Course Title: Transformative Research & Evaluation
Part A: Course Overview
Course Title: Transformative Research & Evaluation
Credit Points: 12.00
Terms
Course Code |
Campus |
Career |
School |
Learning Mode |
Teaching Period(s) |
HUSO2393 |
City Campus |
Undergraduate |
365H Global, Urban and Social Studies |
Face-to-Face |
Sem 2 2018, Sem 2 2019, Sem 2 2020, Sem 2 2021, Sem 2 2022, Sem 2 2023 |
Course Coordinator: Rachel Goff
Course Coordinator Phone: Contact via email please
Course Coordinator Email: rachel.goff@rmit.edu.au
Course Coordinator Location: Builing 8, Level 10
Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment (please email)
Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities
None
Course Description
Contemporary social issues have many complex dimensions, and this reality creates new challenges that social service sectors must address. In this context, practitioners need deep research-based understandings of social issues so that they are able to develop effective sector-appropriate broad-based solutions such as targeted promotion activities or programs of action. To achieve this capability, practitioners must understand the competing discourses in human services that shape different approaches to research and how data is interpreted and used. They must also be able to evaluate the appropriateness of program implementation in relation to research-based knowledge and sector requirements.
This course includes a work integrated learning experience in which your knowledge and skills will be applied and assessed in a real or simulated workplace context and where feedback from industry and/ or community is integral to your experience.
This designated WIL course will introduce you to contemporary issues and real-world challenges faced in the human service sector and will teach you the skills necessary to critically evaluate research methods and methodologies particular to the sector—not just interpreting data but also evaluating the ways the data are arrived at. You will develop a critical understanding of the links between underlying assumptions and resulting research arguments. With these understandings you will develop foundational skills in using research to facilitate transformative social programs.
Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development
Program Learning Outcomes
In this course you will develop the following program learning outcomes:
- Apply professional, theoretical and practical knowledge of the social sciences and psychology to your professional practice and further study.
- Critically analyse, synthesise and apply theoretical and professional insights from the psychological and social sciences to reflect on the challenges facing professional practice in a rapidly changing world.
- Apply logical, critical and creative thinking from the psychological and the social sciences to respond effectively to a range of issues associated with changing social, cultural and political contexts.
- Design, conduct and critically evaluate evidenced-based ethical research projects in the psychological and social sciences.
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course you will be able to achieve the following Course Learning Outcomes:
- Apply critical qualitative understandings and industry-aligned practices in research and program delivery
- Critically evaluate existing research in relation to a transformative social agenda.
- Analyse arguments, gaps, emerging issues and ground for future research.
- Develop research and program proposals that demonstrate engagement with current ethical practices of the industry and allied professions, and communicate these to a professional audience.
- Apply critical and transformative understandings to analyse and evaluate program delivery in a social service sector / community.
Overview of Learning Activities
This is a designated WIL course for BP112. Learning activities will include interactive workshop/seminar activities that focus on group-based discussion and problem-solving tasks, using processes and approaches used within the human services. Seminars include opportunities to interact with industry representatives who will present you with current issues and real-world challenges facing their sector or organisation. Industry representatives will then later provide feedback on the work you develop in the course. This engagement with industry constitutes a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) aspect of the course.
Course learning materials will be made available in a range of formats, which may include lectures, guest speakers and online media. In workshops / seminars you will also develop academic skills including analytical reading and academic writing.
In order to develop your knowledge and skills, you will be expected to participate in interactive discussions and activities and to critically engage with the reading materials. The workshops / seminars offer a supportive learning environment where you will have the opportunity to share your knowledge and experiences, and to learn from the knowledge and experience of your peers. This peer-based learning may take place through small-group discussions, collaborative work on activities and assessments and/or peer reviewing of research, written work and/or oral presentations.
You will be actively engaged in a range of learning activities such as lectures, tutorials, seminars, project work, class discussion, individual and group activities.
Delivery may be face to face, online or a mix of both.
Overview of Learning Resources
RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems.
You will be given access to a wide range of resources through course readings and you will also be able to access to a wide range of online learning tools and content for your course from the student portal, myRMIT, and RMIT Library resources. These resources will include book chapters, journal articles, media articles, lecture notes, bibliographies for supplementary reading, video, and links to external websites.
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 Task 1: Population Description (30%), CLOs 2, 3
Assessment Task 2: Group Presentation - Program Prototype (30%), CLOs 1, 3, 4
Assessment Task 3: Program and Evaluation Report (40%), CLOs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
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.