Faculty of Education & Arts

University Preparation Course

Unit Plan
Unit Title:
Unit Code:
Semester:
Year:

Humanities
UPU0004 ON-Campus
Two
2016

Faculty of Education & Arts: University Preparation Course | Telephone: 134 328 | Calls outside Australia (61 8) 6304 0000
Email: enquiries@ecu.edu.au

University Preparation Course

My lecture and tutorial details

Campus:
Lecture Details
Lecturers name
Day/time of lecture
Lecture room
Tutorial details
Tutors name
Day/time of tutorial
Tutorial room
My tutorial group number

University Preparation Course

Edith Cowan University
Faculty of Education & Arts
Office of Associate Dean, Teaching & Learning
Telephone +(618) 6304 5755
Email: educationandarts@ecu.edu.au
CRICOS IPC 00279B
Prepared by: Tina Moss
Version: June 2016

1
UPU0004 Humanities

University Preparation Course

Table of Contents
Staffing..4
Lecture and Tutorial Times..5
Learning Consultant Support 6
Important Dates...7
Study Schedule8
Assessments..10
Assessment Details..10
Important Assignment
Information..15
Meeting Unit Requirements15
Email Protocol16
ECU Academic Misconduct (including Plagiarism).17
Policy Health and Safety Recommendations.18

Introduction
2
UPU0004 Humanities

University Preparation Course

Welcome to UPU0004 Humanities

Rationale
Welcome to UPU0004 Humanities. The focus of this unit is to create an understanding of what it means to
be human in todays society by developing awareness of culture, society and personal identity. This unit
introduces key concepts within the Humanities and provides a framework for students proceeding to
undergraduate courses, which include studies in the Humanities. Over the course of the semester you will
engage with discussions about language, philosophy, religion, history, politics, law, and the fine arts. The
unit also introduces students to key issues in Indigenous Australian Studies. Students are required to select
and complete a research essay in a field of academic study in the Humanities best suited to their intended
undergraduate course.

The Inter-Relationship of Units

We hope you will enjoy UPU0004 Humanities and find it personally rewarding and that it will provide you
with the skills, knowledge and confidence to achieve a pathway to future study at ECU and beyond.
Dr Lydia Edwards (Unit Coordinator UPU0004)

Texts:
Bate. J. (ed). (2011). The Public Value of the Humanities. London and New York: Bloomsbury Academic.

3
UPU0004 Humanities

University Preparation Course

This text is available online through the ECU Library Catalogue. The Lecturer will show you how to access
this text in the lecture in week 1.
A hard copy version of the texts can be purchased through the ECU Bookshop.
All other readings for tutorials are from texts available as e-books through the ECU Library Catalogue and on
Blackboard.

Staffing: UPU0004 Humanities

Unit Coordinator
Name

Email

Dr Lydia Edwards

lydia.edwards@ecu.edu.au

Tina Moss

t.moss@ecu.edu.au

Contact Number/s
08 6304 6365

Office
ML17.225
JO 8. 328

Lecturers
Name

Email

Contact Number/s

Dr Lydia Edwards

lydia.edwards@ecu.edu.au

08 6304 6365

Dr Brendan Ritchie

brendan.ritchie@ecu.edu.au

08 6304 2494

Name

Email

Contact Number/s

Brendan Ritchie

brendan.ritchie@ecu.edu.a
u

Lisa Eade

a.hueppauff@ecu.edu.au

Anna Hueppauff

a.hueppauff@ecu.edu.au

Tina Moss

t.moss@ecu.edu.au

Kristy Stanwix

k.stanwix@ecu.edu.au

Dr Andrew Zint

a.zint@ecu.edu.au

Office

ML17.225
JO 8.338

Tutors
Room/Office

4
UPU0004 Humanities

University Preparation Course

Support Staff
Name

Contact

Role

Student Information Officers:

Joondalup: JO8A.204

educationandarts@ecu.edu.au

Mt Lawley: ML13.148

Phone: 134 328

Learning Consultants:

Please see information on p.6 - 7 for assistance

available

Course, Fee &

Enrolment Enquiries

8.30am 5.00pm
Academic Assistance

Pathways Consultants:
Sue Drpich (JO) 8.335

s.drpich@ecu.edu.au

Maree Hays (JO) 8.335

a.hays@ecu.edu.au

Transition UPC Courses

Ph: 6304 6076

Lecture and Tutorial Times: UPU0004 Humanities

Lecture and Tutorial Times: Joondalup [JO]
Lecture and location
Day

Time

Group

Room No.

