Monash University Handbook 2010 Postgraduate - Unit

Synopsis

Exploring Australia investigates diverse local communities and the networks of places, activities and loyalties that collectively form Australian society. Through guided project work and excursions to key cultural sites in the city and the bush, students will be introduced to a rich and complex Indigenous culture and many of the other communities that have shaped contemporary Australia. This interdisciplinary unit informed by film, literature and history, will enable students to reflect on their own cultural values and critically engage with differing perspectives on the diversity of Australian society.

Objectives

On successful completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. Identify, represent and critically engage with differing views relating to the diversity of social and cultural experience within Australia.
2. Recognise, represent and critically reflect upon ideas and concepts from diverse cultures, and develop the ability to reflect on one's own cultural values.
3. Reflect on personal learning and respond productively to constructive feedback from one's peers.
4. Utilise proficiently a range of IT resources such as word processing and email, search databases and text files, and locate, employ and evaluate internet sites.
5. Communicate ideas to an international audience with clarity, coherence and persuasiveness.
6. Employ effective essay and report writing skills showing ability to integrate and critically assess material from a variety of sources relating to the diversity of social and cultural experience within Australia.
7. Develop collaborative skills in working within international groups, and contribute creatively, flexibly and adaptively to the achievement of shared goals.
8. Work independently and to deadlines within a guided framework, with a capacity to define problems/questions and to know how to set about finding answers.
9. Undertake social science research using interviews or questionnaires.

Assessment

Participation (on-campus) Learning journal (off-campus) (1000) : 10%
Short assignment (2 x 1500 words) (3000) : 40%
Project proposal and literature review (1000) : 10%
Research project (4000) : 40%

Contact hours

2 hours (1 x 2-hour seminar) per week (on-campus students only)

Prohibitions

AUS4010