Advanced Theory for Honours Students

Unit Outline (Higher Education)

Level of Unit in Course

AQF Level(s) of Course

Level of Unit in Course

Introductory

Intermediate

Effective Term:

2025/05

Institute / School :

Institute of Education, Arts & Community

Unit Title:

Advanced Theory for Honours Students

Unit ID:

BAHRS4033

Credit Points:

30.00

Prerequisite(s):

Nil

Co-requisite(s):

Nil

Exclusion(s):

(BAHRS4032)

ASCED:

090399

Other Change:

Brief description of the Unit

Grade Scheme:

Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF)

Work Experience Indicator:

No work experience

Placement Component:

Supplementary Assessment:Yes

Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment

Course Level:

Learning Outcomes:

Knowledge:

K1.	Analyse classical and contemporary theoretical approaches in the humanities, creative arts and social sciences to conceptions of culture, ideology, subjectivity, postmodernism, non-western ontologies, difference, post-colonialism, nature and technology.

K2.	Discuss key theoretical paradigms exploring conceptions of culture, ideology, subjectivity, postmodernism, non-western ontologies, difference, post-colonialism, nature and technology across the range of disciplines in the humanities, creative arts and social sciences.

K3.	Explore the impact and development of various theoretical perspective on research practice across the humanities, creative arts and social sciences.

Skills:

S1.	Express theoretical concepts in advanced academic writing.

S2.	Develop and extend techniques of writing about theory.

S3.	Interpret primary and contemporary theoretical texts.

S4.	Understand and critique theoretical texts through independent research and the use of advanced secondary literature.

S5.	Appraise uses of theory within disciplinary contexts.

S6.	Appraise use and relevance of theoretical approaches with respect to particular problems.

Application of knowledge and skills:

A1.	Apply skills in critical thinking to a discipline of knowledge through written work.

A2.	Synthesize theories and concepts through class engagement and assessment.

A3.	Probe substantive problems from the point of view of theoretical paradigms as applied in a discipline.

Unit Content:

The unit examines a range of theoretical approaches relevant to the Humanities, Social Sciences and Creative Arts. The emphasis of this unit is on the interdisciplinary relevance of a variety of theoretical approaches. The unit includes interdisciplinary topics and discipline-specific material. Sub-topics may include culture, ideology, subjectivity, postmodernism, non-western ontologies, difference, post-colonialism, nature and technology, as relevant to the disciplinary area of study. Work of a number of key thinkers will be examined. Learning materials will include primary and contemporary texts.
Topics may include:
1. Building on the disciplinary theoretical frameworks encountered at undergraduate level
2. Analysing broader discussions and debates of contemporary theory within and across the humanities, creative arts and social sciences
3. Examining the theoretical underpinnings of research in writing an honours thesis relevant to their discipline.

Graduate Attributes:

Federation University recognises that students require key transferable employability skills to prepare them for their future workplace and society. FEDTASKS (Transferable Attributes Skills and Knowledge) provide a targeted focus on five key transferable Attributes, Skills, and Knowledge that are be embedded within curriculum, developed gradually towards successful measures and interlinked with cross-discipline and Co-operative Learning opportunities. One or more FEDTASK, transferable Attributes, Skills or Knowledge must be evident in the specified learning outcomes and assessment for each FedUni Unit, and all must be directly assessed in each Course.

FED TASK and descriptor		Development and acquisition of FEDTASKS in the Unit
FED TASK and descriptor		Level
FEDTASK 1 Interpersonal	Students will demonstrate high-level skills to effectively communicate, interact and work with others both individually and in groups Students will be required to display (in person and/or online) high-level skills in-person and/or online in: • Effective verbal and non-verbal communication via a range of synchronous and asynchronous methods • Active listening for meaning and influencing • High-level empathy for others • Negotiating and demonstrating extended conflict resolution skills • Working respectfully in cross-cultural and diverse teams	1 - Yes
FEDTASK 2 Leadership	Students will demonstrate the ability to apply leadership skills and behaviours Students will be required to display skills in: • Creating, contributing to, and enabling collegial environments • Showing self-awareness and the ability to self-reflect for personal growth • Inspiring and enabling others • Making informed and evidence-based decisions through consultation with others • Displaying initiative and ability to solve problems	1 - Yes
FEDTASK 3 Critical Thinking and Creativity	Students will demonstrate an ability to work in complex and ambiguous environments, using their imagination to create new ideas Students will be required to display skills in: • Reflecting critically on complex problems • Synthesising, evaluating ideas, concepts and information • Proposing alternative perspectives to refine ideas • Challenging conventional thinking to clarify concepts through deep inquiry • Proposing creative solutions in problem solving	1 - Yes
FEDTASK 4 Digital Literacy	Students will demonstrate the ability to work proficiently across a range of tools, platforms and applications to achieve a range of tasks Students will be required to display high-level skills in: • Finding, accessing, collating, evaluating, managing, curating, organising and appropriately and securely sharing complex digital information at a high-level • Receiving and responding to messages in a range of digital media • Using digital tools appropriately to conduct research • Contributing proficiently to digital teams and working groups • Participating in and utilising digital learning opportunities	1 - Yes
FEDTASK 5 Sustainable and Ethical Mindset	Students will demonstrate the ability to think ethically and sustainably. Students will be required to display skills in: • The responsible conduct of research • Making informed judgments that consider the impact of devising solutions in multiple global economic environmental and societal contexts • Demonstrating commitment to social responsibility as a professional and a citizen • Generating research solutions which are sustainable,ethical, socially responsible and/or sustainable • Extending lifelong, life-wide and life-deep learning to be open to diverse others • Demonstrate extended actions to foster sustainability in their professional and personal life.	1 - Yes

	Learning Outcomes Assessed	Assessment Tasks	Assessment Type	Weighting	Professional Standards
1.	K1, K2, S1, S4, A2	Interpret and present key ideas linking specified theory with a topic, to generate group discussion	Presentation (face-to-face or recorded)	15-25%
2.	K1, K3, S2, S3, S4, S5, A2	Compare the stances or arguments of theorists on a topic	Minor essay	25-35%
3.	K1, K3, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, A1, A2, A3	Evaluate the positions of theorists on a topic in a written piece of work that puts forward an argument and involves research	Major essay	45-55%

Adopted Reference Style:

Other (As per discipline guidelines)

Professional Standards / Competencies:

Standard / Competency