Course Title: Children in Development and Humanitarian Practice
Part A: Course Overview
Course Title: Children in Development and Humanitarian Practice
Credit Points: 12.00
Important Information:
Please note that this course may have compulsory in-person attendance requirements for some teaching activities.
To participate in any RMIT course in-person activities or assessment, you will need to comply with RMIT vaccination requirements which are applicable during the duration of the course. This RMIT requirement includes being vaccinated against COVID-19 or holding a valid medical exemption.
Please read this RMIT Enrolment Procedure as it has important information regarding COVID vaccination and your study at RMIT: https://policies.rmit.edu.au/document/view.php?id=209.
Please read the Student website for additional requirements of in-person attendance: https://www.rmit.edu.au/covid/coming-to-campus.
Please check your Canvas course shell closer to when the course starts to see if this course requires mandatory in-person attendance. The delivery method of the course might have to change quickly in response to changes in the local state/national directive regarding in-person course attendance.
Terms
Course Code |
Campus |
Career |
School |
Learning Mode |
Teaching Period(s) |
HUSO2419 |
City Campus |
Postgraduate |
365H Global, Urban and Social Studies |
Face-to-Face or Internet |
Sem 2 2019, Sem 2 2020, Sem 2 2022 |
Course Coordinator: Dr Vandra Harris Agisilaou
Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 2960
Course Coordinator Email: vandra.harris.agisilaou@rmit.edu.au
Course Coordinator Location: 37.05.25
Course Coordinator Availability: by appointment
Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities
None
Course Description
Children’s experiences and nutrition in their first 5 years of life are critical to brain development, significantly influencing their capacity through the rest of their lives, yet young children receive little attention in tertiary programs on development and humanitarian assistance. Similarly teenagers experience a vitally important surge in brain development yet receive little more attention. This course therefore explores the actual and potential intersections between child development and the programs and strategies of international development and humanitarian practice. You will analyse contemporary and historical practices from a child-centred perspective, and will work to develop thoughtful and effective responses in the form of both mainstreamed and child-focused practices. This course will be delivered by RMIT staff with experience in development and education, as well as professionals from NGOs, international organisations and government. Like other courses in the International Development program, it has a very practical focus and delivery mode, integrating theory and practice to engage you with real issues facing children in these challenging environments and the organisations seeking to enable them to thrive.
Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development
Course Learning Outcomes Upon successful completion of this course you will be able to:
- Articulate a critical understanding of the impact of children’s development on their adult lives and capabilities
- Critically reflect on specific concerns relating to children and their development in development and humanitarian environments.
- Critically reflect on and synthesise current debates and practices relating to children’s development in these contexts.
- Apply and extend principles for designing child-focused programs, and mainstreaming into other program areas.
Overview of Learning Activities
You will be actively engaged in learning that involves a range of face to face and online activities including lectures; individual and class activities; online and/or face-to-face discussion; analysis of cases; guest lectures; and assessment tasks. Face-to-face and online students may be required to work together in a blended mode for learning and assessment exercises. You are expected to read the required materials available online and refer to additional reading material in your assessment tasks. It is advisable to take notes as you read and constantly reflect on the questions raised.
Overview of Learning Resources
A list of recommended learning resources will be provided by your lecturer, including books, journal articles and web resources, all of which will be available through our online systems. You will also be expected to seek further resources relevant to the focus of your own learning. The University Library has extensive resources for international development students. The Library has produced a number of subject guides that includes quality online and print resources for your studies. The Library provides guides on academic referencing http://www.rmit.edu.au/library/referencing and subject specialist help via your Liaison Librarians.
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 have the opportunity to tailor your focus to your own specific areas of interest in your professional practice.
Assessment will take the following form, with details spelled out in course guide (Part B).
Assessment Tasks
Task 1: Active and thoughtful engagement in class and online discussions and activities
Weighting - 15%
Relevant Course Learning Outcomes: 1 & 2
Task 2: Case study analysis - 1500 words
Weighting - 30%
Relevant Course Learning Outcomes: 1, 2 & 3
Task 3: Child-focused proposal plan (completion of a template indicating planned work for task 4) - 500 words
Weighting - 15%
Relevant Course Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3 & 4
Task 4: Child-focused proposal applying course learning to real-world challenges - 2,000-2,500 words
Weighting - 40%
Relevant Course Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3 & 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 Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.
Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions.