Students

PICT847 – Supervised Project in Security Studies

2017 – S2 Evening

General Information

Download as PDF
Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Andrew Tan
Contact via 98506898
Department of Security Studies and Criminology, Level 2, Hearing Hub
By email appointment: andrew.tan@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MCrimMPICT or MCPICT or PGDipPICT or GradDipPICT or GradDipCPICT or MPICTMIntSecSt or MCPICTMIntSecSt or MIntSecStud or GradDipIntSecStud and 12cp and permission by special approval
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit gives students the opportunity to engage in the composition of a 6000 word self-directed research project, under the supervision of a subject area expert. This unit will necessitate students to thoroughly engage with the existing research on their topic, using it as a stepping-stone in developing their own research skills. Students will be mentored and trained on how to devise a research questions, translate this question into a set of research tasks, synthesise an appropriate methodological framework, conduct a literature review, collect data, and write up the result of their research as a coherent long research essay. This research relies on utilizing academic secondary sources and does not require original empirical work.

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:

  • Develop detailed knowledge of a chosen field from a critical assessment of established academic scholarship.
  • Evaluate evidence / data in line with a chosen theoretical or practical model in order to logically and rationally test a research hypothesis.
  • Develop research, time management and academic writing skills in order to design and deliver one major scholarly research project in conjunction with close supervision from an academic mentor.
  • Incorporate ongoing feedback from draft submissions into a final cogent written research submission.

General Assessment Information

SUBMITTING ASSESSMENT TASKS

  • All text-based assessment tasks are to be submitted, marked and returned electronically.  This will only happen through the unit iLearn site. 
  • Assessment tasks must be submitted as a MS word document by the due date.
  • Most assessment tasks will be subject to a 'TurnitIn' review as an automatic part of the submission process.
  • The granting of extensions is subject to the university’s Disruptions Policy. Extensions will not in normal circumstances be granted by unit conveners or tutors, but must be lodged through Disruption to Study: http://www.students.mq.edu.au/student_admin/manage_your_study_program/disruption_to_studies/

 

 

 

LATE SUBMISSION OF ASSESSMENT TASKS

  • If an assignment is submitted late, 5% of the available mark will be deducted for each day (including weekends) the paper is late.
  • For example, if a paper is worth 20 marks, 1 mark will be deducted from the grade given for each day that it is late (i.e. a student given 15/20 who submitted 4 days late will lose 4 marks = 11/20).
  • The same principle applies if an extension is granted and the assignment is submitted later than the amended date.

 

 

WORD LIMITS FOR ASSESSMENT TASKS

  • Stated word limits include footnotes and footnoted references, but not bibliography, or title page.
  • Word limits can generally deviate by 10% either over or under the stated figure.
  • If the number of words exceeds the limit by more than 10%, then penalties will apply. These penalties are 5% of the awarded mark for every 100 words over the word limit. If a paper is 300 words over, for instance, it will lose 3 x 5% = 15% of the total mark awarded for the assignment. This percentage is taken off the total mark, i.e. if a paper was graded at a credit (65%) and was 300 words over, it would be reduced by 15 marks to a pass (50%).
  • The application of this penalty is at the discretion of the course convener.

 

REASSESSMENT OF ASSIGNMENTS DURING THE SEMESTER

 

 

 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Research Proposal 20% No 18/08/2017
Research Essay Plan 10% No 08/09/2017
Research Essay 70% No 10/11/2017

Research Proposal

Due: 18/08/2017
Weighting: 20%

Detailed information about this assessment task can be found on the iLearn site for this unit.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Develop detailed knowledge of a chosen field from a critical assessment of established academic scholarship.
  • Incorporate ongoing feedback from draft submissions into a final cogent written research submission.

Research Essay Plan

Due: 08/09/2017
Weighting: 10%

Detailed information about this assessment task can be found on the iLearn site for this unit.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Develop detailed knowledge of a chosen field from a critical assessment of established academic scholarship.
  • Incorporate ongoing feedback from draft submissions into a final cogent written research submission.

