Unit rationale, description and aim
Honours graduates in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences need to be able to identify, respond to and solve complex and emerging problems and challenges in a wide range of professional contexts through engaging in original and methodologically appropriate research. In this unit, students will advance their understanding of a specialist field by developing a thesis that responds to a researchable question and contributes new knowledge to the Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences and advances the common good. You will work with your supervisor in negotiating the topic and, with their guidance, you will develop advanced skills in accessing, synthesizing and evaluating primary and/or secondary data as relevant evidence applied to your thesis. This unit aims to support the development of advanced theoretical and technical knowledge and skills through a process of self-directed and scholarly investigation that supports further learning and/or professional practice in the field.
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.
Autonomously formulate a complex research project ...
Learning Outcome 01
Apply advanced cognitive and technical research sk...
Learning Outcome 02
Critically analyse and evaluate an original resear...
Learning Outcome 03
Transmit an advanced scholarly, theoretical and/or...
Learning Outcome 04
Utilise advanced communication skills of clear and...
Learning Outcome 05
Content
Topics covered in thesis supervision sessions will normally include:
- ethics
- primary and secondary research approaches
- goal setting and time management
- skills in reporting and analysis
- scholarly critique
- argumentation
- citation
- writing, editing and preparing the thesis for examination.
Creative project and exegesis:
Topics covered in supervision sessions will normally include:
- research skills
- contemporary artistic practice and related theoretical discourse
- creative independent practice-led research
- project planning and goal setting
- managing and presenting a major creative project
- advanced critical and creative thinking and problem-solving
- ethics
- preparation of an exegesis/dissertation
- writing, editing and proof-reading.
Assessment strategy and rationale
The Bachelor of Arts (Honours) summative assessment consists of either a 12,000-15,000 word original thesis or a Creative Arts project/portfolio with 7,500 word exegesis, demonstrating advanced knowledge and skills in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. For the thesis model, the word limit will not normally include footnotes, appendices or bibliography.
Students receive ongoing formative assessment through supervisor feedback on drafts, academic discussions, a work-in-progress presentation at semester end, and a final viva. This continuous support monitors learning outcomes, develops scholarly skills, and guides successful completion.
The thesis or project must follow field-specific conventions and University Guidelines for Honours Programs, aligning with AQF-Level 8 Honours standards. Examination evaluates students' ability to formulate, analyse, evaluate and apply knowledge to original research problems, assessing cognitive and research skills through clear scholarly writing.
The Research Thesis comprises 50 credit points, with identical results awarded for each unit upon completion and examination, following University Guidelines for Honours Programs.
Overview of assessments
Assessment Task 1: A. Honours Research Thesis (...
Assessment Task 1:
A. Honours Research Thesis (15,000 words): an original, research-based scholarly report in a specialist field of Arts, Humanities, or Social Sciences. Students will do a work in progress paper in their first semester and a viva in their second semester.
OR
B). Creative Project: The Creative component is an opportunity for the honours candidate to demonstrate creative work of a high standard that is suitable to be performed, exhibited or otherwise presented and Exegesis/Dissertation: The 7,500 word Exegesis/Dissertation and associated viva provides the candidate with an opportunity to demonstrate the quality of their engagement between the creative work and the research which underpins this creativity. It should demonstrate self-reflexivity and a strong ability to critically analyse and evaluate the creative process and the final creative product. Students will do a work in progress paper in their first semester and a viva in their second semester.
100% over 50cp of thesis units
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
You will work closely with a specialist supervisor who is appointed by the National Head of School to negotiate a topic of significance in an approved field and develop a question and a methodological approach that can guide your research. As an Honours student, you are expected to work autonomously in developing your thesis by applying theories, concepts, data and skills relevant to advancing understanding in the specialist field. Your supervisor will engage you in regular cycles of reflection and critical self-appraisal to incrementally develop a sophisticated and scholarly thesis of 15,000 words and for creative arts projects a 7,500 word exegesis. In addition, your supervisor will guide you in developing techniques to find further resources available within ACU, the relevant scholarly community and industry, to support your learning, the development of your thesis and your professional competence.
This 20cp unit has been designed to ensure that the time needed to complete the required volume of learning to the requisite standard is approximately 300 hours in total across the semester.