Course Title: Measuring Globalisation

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Measuring Globalisation

Credit Points: 12.00

Flexible Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

HUSO2389

City Campus

Undergraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Internet

UGRDFlex18 (INT)

HUSO2389

City Campus

Undergraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Internet

UGRDFx2020 (ISV)

Course Coordinator: Assoc Prof Julian Lee

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 3440

Course Coordinator Email: julian.lee@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 37.5.16

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None. There is no expectation that you are proficient in any statistical method and learning activities do not require any complex mathematical calculations. 


Course Description

Statistics and number play a central role in the way we understand our global world and measure changes and achievements. However, although the numbers we encounter may often appear objective, the assumptions and methods used to create them are often not readily apparent. Statistics on global health and education for example provide essential detail for the ordering of institutional priorities and the setting of global policy goals. Yet data does not become meaningful until subjected to interpretation, and this process of meaning making is susceptible to human error and bias. Representations of global knowledge in colourful graphs, tables, and diagrams, can be compelling in their eloquence and simplicity. In the era of big data and data analytics especially, there is a need for greater critical awareness of the ways in which erroneous conclusions can be derived from mistaken readings of questionable statistical evidence. In this course you will explore need for greater awareness of how quantitative evidence can be manipulated for political effect. This course is therefore an exploration of the foundations of our knowledge about the world. It explores key statistical concepts and critiques of them with a view to developing statistical literacy, an important competency in professional environments as well as for global citizens.  


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program Learning Outcomes 

In course you will develop the following program learning outcomes:

  • Apply a body of theoretical and practical knowledge of international relations, global cultures, language and economic issues to your professional practice or further study.  
  • Critically analyse, synthesise and reflect on knowledge about a rapidly changing world derived from multiple sources, perspectives and values systems.  
  • Apply logical, critical and creative thinking to effectively solve a range of problems associated with policies and programs in international and cross-cultural settings, and assess economic, cultural, social, environmental and political opportunities and risks.  
  • Assist in the identification of needs, the design, planning, resourcing and implementation of research and development projects in international and cross-cultural settings.  
 


Course Learning Outcomes 

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

  1. Recognise contestable assumptions in the use of quantitative evidence by global policy makers to support major policy initiatives
  2. Critically evaluate competing interpretations of identical bodies of statistical information
  3. Compare and contrast same or similar conclusions drawn from vastly different sources of statistical information
  4. Extrapolate meaning and significance from statistical data and construct alternative interpretations 


Overview of Learning Activities

To be run in an intensive inquiry-driven format, this course is built around a series of learning exercises in which you will work to critically deconstruct the use of graphs, tables, diagrams and other schematic representations of knowledge in selected global policy documents addressing climate change, global health, security, crime, economic competitiveness, gender equity, and environmental sustainability. You will investigate, compare and propose alternative interpretations of same and similar bodies of evidence, and then debate competing knowledge claims. Learning is supported with a series of complementary lectures and online material. 


Overview of Learning Resources

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

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 Tasks

Assessment Task 1: Informed reflective post, 30%, CLO1, CLO3, CLO4 

Assessment Task 2: Quiz, 20%, CLO1, CLO2 

Assessment Task 3: Professional Report, 50%, CLO1, CLO2, CLO3, and CLO4

Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks. 

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 coordinator 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.