Unit rationale, description and aim
This unit involves the completion of a special project integrating academic learning, employability skills and attributes and an improved knowledge of organisations, workplace culture and career pathways in the Arts and Humanities. The project or placement gives a hands-on experience of work in the Arts and Humanities sector and is supplemented by workshops and/or excursions that focus on key skills that will prepare students for the project or placement. Prior to the beginning of semester, ACU staff will have identified and engaged with appropriate project partners to develop a list of potential placements or projects that align with relevant majors in the National School of Arts and Humanities. Students will normally complete a 70-hour special project and use the rest of the semester to complete the tasks related to it, or when available, specified cohorts may complete an approved internship of up to 150 hours. On completion of the subject, students will have completed and reported on an Arts or Humanities related project. The unit aims to enhance students' employability skills, including communication, interpersonal, analytical and problem-solving skills; organisational and time-management techniques; and an understanding of career planning and professional development in the Arts and Humanities.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Demonstrate an independent approach to learning an...
Learning Outcome 01
Work collegially to complete a range of activities...
Learning Outcome 02
Apply knowledge and skills in the Arts or Humaniti...
Learning Outcome 03
Reflect on the process and output of a work projec...
Learning Outcome 04
Content
The course will be structured in three parts:
Part One: Arts Pathways
- Preparation for taking up special projects
- Workplace culture
- Introduction to the Arts and Humanities sector (key cultural institutions, consultancies, government agencies, local government/community organisations).
Part Two: The Internship
- Students undertake a (pre-organised) special project with a project partner on a distinct topic, which can be completed within the designated period.
Part Three: Reflections on Professional Practice
- Showcasing and presentation skills on project experiences
- Linking skills to project requirements
Assessment strategy and rationale
This special project placement component of this unit will be assessed by a pass/fail grade and students must complete the requirements of the project to gain a pass for this hurdle.
The assessment tasks for this unit will be graded and have been designed to assess students’ developing skills and knowledge over the course of the semester, in relation to both the on-campus learning activities and their off-campus internship experiences.
Overview of assessments
Assessment Task 1: Case Study Exercise Students...
Assessment Task 1: Case Study Exercise
Students will develop a case study to share with other students based on the project they are undertaking.
50%
Assessment Task 2: Written Task Students will w...
Assessment Task 2: Written Task
Students will write a 2,000 word essay/report reflecting on their placement and relating their experience to current directions in the Arts and/or Humanities.
OR
Students will produce an artefact or product as part of their project and include a 500-word reflection on their placement and relating their experience to current directions in the Arts and/or Humanities. Both the artefact or product and the reflection will be graded.
50%
Hurdle Task: Project or Placement 70 hours satis...
Hurdle Task: Project or Placement
70 hours satisfactory special project or placement before the end of the teaching period and 100% attendance at workshops. In specific circumstances, students may undertake an internship of up to 150-hours with a partner organisation subject to approval from the Dean of Arts and Humanities.
Pass/Fail
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
This unit takes the form of a special project with an internal Arts or Humanities academic, ACU department, or partner organisation.
By engaging directly with Arts and Humanities organisations and practitioners (and with guidance and support from ACU staff), students will develop their skills and knowledge of professional practice in a particular field of the Arts and Humanities, through a series of experiential activities.
At the same time, the course workshops will involve a range of active learning activities including reading, writing, analysis, debate, discussion and problem solving.