Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Course Convenor
Sandey Fitzgerald
OUA Coordinator MHPIR
Matthew Bailey
Lorna Barrow
Lorna Barrow
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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 builds on the diversity of earlier units in the discipline by inviting students to research and write an essay on a topic explored in earlier study that they wish to spend more time on. They will engage in workshopping their ideas as they work through the research process and will contribute to the work of others by engaging in constructive discussion. The unit concludes with a reflective analysis of their own study practices. Emphasis is placed on the ability to form reasoned arguments and to present findings to a critical audience.
All enrolment queries should be directed to Open Universities Australia (OUA): see www.open.edu.au
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.open.edu.au/student-admin-and-support/key-dates/
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
This unit is a capstone unit and is required for those undertaking a major in politics. It is designed to allow students to integrate their studies in a single major project. It is also available to students generally who wish to undertake a 300 Level Politics unit, but these students should have completed the equivalent of three 300-level units at least one of which should be a Politics or International Relations unit at 300 level.
In all cases the Unit requires students to continue study in an area they have previously explored in a Politics or International Relations unit at 200 or 300 level. The aim of the unit is to build on these earlier units. Students will be asked to specify what this area is in the first week of the course.
Areas available for further exploration in this unit:
Within the areas listed above, your chosen topic should be drawn from a unit you have studied before and should represent a continuing concern with issues that you feel you did not address to a satisfactory conclusion in that unit. Your essay must nevertheless be new and original and must not reproduce work done before.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This course is a high-pressure course, with a number of early deadlines, particularly in Weeks 1 and 3.
You should enter this unit with an area of study already in mind, some understanding of the key literatures relating to that area already in place, and some understanding of why you think further exploration would be worthwhile. You will be required to articulate this to other students in an assessable workshop and question-building game and come up with a workable research question by the end of Week 1. Students are not required to have done any more than this on their project by Week 1, but if they have, they will still have to go through the formulation process. The course is as much about how to approach and manage a research project in a constrained time period as it is about producing a major essay.
A key requirement of this unit is the production of a well-written and fully referenced 3500-4000 word research essay in response to an original research question workshopped in the first week of the unit and developed through the course of the minor assessments. You will be assessed on your ability to meet the early requirements of the unit as well as develop a logical, consistent and complex argument and a strong critical analysis demonstrating your sound knowledge of the chosen topic, your ability to use relevant sources, and properly reference these sources, and your ability to produce a well-structured essay using correct English expression and style.
You must allow sufficient time to write a number of drafts and for scrupulous editing before final submission. You will be offered the opportunity to submit a draft of your thesis to your tutor for review three weeks before final submission. If possible, you should also aim to have someone else read over your work before submission.
Students who will be unable to meet the Week 1 requirements because of commitments from the previous SP or other commitments should reconsider their choices. It is very important to get a good start to this unit.
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
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Participation | 15% | No | Variable - see Unit home page |
Research Proposal | 10% | No | 9am EST Monday Week 4 |
Progress Report | 15% | No | Sunday Week 8 |
Major Research Essay | 60% | No | Friday Week 13 |
Due: Variable - see Unit home page
Weighting: 15%
1. Participation in directed Workshop tasks and a Question-building Game - Weeks 1-5
2. Participation in weekly forums and tasks as directed - Weeks 1-13
3. Development and submission of proposed Research Question (due Sunday Week 1)
Submission Methods: see Assessment and Guides section as well as weekly workshop tasks.
Due: 9am EST Monday Week 4
Weighting: 10%
A formal Research Proposal essay of 800 words discussing the problem to be addressed, the reasons for undertaking the project and some indication of the approach to be taken.
Essential components:
- your research question (what you are trying to find out)
- justification (why you want to find this out)
- identification of approach, possible problems you anticipate and how you might go about solving them in the timeframe given to finalise your research essay
- Presentation of at least four individual scholarly sources which you consider key to your research. This is a specific requirement in which you identify the author/s, explain their approach to your topic and explain why you think they will be significant to your project. For example: “[insert author]’s approach/analysis in [insert title] is particularly significant because... [insert your reasons]. This material should reflect an awareness of the relevant theoretical literature in the field of study in which your project is placed as well as literature relating to the specific problem.
The proposal must also have the standard bibliography covering intext citations required of any academic work. Referencing is to be done according to the Harvard-style Referencing Guide provided in Week 5. (No footnoting for referencing purposes). The proposal should be 1.5 spaced and use an easily readable font (Times New Roman 12 is recommended)
Submission is through Assignments. See Assessments and Guides section and weekly tasks for further information.
