Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

This unit provides the opportunity to substantively explore a topic or subject of personal academic interest within your discipline area. It enables you to extend your knowledge and understanding of a topic area that is not otherwise available as a formal unit of study within the course, and your skills in knowledge development and knowledge management.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to enable you to develop a deeper appreciation of your chosen topic and further develop your skills in critical and creative thinking, information literacy and professional communication.

Objectives

On completion of this unit it is expected that you have:

1. Demonstrated a well-informed understanding of your chosen topic area (GC1)
   
2. Presented a coherent position on your chosen topic that is based on well reasoned, logical arguments and conclusions which are supported by theory, research and/or other relevant evidence (GC2)
   
3. Led a work-in-progress seminar on your chosen topic (GC5)
   
4. Independently prepared a substantive written report in a style that is consistent with publication in an relevant academic journal (GC3; GC5)

Content

The content for this unit will be negotiated between individual students and their academic supervisors. It will be designed to assist knowledge development in the chosen topic area and to enhance skills in knowledge development, critical thinking, knowledge management and/or writing for an academic audience.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

This unit is undertaken as a self-initiated and self-directed but supervised research project. Prior to enrolling in the unit you will need to organise an academic supervisor with whom you will discuss your proposed study, its learning outcomes and any issues related to its successful completion. This will involve completing a ¿Proposal Statement¿ giving the details of your proposed study. This proposal statement will need to be approved by your Course Coordinator prior to the start of the semester in which you intend undertaking the study. You will meet regularly with your supervisor at negotiated times throughout the semester and, as part of your assessment, you will be expected to make an oral presentation. Meetings during semester will generally be on an individual student-supervisor basis, but there may also be the opportunity for group discussions of work in progress.

Assessment

This unit has three pieces of assessment to be completed as you progress through the semester.You will be able to submit drafts of your work-in-progress for comment from your supervisor.

Assessment name: Project proposal
Description: This first piece of assessment requires that you write a short proposal (no more than 750 words) relating to your proposed project. Your proposal should include the context and significance of your chosen topic, the question/s that you plan to address, a brief overview of relevant literature, the implementation strategies that you intend to use and a timeline for successful completion of the unit.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3 and 4
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 3

Assessment name: Oral Presentation
Description: This assessment item requires that you present your work-in-progress to a group of peers and academic supervisors. Your presentation will normally include a brief overview of your chosen topic, the implementation strategies that are being employed and preliminary reflections on what has been learned (thus far). You are expected to engage the audience in discussion and allow sufficient time for questions and comments.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3 and 4
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Date TBC

Assessment name: Project Report
Description: For this assignment you are required to write a comprehensive report of 3000-4000 words on your chosen topic. In preparing your report you will need to undertake a detailed review of relevant literature and develop a set of arguments that are based on the synthesis of knowledge and evidence from a range of sources. Your final report should be presented in a style that is consistent with publication in a relevant academic journal.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3 and 4
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 13

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

There are no set texts for this unit. It is expected that, in consultation with your academic supervisor, you will access a broad range of materials that are relevant to your chosen topic.

Risk assessment statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with completion of this unit.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 17-Oct-2012