This course gives students the opportunity to undertake detailed study of the literature analysing contemporary development issues and practices, such as micro-credit, participatory land-use planning, enterprise development, community health programs, and gender practice. In collaboration with the Course Convenor, students individually choose one key issue of interest to them and focus on a sustained period of desk-based research into the relevant literature. There is no expectation of field work for this course. A supervisor with knowledge or experience in the relevant field of study will be nominated, with whom the student is expected to schedule regular contact for advice and support.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

Upon successful completion, students will have the skills and knowledge to:

1. Scope, plan, and conduct a desk-based research task;
2. Demonstrate critical appreciation of a particular development issue; and
3. Write a research article on a particular development issue.
   

Recommended Resources

Course websites

This course uses the online learning management system Wattle. For the course and program websites go to either https://wattle.anu.edu.au/ or click on the Wattle icon at http://students.anu.edu.au/. You can log on to these sites using your ANU student number

(uXXXXXXX) and ANU (ISIS) password.

Other websites

The ANU library has an extensive collection including and electronic collection which can be accessed off-campus though the ANU website. In addition websites such as http://scholar.google.com can also point you to a wealth of academic material.

Development Agency websites relevant to this course include:

• AusAID – http://www.ausaid.gov.au/
• Australian Development Gateway – http://www.developmentgateway.com.au/
• Asian Development Bank – http://www.adb.org/default.asp
• The World Bank's homepage – http://www.worldbank.org/
• The World Bank's Participation homepage:
• http://www.worldbank.org/participation/index.htm
• UN Development Group – http://www.undg.org/index.cfm
• Department for International Development – http://www.dfid.gov.uk/
• United Nations Research Institute for Social Development – http://www.unrisd.org/

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• meetings with supervisor;
• comments on Turnitin

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

Academic and research skills, resources and readings

As well as academic and research skills, students will also need good information literacy skills (e.g. using word processing, spreadsheet and information-searching software). ANU provides significant support in academic and research skills, information literacy and library resources. Students can find a guide to these services on the MAAPD Program Wattle site (available to all students enrolled in this course) and on the ANU website.

It is recommended that, as soon as possible after enrolment, students complete ANU’s Information Literacy Program entry skills audit and access free on-campus or online training as necessary (also see http://ilp.anu.edu.au/).

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Prepare research outline
2	Submit research outline	Wattle regular update of activities to date
3	Conduct literature review and prepare four annotated Bibliographies
4	Conduct literature review and Submit four annotated Bibliographies	Wattle regular update post of activities to date
5	Conduct literature review and prepare four annotated Bibliographies
6	Conduct literature review and submit four annotated Bibliographies and outline of main arguments	Wattle regular update of activities to date
7	Conduct literature review and prepare four annotated Bibliographies
8	Submit four annotated Bibliographies and draft paper outline	Wattle regular update of activities to date
9	Draft the paper
10	Submit draft paper for feedback	Wattle regular update of activities to date
11	re-draft the paper
12	Post final paper	Final Paper submission

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Regular Updates	25 %	03/06/2019	14/06/2019	1, 2
Final Report	75 %	03/06/2019	14/06/2019	1, 2

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website. Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Regular Updates

This involves posting on the Wattle site for the course, every two weeks or a mutually agreed time frame 300 word updates of the progress according to a series of agreed sub-topics the first one of which at the end of week 2 will be a detailed proposal. These pieces will form the basis for the final paper. The course convenor will comment on each of these.

Purpose of assignment: To demonstrate the student’s ongoing critical engagement with key issues (subtopics) agreed to in establishing the topic discussed in the course.

Due dates: Weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 or as agreed.

Value: 25%

Marking criteria: The students will be assessed on the basis of their demonstrated understanding of the topic, and their ability to communicate key issues and questions.

Submission details: The regular updates should be posted on the ‘Regular Updates’ link on the Wattle course site. 

Assessment Task 2

Final Report

A final report covering the research question (5,000 words)

Purpose of assignment: To facilitate the student’s understanding of the topic they have chosen.

Due date: as agreed

Value: 75%

Length: 5,000 words (essays more than 10% over length will be penalised 10% of the final mark).

Instructions: The details of this report will be negotiated with the course convenor in the first week of the program.

Marking criteria: The students will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria:

• demonstrated understanding of the content;
• quality of the critical analysis of the readings;
• ability to structure the review and communicate in a formal academic writing
• style; and
• ability to refer to academic and other sources appropriately and using an appropriate referencing style.

Protocol for academic writing: Students should follow standard guidelines for academic writing and referencing.

Submission details: The Final Report is to be submitted on the WATTLE site in the section ‘Assignment 2: Final Report’ before the agreed due time/date.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) as submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students