Due: Sunday Week 8
Weighting: 15%
A formal, fully referenced essay style report of 1000 words in which you reflect on where you are up to in your project and what more needs to be done. The report should state the research question and aims of the project, summarise briefly what ground has been covered and whether this has raised any unexpected issues or required a reassessment of the project in some way. The report should indicate how you have handled or intend to handle and obstacles encountered. There should be an overview of your plan of attack for the remaining research period, and a considered estimation of what areas still need to be addressed in order to submit your final essay in time.
Referencing for this Report is to be done according to the Harvard-style Referencing Guide provided in Week 5. (No footnoting for referencing purposes). Spacing: 1.5; Times New Roman 12 font preferred.
Submission is through Assignments. See Assessment and Guides section and weekly tasks for further information.
Due: Friday Week 13
Weighting: 60%
The final essay must be between 3500-4000 words (no additional tolerance: your essay must be between these limits). It must be fully and precisely referenced according to the Harvard-style Referencing Guide provided in Week 5 of the course and accompanied by a full Bibliography. (No footnoting for references). It must be 1.5 spaced and in a readable font/size (Times New Roman 12 preferred).
The essay will discuss your project, your approach, your method/process of analysis and your findings, and your conclusion based on those findings. To do this, it should provide an argument that situates your issue within the relevant theoretical field and that pays attention to a variety of viewpoints from that field, and meets likely objections while clearly offering an informed perspective of your own. The essay must demonstrate an extended and sustained effort commensurable with spending a full study period on producing it.
Submission Steps
1. A draft of the steps in the argument to be made for your essay must be submitted to the tutor no later than Friday of Week 7. Submission is through Assignments.
2. Optional Review: A draft of the essay itself may be submitted for review by the tutor no later than Friday of Week 10. This is recommended if written expression or structure is a weakness. You will receive recommendations in relation to clarity of expression, structure, referencing and overall presentation. The tutor will not critique content, although attention may be drawn to deficiencies in support of your argument. This feedback will be provided in Week 11, giving you two weeks to consider changes to your essay. Draft Submission: via Assignments
3. Submission of Research Essay: your completed Research Essay must be submitted by midnight (EST) Friday of Week 13. Submission is via Turnitin. See Assessments and Guides and weekly sections for further information.
Unit webpage and technology used and required
Online units can be accessed at: http://ilearn.mq.edu.au/
PC and Internet access are required. Basic computer skills (e.g. internet browsing) and skills in word processing are also a requirement.
Please contact teaching staff for any further, more specific requirements.
Weekly Readings: required and recommended texts and/or materials
* Required Reading
Tutorial Papers in relation to the research process are available under each week.
* Recommended Reading
Links to recommended readings in relation to the research process are provided under the appropriate week. Readings held in Unit Readings are in Macquarie University Library are indicated. A link is provided on the course home page.
Reading for each individual project
Students are responsible for identifying the literature that they need to read for their research project. They should have done this in relation to their theoretical literature by the time their Proposal is due, as well as have a substantial number of readings directly pertaining to the project identified. This material should form the proposed selected reading list which is a part of the Proposal.
Weekly schedule
Week 1 |
Workshop: From Topic Selection to Research Question
Submission of Research Question |
Week 2 |
Workshop: Theory, Methods of Research and Identification of Literature |
Week 3 |
Workshop: Preparing a Proposal |
Week 4 |
Workshop: Concepts and Reading Submission of Proposal and proposed reading list (Assessment 2) |
Week 5 |
Workshop: Good Writing and Meticulous Referencing |
Week 6 |
Research and Writing |
Week 7 |
Preparing a Progress Report Submission of Argument Outline/Trajectory |
Week 8 |
Pause for Review Submission of Progress report (Assessment 3) |
Week 9 |
Identifying strengths and weaknesses |
Week 10 |
Focused Writing Submission of Draft Essay (optional) |
Week 11 |
Focused writing/Responding to feedback |
Week 12 |
Focused Writing/Mending Fences |
Week 13 |
Polishing Writing and Meeting Deadlines; Where to next? Submission of Research Essay (Assessment 4) |
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.
The University recognises that students may experience events or conditions that adversely affect their academic performance. If you experience serious and unavoidable difficulties at exam time or when assessment tasks are due, you can consider applying for Special Consideration.
You need to show that the circumstances:
If you feel that your studies have been impacted submit an application as follows:
Outcome
Once your submission is assessed, an appropriate outcome will be organised.
You can withdraw from your subjects prior to the census date (last day to withdraw). If you successfully withdraw before the census date, you won’t need to apply for Special Circumstances. If you find yourself unable to withdraw from your subjects before the census date - you might be able to apply for Special Circumstances. If you’re eligible, we can refund your fees and overturn your fail grade.
If you’re studying Single Subjects using FEE-HELP or paying up front, you can apply online.
If you’re studying a degree using HECS-HELP, you’ll need to apply directly to Macquarie University.
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.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
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.
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://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.
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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: