Unit Guide

General Information

Unit convenor and teaching staff	Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor Jillian Kramer jillian.kramer@mq.edu.au Contact via via MQ email address 10HA 191 F, Phone: (02) 9850 2252 Online Appointment via Zoom Web Conferencing or Zoom Chat (further details in ilearn)
Prerequisites	Prerequisites
Corequisites	Corequisites
Co-badged status	Co-badged status
Unit description	Unit description This unit explores student participation in the representation of diverse communities and cultures. Students place their study experiences in a relationship with community and cultural contexts they have an interest in, or engagement with. These include but are not limited to: social and support groups, sporting communities, interest groups, charities, fan clubs and cultures, traditional cultural practices, volunteer projects, collectives, or other social networks. This focus extends to engagement with media and performance production, archival and curatorial cultures, in addition to social service providers and policy makers. Students actively investigate ‘real world’ situations and problems, evaluating cultural experience beyond the university. Activities in the course include: testing theoretical debates and methods against community standards and policies; debating key issues with reference to cultural productions and performances; and developing innovative ways of applying methodologies with a view to potential actions, humanitarian interventions. All enrolment queries should be directed to Open Universities Australia (OUA): see www.open.edu.au

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.open.edu.au/student-admin-and-support/key-dates/

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

Apply cultural studies research questions and methods to chosen contexts, including cultural representations, policies and relevant texts of associated community groups.
Develop critical and analytical skills that enable students to identify key problems or issues within a field, research the chosen field and gather relevant information and propose strategies for creative solutions using culturally appropriate methods of communication suited to that context
Reflect critically on their own experiences and use those experiences as a source of information for further cultural studies research.

General Assessment Information

Assessment Preparation: Over the course of this unit, you are going to explore a series of topics, ideas and activities that will not only encourage you to engage with new ways of thinking and new knowledge; they will also prepare you to complete the assessments and meet the learning outcomes of the unit. We will prepare for you to complete each assessment via the (a) weekly activities (see guide in ilearn) that engage with the unit content and (2) by sharing assessment clips, samples and guidance in assessment forums.

Feedback: For each assessment, you will receive individual feedback via gradebook or voice thread. You may also receive group feedback via the announcements and assessment clips.

Special Consideration: If you have experienced an unavoidable and serious disruption and are unable to complete this task by the due date, please email your unit convenor and request Special Consideration via ask.mq.edu.au. For more information about the Special Consideration process please click here.

Late Submission: 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.

Grading Note: Assessment standards in this unit align with the University's grade descriptors, available at: https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies- and-procedures/policies/assessment

Assessment Tasks

Name	Weighting	Hurdle	Due
Engagement and Collaboration	20%	No	Weeks 2 - 10
Research Proposal	30%	No	9th of September 11:59pm (AEST)
Research Essay	50%	No	8th of November 11:59pm (AEST)

Engagement and Collaboration

Due: Weeks 2 - 10
Weighting: 20%

As this is a capstone unit, MECX350 aims to consolidate your understanding of key cultural studies concepts and approaches and prepare you to take your knowledge and analytical skills beyond undergraduate study -- whether in paid work, family life, creative pursuits or further study. Each week, we will engage with ideas, approaches and concepts that you will be familiar with from your previous studies in order to reflect upon their use and identify their implications. As such, this unit requires consistent engagement and reflection on the material so that you're able to develop your own research project (see Assessments Two and Three) and outline how you might use cultural studies in the future.

Requirements: From week two to week ten, students are required to participate in the learning activities within the designated time frame. They must participate in two ways:

First, students must post a 200-300 word response to the weekly activity.
Second, students must also collaborate and encourage peer learning by commenting on at least one other student post in the weekly forum.

The forum will be opened when the activity is posted each week on Tuesday and then closed the following Monday.

Weekly posts and comments: As you complete your weekly posts and comments, please remember that these posts should generate discussion. We do not expect you to present a 'correct' or 'perfectly formed' answer; often you will find there isn't a singular 'right' answer. Instead, we're looking for you to draw on what you've learnt in the lecture, book and readings to respond to the activity or question. We'd like you to add your thoughts on the key concepts, ask questions about the readings and share ideas about the topic to the discussion so that we can collaborate and help one another to understand the concepts. If you have any questions about what we're looking for, please consult the marking criteria below and then contact Jillian.

