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 

Required Resources

All resources are available either on the Wattle site or through the ANU Library.

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). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introductions and expectations, and managing your time and focus.	Offered on campus and as an online module via Wattle
2	Thinking critically and reflectively to learn effectively in an academic environment, understanding academic debates (using theories as a lens and managing contested concepts), and how to read efficiently and understand arguments.	Offered on campus and as an online module via Wattle
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. Organizing your ideas and developing an argument that draws on what you've learned.	Offered on campus and as an online module via Wattle
4	Writing effectively: academic style, structuring sentences and engaging with other people’s ideas while maintaining academic integrity. Using sources and referencing following the Crawford style.	Offered on campus and as an online module via Wattle
5	Using Turnitin and other useful apps, and Academic Skills during semester. Formatting your assignments using the Crawford template.	Offered on campus and as an online module via Wattle

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value
Reading response	5 %
Focused summaries	15 %
Academic integrity quiz	20 %
Group referencing exercise	10 %
Short essay	50 %

* 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 Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

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 Skills website. 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

Reading response

Read the Focus Paper and write 1 or 2 paragraphs (250 words in total) that engage with the following questions:

• What is Minton Beddoes' article about?
• Does Minton Beddoes make an argument, or does she just survey other people's positions?
• What do you think Minton Beddoes’ ideological position might be, and what makes you think so?
• What was new and/or interesting to you in the article?

Word limit: 250 words (in total)

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

Due Date: each mode of delivery has different due dates, so check the appropriate Wattle site for details.

Assessment Task 2

Focused summaries

Find 3 academic journal articles or book chapters that present original research about economic inequality and summarize each in around 150 words:

• What is the author's thesis or findings?
• What are the main points of the argument?
• Are there points in common or disagreements across the 3 articles?

Do not give your own evaluation of the authors' arguments, simply explain them so that someone who hasn't read the article/chapter can understand what it is adding to the debates around economic inequality.

Do NOT simply copy the abstract of the article. You MUST explain the papers' arguments in your own words.

Word limit: 500 words (in total)

Submission method: Turnitin

Due Date: each mode of delivery has different due dates, so check the appropriate Wattle site for details.

Assessment Task 3

Academic integrity quiz

Complete the Academic Integrity quiz on the CRWF7900 Wattle site.

The completion of this quiz with a grade above 80% is a requirement for completing CRWF7900. It MUST be completed before you submit your essay.

Submission method: Wattle quiz

Due Date: each mode of delivery has different due dates, so check the appropriate Wattle site for details.

Assessment Task 4

Group referencing exercise

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 available on the Wattle site.

Submission method: Wattle

Due Date: each mode of delivery has different due dates, so check the appropriate Wattle site for details.

Assessment Task 5

Short essay

Essay question:

Economic inequality within many countries has been increasing in recent years, and many academics and politicians have been expressing concerns that high levels of inequality will have negative consequences for economic growth, social wellbeing, political stability, and environmental sustainability.

Should the government of your country make reducing economic inequality a policy priority? Provide reasons for your answer.

Marking criteria:

To develop a strong argument for or against whether your government should make trying to reduce economic inequality a policy priority you must:

• make it clear to the reader what you are arguing for (give a clear thesis statement)
• provide clear and well-connected reasons to support your thesis
• provide sufficient evidence to convince the reader of each of your reasons
• provide appropriate evidence, drawn from academic literature, not the media or personal experience
• show that you have considered other credible points of view
• demonstrate an informed and critical approach to the literature on economic inequality.

Key topics covered in CRWF7900 are effective ways to build arguments and structure papers, how to use academic literature to develop and support your argument, and how to communicate clearly and effectively. These are the skills that will be assessed in this essay, not the actual content.

Word limit: 800 words, excluding reference list.

Submission method: Turnitin

Due Date: each mode of delivery has different due dates, so check the appropriate Wattle site for details.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

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

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

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 Access 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