Students

INTS310 – Unity and Diversity: International Studies Research Option

2018 – S1 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor
Ulrike Garde
By appointment (email or contact Jennifer Heward)
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
39cp at 100 level or above
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit uses key themes to explore the development of different cultures to the present day. Students will use select examples from literature, theatre, film, music, fine arts, education, or linguistics to examine relationships between language and culture. Assessment is by individual research project.

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:

  • 1) To attain advanced communication skills, written and oral.
  • 2) To develop independent and analytical judgment.
  • 3) To develop self-organizational and time management skills.
  • 4) To develop research skills including library and information retrieval skills.
  • 5) To assess and prioritize information.

General Assessment Information

Rubrics and exemplars, together with further information about assessment tasks will be provided in iLearn.

All assessment tasks are compulsory and must be submitted on time. Tasks handed in early will not be marked and returned before the due date.

Assessment tasks must be uploaded into iLearn.

Late Assessment Penalty

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.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Definition of research topic 10% No Friday of Week 3
Draft research paper 15% No Friday, Week 7
Research presentation 30% No Week 9
Final research paper 45% No Friday of Week 13

Definition of research topic

Due: Friday of Week 3
Weighting: 10%

 Word length: 300-400 words

This is a short written piece which provides a first definition or your research topic. It consists of the following components:

  • Your research question
  • The reason for your choice/ significance of topic
  • A brief outline of what your research entails (some background information, the aims of your research, how you are going to approach your research question)
  • 3 key references of high quality (i.e. published journal articles, book chapters or books)

IMPORTANT GENERAL INFORMATION: This and the following small tasks assist you with working towards the final assessment task, an essay of 2000-2500 words in English or in the language you are studying. Please discuss the choice of language with your supervisor.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • 2) To develop independent and analytical judgment.
  • 3) To develop self-organizational and time management skills.
  • 4) To develop research skills including library and information retrieval skills.
  • 5) To assess and prioritize information.

Draft research paper

Due: Friday, Week 7
Weighting: 15%

No prescribed word length.

This draft draft enables you to prepare and get feedback for your final essay.

Please include the following:

- Clearly formulate your research question and, if appropriate, sub-questions.

- Provide a detailed essay outline, which lists the heading in line with the research question, as well as sub-headings which will structure your essay.

- Under each sub-heading provide 1-2 sentences summarizing the information and insights you will provide in this section of the essay.

- Identify relevant scholarly resources for the chosen topic in a systematic list of references (‘Works cited’). This draft paper should take into account the feedback received from the previous assessment task.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • 1) To attain advanced communication skills, written and oral.
  • 2) To develop independent and analytical judgment.
  • 3) To develop self-organizational and time management skills.
  • 4) To develop research skills including library and information retrieval skills.
  • 5) To assess and prioritize information.

Research presentation

Due: Week 9
Weighting: 30%

 Present your research project to fellow students and academics in week 9. The focus will be on the content of your research as well as on clear and effective delivery.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • 1) To attain advanced communication skills, written and oral.
  • 2) To develop independent and analytical judgment.
  • 3) To develop self-organizational and time management skills.
  • 4) To develop research skills including library and information retrieval skills.
  • 5) To assess and prioritize information.

Final research paper

Due: Friday of Week 13
Weighting: 45%

Produce a carefully articulated research paper of 2000 to 2500 words, written in English or in the language you are studying. You need to discuss your choice of language with your supervisor. The list of works cited is not included in the word count. Take into account feedback received for the preparatory tasks. Explicitly engage with the feedback in a short self-reflexive statement in addition to your essay.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • 1) To attain advanced communication skills, written and oral.
  • 2) To develop independent and analytical judgment.
  • 3) To develop self-organizational and time management skills.
  • 4) To develop research skills including library and information retrieval skills.
  • 5) To assess and prioritize information.

Delivery and Resources

This unit uses key themes to explore the development of different cultures to the present day. Students will use select examples from literature, theatre, film, music, fine arts, education, or linguistics to examine relationships between language and culture.

In this unit you will work with an individual supervisor in a specific discipline, who guides you throughout the session.

There will also be two compulsory meetings with the course convenors and fellow students in week 1 and week 9, i.e. 2 March, 4-6pm and in Week 9 with the day and time to be confirmed. External students are required to join these meetings via Zoom.

It is important that you meet regularly with your supervisor between week 1 and 13.

TECHNOLOGY USED AND REQUIRED

Online Unit

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

Is my unit in iLearn?: http://help.ilearn.mq.edu.au/unitsonline/ 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. If applicable, students are required to download the relevant language package prior to Week 2.

Please contact your course convenor before the end of Week 1 if you do not have a suitable laptop (or tablet) for in-class use.

Unit Schedule

Compulsory meetings with the course convenors and fellow students

Week 1: 2 March, 4-6pm and the second date in Week 9 to be confirmed. External students are required to join these meetings via Zoom.

It is important that you meet regularly with your supervisor between week 1 and 13.

 

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:

Undergraduate 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 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.

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 improve your marks and take control of your study.

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

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.

Graduate Capabilities

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

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:

Learning outcomes

  • 1) To attain advanced communication skills, written and oral.
  • 2) To develop independent and analytical judgment.
  • 4) To develop research skills including library and information retrieval skills.

Assessment tasks

  • Definition of research topic
  • Draft research paper
  • Research presentation
  • Final research paper

Commitment to Continuous Learning

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:

Learning outcome

  • 3) To develop self-organizational and time management skills.

Assessment tasks

  • Definition of research topic
  • Draft research paper
  • Research presentation
  • Final research paper

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

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:

Learning outcomes

  • 1) To attain advanced communication skills, written and oral.
  • 2) To develop independent and analytical judgment.
  • 4) To develop research skills including library and information retrieval skills.
  • 5) To assess and prioritize information.

Assessment tasks

  • Definition of research topic
  • Draft research paper
  • Research presentation
  • Final research paper

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

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:

Learning outcomes

  • 1) To attain advanced communication skills, written and oral.
  • 2) To develop independent and analytical judgment.
  • 4) To develop research skills including library and information retrieval skills.
  • 5) To assess and prioritize information.

Assessment tasks

  • Definition of research topic
  • Draft research paper
  • Research presentation
  • Final research paper

Problem Solving and Research Capability

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:

Learning outcomes

  • 2) To develop independent and analytical judgment.
  • 4) To develop research skills including library and information retrieval skills.
  • 5) To assess and prioritize information.

Assessment tasks

  • Definition of research topic
  • Draft research paper
  • Research presentation
  • Final research paper

Effective Communication

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:

Learning outcomes

  • 1) To attain advanced communication skills, written and oral.
  • 5) To assess and prioritize information.

Assessment tasks

  • Definition of research topic
  • Draft research paper
  • Research presentation
  • Final research paper

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

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:

Learning outcomes

  • 2) To develop independent and analytical judgment.
  • 5) To assess and prioritize information.

Assessment tasks

  • Definition of research topic
  • Draft research paper
  • Research presentation
  • Final research paper

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

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:

Learning outcomes

  • 2) To develop independent and analytical judgment.
  • 5) To assess and prioritize information.

Assessment tasks

  • Definition of research topic
  • Draft research paper
  • Research presentation
  • Final research paper