Directed Study
Overview
This unit enables students to carry out in-depth investigation of a substantive content area or methodological approach in the field of humanities and social sciences, in order to extend their knowledge and expertise in areas of particular interest not offered in other taught electives.
Requisites
03-August-2025
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Demonstrate familiarity with and understanding of the work of key scholars in a chosen area of study including competing and complementary theoretical frameworks
- Critically analyse and synthesise relevant sources in the field in written form
- Present a succinct oral summary of their investigation to supervisor and peers
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Face to Face Contact (Phasing out) Other | 1.00 | 12 weeks | 12 |
| Unspecified Learning Activities (Phasing out) Individual Study | 11.50 | 12 weeks | 138 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment | Individual | 20% | 1,2 |
| Oral Presentation | Individual | 30% | 3 |
| Written Assignment | Individual | 50% | 1,2 |
Content
Students will agree with a Supervisor, and by approval of the Discipline Convener, on a topic or issue for a directed study. Topics will typically include investigating a substantive content area or methodological approach that is not offered by any other available elective and does not replicate a unit of study completed in the student’s undergraduate or postgraduate program.
Approved topics will include:
- Extended study in an area of particular interest to the student, provided no other suitable unit of study is available
- Preliminary investigation that may lay groundwork for the student's thesis or other further project that is beyond the scope of what can be accomplished in the core units of study in the program. Such an investigation must, in itself, produce results in an assessable format
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.