POLIS 2137 - International Study Tour: Politics
North Terrace Campus - Quadmester 4 - 2016
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code POLIS 2137 Course International Study Tour: Politics Coordinating Unit Politics and International Relations Term Quadmester 4 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact 36 hours (intensive) over three week period Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N Prerequisites 24 units of level I study Quota Places are limited. Students will be selected based on GPA and an interview with the course coordinator. Students will need to enrol as part of the normal enrolment process; those selected will be notified before the semester teaching starts Assessment Research essay 50%, Reflective essay/blog 30%, Annotated bibliography 10%, Seminar participation 10% Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Benito Cao
office: Napier 409
phone: 8313 5745
email: benito.cao@adelaide.edu.au
http://www.adelaide.edu.au/directory/benito.caoCourse Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course students will be able to:
1 Demonstrate a close understanding of the political culture and institutions of a foreign country 2 Conduct primary research on selected policy/institutional issues relating to a foreign country 3 Demonstrate skills and competencies in intercultural awareness 4 Show enhanced critical thinking and skills of analysis 5 Better understand their Adelaide based disciplinary study by seeing it in an international context 6 Demonstrate confidence in a foreign environment and a well-developed sense of social responsibility through engagement with local communities 7 Demonstrate high level written and oral communication 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) 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, 4, 5 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 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, 7 Career and leadership readiness
- technology savvy
- professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
- forward thinking and well informed
- tested and validated by work based experiences
1, 2, 3, 4, 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
1, 3, 5, 6 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
5, 6 -
Learning Resources
Required Resources
Textbook as part of pre-departure study. Other materials to be determined by focus of study.Recommended Resources
Access to standard student IT facilities (especially web access while away from campus).Online Learning
MyUni will be utilised to upload additional resources, including scholarly articles, news items and video clips. Students will be
encouraged to contribute to the Course Blog. -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
This course is comprised primarily of lectures, seminars and in-country activities. The lectures will introduce the key concepts, theories and themes, using a combination of multi-media sources (e.g. slides, videos, web-links, etc.).The seminars will consist of small-group activities and semi-structured debates on the relevant topics.The in-country activities will vary depending on the specific tour.Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
WORKLOAD TOTAL HOURS 4 x 3-hour pre-departure seminars 12 hours per semester 8 x 3-hour in-country based seminars 24 hours per semester Site visits 18 hours per semester Reading and preparation for class 54 hours per semester Preparation and writing of assignments 48 hours per semester 156 hours per semester Learning Activities Summary
This course is designed to run intensively over a three week period (1 week in Adelaide and 2 weeks overseas). The nature of the lecture topics will vary according to the country visited, and to the specific political context relevant at the time of the visit.Specific Course Requirements
Students will spend two weeks overseas. Global Learning will ensure compliance with all requirements.
Small Group Discovery Experience
This course will offer students a short term, but intensive engagement and close interaction with experts in the discipline field
and the relevant country of study. In addition, seminars will include small-group activities and semi-structured discussions designed to provide students with a fulfilling 'small group discovery experience'. Students will also be encouraged to work in small groups outside the classroom, including in the research and production of some of their assignments.
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Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
Assessment Task Task Type Weighting Learning Outcome Research Essay Formative and Summative 40% 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 Reflective Blog Formative and Summative 40% 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 Tutorial Work Formative and Summative 20% 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 Assessment Related Requirements
N/AAssessment Detail
Tutorial Work: Tutorials are forums for free exchange and discussion of informed opinions, that is, ideas and thoughts based
on reading and reflection, as well as places for raising questions and for the exchange of relevant information. All students are expected to have read the required readings in preparation for the tutorials. Tutorial work will be assessed on the basis of the depth of knowledge on the weekly topic, the quality of engagement with the weekly readings and other materials, and the attitude displayed towards the arguments and contributions of others. Tutorial work will include small-group activities, as well as the student engagement during site visits. Additional guidelines will be provided during the first session, in Day 1.
Research Essay: The research essay is designed to assess the student’s ability to conduct independent research, evaluate relevant materials, and formulate a coherent, sophisticated and well-substantiated argument on one of the topics covered in the course. Students will have to come up with their own question, in consultation with the course coordinator.
Reflective Blog: Students will be required to write a series of short blog entries (approx. 200-300 words), one for each of the topics covered in the course. The specific details regarding the submission of blog entries will be established on Day 1.
Submission
Essays must be submitted electronically, through Turnitin. The relevant link will be available on MyUni.
The official procedure to apply for extensions is: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/student/exams/mod_arrange.html
Students must apply for extensions through the official procedure unless:
1. The student is only requesting a short extension of two days or less.
2. The assessment is worth 20% or less.
3. The student is registered with the Disability Office and has a Disability Access Plan.
Late essays without an extension will be penalised at the rate of 2% per day.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.
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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.
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Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
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- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
- YouX Student Care - Advocacy, confidential counselling, welfare support and advice
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Elder Conservatorium of Music Noise Management Plan
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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