Assessment Criteria:

Completion of weekly post and comment within the designated time frame
Post demonstrates engagement with the relevant lectures, book and required readings
Post demonstrates engagement with the relevant key concepts, debates and discussions
Comment demonstrates active engagement with peers in the learning activities

Preparation: Please see the Engagement and Collaboration guide on ilearn to prepare for this assessment task. This guide includes a detailed outline and rationale for this assessment task and sample posts and comments.

Special Consideration: If you cannot complete a weekly activity or discussion due to unavoidable and serious disruption, please request Special Consideration via ask.mq.edu.au. For more information about the Special Consideration process please click here.

Late Assessment Penalty: Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, no late submissions will be accepted as this is a timed assessment. You may chose to post your response and comments, but they may not contribute to your overall mark for this assessment.

Feedback: While a final grade for this assessment will be determined at the end of the semester, informal feedback will be offered via regular announcements and discussion posts. If you would like further feedback on how you're going with this task, please contact Jillian via her MQ email address.

On successful completion you will be able to:

Develop critical and analytical skills that enable students to identify key problems or issues within a field, research the chosen field and gather relevant information and propose strategies for creative solutions using culturally appropriate methods of communication suited to that context
Reflect critically on their own experiences and use those experiences as a source of information for further cultural studies research.

Research Proposal

Due: 9th of September 11:59pm (AEST)
Weighting: 30%

Over the course of this unit, students are required to write a 2,000 word research essay. In this final essay, students must identify a specific cultural context or problematic that they have encountered throughout the unit and would like to explore further. They should develop their own research question and draw on the concepts and methods that we have discussed to engage with this topic, both critically and imaginatively. For example, students may consider using the concepts and methods discussed in this unit in order to engage with cultural contexts and problematics they encounter in everyday life.

For this assessment, students are required to use VoiceThread to post a 10 minute research proposal for the class to view. This proposal should introduce your research question, outline the aims of your project, put forward a proposed methodology and outline a provisional theoretical framework. Further details about VoiceThread and the proposal will be posted in ilearn workshops.

Assessment Criteria:

Demonstrates analytical skills in order to develop a scholarly research question
Demonstrates a grasp of relevant aims of the project
Identifies a relevant and effective methodology
Demonstrates critical and sustained engagement with the unit readings and questions of cultural studies research to develop a theoretical framework
Demonstrates knowledge and analysis of key cultural studies methodologies and principles

Preparation: Weekly topics, tasks and discussion forums have been designed to prepare students to complete this assessment task. Over the course of the session, students will have the opportunity to discuss the task in detail, view samples and experiment with voice thread. Please don't hesitate to ask questions in the forum or contact Jillian for guidance.

Submission: Students will submit this task into the designated voice thread forum in ilearn.

Special Consideration: If you're unable to complete this task by the due date due to an unavoidable and serious disruption, please request Special Consideration via ask.mq.edu.au. For more information about the Special Consideration process please click here.

Late 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.

Feedback: Jillian will provide detailed feedback via voice thread and email.

On successful completion you will be able to:

Apply cultural studies research questions and methods to chosen contexts, including cultural representations, policies and relevant texts of associated community groups.
Develop critical and analytical skills that enable students to identify key problems or issues within a field, research the chosen field and gather relevant information and propose strategies for creative solutions using culturally appropriate methods of communication suited to that context
Reflect critically on their own experiences and use those experiences as a source of information for further cultural studies research.

Research Essay

Due: 8th of November 11:59pm (AEST)
Weighting: 50%

Building on their research proposal, students are required to write a 2,000 word research essay. In this final essay, students are required to identify a specific cultural context or problematic that they have encountered throughout the unit and would like to explore further. They must draw on the concepts and methods developed in a relevant field of cultural studies research that we have discussed over the course of the unit and engage with this topic, both critically and imaginatively.

Students will have the opportunity to discuss their chosen topics in the activities and during essay preparation workshops that will take place.

