CQUniversity Unit Profile
SAFE20014 Specialisation Project 1
Specialisation Project 1
All details in this unit profile for SAFE20014 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

This unit provides you with the opportunity to critically analyse and challenge the principles, theories, methods, models and paradigms which inform your selected area of specialisation.

Details

Career Level: Postgraduate
Unit Level: Level 9
Credit Points: 12
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.25

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

There are no requisites for this unit.

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 2 - 2019

Mixed Mode

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Residential Schools

This unit has a Compulsory Residential School for distance mode students and the details are:
Click here to see your Residential School Timetable.

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 12-credit Postgraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 25 hours of study per week, making a total of 300 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Portfolio
Weighting: Pass/Fail
2. Written Assessment
Weighting: Pass/Fail

Assessment Grading

This is a pass/fail (non-graded) unit. To pass the unit, you must pass all of the individual assessment tasks shown in the table above.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from Student feedback and coordinator observations

Feedback

Students would benefit from the use of high quality exemplars for the final assessments, especially the position paper.

Recommendation

Source appropriate exemplars from former students for these assessments and make available via Moodle to provide guidance on what constitutes a high quality submission.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Critically analyse contemporary principles, theories, paradigms, models and methods relating to your selected area of specialisation.
  2. Develop strategies and approaches that challenge or extend existing models and methods in your selected area or specialisation.
  3. Justify changes in perspective and practice in your selected area of specialisation through evidence informed reasoning and critical reflection.
Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3
1 - Portfolio - 0%
2 - Written Assessment - 0%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3
1 - Knowledge
2 - Communication
3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills
4 - Research
5 - Self-management
6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility
7 - Leadership
8 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1 - Portfolio - 0%
2 - Written Assessment - 0%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

There are no required textbooks.

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Shevaun Dell Unit Coordinator
s.dell@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 15 Jul 2019

Module/Topic

Meet & Greet Zoom session to introduce the unit and expectations

Chapter


Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 Begin Date: 22 Jul 2019

Module/Topic

Self-directed study

Study schedule based on learning contract to be negotiated in week 2

Chapter


Events and Submissions/Topic

Schedule a half hour meeting with learning mentor to negotiate a learning contract and establish a schedule for future student/learning mentor consultations

Week 3 Begin Date: 29 Jul 2019

Module/Topic

Self-directed study and meetings with learning mentors, as per agreed learning contracts

Chapter


Events and Submissions/Topic

Learning Contract due Week 3 Friday

Progress Report 1 due Week 3 Friday

Week 4 Begin Date: 05 Aug 2019

Module/Topic

Self-directed study and meetings with learning mentors, as per agreed learning contracts

Chapter


Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 5 Begin Date: 12 Aug 2019

Module/Topic

Self-directed study and meetings with learning mentors, as per agreed learning contracts

Chapter


Events and Submissions/Topic

Progress Report 2 due Week 5 Friday

Vacation Week Begin Date: 19 Aug 2019

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 26 Aug 2019

Module/Topic

Self-directed study and meetings with learning mentors, as per agreed learning contracts

Chapter


Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 7 Begin Date: 02 Sep 2019

Module/Topic

Self-directed study and meetings with learning mentors, as per agreed learning contracts

Chapter


Events and Submissions/Topic

Progress Report 3 due Week 7 Friday

Week 8 Begin Date: 09 Sep 2019

Module/Topic

Self-directed study and meetings with learning mentors, as per agreed learning contracts

Chapter


Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 9 Begin Date: 16 Sep 2019

Module/Topic

Self-directed study and meetings with learning mentors, as per agreed learning contracts

Chapter


Events and Submissions/Topic

Progress Report 4 due Week 9 Friday

Week 10 Begin Date: 23 Sep 2019

Module/Topic

Self-directed study and meetings with learning mentors, as per agreed learning contracts

Chapter


Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 11 Begin Date: 30 Sep 2019

Module/Topic

Self-directed study and meetings with learning mentors, as per agreed learning contracts

Chapter


Events and Submissions/Topic

Progress Report 5 due Week 11 Friday


Annotated Bibliography and Position Paper Due: Week 11 Friday (4 Oct 2019) 11:59 pm AEST
Week 12 Begin Date: 07 Oct 2019

Module/Topic

Self-directed study and meetings with learning mentors, as per agreed learning contracts

Chapter


Events and Submissions/Topic

Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 14 Oct 2019

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Presentation to be delivered at Future Paradigms in Transport, Emergency and Safety Sciences Conference 15th-17th October 2019.

Exam Week Begin Date: 21 Oct 2019

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Term Specific Information

Future Paradigms in Transport, Emergency and Safety Sciences Conference will be held in Rockhampton on the 15th-17th October 2019.

Assessment Tasks

1 Portfolio

Assessment Title
Learning Contract, Progress Reports and Project Presentation

Task Description

Part A - Learning Contract

Negotiate with your Learning Mentor and create a written learning contract which establishes a schedule for your consultations throughout the term. This learning contract must be uploaded to Moodle by the end of Week 3.

  

Part B - Progress Reports

For this assessment task, you will need to prepare fortnightly written progress reports, detailing:

  • the work that you have been completing since your previous progress report, including any 'aha' moments
  • the materials that you have been exploring
  • any issues that have been encountered in your project (and their resolution).

You will be expected to submit a minimum of five (5) progress reports over the course of the term.

  

Part C - Presentation 

You will present an outline of a potential research project idea, including background and context within your specialisation. You will deliver your presentation in person or via Zoom to the annual Future Paradigms in Transport, Emergency and Safety Sciences Conference in Rockhampton, QLD on the 15th-17th October 2019. As part of this presentation, you will prepare a set of slides which will also be uploaded to Moodle in either Powerpoint or PDF format.

This presentation will likely be informed by your Annotated Bibliography and Position Paper in Assignment 2.


Assessment Due Date

You will negotiate with your Learning Mentor in Week 2 to create your Learning Contract, which must be uploaded to Moodle by the end of Week 3. Your fortnightly progress reports will be uploaded to the appropriate submission pages on the unit's Moodle site. Presentation will occur at the Future Paradigms in Transport, Emergency and Safety Sciences Conference on the 15th-17th October 2019..


Return Date to Students

Feedback will be provided in Moodle and during scheduled meetings with the Unit Coordinator and Learning Mentors.


Weighting
Pass/Fail

Assessment Criteria

Part A - Learning Contract

Learning Contract to be negotiated with Learning Mentor, which must include planned schedule of meetings for the term and agreed expectations regarding submission drafts and feedback.

  

Part B - Progress Reports

5 brief written Progress Reports are to be uploaded in total. Progress Reports are to be completed and uploaded fortnightly, detailing:

  • the work that you have been completing since your previous progress report, including any 'aha' moments 
  • the materials that you have been exploring 
  • any issues that have been encountered in your project (and their resolution). 

Submissions need only be approximately 250 words in length, and may include dot point lists.

     

Part C - Presentation

The presentation will be assessed against the following criteria:

  • Presentation gives a clear explanation of the proposed project idea
  • Explains the context of the project idea, situating it within the current practices/strategies/approaches in the selected area of specialisation
  • Displays evidence of informed reasoning to justify the need for the proposed project, and its potential contribution to the area of specialisation
  • Presentation is well-structured and uses appropriate visual aids which are professionally formatted
  • Appropriate use of supporting sources that are consistent with the current version of Harvard referencing style.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Upload your submissions for this assignment as a Word document or PDF, or Powerpoint slides for the presentation, to the appropriate assessment page on Moodle.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Critically analyse contemporary principles, theories, paradigms, models and methods relating to your selected area of specialisation.
  • Develop strategies and approaches that challenge or extend existing models and methods in your selected area or specialisation.


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Communication
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills
  • Research
  • Self-management
  • Ethical and Professional Responsibility

2 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Annotated Bibliography and Position Paper

Task Description

Part A - Annotated Bibliography 

Choose a minimum of 10 reputable and authoritative sources that relate to your chosen specialisation. These could include:

  • peer-reviewed journal articles
  • book chapters
  • 'grey literature' (government reports, industry reports, etc.).

Prepare an annotated bibliography in which you critically analyse contemporary principles, theories, paradigms, models and methods relating to your specific project. Submissions that include a variety of sources are more likely to be successful.

As a guide, submissions of approximately 3000 words are more likely to be successful.

  

Part B - Position Paper 

Write a position paper (approximately 2000 words) in which you evaluate the effectiveness of current approaches in your chosen specialisation and develop strategies and approaches that challenge or extend existing models and methods in use, as well as identify potential areas for future research.

These submissions will likely inform your Presentation in Assignment 1 Part C.


Assessment Due Date

Week 11 Friday (4 Oct 2019) 11:59 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Feedback will be provided to students two academic weeks following the due date.


Weighting
Pass/Fail

Assessment Criteria

Part A – Annotated Bibliography

  • Submission explores a minimum of 10 relevant reputable and authoritative sources
  • An introduction is provided which contextualises the annotated bibliography and justifies the references chosen 
  • Annotations succinctly summarise the contents of each reference
  • Annotations clearly explain the origin and relevance of each reference 
  • Each reference is thoroughly analysed and their importance to the topic emphasised 
  • Submission is formatted appropriately for an annotated bibliography 
  • Submission evidences high level academic writing skills 
  • All sources are referenced properly in line with the current version of Harvard Referencing Style 

  

Part B – Position Paper

  • Introduction gives a clear background of the topic and sets expectations for the rest of the paper 
  • Current approaches within the chosen specialisation are identified and explained, including any shortcomings or limitations 
  • Submission argues for an alternative strategy with regard to at least one specific area of practice within the specialisation  
  • Argument is well-constructed and flows logically 
  • Argument is well-supported by reputable and authoritative sources 
  • Submission is formatted appropriately for a position paper 
  • Submission evidences high level academic writing skills 
  • All sources are referenced properly in line with the current version of Harvard Referencing Style  


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Upload your submission for this assignment as a Word document or PDF to the appropriate assessment page on Moodle.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Justify changes in perspective and practice in your selected area of specialisation through evidence informed reasoning and critical reflection.


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Communication
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills
  • Research
  • Self-management
  • Ethical and Professional Responsibility
  • Leadership

Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?