This is a Higher Degree by Research training course in research design and writing in the social sciences. It is designed as an introduction to the HDR programs in the Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs, ANU College of Asia and the Pacific, and is required for all HDR students across the school. It is held in the autumn session of each year, to allow students newly enrolling at the beginning of the year to participate. Students enrolling in second semester will take the course in the autumn session of the following year. Presenters in each of the classes come from across the constituent units of the Bell School.
Through the course, students will be introduced to the practical requirements of the School's HDR programs. They will acquire the basic skills and understanding necessary for designing and undertaking a research project in international, political, and strategic studies. They will learn to communicate their research plans in both oral and written forms. Students will develop cognitive and communicative skills and independent thinking that will enable them to critique and debate research theories and ideas. Finally, these students will be introduced to a range of disciplinary approaches in international, political, and strategic studies.
This course is graded on a pass/fail basis. To pass, a student must:
Participate in 9 out of 12 weeks' sessions (LOs 1, 3, 7)
Participate in a half-day writing retreat run by the Academic Skills and Learning Centre
Complete Research Integrity training online (LO 6)
Pass each of the assessment items outlined in ‘assessment rationale’ and receive an average grade of 60% across all items (LOs 2-5)
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Understand the requirements of the HDR program in the Bell School (IPSS) and support services available;
- Demonstrate the ability to undertake thesis/research project planning;
- Demonstrate an understanding of a range of disciplinary approaches in international, political and strategic studies and an ability to engage in critique and debate about them;
- Identify and apply appropriate theoretical and conceptual approaches and modes of analysis;
- Communicate a research plan and disciplinary approaches to peers;
- Understand issues relating to research integrity and how to address them in the context of HDR; and,
- Understand issues relating to workplace health and safety (including in fieldwork) and how to address them in the context of HDR.
Indicative Assessment
- Tutorial participation (10%) (or equivalent for external students) (10) [LO null]
- Tutorial presentation (10%) (10) [LO null]
- Thesis abstract and chapter outline 40% (to be assessed by the student's primary supervisor) (40) [LO null]
- Review essay (40%) (to be assessed by the student's primary supervisor) (40) [LO null]
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
This course comprises some 130 hours of activity over 12 weeks, both interactive/seminar based and independent research. The course comprises a maximum of 6k words of assessment or the equivalent.
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
TBA
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:
- 14
- 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 |
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.
Autumn Session
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5380 | 01 Apr 2026 | TBA | TBA | 30 Jun 2026 | In Person | N/A |