This assessment task will be marked according to the following criteria:

Demonstrates the ability to deploy analytical skills in order to develop a scholarly research question
Demonstrates a clear and effective grasp of relevant key concepts
Demonstrates critical and sustained engagement with the unit readings and questions of cultural studies research
Demonstrates knowledge and analysis of key cultural studies methodologies and principles
Demonstrates thorough engagement with feedback provided
Demonstrates engagement with the learning process
Ability to stage a well-supported analysis and develop a strong and well-supported argument
Effective use of writing skills to present academic research, including consistent and accurate use of in-text referencing.

Preparation: We will discuss your research projects throughout this unit in weekly discussion forums and designated weeks. Please ensure you engage with assessment discussion forums in order to view samples and ask questions.

Submission: Students will submit this task via the Turnitin link on the unit iLearn Site.

Feedback: Individual feedback will be provided via gradebook.

On successful completion you will be able to:

Apply cultural studies research questions and methods to chosen contexts, including cultural representations, policies and relevant texts of associated community groups.
Develop critical and analytical skills that enable students to identify key problems or issues within a field, research the chosen field and gather relevant information and propose strategies for creative solutions using culturally appropriate methods of communication suited to that context
Reflect critically on their own experiences and use those experiences as a source of information for further cultural studies research.

Delivery and Resources

Students will complete this unit online. At the beginning of the study period, they will find the weekly schedule listed sequentially down the ilearn page from week 1 to week 12. Listed underneath each week, they will find details about the content and a link to the unit readings and a link to the weekly activity and discussion forum.

Unit Readings: The readings for each week are available via online 'Unit Readings,' a service provided by the Macquarie University Library. A link to the readings is provided in the listing for each week. If you have trouble finding and/or accessing the readings, please search the library's online database and consult your tutor.

Weekly Activities and Discussion: At the beginning of each week, your tutor will send an announcement that introduces the weekly topic and highlights any upcoming tasks. Following the announcement, they will also post an activity for you to complete in the weekly listing. These activities are designed to help you develop your understanding of the unit content. They also aim to provide a space to ask questions and interact with your peers.

The General Discussion Forum: If you have any general questions about the unit or an assessment, and would like to share them with your peers, please start a conversation in the general discussion forum. This forum is open for everyone to start discussions, share resources and ask questions.

The Dialogue Module: This module is available for students who would like to have private conversations with their tutor.

Policies and Procedures

Late Submission - applies unless otherwise stated elsewhere in the unit guide

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.

Extension Request

Special Consideration Policy and Procedure (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration)

The University recognises that students may experience events or conditions that adversely affect their academic performance. If you experience serious and unavoidable difficulties at exam time or when assessment tasks are due, you can consider applying for Special Consideration.

You need to show that the circumstances:

were serious, unexpected and unavoidable
were beyond your control
caused substantial disruption to your academic work
substantially interfered with your otherwise satisfactory fulfilment of the unit requirements
lasted at least three consecutive days or a total of 5 days within the teaching period and prevented completion of an assessment task scheduled for a specific date.

If you feel that your studies have been impacted submit an application as follows:

Visit Ask MQ and use your OneID to log in
Fill in your relevant details
Attach supporting documents by clicking 'Add a reply', click 'Browse' and navigating to the files you want to attach, then click 'Submit Form' to send your notification and supporting documents
Please keep copies of your original documents, as they may be requested in the future as part of the assessment process

Outcome

Once your submission is assessed, an appropriate outcome will be organised.

OUA Specific Policies and Procedures

Withdrawal from a unit after the census date

You can withdraw from your subjects prior to the census date (last day to withdraw). If you successfully withdraw before the census date, you won’t need to apply for Special Circumstances. If you find yourself unable to withdraw from your subjects before the census date - you might be able to apply for Special Circumstances. If you’re eligible, we can refund your fees and overturn your fail grade.

If you’re studying Single Subjects using FEE-HELP or paying up front, you can apply online.

If you’re studying a degree using HECS-HELP, you’ll need to apply directly to Macquarie University.

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.)

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 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 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

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.

