Course Title: Critical Readings in Policy, Practice and Social Innovation

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Critical Readings in Policy, Practice and Social Innovation

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

HUSO2373

City Campus

Undergraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2016,
Sem 1 2017,
Sem 1 2018,
Sem 1 2019,
Sem 1 2020

Course Coordinator: Assoc Professor Kimberley Humphery

Course Coordinator Phone: 0418177715

Course Coordinator Email: kim.humphery@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 08.10.12

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Assumed Knowledge 

Assumed Knowledge and capabilities consistent with graduate of Bachelor program in related social sciences. 


Course Description

In this course you will be engaged with key concepts and theorists that underpin research in the social sciences and humanities. Readings will be used to identify dominant research themes across a range of social science/humanities disciplines and to consider their broader societal relevance. Through these readings and class discussion you will gain deeper understanding of a range of central intellectual these concepts and will learn to apply them to your own research. 

If you are enrolled in this course as a component of your Bachelor Honours Program, your overall mark will contribute to the calculation of the weighted average mark (WAM).  

See the WAM information web page for more information. 


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program Learning Outcomes 

In this course you will develop the following program learning outcomes: 

  • apply creativity critical thinking and innovation when identifying and analysing social issues in diverse contexts; 
  • critique the value of information and knowledge from a wide variety of sources and experiences and reflect on and evaluate their application in social science research; 
  • apply a range of social science research methods to design and conduct independent and collaborative research, which constructs, tests and defends an argument, and undertake social analysis considering the theoretical, historical, local and international contexts of decision making
  • communicate professional ideas using diverse formats and strategies to academic and professional audiences within and external to social science disciplines; 
  • critically examine dominant literature and theoretical knowledge in social science fields to undertake innovative policy analysis and assess risk in various social science contexts. 


Course Learning Outcomes

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

  1. identify and critique various theories as they apply to the social sciences;
  2. appraise the efficacy of theories used to address key issues in social science contexts;
  3. synthesise an advanced level of knowledge of social sciences and apply it/them to real world issues;
  4. communicate effectively the options for application of theories to identified issues. 


Overview of Learning Activities

As part of your learning activities you will read intensively in preparation for active participation in workshops. This will include independent background research to help contextualise new concepts. You will deepen your ability to sustain a considered conceptual argument through a variety of class discussions and course assessments.  


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

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 1: Brief, analytical overview of key contemporary theoretical debate or concept or  a brief, analytical overview of the work of a key contemporary theorist (50%): 1000-1500 words CLO 1-4.

Assessment 2: Draft ‘theory’ chapter, draft ‘literature review’ chapter, or draft short article (depending on the stage of your enrolment in Thesis Part A or B. (50%) : 2500-3000 words CLO 1-4.

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 the Disability Liaison Unit if you would like to find out more. 

Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions which are available for review online: http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment 

If you are enrolled in this course as part of an Honours level Program, the final outcome of your assessments will contribute to the Weighted Assessment Mean (WAM), which is used to calculate the classification of your Honours Degree. Please see the WAM student information page for more information on the WAM and how it is calculated.