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Unit outline_

MHST6907: Dissertation Part 1

Semester 1, 2024 [Supervision] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Research and writing towards a dissertation of 12000 words on an approved topic, under the supervision of an academic member of staff. Department permission required. Approval is subject to the availability of appropriate supervision and the department's discretion. Prior to enrolling in Part 1 of the dissertation students should contact the unit coordinator to discuss their research topic and the development of a research proposal.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Art History
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
MUSM7007
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Chiara O'Reilly, chiara.oreilly@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Chiara O'Reilly, chiara.oreilly@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 April 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment hurdle task Dissertation Proposal
Research proposal
0% Week 04
Due date: 15 Mar 2024 at 23:59
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Assignment hurdle task Draft progress
Draft chapter or introduction
0% Week 08
Due date: 19 Apr 2024 at 23:59
3000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

Detailed information can be found in Canvas

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 02 Introduction - what is a Dissertation? Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 03 Research Methods Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 05 Project Identification and Testing Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 06 Project Planning and Time Management Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 07 Academic Writing Seminar (2 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7

Attendance and class requirements

  • Workshops Will be interactive with resources shared via the canvas site, students should come ready to discuss their work the readings and methods, and sharing drafting process

  • Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, reseearching, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Readings for each week of the workshops are included on the Canvas page. 

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. undertake a research project in Heritage Studies and/or Museum Studies relevant to an area of interest (i.e., critical heritage, history, art history, science, ethics, cultural policy, anthropology, archaeology, natural heritage, etc.)
  • LO2. define and examine the broader international context in relation to the chosen topic
  • LO3. understand the changing philosophy and ideology of heritage and/or museums and examine current issues in these sectors
  • LO4. implement a problem solving approach to a research task
  • LO5. demonstrate a capacity for rigorous and independent thinking around research and current issues in the heritage and/or museum sectors
  • LO6. demonstrate an ability to identify, access, organise and communicate knowledge about heritage and/or museums
  • LO7. demonstrate skills in accessing materials via the library and electronic resources; and archival research particular to the research project.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This unit has adopted a key focus on research practice, targeting areas of need to support students. The workshop sessions have also been designed to be self-reflective and support students to grow their confidence as researchers while helping to develop a community.

NB The full dissertation is due at the end of MHST 6908 part 2

Assignments in MHST 6907 part 1 are designed to work towards this. 

 

Other relevant information  

Useful links and resources on campus: 

The Quarter – a dedicated postgraduate coursework student space on campus. https://library.sydney.edu.au/libraries/locations.html#space14Links to an external site.

 The Learning Hub – extend your study, time management, and writing skills with short courses. https://www.sydney.edu.au/students/learning-hub-academic-language.html

Career skill workshops – make the most of the university support to develop professional skills for employment https://www.sydney.edu.au/careers/students/fairs-workshops-and-events/career-workshops.html

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.