DFS1611 - Understanding University Learning

Leader: Dr Stuart Levy

Offered

Gippsland First semester 2007 (Day)
Gippsland First semester 2007 (Off-campus)

Synopsis

Introduction to the fundamental skills necessary for a variety of disciplines. Topics include: student transition to independent learning focusing on the issues and the cultural changes that confront new students; the changing nature of universities and current debates surrounding the nature and purposes of university degrees; the fundamentals of critical thinking including the nature of knowledge and inquiry, the use of discourse and effective communication skills.

Objectives

After successfully completing this unit students will:

1. Understand the centrality of critical thinking in university scholarship;
2. Be able to employ relevant theoretical and practical knowledge in a range of skills central to university learning, including critical reading and writing;
3. Have an appreciation of the skills necessary to maximise their learning from lectures, tutorials and teaching materials; and
4. Specifically, they will be able to produce essays and reports that present a critical argument and adhere to the standard conventions of academic presentation.

Assessment

assignment (500 words) OR Tutorial attendence: 10%
Minor essay (1000 words): 20%
Major essay (1500 words): 35%
Examination (2 hours): 35%

Contact hours

4 hours (1 x 2 hour lecture and 1 x 2 hour tutorial) per week

Prohibitions

GSC1611