This pre-sessional course aims to prepare students who may be embarking on graduate coursework for the first time, or who may have been away from formal studies for a significant period of time. It ensures students can adjust to the academic culture and expectations of graduate study. The course is offered twice yearly.
This Course has two parts: Academic and Research Skills and Information Literacy. The Academic and Research Skills component introduces students to the academic expectations they will find during their graduate coursework and familiarises them with Crawford teaching styles and resources available. This includes expectations in teaching and learning, the language of different disciplines, research skills, critical analysis, use of argument and evidence, academic reading and writing, academic integrity and referencing, and presentation skills. The Information Literacy Program (ILP) supports students in consolidating Academic and Research Skills through Information Management, Information Searching and Information Technology. 

The Graduate Academic and Research Skills program is significant in ensuring that students have increased confidence in their ability to achieve academic success at Crawford School

Learning Outcomes

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

On completion of the Academic and Research Skills component of this course, students will be able to
1. understand the university’s expectations
2. use strategies to manage time and assignments 
3. use strategies to effectively read and understand an academic text
4. use effective strategies to note take, paraphrase and summarise key ideas in an academic text
5. identify an argument and evidence in an academic text
6. construct an argument and provide evidence to support this
7. assess the strengths and weaknesses of another writer’s ideas
8. find, evaluate and interpret authoritative and relevant sources for assignments
9. apply the referencing conventions required by the Crawford School and avoid plagiarism
10. write and structure an assignment in an appropriate style
11. be familiar with the study of Public Policy  
12. submit an assignment through Wattle/TurnitinInformation Literacy Program

On completion of the Information Literacy Program in this course, students will be able to:
1. use strategies to effectively search for academic text
2. assess the strength and weaknesses of websites
3. assess information sources from Library databases and apply to research requirements
4. understand how to save and organise electronic files 
5. use professional design techniques in presentations
6. install online software through Microsoft Office 365 Online Portal 
7. apply correct academic formatting for long documents 

Staff Feedback

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

• Written comments

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.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introductions and expectations; managing time; using Wattle and useful apps for study.	Offered as online modules via Wattle plus an introductory online seminar
2	Thinking critically and reflectively to learn effectively in an academic environment; understanding academic debates; using theories as a lens and managing contested concepts. Reading effectively: how to get relevant and useful information from academic texts as quickly as possible; identifying and understanding arguments in academic texts.	Offered as online modules via Wattle plus an introductory online lecture and online seminar
3	Finding relevant and useful material to read: what types of material are available, and how to choose the most useful and reliable reading materials at the right times. Building and outlining arguments, writing a comprehensive essay plan, and effectively signposting your argument.	Offered as online modules via Wattle plus an introductory online lecture and online seminar
4	Writing clearly and effectively to make sure you readers can follow your argument; academic style and sentence structure. Engaging with others' ideas effectively and referencing in an academic manner; understanding the expectations of academic integrity.	Offered as online modules via Wattle plus an introductory online lecture and online seminar
5	Using the Turnitin service to improve your writing; formatting your assessments.	Offered as online modules via Wattle plus an online seminar

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Learning Outcomes
Reading Response	5 %	27/06/2022	2,3,5
Focused Summaries	15 %	10/07/2022	2,3,5,8,10
Academic Integrity Quiz	30 %	15/07/2022	1,9
Referencing Task	10 %	17/07/2022	1,9
Final Essay	40 %	20/07/2022	1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,12

* 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 ANU Online website Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

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.

Assessment Task 1

Reading Response

The details of the Reading Response task will be available on the Wattle site

DUE Monday 27 June, 3pm Canberra Time

Submission: email to crawford.academic.skills@anu.edu.au

Assessment Task 2

Focused Summaries

The details of the Focused Summaries task will be available on the Wattle site

DUE Sunday 10 July 11.55pm Canberra Time

Submission: Turnitin

Assessment Task 3

Academic Integrity Quiz

To complete the PSP you must complete the academic integrity module on the CRWF7900 Wattle site, including the quiz. You can complete this at any time during week 4 of the PSP. The due date is the final date by which you must have complete the quiz.

DUE Friday 15 July, 11.55 pm Canberra Time

Submission: Wattle quiz

Assessment Task 4

Referencing Task

The referencing task requires you to apply the principles of the Crawford referencing style to create a properly formatted reference list. The task will be handed out in class, and will be completed as a group.

DUE Sunday 17 July 5.00pm Canberra Time

Submission: Wattle (plus email of individual draft)

Assessment Task 5

Final Essay

The Final Essay will assess you on the key topics covered in CRWF7900: getting informed about an academic topic, building and communicating effective arguments, and using academic literature to develop your opinion and support your argument. The full instructions, including the essay question, will be available on Wattle. 

The essay should be 800 words, excluding references.

Due: Wednesday 20 July, 11.55pm Canberra time

Submission: Turnitin

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community 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 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 University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

The ANU uses 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. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.

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 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.

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.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure The Course Convener may grant extensions 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.

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