Lecturer

Tuesday

10:30 11:30

2016094580

JO 07.101

Dr Brendan Ritchie

Room No.

Tutor

Tutorial/workshop and location

Group No.

Day

Time

Tuesday

11:30 13:30

2016094581

04.209

Tuesday

11:30 13:30

2016094582

04.226

Tuesday

13:30 15:30

2016094583

04.209

Tuesday

13:30 15:30

2016094585

08.226

[Event ID]

Lecture and Tutorial Times: Mount Lawley [ML]

5
UPU0004 Humanities

University Preparation Course

Lecture time and location
Day

Time

Group

Room No.

Monday

10:30 11:30

2016095394

17.103

Lecturer

Dr Lydia Edwards
Brendan Ritchie (1-3)

Tutorial time and location

Group No.

Day

Time

Monday

11:30 13:30

2016095396

18.228

Monday

11:30 13:30

2016095397

16.229

Monday

13:30 15:30

2016095395

18.228

[Event ID]

Room No.

Tutor

Lecture and Tutorial Times: Bunbury [BU]

Lecture and location
Day

Time

Group

Room No.

Lecturer

Thursday

8:30 9:30

2015028077

5.125

Oliver Maratea

Learning Consultant Support

LEARNING CONSULTANT SUPPORT
Learning consultants can assist with academic literacy, language, numeracy, study skills and more.
Website:
https://blackboard.ecu.edu.au/webapps/blackboard/e xecute/launcher?type=Course&id=_621262_1&url=
The Centre for Learning and Teaching (CLT) Learning Consultants offer UniPrep students a range of
support:

Academic Skills Workshops covering generic skills for university students

Assignment Drop-In Sessions students can just drop-in, work on their

assignments, and receive individual assistance

English language workshops covering writing and grammar skills

Specific unit workshops assisting in the preparation of particular assessments

(details on the University Preparation Course (UniPrep) site, accessed via the My
Communities tab on the Blackboard Home page)

Individual (or small group) assistance students may email a learning consultant for
an appointment (subject to availability)
6
UPU0004 Humanities

University Preparation Course

Further details about these activities are available on the Academic Skills Centre site, accessed via
the My Communities tab on the Blackboard Home page.

Assignment Drop-In Sessions (Joondalup)

Assignment Drop-In Sessions (Mt Lawley)
st
Sessions run from Monday 1 August until Friday 4th November
Room
JO31.234 (Library)
Room
ML8.319 (Library)
Monday
10.00-12.00am
Monday
2.00-4.00pm
Tuesday
2.00-4.00pm
Tuesday
10.00-12.00am
Wednesday
10.00-12.00am
Wednesday
2.00-4.00pm
Thursday
2.00-4.00pm
Friday
10.00-12.00am

English Language Proficiency (ELP)

ECU has implemented a raft of procedures and supports to assist all students to develop and demonstrate
appropriate standards of English language proficiency. As part of the process, staff will provide students
with feedback on the ELP demonstrated in their written assessments (other than examinations) using the
ECU ELP Measure.
The ECU ELP Measure shows a students written ELP against the ECU standards. The ECU minimum
standard for written ELP which all students should demonstrate is moderate proficiency (at least) in both
the areas of Sentence Structure and Word Use.
The feedback you will receive will indicate your demonstrated level of written ELP in any assessment (other
than examinations). You will also receive information describing the various supports and resources you
can access should you need to further develop your ELP.
Low
proficiency

Developing
proficiency

Moderate
Proficiency

Sentence
Structure

Word Use

High
Proficiency

Desired ECU Standard for English Language Proficiency on graduation

Important Dates
Enrolment, Withdrawal, Financial and Academic Penalty Dates are available at:
http://intranet.ecu.edu.au/student/dates-and-events/important-dates

7
UPU0004 Humanities

University Preparation Course

8
UPU0004 Humanities

University Preparation Course

Study Schedule (Semester 2, 2016)

This schedule provides a guideline on the topics covered and activities required each week.
Week

Week Beg

Lecture Topic

Tutorial

25 July

Introduction to the Unit

Unit introduction
Critical thinking

1 August

8 August

15 August

22 August

29 August

5 September

Philosophy

How do we know what is ethically right?

How should we live our lives?

Christopher Bennett (2010). 'What is this thing

called ethics?'

Language and Identity

How does language enable personal

communication, inquiry, selfexpression?

Nunan, D. & Choi, J. (2010) Language and

culture: Reflective narrative and the emergence
of identity (Chapter 29)

Practice Quiz
Help with assignment: writing,
referencing, presentation and
submission

No reading preparing reflective writing

assignment

No lecture

History

The convict stain and Australian

Identity
Key features of Australian immigration

Lambert, Ronald D. Reclaiming the ancestral

past: narrative, rhetoric and the 'convict stain'.
[online]. Journal of Sociology, Vol. 38, No. 2,
June 2002: 111-127

World Religions: Islam in

the contemporary world

Essay Plan Activity

Islam in Australia
How relevant is religion in modern
society?

Shindy, Mona. (2015). Islam in Australia in 2015:

An Australian Muslim Perspective [online].
United Service, Vol.66, No.2, Winter 2015: 9-12.

Politics

Practice Quiz
What are the problems associated with
refuge for asylum seekers?

Ford, C. (July, 2013) Guarding our borders from

the invading hordes (from The Drum)

Film screening
UPU0004 Humanities

Readings / Resources

Assessment

On line Test 1

On line Test 2

Phillips, M. & Boese, M. (2013) From white

Australia to stopping the boats: Attitudes to

asylum seekers (from The Conversation)

12 September

19 September

Fine Art

How do we define art?

How is art important in society?

Costache, I. (2012) The Art of Understanding

Art. Introduction.

Law and Crime

What is crime?
What does crime reveal about society?
What interests you about crime history?

Straw, L. (2013). The Worst Female Character:

Criminal underclass women in Perth and
Fremantle, 1900-1939 (from Journal of
Australian Studies)

Research Essay Plan due Friday

Godfrey, B. S., Lawrence, P. & Williams, C. A.

(2007) History and crime (Chapter 5)
26 Sep 30 September: Mid-semester break
10 3 0ct 7 Oct: Online Week: Indigenous Studies
Literature
11
10 October

12

17 October

13

24 October

Making connections:
tying the humanities
together
No lecture

What is young adult literature?

What does YA literature say about
society?
What kind of characters are being
represented?

Koss, M. & Teale, W. (2009) What's Happening

in YA Literature? Trends in Books for
Adolescents. Journal of Adolescent & Adult
Literacy, Vol. 57, No. 7

Assignment preparation
Assignment drop-in help
Future study discussion

No reading

Drop-in assignment help

No reading

2 November

Study Week

9 November

Examination Week 1

Research Essay due Friday

10
UPU0004 Humanities

16 November

Examination Week 2

Blackboard Website (can be accessed from the Student Portal)

This unit is supported by the Blackboard Web learning environment. Unit Outlines, notices, lecture outlines, additional reading material and web links are accessible on this
site. Staff will constantly upgrade the information for students on this site on a weekly basis or as required. Students are able to initiate discussion threads through Blackboard
to make comments and ask questions about content, assignments and other unit related issues. It is expected that students enrolled in this unit will use this site as a support
to the teaching and learning activities.

11
UPU0004 Humanities

University Preparation Course

Assessments
Assessment

Due
(Week/Date/Time)

Marks %

Submission Instructions

On line Test 1

Sunday Week 4

20

Blackboard

On line Test 2

Sunday Week 7

20

Blackboard

Essay Plan

Friday Week 8

20

Turnitin

Research Essay

Friday Week 13

40

Turnitin

***ALL ASSESSMENTS MUST BE COMPLETED***

Assessment Details
Marking guides for each assessment can be found in the Blackboard folder under Assessment. Use these as you
work through your assignment, as they will show you how your tutor will be awarding marks.

Assignment 1 Online Test 1: Reading Comprehension

This online test assesses your knowledge of concepts discussed in the short reading provided. Learning to read critically and
comprehensively is a vital key skill at university and particularly within the Humanities. Tutors will practice active reading and
comprehension strategies with you in class leading up to the assignment, and you will need to know the text very well in order
to be successful. You will be able to take the test once at any time within a given week, with a limit of ten minutes to
complete.

Submission Information
Assignment 1:
Online Test 1
Weighting

20%

Date/Week

Sunday Week 4

Time

By midnight (11:59pm)

Place

Blackboard

Format

Word document

UPU0004 Humanities

12

University Preparation Course

Assignment 2 Online Test 2: Sources and Referencing

The second online test assesses your understanding of what constitutes an appropriate academic source. You will be asked
to examine ten pieces of information and decide whether or not hey can be used in academic work, choosing a reason from
the options provided. Although this is a short test it is a crucial one, as the ability to find and recognise suitable resources for
your work is key to success at university.

Submission Information
Assignment 2:
Online Test 2
Weighting

20%

Date/Week

Sunday Week 7

Time

By midnight (11:59pm)

Place

Blackboard

Format

Online Test

Assignment 2 Research Essay Plan (no word limit)

All students are required to complete a Plan for their Research Essay.
The Research Essay Plan must include the following:
1. An explanation of which discipline/question you have chosen and why.
2. A clear outline of how you aim to answer the question including:
a. analysis of the question
b. thesis statement
c. essay plan
3. Four (4) references, as part of your initial research, and comment on how each particular reference is
relevant to your assignment. You should:
a. briefly explain the purpose of each article
b. describe how each article is linked to your thesis statement
c. provide an end-text entry for each reference using the APA format
UPU0004 Humanities

13

University Preparation Course

Submission Information
Assignment 3:
Research Essay Plan
Weighting

20%

Date/Week

Friday Week 8

Time

By midnight (11:59pm)

Place

Turnitin

Format

Word document

Assignment 4: Research Essay

Rationale
At some point throughout your studies, you will have to write an academic essay. Your work in UPU0002 Academic
Writing will prepare you for this assessment. University essays require you to research a topic using academic
sources (books, journal articles) and then address the essay question in a critical manner. In this way you evaluate
your reading and research and create an argument in direct relation to the set question. Being able to do this will
provide you with excellent skills for critical engagement with studies in the Humanities.

Assignment 4 Research Essay (1,500 2,000 words)

Students are required to write an essay on one of the following topics and questions. It is best if you choose a
discipline topic that most interests you and is related to studies you may consider undertaking in Humanities.
All essays must be referenced using the APA style of referencing. Please refer to the ECU Referencing Guide.

DISCIPLINE
UPU0004 Humanities

QUESTION
14

University Preparation Course

Language

How and why do different accents help to inform our perceptions

of people and places? When do these perceptions become
prejudices?

Philosophy: Ethics

Choose a current ethical issue that interests you. Using one or

two examples, discuss its relevance within the field of [insert the
discipline you wish to study at university].

History

Have historical understandings of convicts changed in Australian

history?

Politics

The Sydney Morning Herald has suggested that Australians lack

empathy for the plight of asylum seekers. Consider the current
political situation regarding entry for refugees and discuss
whether this is a just claim.

Law

How have perceptions of crime changed over time? Your essay

should refer to one or two countries or types of crime as key
evidence. You can provide examples from any period in history.

Art

What is the role of art in society? (You may focus on a specific

medium within visual arts, e.g. painting, sculpture, textiles, or
choose to discuss another art form, e.g. dance or music. Discuss
your choice with your tutor if you need guidance).

Indigenous Studies

What is meant by Indigenous rights? (Referring specifically to

Australia)

Religion

Religion is no longer as important in Australia as it once was. To

what extent do you agree with this claim? You must provide
examples to illustrate your points.

You are welcome to devise your own question on one of these topics. Discuss your ideas with your tutor
before starting the essay.
The research essay must include the following:
1. An introduction which addresses the question and provides an informative, well written thesis statement
(including a clear indication of the aim(s) of the essay)
2. At least three (3) paragraphs in the body of the essay providing evidence to support the thesis statement
3. A conclusion that demonstrates analysis of the evidence presented in the body of the essay and a formally
stated answer to the research question
4. A detailed reference list of all sources used (in APA format)

UPU0004 Humanities

15

University Preparation Course

Submission information
Assignment 4:
Research Essay
Weighting

40%

Date/Week

Friday Week 13

Time

By midnight (11:59pm)

Place

Turnitin

Format

Word document

Important Assignment Information

Important Assignment Information is available at http://intranet.ecu.edu.au/student/my-studies/study-advice/assignments and
includes details on :
General Requirements
Presentation of Assignments
Academic misconduct, plagiarism, cheating
Assignment submission dates
Extensions to assignment submission dates
Submission of assignments
Assignment Cover sheets
The ECU Referencing guide covers the most common referencing questions and can help you in referencing your academic
work.

Meeting Unit Requirements

In order to pass this unit you must submit all assignments and show evidence that you have met the unit outcomes.

Attendance and Participation

The teaching and learning processes in this unit model participatory and co-operative learning processes used by effective
learners. Students are expected to participate in all lectures and tutorials. Normally, failure to meet this expectation means
that you will not satisfy unit requirements and thus be assigned a failing grade. Students who find themselves in a personal
situation where they are unable to participate should discuss the matter with their tutors.

Extension of Assignment Date

If you require an extension of the time to complete an assignment, you must apply in writing on every occasion to the unit
coordinator stating the grounds. You are expected to submit your application well before the assignment due date. You will
need to attach documentary evidence (e.g. medical certificate) to support your request and the unit coordinator will notify
you of the outcome. Normal occupational commitments and extra-curricular activities are not accepted as grounds for
granting extra time because you are expected to plan ahead. Extensions cannot be granted beyond the end of semester.

UPU0004 Humanities

16

University Preparation Course

Late Assignments
Under Rule 39 (5): An assignment submitted after the fixed or extended time for submission shall incur a penalty to be
calculated as follows:
(a)
(b)

Where the assignment is submitted not more than a week late, the penalty shall, for each working day that it is
late, be 5% of the maximum assessment available for the assignment.
Where the assignment is submitted more than one week late a mark of zero shall be awarded.

Email Protocol
All emails should be sent from your student email account or via Blackboard, otherwise anti-spam filters might prevent it from
being delivered to your lecturer.
When using email to communicate with lecturers or tutors, you should always make sure that your message contains the
following:
1. A subject that contains the unit code, and clearly describes the nature of your query or request.
Your lecturers receive many emails a day, and may also teach more than one unit, so if your email does not contain
the unit code, it is not possible to place your message in context. If the subject does not indicate the nature of the
message, it may well remain unanswered.
2. Change the default setting on your email program to include previous messages in replies, and make sure that
previous messages are included in an ongoing exchange. Your lecturer deals with many students. Having a copy of
the previous exchanges included in your message will expedite a response. You should still make sure that the
subject indicates what the email is about.
3. Address your lecturer appropriately by name.
4. State your question or request clearly and concisely.
5. Insert a signature at the end of your email that contains:
a.
b.
c.
d.

Your name in full as it appears in SIMO

Your student number
The campus at which you attend classes for the unit in question
Your tutors name
(also indicate if you are an off-campus student)

Your lecturer will inform you if there are additional requirements for communicating by email.
While lecturers cannot be available online all day, in normal circumstance your lecturer will reply within 2 working days.

ECU Academic Misconduct (including Plagiarism) Policy

As approved by Academic Board on 18 July 2002
Edith Cowan University regards academic misconduct of any form as unacceptable. Academic misconduct includes, but is
not limited to:
Plagiarism;
Unauthorised collaboration;
Cheating in examinations;
Theft of other students work.
The university defines academic misconduct as follows:
UPU0004 Humanities

17

University Preparation Course

academic misconduct
cheating
plagiarism

means
means
means

conduct in relation to any academic work that is dishonest or unfair.

conduct in any assessment that is dishonest.
to knowingly or unknowingly present as ones own work the ideas or writings of
another without appropriate acknowledgment or referencing This includes, but is not
limited to:
paraphrasing text without acknowledgment of the source;
paraphrasing text inadequately with acknowledgment of the source;
copying the text of another students assignment or other students
assignments; and
copying of visual representations (cartoons, line drawings, photos, paintings and
computer programs).

A staff member, who has reasonable grounds to believe that a student has committed some form of academic misconduct,
will discuss the matter with the student. If some form of academic misconduct has been committed then an appropriate
penalty will be applied as outlined in Statute 22 and Rule 40 of the ECU Handbook.

Health and Safety Recommendations

Emergency Evacuations
Take notice of fire alarms, TV messages, audio messages or instruction from a Security Officer / Building / Area Warden
(they may be wearing bright fluorescent jackets).
Be aware of the evacuation procedure - vacate the room in an orderly fashion through the specified emergency exit doors
taking belongings with you. These doors should automatically open when the door bar is pushed.
Go directly to the Emergency Assembly Area for that building
Assist people in wheel chairs, those who are disabled/injured to a safe location inside the room while able bodies persons
evacuate, then assist them in evacuation
Obey instructions from Security Officer / Building / Area / Fire Wardens
Do not leave the premises or go to caf etc., but go to Emergency Assembly Area.
Do not use lifts.
Wait to be told to return to the building or to disperse by a FESA Officer in Charge or a Security Officer / Building / Area
Warden.

Security and Medical

Note the location and use of the Security phones on campus. These are radiophones and there will be a pause before an
Officer responds.
Security Officers can escort you to vehicles, if required.
Security Officers are trained in First Aid.
It is safer to walk around on campus after hours in pairs or more.
There are designated well-lit walkways for movement around campus after dark.
Campus Medical Suites are located in ML8 and JO6 and are available 8.30 4.30 Mon Fri.

Responsibility of Students

If a lecturer does not show up, please inform school admin staff as soon as possible
ECU supports a NON-SMOKING environment.
Hazards, Accidents and injuries need to be reported to a university staff member as soon as possible.

UPU0004 Humanities

18