Students

FOHS7000 – Research Frontiers in Human Sciences

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

Download as PDF
Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Emilia Djonov
Contact via email
29 Wally's Walk, Room 276
by appointment
Hye Eun Chu
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit is designed to engage students with current research in the Human Sciences. This unit provides a loose structure in which candidates develop their own plan of activities and present and report on them. Activities may include such things as seminar attendance along with directed reading of research papers in readiness for seminars, and the discussion and critiquing of research topics; or the introduction to new laboratory or clinical techniques with preparatory reading, hands-on experience and a final report. Individual learning contracts will be negotiated with each candidate. Presentation of a seminar and preparing a written report based on work undertaken will be the minimum requirements for completion of this unit

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: Demonstrate a coherent and advanced knowledge of current research in an area of human sciences
  • ULO2: Synthesise and analyse information from a variety of sources
  • ULO3: Develop a series of research questions and a rationale for those questions
  • ULO4: Identify and discuss complex problems with intellectual independence
  • ULO5: Articulate a coherent argument in written and oral form to a variety of audiences
  • ULO6: Develop a high level of oral, written, and technological communication skills, with specialisation for the specific needs of a discipline in human sciences
  • ULO7: Demonstrate high standards of ethical conduct in a research activity

General Assessment Information

Assessment Presentation and Submission Guidelines

Please follow these guidelines when you submit each assignment:

  • Allow a left and right-hand margin of at least 2cm in all assignments.

  • Please type all assignments using 12-point font and 1.5 spacing. [Exception: In Task 2, curriculum document outcomes/content may be shown in 10-point font, single spaced.]

  • All assessments must be submitted through Turnitin in .doc or .pdf format

  • It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that all assessments are successfully submitted through Turnitin.

  • Faculty assignment cover sheets are NOT required.

 

Draft Submissions & Turnitin Originality Reports

  • Students may use Turnitin’s Originality Report as a learning tool to improve their academic writing if this option is made available in the unit.

  • Students are strongly encouraged to upload a draft copy of each assessment to Turnitin at least one week prior to the due date to obtain an Originality Report.

  • The Originality Report provides students with a similarity index that may indicate if plagiarism has occurred. Students will be able to make amendments to their drafts prior to their final submission on the due date.

  • Generally, one Originality Report is generated every 24 hours up to the due date.

Please note:

  • Students should regularly save a copy of all assignments before submission.

  • Students are responsible for checking that their submission has been successful and has been submitted by the due date and time.

 

Assignment extensions and late penalties

  • In general, there should be no need for extensions except through illness or misadventure that would be categorised as serious and unavoidable disruption according to the University definition of same, see:  https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration

  • Applications for extensions must be made via AskMQ according to the Special Consideration policy. Extensions can only be granted if they meet the Special Considerations policy and are submitted via https://ask.mq.edu.au/. This will ensure consistency in the consideration of such requests is maintained.

  • Late submissions: 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. Late penalties are applied by unit convenors or their delegates after tasks are assessed. 

  • If a student is still permitted to submit on the basis of unavoidable disruption, an alternative topic may be set.

  • Students should keep an electronic file of all assessments. Claims regarding "lost" assessments cannot be made if the file cannot be produced. It is also advisable to keep an electronic file of all drafts and the final submission on a USB untouched/unopened after submission. This can be used to demonstrate easily that the assessment has not been amended after the submission date.

 

Requesting a re-assessment of an assignment

If you have evidence that your task has been incorrectly assessed against the grade descriptors you can request a re-mark. To request a re-mark, you need to contact the unit convenor within 7 days of the date of return of the assignment and provide a detailed assessment of your script against the task criteria. Evidence from your assignment must be provided to support your judgements.

Note: Failed assessments cannot be re-marked as they are all double-marked as a part of the moderation process.

Please note: The outcome of a re-mark may be a higher/lower or unchanged grade. Grades are standards referenced and effort is NOT a criterion.

 

University policy on grading

Criteria for awarding grades for assessment tasks

Assignments will be awarded grades ranging from HD to F according to guidelines set out in the University's Grading Policy. The following descriptive criteria are included for your information.

 

Descriptive Criteria for awarding grades in the unit

In order to meet the unit outcomes and successfully pass this unit, students must make a genuine attempt at all assessment tasks. Where any submitted assessment task is considered to be unsatisfactory in this regard, the highest possible final grade that can be awarded for the unit will be 45.

Students will be awarded grades ranging from HD to F according to guidelines set out in the policy: https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/assessment-in-effect-from-session-2-2016

The following generic grade descriptors provide university-wide standards for awarding final grades.

Grade

Descriptor

HD

(High Distinction)

Provides consistent evidence of deep and critical understanding in relation to the learning outcomes. There is substantial originality and insight in identifying, generating and communicating competing arguments, perspectives or problem solving approaches; critical evaluation of problems, their solutions and their implications; creativity in application as appropriate to the discipline.

