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FOAR7008 – Research Theme 4: Globalising Cultures

2024 – Session 1, Online-scheduled-weekday

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor
Alexandra Kurmann
alex.kurmann@mq.edu.au
Contact via Email
C311, 25 Wally's Walk
By appointment
Convenor
Shirley Chan
shirley.chan@mq.edu.au
Contact via Email
C329, 25 Wally's Walk
6pm-7pm. Please email for an appointment
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

Faced with an increasingly interconnected world, disciplines across the humanities and social sciences have taken a “global perspective” in recent decades. This unit brings in a diverse group of scholars and experts to introduce students to some theoretical frameworks associated with the study of cultures and cultural texts. It showcases and analyzes how culture relates to the development of global systems and globalization, for example, from early writing, artifacts, and literature to the transnational avant-garde, to popular culture and new media. This unit adopts a transdisciplinary approach, with analysis of a wide range of cultural forms, and diverse methods for theoretical, cultural and historical knowledge, using varied sources. Students will work towards the development of independent research capabilities while bringing their backgrounds and research interests to bear in class and assessments.

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: explain and evaluate different theoretical models available for understanding cultural production in various contexts in the pre-modern and modern worlds.
  • ULO2: identify and reflect on different approaches to studying cultures and/or cultural texts in globalization, including how societies and cultures have connected in the past and over time (eg., cultural and/or economic interactions, colonial encounters, and technological transformations).
  • ULO3: communicate advanced multidisciplinary perspectives on global cultural production across a range of genres and media.
  • ULO4: formulate, research and write a transdisciplinary research project on an aspect of global cultures, identifying appropriate frameworks, approaches and sources/data.

General Assessment Information

Late Assessment Submission Penalty 

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of ‘0’ (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue. This late penalty will apply to written reports and recordings only. Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs will be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Peer/group Participation 20% No Week 1 23:55 on 25/02/2023 and Week 13 23:59 on 02/06/2023
Research Proposal/Outline 30% No Week 11 23:55 on 19/05/2023
Research Essay 50% No Week 13 23:55 on 02/06/2023

Peer/group Participation

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Week 1 23:55 on 25/02/2023 and Week 13 23:59 on 02/06/2023
Weighting: 20%

Peer-led workshopping of unit topics and assessment tasks.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • explain and evaluate different theoretical models available for understanding cultural production in various contexts in the pre-modern and modern worlds.
  • identify and reflect on different approaches to studying cultures and/or cultural texts in globalization, including how societies and cultures have connected in the past and over time (eg., cultural and/or economic interactions, colonial encounters, and technological transformations).

Research Proposal/Outline

Assessment Type 1: Plan
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 11 23:55 on 19/05/2023
Weighting: 30%

Students will specify their proposed topic, argument/hypothesis, theoretical approach, methodology, indicative reading list and sources/data for an independent final research project.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • explain and evaluate different theoretical models available for understanding cultural production in various contexts in the pre-modern and modern worlds.
  • identify and reflect on different approaches to studying cultures and/or cultural texts in globalization, including how societies and cultures have connected in the past and over time (eg., cultural and/or economic interactions, colonial encounters, and technological transformations).
  • communicate advanced multidisciplinary perspectives on global cultural production across a range of genres and media.
  • formulate, research and write a transdisciplinary research project on an aspect of global cultures, identifying appropriate frameworks, approaches and sources/data.

Research Essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Week 13 23:55 on 02/06/2023
Weighting: 50%

Students are required to develop their own topic, suitable to their research interests and applying concepts and approaches discussed in the unit. Students will also work with peers to workshop this essay from the proposal stage to final completion.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • explain and evaluate different theoretical models available for understanding cultural production in various contexts in the pre-modern and modern worlds.
  • communicate advanced multidisciplinary perspectives on global cultural production across a range of genres and media.
  • formulate, research and write a transdisciplinary research project on an aspect of global cultures, identifying appropriate frameworks, approaches and sources/data.

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

TECHNOLOGY USED AND REQUIRED

Login is via: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/

Is my unit in iLearn?: https://unitguides.mq.edu.au/ilearn_unit_status/ to check when your online unit will become available.

Technology

Students are required to have regular access to a computer and the internet. Mobile devices alone are not sufficient.

For students attending classes on campus we strongly encourage that you bring along your own laptop computer, ready to work with activities in your online unit. The preferred operating system is Windows 10.

Students are required to access the online unit in iLearn by the end of Week 1 and follow any relevant instructions and links for downloads that may be required.

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:

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 connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

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 2024.02 of the Handbook