This course allows students to develop a relevant research project in the areas of Public Humanities, cultural studies, and/or Digital Humanities. Students will be guided by a supervisor in the development of a research topic, discuss appropriate methodologies and practices, and work on their project throughout the semester. This course allows students to develop a project that may have direct industry or professional relevance; and to further develop their project management, writing and/or digital literacy skills. Students will be encouraged to explore projects that are interdisciplinary and employ new media and digital skills and components.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Design a medium-scale original research project.
2. Identify and critically analyse relevant literature, including theoretical and methodological approaches to the chosen topic.
3. Apply in a sophisticated way relevant research methods and theories to the analysis of the research questions/hypothesis.
4. Develop and demonstrate relevant digital, creative writing, or new media skills.

Required Resources

Internet access Students are expected to access class materials through the course website and Wattle learning platform.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Written feedback on individual assignments and research papers
• General feedback in lectures and tutorials on assignments and written assignments
• Feedback in tutorials on projects and methods done for tutorials
• General feedback on class forums
• Peer feedback in tutorials and class forums

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

Additional Referencing Requirements

In their written assignments (Assessments 2 and 3) students are asked to follow the Chicago Manual of Style ‘author-date’ citation guidelines: http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide.html

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Scoping the project
2	Project planning	Project plan due
3	Literature Reviews
4	Research Metohodologies
5	Targeting Research
6	Research Reflections	Literature review due
7	Independent research
8	Independent research
9	Report writing
10	Independent research
11	Independent research
12	Final Presentation	Final Report due June 4th

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Research proposal	15 %	05/03/2021	19/03/2021	1, 2
Reflective journal	10 %	*	*	1, 2, 3, 4
Literature review	15 %	01/04/2021	15/04/2021	2
Research project	60 %	04/06/2021	18/06/2021	1, 2, 3, 4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Integrity . In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

This course relies on independent research but students must also attend weekly seminars to discuss their research project.

Assessment Task 1

Research proposal

Students will write a 1000-word research proposal. This is outline their plan for the completion and set the aims of the research project that they will carry out largely independently. The research proposal needs to identify the dataset on which the student will focus, or explain how they will acquire their data; it needs to describe a preliminary methodology; and provide an estimated timeline (for example in the form of a Gantt chart) mapping the stages in which the project will be completed.

Assessment Rubrics

25% Clarity of overall aim and research questions or hypothesis

25% Timeliness, suitability, and realistic approach to project plan and research agenda

25% Time, project workflow, and data management (or their plans)

25% Presentation, organisation, referencing, and coherence of expression

Word limit: 1000 words

Value: 15%

Presentation requirements: Uploaded as PDF through the Wattle page.

Estimated return date: After 2 working weeks of the submission.

Assessment Task 2

Reflective journal

Students should keep a journal of their reflections on the research process each week. The aim of these journal entries is to provide the student and opportunity to illustrate the extent of their engagement with the project, but also so record any failures or errors that may have occurred along the way. Students can use this as an opportunity to record the reasons behind their design decisions, as well as their thoughts about the research process. Students do not need to submit the journal but will be expected to report back to the class about their reflections at least 5 times during semester.

Word limit: Spoken presentations equivalent of 1,500 words total

Value: 10% as class participation.

Feedback given in class.

Assessment Task 3

Literature review

Students will illustrate their knowledge of the current state of research in their chosen area of research by presenting a literature review. This can also take the form of an annotated bibliography.

Assessment Rubrics

25% Relevancy and suitability of selected papers on researched topic

25% Comprehensiveness of literature survey

25% Quality of engagement with selected sources

25% Presentation, organization, referencing, and coherence of expression

Word limit: 1,500 words

Value: 15%

Presentation requirements: Uploaded as PDF through the Wattle page.

Estimated return date: After 2 working weeks of the submission.

Assessment Task 4

Research project

Students will carry out a research project. You must write up a final report detailing the aims, workflow, and findings of your project. This should 3000 words only. The independent research you carry out will count towards the final 4000 words (ie you do not need to write 4000 words but you need to spend the time doing research).

Assessment Rubrics

15% Suitability of the research agenda

15% Suitability and appropriateness of the methodology

15% Suitability of the chosen dataset with regard to the research agenda and methodology

20% Critical engagement and analysis

20% New research discovery and research output

15% Adherence to Research proposal

Word limit: the equivalent of 7,000 words total

Value: 60%

Presentation requirements: Report to be up loaded as PDF through the Wattle page.

Estimated return date: After 2 working weeks of the submission.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.

The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with.

The Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

Work will be returned electronically through Wattle.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Students who fail an assignment may discuss with the course convenor options for doing alternative assessment.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students