The SoCIETIE Initiative is open to students from any degree who want to make positive difference in their communities.
The SoCIETIE Initiative helps students build the skills and perspectives needed to address complex challenges — from local issues to global concerns. In a supportive, transdisciplinary learning environment, students, academics, practitioners and community partners work together to turn ideas into action.
SoCIETIE @ the ANU McCusker Institute
The SoCIETIE Initiative champions Social Change, Impact, Engagement, Transformation, Inclusion & Equity through a flexible and inclusive curriculum model.
Learn more at: https://mccuskerinstitute.anu.edu.au/
KNoTs (to Know the Nature Of Things..)
SoCIETIE is not a typical university course. Students will take part in workshops, which we call KNoTs, where you will build practical skills and explore big ideas needed to create social impact. KNoTs include real-world projects with campus and community partners.
Topics may include collaborative problem-solving, creating change in communities, working with diverse stakeholders, harnessing disciplinary knowledge for impact, critical thinking, and incorporating Indigenous knowledge and perspectives.
View upcoming KNoTs: https://mccuskerinstitute.anu.edu.au/societie/
AATD2001 - SoCIETIE Initiative at 2000-level
Students enrolled in AATD2001 are often (any may apply):
- curious about, preparing for, or are able to influence positive change in their communities, clubs and/or societies
- preparing for final-year projects and placements and are looking to gain experience and skills
- contributing disciplinary perspectives to workshops and projects
- looking to explore topics that might inform or complement further studies and/or career
- interested in undertaking a project as part of a collaborative team with peers and/or partners
How to Apply
To enrol in a SoCIETIE course, students must submit a short Expression of Interest (EOI). Successful applicants will be invited to an induction session and given a permission code to enrol.
Submit your EOI: https://mccuskerinstitute.anu.edu.au/societie/
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- employ critical and creative thinking to evaluate evidence to support ideas, arguments and solutions in real-world contexts;
- develop a repertoire of approaches that support inclusive collaboration for social engagement across difference;
- respond to the dynamics of relationships and change when working towards an agreed goal; and
- progressively modify practice through the course with personal experiences and/or real-world situations.
Work Integrated Learning
Projects
All students will complete a collaborative project with a partner as part of this course
Other Information
See https://mccuskerinstitute.anu.edu.au/ for up-to-date information about the upcoming course offerings.
Indicative Assessment
- Course pathway proposal (0) [LO 4]
- KNoT Completion Evidence [Knowing, Being, Doing] (50) [LO 1,2,3]
- Learning Portfolio (50) [LO 1,2,3,4]
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.
Workload
130 hours of total student learning time made up from:
a) 36 hours of contact through activities associated with KNoTs, which may include a flexible combination of seminars, workshops, tutorials, studios, and on-site visits; and
b) 94 hours of independent student research, reading, writing, and/or group work directly related to KNoTs
Inherent Requirements
No specific inherent requirements have been identified for this course.
Requisite and Incompatibility
You will need to contact the ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences to request a permission code to enrol in this course.
Prescribed Texts
Each workshop will have prescribed readings and resources, made available on the course website as required.
Preliminary Reading
Students interested in Transdisciplinary practice are encouraged to explore resources available in the Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving guide, which has material available via the Library on Change, Decision-Making, Research Implementation, Unknowns, Systemic Thinking, Context, Pluralistic viewpoints, Teamwork, Stakeholder Engagement, Communication, and Integration: https://libguides.anu.edu.au/transdisciplinary-problem-solving
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2026 | $4500 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2026 | $5820 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
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.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Summer Session
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1471 | 01 Jan 2026 | 23 Jan 2026 | 23 Jan 2026 | 31 Mar 2026 | In Person | N/A |
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4138 | 23 Feb 2026 | 02 Mar 2026 | 31 Mar 2026 | 29 May 2026 | In Person | N/A |
Autumn Session
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5434 | 01 Apr 2026 | 24 Apr 2026 | 24 Apr 2026 | 30 Jun 2026 | In Person | N/A |
Winter Session
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SoCIETIE Initiative | ||||||
| 6499 | 01 Jul 2026 | TBA | TBA | 30 Sep 2026 | In Person | N/A |
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SoCIETIE Initiative | ||||||
| 9068 | 27 Jul 2026 | 03 Aug 2026 | 31 Aug 2026 | 30 Oct 2026 | In Person | N/A |
Spring Session
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SoCIETIE Initiative | ||||||
| 9368 | 01 Oct 2026 | TBA | TBA | 31 Dec 2026 | In Person | N/A |