Course outline. Code: TPP101 Title: Academic Skills for Success

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1 Course outline Code: TPP101 Title: Academic Skills for Success Faculty of: Science, Health, Education and Engineering Teaching Session: Session 8 Year: 2016 Course Coordinator: Guy Rushton Tel: grushton@usc.edu.au Room: J5:22 1. What is this course about? 1.1 Course description You have the opportunity to develop writing and study skills necessary to manage tertiary study effectively. As well as general instruction in time management, effective reading and note-taking skills, this course introduces you to the common features of academic writing and includes academic research at the University s library and the use of an approved referencing system for your written assessment tasks. You will have opportunities to apply and develop these study and academic writing skills in a number of formative (not assessed) tasks undertaken during tutorial sessions. 1.2 Course content This course will develop these qualities and skills through a collaborative learning environment: Writing Skills: Writing summaries, essays and reports. Summarising and paraphrasing. Referencing. Reading Skills: Understanding academic texts. Reading effectively. Note-taking Skills: Effective note-taking. Study Skills: Critical thinking and reflective thinking. Academic Management Skills: Time management, information gathering and collaborative learning. 2. Unit value 12 units Please be aware units from this course cannot be counted for credit towards an award-bearing program. Version Session Recfind File Number: F14187

2 Page 2 3. How does this course contribute to my learning? On successful completion of this course you should be able to: Demonstrate time management, academic information gathering and general organisational skills Read, examine and assess the layout and structure of an academic article. Identify the main ideas and summarise. Reflect on, relate and adapt knowledge and skills in a range of contexts for further academic studies. Develop a reasoned argument by applying critical thinking skills to support a point of view. Apply academic writing conventions within a range of written assessment tasks. Quote and paraphrase from a range of academic sources using a set referencing style. You will be assessed on the learning outcome in task/s: Task 1b Quizzes Task 3 Argumentative Essay Task 2 Summary and Reflective Evaluation Task 3 Argumentative Essay Task 4 - Report Task 2 Summary and Reflective Evaluation Task 3 Argumentative Essay Task 4 - Report Task 1a Introduction Task 2 Summary and Reflective Evaluation Task 3 Argumentative Essay Task 4 Report Task 2 Summary and Reflective Evaluation Task 3 Argumentative Essay Task 4 Report Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming: Empowered. Empowered. Creative and critical thinkers. Creative and critical thinkers. Empowered. Creative and critical thinkers 4. Am I eligible to enrol in this course? Refer to the Undergraduate Coursework Programs and Awards - Academic Policy for definitions of prerequisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites 4.1 Enrolment restrictions Students must be enrolled in TPP000 or XE Pre-requisites Nil 4.3 Co-requisites Nil 4.4 Anti-requisites Nil 4.5 Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (optional) Nil

3 5. How am I going to be assessed? Page Grading scale Standard High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL) 5.2 Assessment tasks Task No. (TPP101) Assessment Tasks Individual or Group Weighting % 1a Introduction Individual Formative feedback 1b Quizzes Individual Formative feedback 2 Summary and Reflective Evaluation 3 Argumentative Essay 4 Report group or individual What is the duration / length? Individual 20% Summary 700 words Reflective Evaluation min 500 words When should I submit? 300 words Friday 25th November Midnight 3 quizzes 10 Friday 9 th December, questions each Midnight Monday 5 th December, 8.00am Individual 40% 600 words Monday 19 th December, 8.00am 40% words Monday 23 rd January, 5.00pm 100% Where should I submit it? ed to tutor BlackBoard submissions Electronic submission via BlackBoard Electronic submission via BlackBoard [Safe Assign] Hardcopy Faculty Assignment Collection Box J- Building Assessment Task 1a: Introduction Goal: An important skill at university is the ability to write clearly, accurately and concisely, and follow prescribed instructions in order to express yourself in a written format.. Product: Format: This is a four-paragraph introduction covering: Educational background and work experience Reason[s] for enrolling in the TPP program Perceived strengths and challenges facing you in your studies at USC An account of how you are planning to manage your time with respect to your study, work and life balance. Word length: 300 +/- 10% This introduction is ed to your tutor by midnight on Friday 25 th November Criteria You will be given feedback on: Writing style cohesion, vocabulary, grammar, spelling Generic skill assessed Skill assessment level Communication

4 Assessment Task 1b: Quizzes Goal: Product: Format: Criteria Generic skill assessed Organisation Page 4 A successful, independent learner at university demonstrates good time management and organisational skills and the ability to gather academic information. These quizzes provide an opportunity for you to assess yourself against these benchmark attributes. Three Quizzes 10 multiple-choice questions per quiz. There are three quizzes on BlackBoard and it is suggested that you complete the quizzes by the end of the 3 rd week of the summer semester (Friday 9th December, midnight). Each quiz will give you formative feedback on your general knowledge of the course, assessment items, materials, the help and support networks available to you, your time management awareness and organisational skills. A response will be provided via BlackBoard for each of your answers. Skill assessment level Assessment Task 2: Summary and Reflective Evaluation. Goal: Product: Format: An important skill at university is to be able to understand, analyse and critically evaluate the large amounts of information contained in written texts. You will also need to paraphrase this information and present it in a summarised form in a range of different text formats. This task will introduce and provide practice of these skills. Summary and Reflective Evaluation. There are two parts to this individual written task assessment. Part 1 Summary: This is a summary of an academic article. Word length: 700 +/- 10%. Part 2 Reflective Evaluation Applying critical thinking skills and reflective practice, you will assess your learning against a set of benchmarked skills and explain how you are using a range of resources to become a successful, independent learner within a tertiary level academic environment. Word length: Minimum 500 words All parts of this assessment are submitted together by Monday 5 th December 8.00am, electronically via BlackBoard. Further detailed information for this task is under the TPP101 Assessment tab on BlackBoard. Criteria A Marking Rubric is attached to the Task Assessment Sheet and this details the criteria on which your work is assessed. These include: Summary comprehension of article and presentation of main ideas Reflective Evaluation detail of reflective practice and personalisation of a range of resources adapted to specific study needs. Academic Writing Style cohesion, vocabulary, grammar, spelling Formatting Features page layout, font style and size, word count Generic skill assessed Skill assessment level Communication

5 Assessment Task 3: Argumentative Essay Goal: Product: Format: Criteria Generic skill assessed Information literacy Communication Page 5 Being able to conduct academic research and integrate the results of this with your own ideas on issues is an essential skill at university. This task will develop your researching skills through an argumentative essay and will require you to use the Harvard Referencing style. Essay This is an individual written task assessment in the form of an Argumentative Essay. You will select an essay question of interest from a range provided and write a 5-paragraph essay incorporating appropriate academic research, which will be fully referenced. Word length: 600 +/- 10% This assessment is submitted by Monday 19th December 8.00am, via BlackBoard - Safe Assign. Further detailed information for this task is available under the TPP101 Assessment tab on BlackBoard. A Marking Rubric is attached to the Task Assessment Sheet and this details the criteria on which your essay is assessed. These include: Essay Plan comprehensiveness and detail Introduction structure and content Main Arguments development of ideas and supporting evidence Conclusion structure and content Academic Writing Style cohesion, vocabulary, grammar, spelling Referencing Harvard Style, number and quality of reference sources Formatting Features page layout, font style and size, word count Skill assessment level Assessment Task 4: Report Goal: Product: Format: This task has been designed to allow you to use all of the academic skills, writing conventions, reading and research skills developed and practiced in this course to produce a report. You will quote and paraphrase from a range of academic sources using a set referencing style. Collaborative learning is a common feature of many undergraduate courses at university and this assessment piece will give you some important grounding and experience in working in groups to produce an academic product either as an individual or a group. Communication, cooperation, time management and information sharing as well as research and writing skills are all essential for completion of this report. Scientific or Business Report You will write either a Scientific Report or a Business Report, incorporating appropriate academic research, which will be fully referenced. Word length: /- 10% This assessment is submitted by Monday 23 rd January, 5.00pm as a printed and bound hardcopy to the Faculty assignment collection box on the ground floor of J-Building. Further detailed information for this task is available under the TPP101 Assessment tab on BlackBoard.

