FACULTY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES School of Arts & Sciences McAuley Campus Brisbane SEMESTER 2, 2013 ARTS232: Learning

in the Community UNIT OUTLINE

Credit points: 10 Prerequisites / co-requisites / incompatibles: Nil Lecturer in Charge: Dr Greg Munro Office location: EC.18

Email: gregory.munro@acu.edu.au Telephone: (07) 3623 7179 Consultation: Wednesday 11.00am-1.00pm and/or by e mail. Other times by arrangement.

DESCRIPTION Australian Catholic University endeavours to develop students who are able to exercise moral and professional autonomy in a pluralistic society. The Mission Statement identifies the University as having a commitment to serving the common good with a fundamental concern for justice and equity, and for the dignity of all human beings. Recommendation 17 of the Implementation Plan for the Strategic Plan 1999 - 2008 supports the development of student awareness of social responsibility to the wider community. Graduates should be persons whose moral development is mature and who are professionally competent, and able to make significant contributions to the profession and the wider community. The Learning in the Community unit enables students to contribute to community service in tangible ways that may enable ethical, spiritual and personal development.

TEACHING AND LEARNING STRATEGIES Duration: Fifteen days, normally in the period between semesters. Students will normally be enrolled in Year 1 and/or Year 2 of the course. The Learning in the Community unit must be completed by the end of Year 2. Mode: Students undertake a period of voluntary service with a community organisation.

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LEARNING OUTCOMES On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to: i. ii. iii. iv. demonstrate professional behaviour and attitudes (GA1,GA2,GA5); demonstrate a heightened awareness of the ethical and social responsibility of decision makers in business, government and community organisations (GA4); reflect upon the impact of the community service experience on their values, assumptions and attitudes (GA1,GA2,GA4); communicate their reflections about the period of community service (GA1, GA2, GA4, GA5, and GA9).

GRADUATE ATTRIBUTES

Each unit in your course contributes in some way to the development of the ACU Graduate Attributes which you should demonstrate by the time you complete your course. You can view the ACU Graduate Attributes for all courses at http://www.acu.edu.au/204356. All Australian universities have their expected Graduate Attributes ACUs Graduate Attributes have a greater emphasis on ethical behaviour and community responsibility than those of many other universities. All of your units will enable you to develop some attributes.
On successful completion of this unit, students will have developed their ability to:
GA1 GA2 GA4 GA5 GA9 demonstrate respect for the dignity of each individual and for human diversity recognise their responsibility to the common good, the environment and society think critically and reflectively demonstrate values, knowledge, skills and attitudes appropriate to the discipline and/or profession demonstrate effective communication in oral and written English language and visual media

CONTENT Topics will include: Students will be able to select the organisation in which they serve for a total period of 15 days, from a list of participating non-profit community service organisations. Each student and the participating organisation will need to complete a placement agreement that clarifies the role to be performed by the student and the expectations of both parties. The service period may be completed in a full or part-time capacity depending upon the needs of the organisation. There is to be no payment for the service performed. The range of service activities undertaken may encompass serving as a general volunteer in an establishment conducted by one of the charitable or non-profit organisations, or assisting with a volunteer community project which may or may not be concerned with the visual arts and/or design. Some organisations may require students to undergo a background check because of the high 'duty of care' that those organisations have in relation to their clients. After completion of the period of volunteer experience a student may wish to retain her or his involvement with the participating organisation, but that involvement is entirely a matter between the student and the participating organisation.

