This course will build on students’ research skills and knowledge in literary and cultural studies, drama and creative writing, and will equip them with the tools needed to write a well-researched and critically-engaged thesis at honours level and beyond. The course will focus on guiding students through the writing of a portion of their own thesis project. This will involve three elements: 1) locating and evaluating secondary material relevant to their topic; 2) developing a critical framework which is appropriate for the discussion and analysis of their primary text/s (whether poetry, fiction, drama, film, or other cultural texts); and 3) drafting and revising a section of the thesis itself. Through each stage of the process students will exchange their work with their peers for discussion and feedback. The aim of the course is to enable and encourage students to position their work clearly in relation to existing scholarship and critical debates on their topic, and to articulate their own intervention with clarity and persuasiveness.

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. Conduct bibliographic and/or archival research in the field of literary studies, including drama and creative writing.
2. Analyse and critically evaluate primary and secondary material from a range of sources.
3. Apply knowledge of appropriate theories and  methodologies to primary texts and position this analysis in relation to existing research in the field.
4. Outline their research topic and situate their research question or critical approach in relation to existing scholarship in the field.

Staff Feedback

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

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

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	Introduction: Why do research? What is 'good' research?
2	What is a thesis? Past thesis evaluation Planning for library research
3	Finding and evaluating sources for your thesis Constructing an annotated bibliography
4	Using Endnote
5	Reading and analysing secondary sources	Post a draft annotated bibliography Post comments on two students’ annotated bibliographies using the marking rubric
6	Effective oral presentation skills Presentation and Q&A with former Honours student	Annotated bibliography due 4 April
7	Drafting an introduction Structuring a thesis chapter	Post a ‘map’ of one of the thesis chapters you have read
8	Student presentations Part 1 Developing a theoretical approach	Post a brief outline of your thesis chapters and their main subheadings
9	Student presentations Part 2 Peer review of the introduction to your essay	Post the introduction to your essay Post a paragraph of comments on introductions written by two other students
10	Student presentations Part 3 Peer review of essay structure and argumentation	Post an outline of the structure of your essay, including 5-10 topic sentences Post a paragraph of comments on outlines written by two other students
11	Student presentations Part 4 Draft essay review Course evaluation	Post a draft of your major essay Post at least half a page of comments on two students’ draft essays
12	Individual consultations on draft essays	Essay due 9 June

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Annotated Bibliography	20 %	1,2
Oral Presentation	10 %	1,2,3,4
Essay	60 %	1,2,3,4
Forum Posts	10 %	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.

Assessment Task 1

Annotated Bibliography

Details:             1000 words

Value:              20%

 

Details of task

Present an annotated bibliography of work-in-progress research towards your thesis. You bibliography should include:

1.   A sorting of your references into a series of sub-bibliographies, categorised both thematically and functionally (that is, in terms of the kind of work they do for your research project: overview or comprehensive? Primary or secondary texts? Theoretical/methodological? Background/broad context?)

2.   Preliminary annotations on key references that you sense will be central to your project as it develops.

3.   Notes on further work to be done in terms of:

a.   Finding material

b.   Assessing material

c.    Taking summary or detailed notes

 

Assessment Task 2

Oral Presentation

10 minute presentation Value:         10%

Due date:       Rolling deadline

 

Details of task

Present a brief overview of your thesis topic, which should include:

1.   A quick introduction to the broader research field;

2.   An explanation of the specific problem/research question you aim to address;

3.   An outline of the proposed structure of your thesis;

4.   A brief summary of work completed so far, any anticipated problems or difficulties, and how you aim to deal with them.

Assessment Task 3

Essay

Details:         3000-5000words

Value:             60%

 

Details of task

This essay should be a free-standing extract from your thesis-in-progress. It could be your introduction, or a chapter on one of your primary texts. Where necessary, include a brief contextualising statement to orient your reader.

Assessment Task 4

Forum Posts

Value: 10%

Due dates: see wattle

 

Details of task

Students submit a series of posts to the ‘seminar forum’. These include drafts, peer review comments and tasks to help you to develop your thesis chapter or introduction. Forum posts will not be rated. The mark is calculated from the number of posts that you submit before the deadline. If you submit all forum posts, you will receive 100%. Forum posts will not be counted if they are late (unless you have a medical certificate) and will not be accepted via email.

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

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• 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.

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.

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