D

(Distinction)

Provides evidence of integration and evaluation of critical ideas, principles and theories, distinctive insight and ability in applying relevant skills and concepts in relation to learning outcomes. There is demonstration of frequent originality in defining and analysing issues or problems and providing solutions; and the use of means of communication appropriate to the discipline and the audience.

Cr

(Credit)

Provides evidence of learning that goes beyond replication of content knowledge or skills relevant to the learning outcomes. There is demonstration of substantial understanding of fundamental concepts in the field of study and the ability to apply these concepts in a variety of contexts; convincing argumentation with appropriate coherent justification; communication of ideas fluently and clearly in terms of the conventions of the discipline.

P

(Pass)

Provides sufficient evidence of the achievement of learning outcomes. There is demonstration of understanding and application of fundamental concepts of the field of study; routine argumentation with acceptable justification; communication of information and ideas adequately in terms of the conventions of the discipline. The learning attainment is considered satisfactory or adequate or competent or capable in relation to the specified outcomes

F

(Fail)

Does not provide evidence of attainment of learning outcomes. There is missing or partial or superficial or faulty understanding and application of the fundamental concepts in the field of study; missing, undeveloped, inappropriate or confusing argumentation; incomplete, confusing or lacking communication of ideas in ways that give little attention to the conventions of the discipline.

 

Withdrawing from this UG Unit

If you are considering withdrawing from this unit, please seek academic advice via https://ask.mq.edu.au before doing so as this unit may be a co-requisite or prerequisite for units in the following sessions and may impact on your progression through the degree.

 

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.

 

Units with Submissions of Family & Children’s Records

Some assessment tasks require students to submit records about families and about children and their learning. It is expected that the records submitted are original, authentic, adhere to ethical practices and are the work of the student. Issues with the authenticity of such records will be investigated for possible forgery. Please note that submitted records can only be used once for assessment purposes.

 

Confidentiality

Students must respect the need for sensitivity and confidentiality, and ensure that privacy obligations are met. There should be nothing in assessment submissions that identifies a centre or school. Use a pseudonym for the focus child in Task 2. Do not record details that enable identification of a site, or of adults or children.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Learning contract 20% No 21 August 2020
Presentation 30% No 16 October 2020
Written report 50% No 2 November 2020

Learning contract

Assessment Type 1: Learning plan
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 21 August 2020
Weighting: 20%

 

This is a Pass/Fail task. Each student will complete a Learning Contract using the template available on iLearn. In particular, your Learning Contract will identify a specific schedule of learning activities, readings, seminars and/or workshops you will attend during the session.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate a coherent and advanced knowledge of current research in an area of human sciences
  • Develop a series of research questions and a rationale for those questions
  • Demonstrate high standards of ethical conduct in a research activity

Presentation

Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: 16 October 2020
Weighting: 30%

 

Each student will present for 15 minutes. Presentations can be online via Zoom or pre-recorded. Answer the following questions: What research activities have you undertaken/ seminars have you attended so far this session? Why did you choose those activities/ seminars? What did you learn? How has this informed your thinking about research?

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate a coherent and advanced knowledge of current research in an area of human sciences
  • Synthesise and analyse information from a variety of sources
  • Identify and discuss complex problems with intellectual independence
  • Articulate a coherent argument in written and oral form to a variety of audiences
  • Develop a high level of oral, written, and technological communication skills, with specialisation for the specific needs of a discipline in human sciences
  • Demonstrate high standards of ethical conduct in a research activity

Written report

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 2 November 2020
Weighting: 50%

 

Each student will write a 2500 word report which outlines the following: their chosen research topic; how they have explored that topic (through seminar attendance and other activities); their proposed research questions; and the rationale for those research questions

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate a coherent and advanced knowledge of current research in an area of human sciences
  • Synthesise and analyse information from a variety of sources
  • Develop a series of research questions and a rationale for those questions
  • Identify and discuss complex problems with intellectual independence
  • Articulate a coherent argument in written and oral form to a variety of audiences
  • Develop a high level of oral, written, and technological communication skills, with specialisation for the specific needs of a discipline in human sciences
  • Demonstrate high standards of ethical conduct in a research activity

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

This unit is designed to engage students with current research in the human sciences. This unit provides a loose structure in which candidates develop their own plan of activities and present and report on them. Activities may include such things as (online) seminar or workshop attendance along with directed reading of research papers, and the discussion and critiquing of research topics; or the introduction to new laboratory or clinical techniques with preparatory reading, hands-on experience and a final report. Individual learning contracts will be negotiated with each candidate. Each student also has to create and submit a presentation followed by a written report about the learning activities they have completed in order to meet the unit learning outcomes. 

This unit has a full web presence through iLearn. Students will need regular access to a computer and the internet to complete this unit. Weekly access to iLearn is compulsory for all students. Important assessment information will be posted there, as will other relevant unit notices and materials to assist your studies.

There are no scheduled classes for this unit, as it offered fully online. There will be two meetings with the unit convenor through Zoom. The first will be early in week 3,  and the second in week 10. 

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:

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.