EDUC 1008 - University Culture

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2024

This course explores the University of Adelaide as a culture of its own, and places students as ethnographers or anthropologists of this culture through immersion. University is a place where people think, act and communicate differently to how they do in other contexts, and this course makes cultural expectations explicit as well as exploring the processes required to adjust to them. Most students should undertake this course as the first course in their University Preparatory Program. Students in this course have the opportunity to experience the usual university learning modes of the lecture and tutorial, and reflect upon their own prior and current experiences of learning with a view to establishing the goals they have for their own study. In particular, students undertake an ethnography task whereby they audit classes right across the University, not in order to gather content knowledge but to observe and analyse social interaction and modes of learning. This enables them to become familiar with the processes and expectations of university learning and plan their own learning in alignment with university culture

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code EDUC 1008
    Course University Culture
    Coordinating Unit School of Education
    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 N
    Restrictions Available to University Preparatory Program or Wirltu Yarlu Preparatory Program students only
    Assessment Reflective Journal x 3; Gathering Cultural Knowledge Essay; Learning Mode Ethnography Essay; Academic discussion on Learning Mode Ethnography process
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Ms Amy Robinson

    Course Coordinator, Lecturer & Tutor: Ms. Amy Kay Robinson


    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    Upon the successful completion of this course students will be able to:
    1. Self-evaluate / reflect their learning, identify their strengths and aspects that can be improved, adopt strategies to address learning skills
    2. Demonstrate effective communication, critical and reflective thinking
    3. Identify opportunities and challenges in intercultural communication at university and how these challenges can be addressed
    4. Identify and discuss cultural issues from multiple perspectives, including from Australian, ATSI and non-Australian perspectives. 
    5. Research and report on a self chosen topic relating to learning and teaching. 
    6. Work collaboratively in groups during tutorials to build rapport with colleagues and foster leadership skills. 
    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)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1-6

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    2, 3, 4

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    6

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    6

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    3, 4

    Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency

    Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.

    3, 4

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    5

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    1
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    A list of weekly readings is available under the Course Readings tab in Canvas (MyUni).
    Recommended Resources

    There are no required textbooks or readers for this course. 

    All weekly readings will be articles or websites provided to students through the Canvas / MyUni student portal. 

    Online Learning
    Please note: Turnitin will be used for students to learn more effectively about referencing and citation conventions at university; it is recommended that you familiarise yourself with this. Please visit http://www.adelaide.edu.au/clpd/plagiarism/students/turnitin/ for further information.

    It is important to become proficient in using the university library to find appropriate texts for a range of subjects in the Humanities and Social Sciences. Please use the Library online tutorials for assistance with this: http://libguides.adelaide.edu.au/home. It is also strongly recommended that you view the following video: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/writingcentre/articulate/avoidingPlagiarism/player.html.

    MyUni will be used for essential communication including via email, so please check your University email regularly (at least three times a week). If you have a smartphone it is strongly recommended that you set up your email on it for easy and regular access to your University email. For guidance on how to do this, visit: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/technology/yourservices/email-collaboration/email/.

    Remember, the most useful portal for all University online activities is Unified: https://unified.adelaide.edu.au/web/unified/home.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Students will be required to attend a one hour lecture and two hour tutorial each week of the semester.

    Workload

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

    1 x 1 hour lectuer per week (x12) 12 hours
    1 x 2 hour tutorial per week (x12) 24 hours
    3 hours readings per week (x12) 36 hours
    3 hours per week working on reflective journal,
    assessments and auditing lectures and other University modes (x12)
    36 hours
    4 hours per week group project work (x12) 36 hours
    Total 156 hours
    Learning Activities Summary

    Weekly topics available on Canvas and may be subject to change. Below is an indication of topics: 

    Week 1

    Introduction & Reflective Practices


    Week 2
    Learning Theories

    Week 3

    Introduction to Academic Writing 

    Week 4 

    Critical Reading

    Week 5

    Ethnography 

    Week 6

    Virtual Fieldwork

    Mid-Semester Break

    Week 7

    Ethics and Research & Oral Presentations

    Week 8

    Agreeing and Disagreeing with academic arguments 

    Week 9
    Triangualtion of Data

    Week 10

    Socio-Cultural Perspectives 

    Week 11

    Writing Workshop

    Week 12
    Course Reflection & Writing Workshop

  • 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 Weighting Learning Outcome
     Reflective Journal 20%
    500 words maximum
    1,3,4
    Oral Presentation 35%
    750 words
    1-13
    Ethnography Report 45%
    1,500 words
    8-13
    Participation Task  TBC 1-13

    National Association of Enabling Educators (NAEEA) Common Learning Outcomes (2019) 

    Skills: On completion of an Enabling course, a student will demonstrate:
    cognitive skills to understand, analyse, synthesise and critically evaluate information;
    information skills to find, retrieve and analyse information for use in academic
    contexts;
    communication practices to foster the exchange of knowledge and ideas within an
    academic context;
    academic literacy skills fostering the written communication of ideas, theories and
    analysis; and
    independent learning skills

    Application of knowledge and skills: A student completing an Enabling course will
    demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills by:
    engaging with the university learning and teaching environment in an ethically and
    contextually aware manner;
    applying independent learning techniques to achieve their learning outcomes;
    using their developing critical thinking skills and broadening knowledge in particular
    contexts; and
    adopting student practices that meet their institutions’ academic expectations. 

    Assessment Detail

    No information currently available.

    Submission

    No information currently available.

    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.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.