Research Essay

Due: 10/11/2017
Weighting: 70%

Detailed information about this assessment task can be found on the iLearn site for this unit.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Develop detailed knowledge of a chosen field from a critical assessment of established academic scholarship.
  • Evaluate evidence / data in line with a chosen theoretical or practical model in order to logically and rationally test a research hypothesis.
  • Develop research, time management and academic writing skills in order to design and deliver one major scholarly research project in conjunction with close supervision from an academic mentor.
  • Incorporate ongoing feedback from draft submissions into a final cogent written research submission.

Delivery and Resources

UNIT REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS

  • You should spend an average of 12 hours per week on this unit. This includes listening to lectures prior to seminar or tutorial, reading weekly required materials as detailed in iLearn, participating in Ilearn discussion forums and preparing assessments.
  • Internal students are expected to attend all seminar or tutorial sessions, and external students are expected to make significant contributions to on-line activities.
  • In most cases students are required to attempt and submit all major assessment tasks in order to pass the unit.

 

REQUIRED READINGS

  • The citations for all the required readings for this unit are available to enrolled students through the unit iLearn site, and at Macquarie University's library site.  Electronic copies of required readings may be accessed through the library or will be made available by other means.

 

TECHNOLOGY USED AND REQUIRED

  • Computer and internet access are essential for this unit. Basic computer skills and skills in word processing are also a requirement.
  • This unit has an online presence. Login is via: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/
  • Students are required to have regular access to a computer and the internet. Mobile devices alone are not sufficient.
  • Information about IT used at Macquarie University is available at  http://students.mq.edu.au/it_services/

 

STAFF AVAILABILITY

  • Department staff will endeavour to answer student enquiries in a timely manner. However, emails or iLearn messages will not usually be answered over the weekend or public holiday period.
  • Students are encouraged to read the Unit Guide and look at instructions posted on the iLearn site before sending email requests to staff.

 

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_2016.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 (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html

Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration

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

PG - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative

Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Develop detailed knowledge of a chosen field from a critical assessment of established academic scholarship.
  • Evaluate evidence / data in line with a chosen theoretical or practical model in order to logically and rationally test a research hypothesis.
  • Develop research, time management and academic writing skills in order to design and deliver one major scholarly research project in conjunction with close supervision from an academic mentor.
  • Incorporate ongoing feedback from draft submissions into a final cogent written research submission.

Assessment tasks

  • Research Proposal
  • Research Essay Plan
  • Research Essay

PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills

Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Develop detailed knowledge of a chosen field from a critical assessment of established academic scholarship.
  • Develop research, time management and academic writing skills in order to design and deliver one major scholarly research project in conjunction with close supervision from an academic mentor.
  • Incorporate ongoing feedback from draft submissions into a final cogent written research submission.

Assessment tasks

  • Research Proposal
  • Research Essay Plan
  • Research Essay

PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Develop detailed knowledge of a chosen field from a critical assessment of established academic scholarship.
  • Evaluate evidence / data in line with a chosen theoretical or practical model in order to logically and rationally test a research hypothesis.

Assessment tasks

  • Research Proposal
  • Research Essay Plan
  • Research Essay

PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability

Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Evaluate evidence / data in line with a chosen theoretical or practical model in order to logically and rationally test a research hypothesis.
  • Develop research, time management and academic writing skills in order to design and deliver one major scholarly research project in conjunction with close supervision from an academic mentor.

Assessment task

  • Research Essay

PG - Effective Communication

Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Develop detailed knowledge of a chosen field from a critical assessment of established academic scholarship.
  • Evaluate evidence / data in line with a chosen theoretical or practical model in order to logically and rationally test a research hypothesis.
  • Develop research, time management and academic writing skills in order to design and deliver one major scholarly research project in conjunction with close supervision from an academic mentor.
  • Incorporate ongoing feedback from draft submissions into a final cogent written research submission.

Assessment tasks

  • Research Proposal
  • Research Essay Plan
  • Research Essay

PG - Engaged and Responsible, Active and Ethical Citizens

Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Develop detailed knowledge of a chosen field from a critical assessment of established academic scholarship.
  • Develop research, time management and academic writing skills in order to design and deliver one major scholarly research project in conjunction with close supervision from an academic mentor.
  • Incorporate ongoing feedback from draft submissions into a final cogent written research submission.

Assessment tasks

  • Research Proposal
  • Research Essay Plan
  • Research Essay