Graduate Capabilities

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

Apply cultural studies research questions and methods to chosen contexts, including cultural representations, policies and relevant texts of associated community groups.
Develop critical and analytical skills that enable students to identify key problems or issues within a field, research the chosen field and gather relevant information and propose strategies for creative solutions using culturally appropriate methods of communication suited to that context
Reflect critically on their own experiences and use those experiences as a source of information for further cultural studies research.

Assessment tasks

Engagement and Collaboration
Research Proposal
Research Essay

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

Apply cultural studies research questions and methods to chosen contexts, including cultural representations, policies and relevant texts of associated community groups.
Develop critical and analytical skills that enable students to identify key problems or issues within a field, research the chosen field and gather relevant information and propose strategies for creative solutions using culturally appropriate methods of communication suited to that context
Reflect critically on their own experiences and use those experiences as a source of information for further cultural studies research.

Assessment tasks

Research Proposal
Research Essay

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 outcomes

Apply cultural studies research questions and methods to chosen contexts, including cultural representations, policies and relevant texts of associated community groups.
Develop critical and analytical skills that enable students to identify key problems or issues within a field, research the chosen field and gather relevant information and propose strategies for creative solutions using culturally appropriate methods of communication suited to that context
Reflect critically on their own experiences and use those experiences as a source of information for further cultural studies research.

Assessment tasks

Engagement and Collaboration
Research Proposal
Research Essay

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

Apply cultural studies research questions and methods to chosen contexts, including cultural representations, policies and relevant texts of associated community groups.
Develop critical and analytical skills that enable students to identify key problems or issues within a field, research the chosen field and gather relevant information and propose strategies for creative solutions using culturally appropriate methods of communication suited to that context
Reflect critically on their own experiences and use those experiences as a source of information for further cultural studies research.

Assessment tasks

Engagement and Collaboration
Research Proposal
Research Essay

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

Apply cultural studies research questions and methods to chosen contexts, including cultural representations, policies and relevant texts of associated community groups.
Develop critical and analytical skills that enable students to identify key problems or issues within a field, research the chosen field and gather relevant information and propose strategies for creative solutions using culturally appropriate methods of communication suited to that context
Reflect critically on their own experiences and use those experiences as a source of information for further cultural studies research.

Assessment tasks

Engagement and Collaboration
Research Proposal
Research Essay

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

Apply cultural studies research questions and methods to chosen contexts, including cultural representations, policies and relevant texts of associated community groups.
Develop critical and analytical skills that enable students to identify key problems or issues within a field, research the chosen field and gather relevant information and propose strategies for creative solutions using culturally appropriate methods of communication suited to that context
Reflect critically on their own experiences and use those experiences as a source of information for further cultural studies research.

Assessment tasks

Research Proposal
Research Essay

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

Apply cultural studies research questions and methods to chosen contexts, including cultural representations, policies and relevant texts of associated community groups.
Develop critical and analytical skills that enable students to identify key problems or issues within a field, research the chosen field and gather relevant information and propose strategies for creative solutions using culturally appropriate methods of communication suited to that context
Reflect critically on their own experiences and use those experiences as a source of information for further cultural studies research.

Assessment tasks

Engagement and Collaboration
Research Proposal
Research Essay

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

Apply cultural studies research questions and methods to chosen contexts, including cultural representations, policies and relevant texts of associated community groups.
Develop critical and analytical skills that enable students to identify key problems or issues within a field, research the chosen field and gather relevant information and propose strategies for creative solutions using culturally appropriate methods of communication suited to that context
Reflect critically on their own experiences and use those experiences as a source of information for further cultural studies research.

Assessment tasks

Engagement and Collaboration
Research Proposal
Research Essay

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

Apply cultural studies research questions and methods to chosen contexts, including cultural representations, policies and relevant texts of associated community groups.
Develop critical and analytical skills that enable students to identify key problems or issues within a field, research the chosen field and gather relevant information and propose strategies for creative solutions using culturally appropriate methods of communication suited to that context
Reflect critically on their own experiences and use those experiences as a source of information for further cultural studies research.

Assessment tasks

Engagement and Collaboration
Research Proposal
Research Essay