Mongolia has a deep historical memory and cultural tradition but today’s Mongolia presents a new face to the international community as a successful post-socialist democracy and as one of the world’s largest commodity exporters. Mining has boosted the national economy but at a heavy sacrifice to surrounding ecology and local herding communities. Over two weeks of field study, students will witness firsthand the challenges that Mongolia faces through in-class lectures and language lessons; interaction with local community, mining and industry stakeholders; visits to sites of global historical and heritage importance; and aspects of unique nomadic cultural practices. Themes include environment, energy, cultural heritage, community health and infrastructure. Students will investigate the true cost of economic growth on the environmental, cultural and historic fabric of Mongolia – a nation caught between globalisation and ancient ways of life.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Describe the current challenges of Mongolia from a cultural and historical perspective
2. Discuss the tension between nomadic culture and sedentary industrial development and a growing capitalist economy
3. Comprehend the historical, economic and political underpinnings of Mongolia's domestic politics, national identity and national security
4. Better analyse situations based on empirical data through on-the-ground field research
5. Demonstrate the ability to communicate cross-cultural analysis effectively to a general audience

Research-Led Teaching

Prior to the in-country component of the course, students will research an annotated bibliography on a subject area of interest that relates to Mongolia. Ongoing critical observations are important as part of being in the field in Mongolia to enable engagement in an in-depth way.

Field Trips

The field trip is over 14 days, including eight days in the capital of Ulaanbaatar and six days in the countryside in Mongolia, visiting significant historical, cultural and archaeological sites.

Additional Course Costs

Most course expenses will be covered by 14 $4000 New Colombo Plan scholarships available from the Australian government for Australian citizens.

Staff Feedback

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

• Written comments
• Verbal comments
• Feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals, focus groups

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.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	30 May: Induction on campus and visit to Mongolian Embassy
2	26 June: Annotated Literature Review	Assessment Task 1
3	29 June: Arrival dinner in evening
4	30 June - 6 July: Language lessons, speakers and site visits in Ulaanbaatar
5	7 - 12 July: Travel to Hustai Nuruu NP (1 night); Orkhon River Valley (2 nights); Kharkhorin (2 nights), return to Ulaanbaatar
6	12 July: End of in-country part of course
7	13 July: Morning wrap up and departure	Assessment Task 2- contribution to learning while in-country
8	19 July: Notes from the field	Assessment Task 3
9	2 August: Four blog posts due	Assessment Task 4

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Learning Outcomes
Literature Review: Annotated Bibliography (1000-1500 words)	20 %	26/06/2024	1,2,3,5
Contribution to Learning while In-Country	10 %	13/07/2024	1,2,3,5
Notes from the Field: excerpts from fieldnotes/journal entries (1500-2000 words)	30 %	19/07/2024	1,2,3,4
Blog pieces and Multimodal Contributions (400-600 words for each blog post)	40 %	02/08/2024	1,2,3,4,5

* 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.

Participation

Assessment Task 2 is related to the degree of active participation during the course (10% of overall grade).

Assessment Task 1

Literature Review: Annotated Bibliography (1000-1500 words)

Identify a topic relevant to the course and build up an annotated source list with at least eight references related to the chosen topic.

Assessment Task 2

Contribution to Learning while In-Country

Actively learning while in the field through detailed observations, taking notes and asking relevant questions, while adding to group discussions.

Assessment Task 3

Notes from the Field: excerpts from fieldnotes/journal entries (1500-2000 words)

Task 3 is evidence of having actively written notes from observations in the field, supplemented by the writing of a journal of events that occurred and different creative ideas and concepts while on location. Field excerpts can include video material, still images, creative writing, or audio recordings of surroundings.

Assessment Task 4

Blog pieces and Multimodal Contributions (400-600 words for each blog post)

The blog pieces will comprise of four short essays (up to 2400 words in total). Different creative forms of multimedia can be incorporated with the text, including still images, links to video or audio material, maps, quotations, songs and poems.

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

The ANU uses 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. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.

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.

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