Course Title: Research current issues

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2015

Course Code: HUSO5208

Course Title: Research current issues

School: 360T Education

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4346 - Certificate IV in EAL (Access)

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

 
Wendy Joseph 51.2.002 wendy.joseph@rmit.edu.au
 

Jennifer Chamberlain 51.2.002  jennifer.chamberlain@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 55

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

none

Course Description

This unit develops skills of learners to investigate current issues.  The unit also provides the learner with the skills and knowledge necessary to access and use computers for language learning. 

 


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

VU21482 Research current issues

Element:

2 Research a current issue of significance in Australia

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Source appropriate texts
2.2 Use reading strategies to identify main facts, some details and opinions related to the issue
2.3 Locate supporting information or examples
2.4 Analyse and evaluate different viewpoints and relevant evidence
2.5 Take notes of your opinion and reasons

Element:

3 Discuss the current issue

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Participate in a discussion using terminology appropriate to the current issue being discussed
3.2 Use a range of conversational strategies
3.3 Contribute your opinion, reasons or information
3.4 Clarify misunderstandings and ambiguous points where necessary.
 

Element:

1 Select a current issue of significance in Australia

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Scan informational texts and identify current issues of interest
1.2 Identify a current issue for further research
1.3 Note terminology and language used when the issue is discussed
1.4 Identify conventions of informational texts

Element:

4 Write an informational text

 

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Plan to write an opinion piece comprising several cohesively linked paragraphs on a current issue
4.2 Gather facts, opinions and evidence
4.3 Select and order information, using appropriate layout
4.4 Use appropriate terminology and language
4.5 Proofread and correct final draft, with guidance


Learning Outcomes


This unit is part of a full time integrated academic preparation program. It aims to provide you with the cultural understanding, advanced English language and study skills to participate in further study contexts.

The outcomes described in this unit relate to:
 

the Performance Criteria from the four Elements
the ISLPR (International Second Language Proficiency Ratings) descriptors for Reading and Writing. They contribute directly to the achievement of ISLPR Listening 3/3+ and Speaking 3/3+ 


 and the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF)   
http://www.acer.edu.au/cspa/australian-core-skills-framework

They contribute directly to the achievement of ACSF indicators of Listening and Speaking competence at Level 4 
 


Details of Learning Activities

This unit is part of Certificate IV in EAL (Further Study) which is an integrated program. This means that you will study this unit with 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 in part covers the all of the macro skills addressed in the certificate.

Examples of how you will practice and study the units:

LISTENING
You will:
• listen to a range of audio and film and documentary texts
• listen to oral presentations & conversations

• listen and take notes from guest speaker presentations

SPEAKING
You will:
• work in pairs and in small groups
• give a formal oral presentation
• take part in formal and informal discussions

READING
You are encouraged to read a wide range of texts relevant to the study context. You will:
• read, analyse and review complex texts for research purposes
• read current issues texts
• study items in the news every week and compare television and newspaper news

WRITING
In a variety of writing activities, you will improve your sentence structure and learn how to use different writing styles. This will include formal letters, course applications, essays, and short reports. You will:
• do a research project
• write academic essays 
• take notes from a range of complex texts
• learn to locate and record references used
• reflect on issues and your own learning
• learn about research and report writing
• learn to plan, draft and proofread your work.
• construct formatted texts for study purposes
• become familiar with academic discourse
The revision of important grammatical structures will be incorporated into each activity.


Teaching Schedule

 Program Dates: 9 February - 5 June, 2015
Public Holiday
Labour Day 9 March,2015
Good Friday 18 April, 2015

 

Mid Semester Break
2 April - 10 April, 2015

 

Teaching Schedule: This unit of competency is taught within an integrated program.This unit is clustered with VU21474 Analyse and participate in complex conversations (LANG5804). The assessment tasks will also cover other units within the course.

Week                VPAU21482 Research current issues          Elements            VU21474 Analyse and participate in complex conversations Elements
1 Explore RMIT: campus orientation exercise
Visit Info Corner & collect program brochures
 

 1

 

        1

2

4

2

Newspaper media literacy: What is an issue?
Position of newspapers: compare The Age, Herald Sun & The Australian. Current Issues Journal assessment task – model task using newspaper articles from The Age

Assessment Task 1: Read, analyse & Discuss Current affairs Texts Due week 2-8

Writing Skills

Paragraph writing skills: topic sentences & structure

 1

2

3

4

 3

4

3

Participate in Current Issues Journal assessment task in groups – students bring record sheet & explain a recent news story, including main ideas & key vocabulary.
 

