Course Title: Global Studies Research

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Global Studies Research

Credit Points: 24.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

HUSO2346

City Campus

Postgraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2017,
Sem 1 2020

HUSO2346

City Campus

Postgraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face or Internet

Sem 2 2014,
Sem 1 2015,
Sem 2 2015,
Sem 1 2016,
Sem 2 2016,
Sem 1 2017,
Sem 2 2018,
Sem 1 2019,
Sem 2 2019,
Sem 2 2020

Flexible Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

HUSO2346

City Campus

Postgraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face or Workplace

PGRDFlex22 (WIL2)

HUSO2346

City Campus

Postgraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Internet or Workplace

PGRDFlex23 (WIL2)

HUSO2346

City Campus

Postgraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Internet or Workplace

PGRDFlex24 (WFF1)

HUSO2346

City Campus

Postgraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Workplace

PGRDFlex21 (WIL1),

PGRDFlex21 (WIL2)

Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Jose Roberto Guevara

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 3046

Course Coordinator Email: roberto.guevara@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Building 37. Floor 5. Room 17

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

To be eligible to undertake the thesis option you are required to: 

  1. Have achieved a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and 
  2. Identify a member of the teaching team willing to supervise your project, and 
  3. Provide to the course coordinator a short research proposal that includes research questions, significance and methodology sections. The proposal should be developed with the intended supervisor and provided to the course coordinator by the commencement of the semester.  
   

The course coordinator will make a decision about whether you are able to undertake the thesis option based on quality of the proposal and in consultation with the intended supervisor.


Course Description

This capstone course enables you to synthesize and integrate knowledge, connect theory and practice and demonstrate holistic achievement of program learning outcomes. The course provides an opportunity for you to more deeply investigate a particular area of scholarship and professional practice in the field.   

Your investigation may take the form of an individually negotiated project, placement or thesis relating to your professional context.  

You may choose to align your project, placement or thesis with your professional work if you are already employed in the sector, or you may conduct the project, placement or thesis in conjunction with an organisation that you have a relationship with. Your decision to undertake a project, placement or thesis will depend on your career objectives.   

This course includes a work integrated learning experience component in which your knowledge and skills will be applied and assessed in an industry (project or placement) or simulated workplace context (thesis option) and where feedback from industry and/or community is integral to your experience.  


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program Learning Outcomes 

In course you will develop the following program learning outcomes:  

  • Critically analyse, synthesise and reflect on the immediate effects and broader consequences of global sustainability challenges, including the interplay of ecological, economic, political, social, and cultural factors 
  • Develop and use appropriate research strategies, methods and tools to generate knowledge to inform decision-making in diverse social, cultural, and geographic contexts 
  • Clearly communicate complex and technical analysis and proposals related to global challenges to diverse audiences and stakeholders 
  • Provide professional leadership by determining and applying the specialist knowledge and technical skills required to creatively solve problems, demonstrating expert judgment and ethical responsibility 
  • Critically analyse, synthesize and reflect on diverse knowledge, practices, and lived experiences to extend and challenge the discipline and the field. 

 


Course Learning Outcomes 

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to: 

  1. Plan, design and manage an applied and independent research project aligned with the Program Learning Outcomes 
  2. Engage with appropriate professional and scholarly literature  
  3. Critically apply appropriate research approaches, methods, participatory tools and techniques, in research design and/or project planning, implementation and evaluation, to respond to an authentic industry problem or address a contemporary issue faced in organisations  
  4. Present a research project, justifying how the findings or the work completed contributes to scholarship and/or your future professional practice as a leader in your field
     


Overview of Learning Activities

Learning activities will include intensive workshops, guest lectures, presentations, independent research and regular seminars focused on sharing and planning your research, placement and project work. This course can be completed on or off campus.  

In addition, you will be expected to critically reflect on your own development practice, actively engaged in learning with your peers through Community of Practice workshops and on-line blogs.   

For the project and placement options, you will need to decide on and are responsible for securing your own industry-based placement or project. The minimum requirement for the placement option is 40 days. The project outputs are negotiated with the host organisation and can include project proposals, monitoring and evaluation frameworks, research reports, policy brief, training designs, etc.  

Through this process of deciding, searching, applying and securing your placement or project, you will gain career preparation experience and a develop a better understanding of the dynamic landscape of international development and humanitarian practice.  

You need to approach an appropriate academic adviser who is your guide to engaging with the relevant literature in preparing your proposal and your reflective portfolio. The relevant literature will help inform and deepen your appreciation of the specific development issues you are involved with, and ensure that the placement or project outcomes are of a high academic and professional standard. Your academic adviser will be familiar with the industry sector of your placement or project and can support and guide you in developing critical reflective practice. For this reason, you should be in regular contact with your academic adviser.

For the thesis option, the research process will help you come to terms with the major existing literature on the subject, investigate new sources, gather, create and/or analyse relevant data, sustain an interpretative discussion, and present the argument in a logical and coherent form. Through this process, you will gain experience in discovery, critical analysis, problem-solving and interpretation.   

You need to approach an appropriate thesis supervisor. The supervision process is critical to the success of this course. They should assist you in locating relevant sources, people, sites and organisations, recommend appropriate methodological and theoretical readings, advise about the organisation and structure of the argument, help you refine your topic if necessary, and read and criticise your manuscript. Your supervisor should give you assistance and support, as well as presenting you with a continual intellectual and professional challenge. For this reason, you should be in regular contact with your supervisor.  

As a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) course, or simulation, you will undertake a project, placement , or complete a thesis, where you will research, critique, question and compare industry practices. You will also receive industry/community feedback. 

 


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems.   

The industry-based placement or project options are conducted under the guidance of an industry mentor with on-going advice from an appropriate academic staff member.  

The thesis option is based on independent research under the supervision of an appropriate academic staff member, equivalent to the role of the industry mentor. An introductory overview of key literature, concepts and processes/methods relevant to conducting research, project-based learning and working with industry will be available.  

As the capstone course, you will be expected to integrate knowledge and skills gained during your postgraduate studies and seek further resources relevant to the focus of your research, placement or project.   

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal.


Overview of Assessment

 

You will be assessed on how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes and on your development against the program learning outcomes.  Assessment will cover both theoretical and practical aspects of your learning. You will be able to develop your knowledge and skills in relation to your own specific areas of interest in your professional practice.    Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks.  

Assessment Tasks (Project and Placement Options) 

1. Preparation Portfolio, to be completed prior to commencing the placement or project (15%)  

• Approved Work Integrated Learning Agreement (if required)

• Placement/Project Plan (1000 words)

• Critical Reflections 

Aligned Course Learning Outcomes: 1,2 & 3  

2. Reflective Practice Portfolio (65%)  

• Evidence of successful completion of the industry placement or project based on agreed outcomes (equivalent to 5000 words).  

• Critical Reflective Practice Report (2,000 words) 

• Research Paper (3,000 words) 

Aligned Course Learning Outcomes: 1,2 & 3 

3. Presentation (20%)  

• Abstract   

• Presentation   

Aligned Course Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3 & 4  

The WIL Agreement and Placement/Project Plan is approved by the course coordinator, in discussion with the potential academic adviser. The elements of the reflective practice portfolio are prepared in stages and reviewed regularly with your course coordinator or the academic adviser. Elements of the reflective practice portfolio and presentation are marked by either the course coordinator or the nominated academic adviser.  

Assessment Tasks (Thesis Option) 

1. Thesis Proposal, to be completed and approved prior to commencing the thesis (Pre-requisite task)  

• Thesis Proposal (1,000 words)  

• Critical Reflections 

Aligned Course Learning Outcomes: 1,2 & 3  

2. Thesis (80%)  

• Thesis (10,000 words) 

Aligned Course Learning Outcomes: 1,2 & 3 

3. Presentation (20%)  

• Abstract   

• Presentation   

Aligned Course Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3 & 4  

The thesis proposal is approved by the course coordinator, in discussion with your nominated supervisor. The thesis and the presentation are marked by two examiners neither of whom is your supervisor.

If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program manager or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more. 

Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions