Course Title: Investigating Current Issues

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2012

Course Code: GEDU5355

Course Title: Investigating Current Issues

School: 360T Education

Campus: City Campus

Program: C3203 - Certificate III in General Education for Adults

Course Contact : Baia Tsakouridou

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4488

Course Contact Email:baia.tsakouridou@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Tim Morris 94.3.16 email: tim.morris@rmit.edu.au

Peter Murphy 94.3.22 email: peter.murphy@rmit.edu.au

Antonio Pretto 94.3.16 email: antoniopretto@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 20

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

This unit is co delivered with the core reading and writing skills units .

Course Description

This module is designed to enable students to develop knowledge of national and international current affairs.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

VBQM484 Investigating Current Issues

Element:

1. Describe a current issue of significance in Australia

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Identify the issue and why it is significant
1.2 State the main facts of the issue
1.3 Give an opinion on the issue
 

Element:

2. Describe a current issue of international significance

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Identify the issue and why it is significant
2.2 State the main facts of the issue
2.3 Give an opinion on the issue
 


Learning Outcomes


The required outcomes described in this unit relate directly to the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF)


http://www.deewr.gov.au/SKILLS/PROGRAMS/LITANDNUM/ACSF/Pages/default.aspx


They contribute directly to the achievement of ACSF indicators of competence at Level Five (Reading).


Details of Learning Activities

Learning Activities
This unit is part of Certificate III in General Education for Adults which is an integrated program. This means that you will study this unit with several other units on the same day. Your program consists of Face to Face teaching and Directed Study. Your program will have a minimum of 8 hours Directed Study per week. You are not required to attend to complete Directed Study, however you are expected to complete all work given and will at times be required to show evidence that the work has been completed in this unit. This is a very important part of your program and we ask that you do 4-5 hours on your non attendance day and at least 1 hour each evening to cover all the units in the program. An outline of your Directed Study is published each week in the Weekly Program Delivery Plan.

This unit covers in part the reading and writing macro skills addressed in the whole certificate.

READING
You are encouraged to read a wide range of texts relevant to the study context. You will:

• read, analyse and respond to a range of national and international issues.
• read opinion texts
• study items in literature and the media

WRITING

In a variety of writing activities, you will improve your sentence structure and learn how to use different writing styles. You will:

• research an national and international issues
• take notes from a range of complex texts
• develop a writing folio which includes extended written texts
• learn to locate and record references used
• reflect on issues and your own learning
• learn about research strategies
• learn to plan, draft and proofread your work.
• become familiar with academic discourse

The revision of important grammatical structures will be incorporated into each activity.
 


Teaching Schedule

Program Dates: Mon 16 July – Fri 30 November 2012

Term Break: Mon 24 September – Sun 7 October 2012

Public holidays: Tue 6 November (Melbourne Cup Day)

Teaching Schedule: This course will be delivered weekly. The times will be outlined in the program delivery plans which are updated each week.

Your program is made up of:
• Orientation
• Learning activities
• Mid semester review
• Guest speakers
• Excursions
• Exit review

All students will be inducted. The induction includes:
• Program Guide & Student Diary
• Student Rights and Responsibilities
• Explore RMIT ( an orientation to the university and its services)
• Orientation to RMIT Libraries (library tour & on line catalogue introduction)
• RMIT Online Systems Information Session

Library Orientation & an RMIT Online Systems Information Session will be scheduled during the first two weeks of your program. Information about student services, rights and responsibilities is contained in your student diary.

Learning Resources


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

TEXTS AND EQUIPMENT

There are no set texts in this course, but it is recommended that you bring

• English-English dictionary (We ask that you do not use a translation dictionary)
• Thesaurus
• Display folder with plastic sleeves
• Highlighter pens
• Notebook or loose leaf paper
• Headphones (use your own or they can be purchased from the Carlton Library very cheaply)
• USB (Memory stick)


Overview of Assessment

This course is delivered as part of an integrated program.


You must demonstrate an understanding of all elements of the competencies in order to be deemed competent. Assessment methods have been designed to measure achievement of each competency in a flexible manner over a range of assessment tasks.


You may be assessed by:

 
• Essay writing
• Comprehension activities
• Oral PowerPoint Presentation
• Research Project
• Report Writing

Feedback:


Feedback will be provided throughout the semester in class and/or online discussions, through individual and group feedback on practical exercises and by individual consultation.
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.


An assessment charter (http://mams.rmit.edu.au/kh6a3ly2wi2h1.pdf)  summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT student as well as those of your teachers.
Your courses assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies and procedures which are described and referenced in a single document: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=ln1kd66y87rc  


Assessment Tasks

Assessment will take place throughout the course. Your work is assessed on a competent (CA)/not yet competent (NYC) basis – it is not graded. You will be given written feedback on all assessment tasks. There will be individual and group projects completed both in and out of class.

Assessment is ongoing and its purpose is to develop your skills. You will be given assistance in redrafting and editing written assessment tasks because developing your ability to identify and correct your own mistakes is an important part of the learning process. It is important that you read the specific elements each assessment task addresses on the cover sheet for each task. At the time of setting assessments you will be given clear guidelines about which course, elements and performance criteria you will need to meet in order to successfully complete the task. Submission dates & deadlines will also be clearly explained.

Assessment tasks:
Summative Assessments:
• Media Folio
• Oral Presentation

Formative Assessments:
Formative assessments: ongoing observations, summaries and review of student work

Please note:
Assessments tasks will include other courses (Units of competency) from the program.
All Assessment tasks should be submitted by the deadline. If an extension is required you must ask your teacher for one before the due date


Assessment Matrix

Each assessment cover sheet clearly outlines the competencies being addressed in the task in relation to performance criteria. The sum of assessment tasks will cover all units and their elements over a range of occasions. You will be given opportunities to demonstrate competency in a variety of ways throughout the program. You are encouraged to discuss any problems or concerns with your teacher or student co-ordinator. An assessment matrix will be available on myRMIT.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview