretive skills.
  • Conduct research in an efficient and timely manner.
  • Ability to effectively participate in online sessions, on campus sessions and associated activities.

Final Research Essay

Due: Week 14
Weighting: 70%

Final Research Essay of 5,000 words in Polish or 6,000 words in English


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand and be able to describe the literary texts, and/or discuss a range of issues relating to history, language and culture in the field of Polish studies.
  • Ability to apply the understanding of Polish literature and/or cultural and linguistic knowledge to other forms of language study and textual analysis.
  • Ability to demonstrate critical, analytical and interpretive skills.
  • Ability to demonstrate research initiative in finding one’s own sources of information, in books and journals and on the internet.
  • Effectively communicate ideas by writing a well-informed, well-structured and well-expressed essay in line with the departmental conventions of referencing.
  • Conduct research in an efficient and timely manner.
  • Ability to effectively participate in online sessions, on campus sessions and associated activities.

Delivery and Resources

Classes

There are no classes in this unit.

Learning and Teaching Strategy

Students are required to devise their own research question on any aspect of literature, language or culture in the field of Polish studies, in consultation with the convenor.

Students should discuss their proposed research question with the convenor, and send a title together with a 2-3 sentence description outlining its focus, no later than Week 2 of the session. The convenor’s decision will be based on available staff expertise and will involve the appointment of an appropriate supervisor for the research project.

Students are expected to consult with their supervisor every fortnight to provide an update on progress and to seek guidance if required.

Resources

Relevant resources to the research topic should be located at the Macquarie Library and on the internet or other public libraries. Macquarie Library holds an extensive collection of monographs and journals, many of which are also available online. In exceptional circumstances, items can be obtained through interlibrary loan. For more information on the library and its print and on-line resources, see http://www.mq.edu.au/library.

Google Scholar (http://scholar.google.com), which can be accessed directly from Macquarie library, may be an appropriate starting point for the search of relevant literature, as other search engines are likely to return too many hits. An excessive number of hits on Google Scholar is generally indicative of a research topic which is too broad and must be narrowed down.

Please use your initiative and read widely when preparing your research essay. Start with a subject and keyword search on the Macquarie Library catalogue (e.g. ‘positivism’, ‘literary form’, ‘genre’), then search for your items and other useful sources within relevant texts. It may be appropriate to personalize your search by Resource Type, Publication Date, Collection, Language, Genre and so on. 

Technology used and required

Students are required to have regular access to a computer and the internet. Mobile devices alone are not sufficient.

Computing skills required for this unit are limited to word processing skills and familiarity with the access and use of internet resources.

Unit Schedule

There are no classes in this unit. Regular contact with their supervisor (on average fortnightly) will ensure that students remain focused on their chosen topic, and that their research activities (based on extensive reading) are concentrated on a deeper rather than wider level of knowledge.

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

New Assessment Policy in effect from Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html. For more information visit http://students.mq.edu.au/events/2016/07/19/new_assessment_policy_in_place_from_session_2/

Assessment Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html

Grading Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.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://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources 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 outcomes

  • Understand and be able to describe the literary texts, and/or discuss a range of issues relating to history, language and culture in the field of Polish studies.
  • Ability to apply the understanding of Polish literature and/or cultural and linguistic knowledge to other forms of language study and textual analysis.
  • Conduct research in an efficient and timely manner.

Assessment tasks

  • Detailed Research Essay Plan
  • Final Research Essay

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

  • Ability to apply the understanding of Polish literature and/or cultural and linguistic knowledge to other forms of language study and textual analysis.
  • Ability to demonstrate critical, analytical and interpretive skills.
  • Ability to demonstrate research initiative in finding one’s own sources of information, in books and journals and on the internet.
  • Effectively communicate ideas by writing a well-informed, well-structured and well-expressed essay in line with the departmental conventions of referencing.
  • Conduct research in an efficient and timely manner.

Assessment tasks

  • Detailed Research Essay Plan
  • Final Research 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

  • Understand and be able to describe the literary texts, and/or discuss a range of issues relating to history, language and culture in the field of Polish studies.
  • Ability to apply the understanding of Polish literature and/or cultural and linguistic knowledge to other forms of language study and textual analysis.
  • Ability to demonstrate critical, analytical and interpretive skills.
  • Ability to demonstrate research initiative in finding one’s own sources of information, in books and journals and on the internet.
  • Effectively communicate ideas by writing a well-informed, well-structured and well-expressed essay in line with the departmental conventions of referencing.
  • Conduct research in an efficient and timely manner.
  • Ability to effectively participate in online sessions, on campus sessions and associated activities.

Assessment tasks

  • Detailed Research Essay Plan
  • Final Research 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

  • Understand and be able to describe the literary texts, and/or discuss a range of issues relating to history, language and culture in the field of Polish studies.
  • Ability to apply the understanding of Polish literature and/or cultural and linguistic knowledge to other forms of language study and textual analysis.
  • Ability to demonstrate critical, analytical and interpretive skills.
  • Conduct research in an efficient and timely manner.

Assessment tasks

  • Detailed Research Essay Plan
  • Final Research 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

  • Understand and be able to describe the literary texts, and/or discuss a range of issues relating to history, language and culture in the field of Polish studies.
  • Ability to apply the understanding of Polish literature and/or cultural and linguistic knowledge to other forms of language study and textual analysis.
  • Ability to demonstrate critical, analytical and interpretive skills.
  • Conduct research in an efficient and timely manner.
  • Ability to effectively participate in online sessions, on campus sessions and associated activities.

Assessment tasks

  • Detailed Research Essay Plan
  • Final Research 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

  • Ability to apply the understanding of Polish literature and/or cultural and linguistic knowledge to other forms of language study and textual analysis.
  • Ability to demonstrate critical, analytical and interpretive skills.
  • Ability to demonstrate research initiative in finding one’s own sources of information, in books and journals and on the internet.
  • Conduct research in an efficient and timely manner.

Assessment tasks

  • Detailed Research Essay Plan
  • Final Research 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

  • Effectively communicate ideas by writing a well-informed, well-structured and well-expressed essay in line with the departmental conventions of referencing.
  • Conduct research in an efficient and timely manner.
  • Ability to effectively participate in online sessions, on campus sessions and associated activities.

Assessment tasks

  • Detailed Research Essay Plan
  • Final Research 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

  • Understand and be able to describe the literary texts, and/or discuss a range of issues relating to history, language and culture in the field of Polish studies.
  • Ability to apply the understanding of Polish literature and/or cultural and linguistic knowledge to other forms of language study and textual analysis.
  • Ability to demonstrate research initiative in finding one’s own sources of information, in books and journals and on the internet.
  • Effectively communicate ideas by writing a well-informed, well-structured and well-expressed essay in line with the departmental conventions of referencing.
  • Conduct research in an efficient and timely manner.
  • Ability to effectively participate in online sessions, on campus sessions and associated activities.

Assessment tasks

  • Detailed Research Essay Plan
  • Final Research 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

  • Understand and be able to describe the literary texts, and/or discuss a range of issues relating to history, language and culture in the field of Polish studies.
  • Ability to apply the understanding of Polish literature and/or cultural and linguistic knowledge to other forms of language study and textual analysis.
  • Ability to demonstrate research initiative in finding one’s own sources of information, in books and journals and on the internet.
  • Effectively communicate ideas by writing a well-informed, well-structured and well-expressed essay in line with the departmental conventions of referencing.
  • Conduct research in an efficient and timely manner.
  • Ability to effectively participate in online sessions, on campus sessions and associated activities.

Assessment tasks

  • Detailed Research Essay Plan
  • Final Research Essay