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QUALITY ASSURANCE AND STUDENT FEEDBACK This unit has been evaluated through the Student Evaluation of Unit (SEU) online surveys. The required hours for student service has been reduced to 105 hours from 120 hours (while 15 days has remained the same). SEU surveys are usually conducted at the end of the teaching period. Your practical and constructive feedback is valuable to improve the quality of the unit. Please ensure you complete the SEU survey for the unit. You can also provide feedback at other times to the unit lecturers, course coordinators and/or through student representatives. SCHEDULE 1 2 Each student and the host organisation complete a Placement Agreement Form. If work is undertaken in more than one organisation, the students must complete a form for each. This Placement Agreement Form must be submitted for approval to the Lecturer-in Charge of Learning in the Community PRIOR to the student commencing service with the host organisation. No credit will be given for time spent working with an organisation BEFORE approval. The student performs the equivalent of 105 hrs work in an unpaid (volunteer) capacity at the approved placement(s). The student keeps his/her diary/journal record. 4 The host organisation completes a Verification Form which confirms the numbers of days/hours worked by the student. If a student volunteer at more than one organisation, they must submit a separate form for each. The host organisation is invited to complete a brief Appraisal Form for the student. This should be submitted along with the Verification Form(s) as well as 6 below. The student submits a completed journal and a report together with 4 & 5 above as a package by 28 October.

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You can download the relevant information and forms on LEO. Shelley Reynolds is the Administrative Coordinator for the Learning in the Community program, located in Room EC.03. Her phone number is 3623 7169 and her email address is shelley.reynolds@acu.edu.au ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES In order to pass this unit, you are required to complete 105 hours of community engagement, and submit a 500 word report and a journal. At the completion of the Learning in the Community unit, the participating organisation is asked to complete a brief appraisal of the student and to document the period and extent of the experience. The unit will be assessed on a pass/fail basis. OVERVIEW OF ASSESSMENTS Brief Description of Tasks Due Date Learning Outcome/s Assessed Graduate Attributes Assessed GA 1 GA 1

1. 2.

Placement Agreement Form for Approval Learning in the Community (Volunteer service)

Before placement begins by 26 August Placement/service period 105 hrs or 15 days 28 October

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3. 4.

Diary /journal Verification & Appraisal Forms

28 October 28 October

1- 4.

GA 1, 2, 4, 5, 9 GA 1

(Organise to be completed by host organisation) 5. 500 word Report 28 October 1-4. GA 4, 5, 9

Description of the tasks Task 1: Learning in the Community Placement Agreement Form (Guide p.8) Placement Approval Form, Blue Card and/or Police Check if working in an organisation in which you have contact with children.

This placement form can be found in the Guidelines on the LEO site and must be filled in by the student and the organisation prior to commencement of the placement. If the organisation requires you to have a Blue Card or a Police Check, please make sure that you do this prior to placement and provide copies to the administrative coordinator. More information on this is available in the Guidelines for the Learning in the Community unit and on the LEO site. Note: All assessment items must be submitted as a hard copy in MS Word Times New Roman 12 point font both as a hard copy and an electronic copy on the same day. The electronic copy must be submitted in the designated Drop Box on the LEO Home Page for ARTS232. Task 2: Learning in the Community schedule 3 above.

Task 3: Diary/journal A diary/journal that includes the students activities for each day or part day at the organisation(s). There should be an entry on a dated separate page for each day or part day of service. NB: If the service includes self directed work, i.e. web design, a portfolio should be attached to the diary/ journal. Task 4: Verification (Guide p.9) & Appraisal Forms (Guide p.10) See Schedule 4 & 5 above Task 5: A report Length: 500 words. As explained above, this must also be submitted electronically with an ACU assessment cover sheet and a hard copy with ACU assessment cover sheet. Use Times New Roman 12 point double spaced for your report.

Students must notify the LIC/Coordinator in a timely manner and provide substantiating documentation of any problems in relation to placement with the host organisation(s). Assessment Criteria Report
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ability to express reflectively upon the impact of the Learning in the Community on their values, assumptions and attitudes

ability to communicate their reflections about their experience effectively organisation/presentation

Application for Extension of Time for an Assignment Form, If you are unable to complete the Learning in the Community within the enrolled semester/term for any reason, you MUST apply for extension of time in the same manner as other academic units on or before the due for submission set in this Unit Outline. (6.1.8 Academic Regulations: http://my.acu.edu.au/51686) While students are expected to fulfil all the requirements as soon as practical, the maximum extension which may be granted is the end of the following consecutive semester/term within 6 months. The University will not accept an application for extension beyond this point. Students should note that it is their responsibility to complete ARTS232 in a timely manner, and in time for course completion and graduation. Students that do not enrol in ARTS232 and complete in a timely manner are unable to course complete and graduate from ACU until they have passed the unit. SUBMISSION OF ASSIGNMENTS Assignments are to be placed in the School of Arts and Sciences Assignment Box located in Foyer and submitted electronically to the LIC/coordinator using ACU student email account. Students are reminded to keep a copy of all work submitted for assessment. Please submit a signed ACU Assignment Cover Sheet with your assignment. Assignment Returning Timing: Assignments should be picked up by students 4 weeks after the date they are submitted. After this time the journal will be unavailable for collection. Please note that the diary/journal component only will be returned when the formal assessment is completed. Therefore you are required to make copies of the original forms. ACU POLICIES AND REGULATIONS It is your responsibility to read and familiarise yourself with ACU policies and regulations, including regulations on examinations; review and appeals; acceptable use of IT facilities; and conduct and responsibilities. These are in the ACU Handbook, which is available in the Library or on the ACU website at http://www.acu.edu.au/142401 The Unit Outline Resources page (http://students.acu.edu.au/241467) is a good starting point. Assessment Policy and Procedures You must read the Assessment Policy and Assessment Procedures in the University Handbook: they include rules on deadlines; penalties for late submission; extensions; and special consideration (http://students.acu.edu.au/429796). If you have any queries on Assessment Policy, please see your Lecturer in Charge. Grading Descriptors for the unit are detailed in section 7 of the Academic Regulations (available at http://students.acu.edu.au/430029). Academic integrity You have the responsibility to submit only work which is your own, or which properly acknowledges the thoughts, ideas, findings and/or work of others. The Framework for Academic Integrity and the Academic Honesty Policy are available at http://students.acu.edu.au/343665. Please read them, and note in particular that plagiarism, collusion and recycling of assignments are not acceptable. Penalties for academic dishonesty can vary in severity, and can include being excluded from the course.

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STUDENT SUPPORT If you are experiencing difficulties with learning, life issues or pastoral/spiritual concerns, or have a disability/medical condition which may impact on your studies, you are advised to notify your Lecturer in Charge, Course Coordinator and/or one of the services listed below as soon as possible. For all aspects of support please contact the Office of Student Success. Academic Skills offers a variety of services, including workshops (on topics such as assignment writing, time management, reading strategies, referencing), drop-in sessions, group appointments and individual consultations. It has a 24-hour online booking system for individual or group consultations. Campus Ministry offers pastoral care, spiritual leadership and opportunities for you to be involved with community projects. The Career Development Service can assist you with finding employment, preparing a resume and employment application and preparing for interviews. The Counselling Service is a free, voluntary, confidential and non-judgmental service open to all students and staffed by qualified social workers or registered psychologists. Equity and Disability can assist you if you need educational adjustments because of a disability or chronic medical condition; please contact them as early as possible. Indigenous Units on each campus provide information and support for students.

The Unit Outline Resources web page (http://students.acu.edu.au/241467) provides links for each service. ONLINE RESOURCES AND TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS The LEO page for this unit contains relevant information.

Please note: In any placement where you will be working directly with young or potentially vulnerable people you will be required to hold a current Blue Card .Copies of the appropriate document(s) must be submitted with the Placement Approval Form. Approval to commence will not be issued until copies of these documents are received by the Administrative Coordinator. No student is to commence a placement without written approval from the Lecturer in Charge. It may take more than 2 to 6 weeks to receive copies of Blue Cards, so you should make allowances for this in your planning. Information about Blue Cards can be found here: http://www.ccypcg.qld.gov.au/bluecard/index.html

You may not enrol in this unit if you have previously passed, or are currently enrolled in, any unit identified as incompatible with this unit. ARTS232 is only undertaken by students enrolled in BA or BA combined programs not enrolled in 1st or 2nd year of study. Students in 2nd year of study who have commenced ARTS232 may continue the unit. Students enrolled in 1st and 2nd year of study will enrol in HUMA247 which is a 10cp unit of equivalence. If you do not meet these requirements then you must see your Course Coordinator.

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