Students
ENGL8090 – Special Study Unit 1: Research Preparation
2021 – Session 2, Fully online/virtual
Session 2 Learning and Teaching Update
The decision has been made to conduct study online for the remainder of Session 2 for all units WITHOUT mandatory on-campus learning activities. Exams for Session 2 will also be online where possible to do so.
This is due to the extension of the lockdown orders and to provide certainty around arrangements for the remainder of Session 2. We hope to return to campus beyond Session 2 as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so.
Some classes/teaching activities cannot be moved online and must be taught on campus. You should already know if you are in one of these classes/teaching activities and your unit convenor will provide you with more information via iLearn. If you want to confirm, see the list of units with mandatory on-campus classes/teaching activities.
Visit the MQ COVID-19 information page for more detail.
General Information
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit convenor
Jimmy Van
Email for an appointment
Hsu-Ming Teo
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Permission by special approval
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit offers students the opportunity to develop a research project based on specific genres of creative writing and to reflect on how this affects their own creative practice. Students will have the opportunity to read and analyse different genres and to research current scholarship and publishing trends in these genres. Working independently under guided supervision, students will hone their critical research, writing, and presentation skills. By the end of this unit, students will gain a critical understanding of the contemporary academic and professional contexts of their own writing. |
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.
General Assessment Information
Please note that the University and the Faculty of Arts have launched a new assessment policy effective as of 1 July 2021. This new policy particularly affects LATE SUBMISSION OF ASSIGNMENTS.
The Faculty policy in relation to late assessment submissions is as follows:
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – 10 marks out of 100 credit will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted seven days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests, etc.
To be very clear:
- Unless you have applied for special consideration and had your application approved, for each day your assignment is late, 10 marks will be deducted. For example, if you submit your assignment 7 days late, 70 marks will be deducted, which means you will fail that assignment.
- If your assignment is more than 7 days late (including weekends), you will get 0 for your assignment.
These are serious penalties that will substantially alter your final grade and even determine whether you pass or fail this unit. Please make every effort to submit your assignment by the due date.
If you find you cannot submit your assignment on time, please apply for Special Consideration through AskMQ. Make sure you read Macquarie University's policy regarding Special Consideration requests before you apply:
https://students.mq.edu.au/study/assessment-exams/special-consideration
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical Writing | 60% | No | 31 October 2021 |
| Participation | 20% | No | Tutorials 1-5, and individually scheduled meetings |
| Research proposal and plan | 20% | No | 12 September 2021 |
Critical Writing
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 70 hours
Due: 31 October 2021
Weighting: 60%
Essay or chapter
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Use advanced critical thinking and writing skills to produce a finished work of critical research.
Participation
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Tutorials 1-5, and individually scheduled meetings
Weighting: 20%
Reading preparation for tutorials, presentation of researched work, and feedback on other students' work.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Devise a research question relating to literature or creative writing.
- Communicate the value and significance of the research.
- Appraise and evaluate the scholarly field and research culture within which the research is situated.
Research proposal and plan
Assessment Type 1: Plan
Indicative Time on Task 2: 35 hours
Due: 12 September 2021
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.
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 primarily a reading unit: you will be given a reading list and some guidance through it, but your time will be spent reading, researching, and crafting your research project. Students will discuss their readings and research in a series of tutorials (online or in class). Guidance is given as to the kind of research and essay that is expected; rubrics are provided for all assessments.
Extensive resources are provided for students in the iLearn unit, along with guides as to the kinds of research expected for this unit. Each student's project will relate to a creative writing project underway, or being planned.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). 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
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/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.
Unit information based on version 2021.04 of the Handbook