59307 Researching Australia 2
Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular semester, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
UTS: International Studies: Arts and Social SciencesCredit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Handbook description
In this subject students are introduced to several aspects of Australian society and culture: the indigenous experience; aspects of rural and urban Australia; the history of migration; the development of multiculturalism; and social issues and current affairs. Students use interview techniques to investigate aspects of contemporary Australian society and present their research in both seminar and written form. Students are provided with the knowledge and skills to identify and understand the sociopolitical nature of cultural diversity and how this has developed in Australian society and its workplaces. The subject investigates and analyses practical applications of approaches to working with and managing cultural diversity.
Subject objectives/outcomes
Students will use a variety of research techniques to investigate aspects of Australian society. Students are encouraged to develop their critical reflective skills to compare and contrast aspects of their culture of origin and Australian culture.
On successful completion of this subject students should have developed:
- research methods to investigate aspects of Australian culture
- English language skills and knowledge required for research
- understand communication and cultural issues in the world characterised by globalisation
- oral and written reporting skills used in interviews
- discussion skills in order to explore culture and diversity in terms of the identities of individuals, workplaces and societies
- a critical approach to reading for research
- seminar presentation skills.
Assessment
Assessment Item 1: Class participation
| Objective(s): | To develop communication & research skills. In class, UTS Online, homework |
| Weighting: | 20% |
Assessment Item 2: Interview and Transcript
| Objective(s): | The purpose of this task is to develop listening, interviewing and analytical writing skills. In class |
| Weighting: | 40% |
| Criteria: | topic selection (6/40): Appropriate topic selected and explored. Able to reflect on cultural learning in a short summary (1/2 page max.) interview technique (16/40): Showed an understanding of strategies for interview including opening, closing, interrupting and clarifying. Demonstrated a good use of question forms and a good proportion of open and closed questions. Showed an ability to put interviewee at ease. Length: 8-10 minutes transcript (10/40): Three interview strategies displayed in the transcript. Transcript edited for grammar and spelling mistakes. organisation (5/40): Showed an ability to respond to interviewee's statements and to link stages of the interview. expression (3/40): grammar appropriate for meaning |
Assessment Item 3: Seminar Presentation
| Objective(s): | The purpose of this task is to clarify the focus of your case study. |
| Weighting: | 40% |
| Criteria: | content (20/40) topic clearly stated; displays in-depth understanding of the issues relating to the chosen area of Australian culture; main ideas supported by evidence; all material is relevant to topic; required areas covered; effective overview presentation (10/40) variation in pace and intonation; body language enhances presentation; effective use of visual aids; timing (10-15 mins) within prescribed limits organisation (5/40) introduction prepares listeners for body; material logically organised; clear transition from point to point; conclusion sums up main points expression (5/40) keeps audience's attention; makes meaning throughout |
Minimum requirements
In order to pass the subject, you must
- attempt, complete, and submit each assessment task,
- earn an overall total of 50 marks or more for the subject; and
- attend at least 80% of the subject
References
Belcher, D., & Connor, U. (Eds.) 2001 Reflections of multiliterate lives. Multilingual Matters, Clevedon,
Bond, M. (Ed.) 1997 Working at the interface of cultures: Eighteen lives in social science. Routledge, London and New York
Danquah, M. N. (Ed.) 2000 Becoming American. Personal essays by first generation immigrant women. Hyperion, New York,
Hage, G. & Couch, R. 1999 The future of Australian multiculturalism: Reflections on the twentieth anniversary of Jean Martin's The Migrant Presence. RIHSS, U of Sydney, Sydney
King, R., Connell, J., & White, P. (Eds.) 1995 Writing across worlds: Literature and migration. Routledge, London and New York,
Mori, K. 1997 Polite lies. On being a woman caught between cultures. Henry Holt, NY
Thurston, J. & Candlin, C. 1997 Exploring academic English: A workbook for student essay writing. NCELTR, Sydney
Vasta, E. & Castles, S. 1996 The teeth are smiling: The persistence of racism in multicultural Australia. Allen & Unwin, Sydney
Wajnryb, R. 1991 Other Voices. Nelson, Melbourne.
