978911 In-country Study 2: Colombia

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, 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.

Subject handbook information prior to 2018 is available in the Archives.

Subject level:

Undergraduate

Description

This subject is the key component of the Colombia major in the BA in International Studies, which involves two sessions of study overseas attached to a partner institution of UTS. In-country study is designed to enable students to experience living and studying in the culture of their specialisation and is guided by the principles of cultural immersion and reflection, as well as self-reliance.

The subject recognises that intercultural learning is integral to professional practice. It aims to foster in students a capacity for critical reflection – in particular, the ability to identify and question one's cultural assumptions, values and beliefs, and thus to acknowledge and empathise with the perspectives of people from other cultures.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject engages with the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs), which are tailored to the Graduate Attributes set for all graduates of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (INT = International Studies CILOs):

• Graduates will have the capacity to operate appropriately in intercultural professional contexts (INT.1.1)
• Graduates will have a broad and coherent understanding of the historical, political, cultural, social and economic situations in other countries (INT.1.3)
• Graduates will be able to creatively design and conduct independent, engaged and ethical research in and about other cultural contexts and societies (INT.2.1)
• Graduates will possess critical problem-solving and research-led analytical skills in international and intercultural change (INT.2.2)
• Graduates will be able to personally reflect upon the relationship between diverse cultures in Australia while confidently engaging successfully with cultures overseas, particularly in this region (INT.3.1)
• As informed and engaged international citizens, graduates will demonstrate cosmopolitan openness, with an awareness of, and commitment to, ethical practices (INT.5.1)
• Graduates will possess a high-level of oral and written communication skills in English and, where relevant, a developed level of oral and written communication skills in at least one language other than English (INT.6.1)

Teaching and learning strategies

This subject builds on prior skills and knowledge gained in Language and Culture classes, as well as in the introductory Foundations in International Studies, and the Contemporary Society subject.

In Country Studies is based on the immersive learning experience in a host culture. This generally involves a stance of openness while questioning, adaptation and accommodation, and that has a variety of specific aspects. First, you will be exposed, via full participation in host university classes, to a different tertiary education system. In addition to the "content" that host university classes convey, you will begin to reflect upon and adapt to intercultural difference in relation to university education.

The second learning aspect of this subject builds on and moves beyond reflections about different tertiary education systems by specifically fostering critical and creative enquiry into your host and home cultures more generally. This requires you to reflect on your pre-conceived ideas about the host culture, as well as the unchallenged assumptions that you might have about your home culture. This will promote a heightened appreciation of cultural difference and your active “global citizenship,” since it is based on real exposure to and experience of international knowledges.

A large part of the assessment for this subject is devoted to a project (like a small scale thesis). We provide you with general guidance about the research process and tools, but you have the freedom to choose your own area of enquiry, and your own approaches to it. In doing so, you will forge deeper links to your host culture. In some cases, students will be able to work on projects that may have some relevance for their other degree. The research process, is “scaffolded” through various steps, each of which is a separate assessment task. You will receive timely feedback and through this support have the opportunity to develop your skills as independent project-driven researchers. This includes both gathering data, and critical analysis of that data. Further, you will call on and develop interpersonal skills and ethical practices. Finally, you will hone your written communication skills, and secure a real understanding of how communication works in different cultural settings.

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Host Uni Classes

Assessment task 2: Project Proposal

Assessment task 3: Project

Assessment task 4: First Impressions Revisited

Minimum requirements

• Live in-country for one semester; and
• Achieve a pass at host university classes or equivalent determination of competence as agreed by the ICS Coordinator; and
• Attain an average of 50% or more in the ICS assessment tasks (1 reflective piece and 2 research based pieces)

Consequences of Failure

• If you fail In-country 2 then you may be able to repeat by undertaking 24 credit points of approved BA in International Studies substitute subjects at UTS.
• In deciding whether a student may repeat ICS 2 the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences will consider a variety of factors, such as the views of the host university adviser.

Recommended texts

See individual assessment tasks for references.

References

See individual assessment tasks for references.