Writing Skills

Preparation for essay assessment: topic sentences, transition signals, compare &contrast  essay structure, essay model
 

 1

2

3

2

4 Modelling and further practise for Current Issues Journal assessment task 
 Writing Skills
 Preparation for essay writing assessment:
• Paraphrasing
• ‘issues’ language practice

 1

2

3

4

 4

5

Participate in Current Issues Journal assessment task in groups – students bring record sheet & explain a recent news story, including main ideas & key vocabulary.
 

Writing Skills
 Preparation for essay writing assessment:
• Paraphrasing
•summarising

 1

2

3

 2

4

6

Individually selected topic/article & group discussion of current issues

Writing Skills
 Preparation for essay writing assessment:
• Referencing

 1

2

3

4

 2

4

7

Participate in Current Issues Journal assessment task in groups – students bring record sheet & explain a recent news story, including main ideas & key vocabulary.

Assessment:

Compare and Contrast Essay

 1

2

3

 2

4

8

 Participate in Current Issues Journal assessment task in groups – students bring record sheet & explain a recent news story, including main ideas & key vocabulary.

Assessment Task No. 1

Current Issues (Logbook)

 Mid semester interview
 

 1

2

3

4

 1

2

4

9

Participate in Current Issues Journal assessment task in groups – students bring record sheet & explain a recent news story, including main ideas & key vocabulary.
 

1

2

3

4
 

 1

2

3

4

10

Participate in Current Issues Journal assessment task in groups – students bring record sheet & explain a recent news story, including main ideas & key vocabulary.

 1

2

3

 2

4

11

Current issues- Media texts Audio visual

Assessment 6: Film Project

 1

2

3

 2

3

4

12

Current issues- Media texts Audio visual

Assessment 6: Film Project

 

 1

2

3

 2

4

13

Current issues- Media texts Audio visual

Assessment Task No. 11

 1

2

3

 

 2

4

14

Current issues- Media texts Audio visual

 

1

2

 2

4

15

Analyse and participate in complex conversations

Assessment Task 10 Assessment (Media texts)

 1

2

3

4

 1

3

16 Group meetings for Oral Presentation

 1

2

3

4

 1

2

3

4

17

Workshops

Self & peer evaluation of range of current issues addressed

 3

 2

4

Note: While your teacher will cover all the material in this schedule, the order is subject to change depending on class needs and availabiltiy of speakers and resources.



• 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

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

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 will be assessed by:
 

  •  participation in group discussion,
     
  • essays, research reports
     
  • oral presentations.



Feedback will be provided throughout the semester, in both oral and written form, 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 policy 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 see http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment
 


Assessment Tasks

Summative assessments:

Assessment Task 1: Read, analyse & Discuss Current affairs Texts Due week 2-8

  • This is a task which focuses on reading current issues in the Australian media of both Australian and international significance. It is a fortnightly task which involves reading, note taking, summarising, vocabulary and grammar development. The task also involves regular participation in small group and class discussions on the issues presented.

Assessment 6: Film Project Due Week 11&12

  • This project focuses on developing skills while studying an Australian feature film. Students will need the following skills to be able to complete this project:

Note taking
Giving oral presentations
Group work & discussion skills 

 

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.

Cover Sheets
You must complete a submission cover sheet for every piece of work submitted in hardcopy. The signed cover sheet acknowledges that you are aware of the plagiarism implications

 


All assessment tasks including electronically recorded student work will be kept by the University for student feedback and to meet government requirements
.

Application for Extension
 
How to apply

If you are seeking an extension of seven calendar days or less (from the original due date) you must apply at least one working day before the assessment deadline.

  • Complete an Application for extension of time for submission of assessable work form www.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment/extension   (PDF 41kb 2p) and lodge it with the school that offers the course.
  • Lodgment arrangements can vary according to individual school procedures. It is your responsibility to check whether the form should be lodged with the EAL Co-ordinator Monday-Thursday office hours.
  • Except in exceptional circumstances the application must be lodged no later than one working day before the official 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

Other Information

Attendance
It is strongly advised that you attend all sessions in order to engage in the required leaning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to gain competency.

Student Progress

Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential.

Student program policy www.rmit.edu.au/policies/academicprogress
 

You will be asked to attend mid-semester and end of semester interviews with relevant teachers and Program Co-ordinator. The interviews are an important part of giving you feedback and supporting you through your program by monitoring your academic progress
 

Special consideration policy (Late submissions)
All assessment tasks are required to be completed to a satisfactory level. If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension.

www.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment/extension

Special consideration is an assessment adjustment for unexpected circumstances that are outside your control, which:
• have a significant adverse impact on your performance in assessment or
• prevent you from attempting or submitting the assessment. Special Consideration www.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the Academic Integrity and Plagiarism policy
www.rmit.edu.au/students/academic-integrity
 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview