Students
ENGX8090 – Special Study Unit 1: Research Preparation
2020 – Session 2, Fully online/virtual
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities on campus for the second half-year, while keeping an online version available for those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face to face activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Associate Professor Jane Messer
Contact via jane.messer@mq.edu.au
Lvl 2, Australian Hearing Hub 16 University Ave
By appointment
Supervisor
Dept of English academic staff
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Permission by special approval and Admission to MCrWrit
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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 offers students the opportunity to develop critical research and writing skills. The research project question is initiated and devised by the student, in consultation with the unit convenor and/or an individual supervisor. Research will be conducted within the fields of literary analysis or creative writing theory, drawing upon related fields such as history or philosophy; the final essay or chapter may be interdisciplinary in its approach. The planning, research and writing undertaken in this unit will enable students to practice and advance their critical thinking abilities and written expression skills. For those students planning to continue on to the thesis-writing unit, the topic selected and the research and written work completed in this unit is preparatory. There are no classes in this unit; students work independently, consulting with their supervisor at scheduled virtual or in face-to-face meetings. At the successful outcome of the unit, students will have produced a critical essay or thesis chapter. |
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:
- ULO1: Devise a research question relating to literature or creative writing.
- ULO2: Locate and appropriately document scholarly research relevant to the topic.
- ULO3: Use advanced critical thinking and writing skills to produce a finished work of critical research.
- ULO4: Communicate the value and significance of the research.
- ULO5: Appraise and evaluate the scholarly field and research culture within which the research is situated.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research skills development tasks | 10% | No | End of Weeks 2, 3, 4 |
| Research proposal and plan | 20% | No | End of Week 4 |
| Literature Review including annotated bibliography | 20% | No | End of Week 7 |
| Critical Writing | 50% | No | End of Week 12 |
Research skills development tasks
Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 7 hours
Due: End of Weeks 2, 3, 4
Weighting: 10%
Research skills development tasks: Bibliographic Software, Generating Ideas, Library consultation.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Devise a research question relating to literature or creative writing.
- Locate and appropriately document scholarly research relevant to the topic.
Research proposal and plan
Assessment Type 1: Plan
Indicative Time on Task 2: 35 hours
Due: End of Week 4
Weighting: 20%
Research proposal and plan
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Devise a research question relating to literature or creative writing.
- Locate and appropriately document scholarly research relevant to the topic.
- Use advanced critical thinking and writing skills to produce a finished work of critical research.
- Communicate the value and significance of the research.
- Appraise and evaluate the scholarly field and research culture within which the research is situated.
Literature Review including annotated bibliography
Assessment Type 1: Literature review
Indicative Time on Task 2: 35 hours
Due: End of Week 7
Weighting: 20%
Literature Review including annotated bibliography
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Locate and appropriately document scholarly research relevant to the topic.
- Appraise and evaluate the scholarly field and research culture within which the research is situated.
Critical Writing
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 70 hours
Due: End of Week 12
Weighting: 50%
Critical Writing
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Use advanced critical thinking and writing skills to produce a finished work of critical research.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
The unit is undertaken online, and in consultation with the unit convenor, who works with students to develop their topic. There are no lectures, however there are academic resources in the iLearn site on academic research and writing skills. Internal students are welcome to attend Department of English Research Seminars (held fortnightly during Session periods/day time) and other relevant research seminars presented by researchers in the Faculty of Arts in order to develop familiarity with a wide range of approaches to scholarship and research practices.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)
Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/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/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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 help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
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
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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.