ARTS 3003 - Advanced Humanities: Theory and Method

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2020

This course is designed to assist BA (Advanced) students in their study of a range of humanities and social sciences theories and methods. Students who wish to complete research work in the Arts may frequently encounter problems when they move from summarising theories to applying them in practice. Therefore, this course involves intensive scrutiny of a representative range of theories commonly encountered across the subject areas encompassed by this degree program. These theories are then explored through the examination of research work that illustrates active uses of these ideas to solve specific research problems. Students complete assignments in seminar classes and through written work that enables them to apply selected theoretical work to problems that they have identified independently.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code ARTS 3003
    Course Advanced Humanities: Theory and Method
    Coordinating Unit Arts Faculty Office
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites At least 12 units of Level I undergraduate study including ARTS 1008
    Restrictions Available to BA(Adv) students only
    Quota A quota of 30 applies
    Assessment 2 x Wiki-entries 20%, research paper 1 (disciplinary) 40%, research paper 2 (Interdisciplinary) 40%
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Gareth Pritchard

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    At the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
    1 Demonstrate a sound knowledge of the foundations of the disciplinary area(s) studied
    2 Show a critical understanding of the development of theories and methods in major(s) studied
    3 Examine, articulate and debate their views in small group discussions
    4 Formulate coherent arguments in independently researched written work
    5 Demonstrate a capacity to apply theoretical principles to particular research problems
    6 Show a commitment to life-long learning and awareness of the ethical, social and cultural aspects of material studied as well as their importance for professional contexts
    7 Demonstrate leadership and high standards regarding the responsibilities incumbent upon an academically trained researcher
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1,2
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    2,3,4,5
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    3,6
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    6,7
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    3,6,7
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    2,3,4,6,7
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Course reader or other books as required. Each module will have a set reading list provided to the students.
    Recommended Resources
    Resources related to research skills development.
    Online Learning
    Additional course-related material is available through MyUni.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Lectures supported by problem-solving seminars which develop lecture material.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    1 x 1-hour lecture (or equivalent) per week 12 hours per semester
    1 x 2-hour seminar (or equivalent) per week 24 hours per semester
    3 hours independent and group research per week 36 hours per semester
    3 hours seminar preparation per week 36 hours per semester
    4 hours assignment work per week 48 hours per semester
    TOTAL WORKLOAD 156 hours per semester
    Learning Activities Summary
    Available upon enrolment into the course.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Task Type  Weighting Course Learning Objectives
    Preparatory readings & research Formative 0% 1,2
    In class discussion Formative and summative 10% 3,6,7
    Research paper 1 Formative and summative 40% 1,2,3,4,5
    Research paper 2 Formative and summative 40% 1,2,3,4,5
    Seminar presentation Formative and summative 10% 3,6,7
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Attendance at seminars is compulsory.
    Assessment Detail
    Preparatory reading and research: students are expected to prepare for seminars by reading and researching - 0% weighting.

    In-class discussion: students are expected to participate in weekly seminar discussions - 10% weighting.

    Research paper 1: students submit a research essay on a chosen topic - 40% weighting.

    Research paper 2: students submit a research essay on a chosen topic - 40% weighting.

    Seminar presentation: students submit a short presentation on a chosen topic - 10% weighting.
    Submission
    Assignments are to be submitted electronically via MyUni.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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