6 Page 6 Criteria A Marking Rubric is attached to the Task Assessment Sheet and this details the criteria on which your report is assessed. These include: SCIENTIFIC REPORT Abstract Introduction, Literature Review, Methods and Materials Results and Discussion Academic Writing Style cohesion, vocabulary, grammar, spelling Referencing Harvard Style, number and quality of reference sources Formatting Features cover sheet, title page, page layout, font style and size, word count BUSINESS REPORT Executive Summary Introduction and Body Conclusion and Recommendations Table of Contents and Appendices Academic Writing Style cohesion, vocabulary, grammar, spelling Referencing Harvard Style, number and quality of reference sources Formatting Features cover sheet, title page, page layout, font style and size, word count Generic skill assessed Skill assessment level Communication Information literacy 5.3 Additional assessment requirements Blackboard As a student enrolled in this course you will have access to course information on the Blackboard site. You are strongly recommended to log onto the course site on a regular basis. All course announcements, course changes, posting of course materials and grades (via My Interim Results) will be accessed through Blackboard. It is your responsibility to ensure you have adequate internet access (either off campus or oncampus) in order to access Blackboard regularly and to complete required assessment tasks. Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying: a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4% b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale c) You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct Safe Assign In order to minimise incidents of plagiarism and collusion, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks are submitted electronically via Safe Assign. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work that Safe Assign has access to. If required, details of how to submit via Safe Assign will be provided on the Blackboard site of the course.

7 Page Submission penalties Late submission of assessment tasks will be penalised at the following maximum rate: 5% (of the assessment task s identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 10% (of the assessment task s identified value) for the third day 20% (of the assessment task s identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome. 6. How is the course offered? 6.1 Directed study hours A one hour lecture and two hour tutorial per week for 13 weeks, or during the Summer Intensive program, a one hour lecture and two hour tutorial twice per week for 6 weeks. 6.2 Teaching semester/session(s) offered Semester 1, Semester 2, Session 8 Summer Intensive Program

8 Page Course activities Teaching What key concepts/content Week / will I learn? Module Session 1 Session 2 WEEK 1 Course objectives BlackBoard and the Course Outline Overview of assessment tasks Time management Communication: students & USC staff Help and support services Explanation of Task 1a Explanation of Assessment Task 2 Summary and Reflective Evaluation Formative Assessment Item 1a WEEK 2 Session 3 Critical Thinking in an academic environment. Explanation of Task 1b Session 4 Understanding learning styles Effective note taking. Summative Assessment Task 2 WEEK 3 Session 5 Harvard Referencing Conducting research at USC s Library. Critical thinking in an academic environment Session 6 Explanation of Assessment Task 3 Argumentative Essay Understanding learning styles Effective note-taking What activities will I engage in to learn the concepts/content? Directed Study Activities Independent Study Activities/Readings See 7.1 and 7.2 below for required and recommended texts. Tutorial based individual and group activities Tutorial based individual and group activities around Task 2 preparing for the Summary section Introduction Tutorial based individual and group activities on critical thinking preparing for the Reflective Evaluation Tutorial - Group feedback session on Assessment Task 1b- Quizzes on BlackBoard Summary and Reflective Evaluation USC Library Workshop on research plus tutorial based individual and group activities on critical thinking preparing for the Evaluation section Tutorial based individual and group activities on academic writing. Group feedback session on Assessment Task 3 Check the Learning Materials tab Weekly Powerpoints section of the TPP101 BlackBoard site for recommended reading chapters.

9 Page 9 Formative Assessment Task 1b Session 7 Session 8 Using evidence (research findings) appropriately paraphrasing and quoting. Harvard Referencing. Conducting research. Proofreading identifying and correcting errors in written work Summative Assessment Task 3 WEEK 5 Session 9 Working in groups group dynamics and collaborative learning. Using evidence (research findings) appropriately paraphrasing and quoting Session 10 Session 11 Session 12 Explanation of Assessment Task 4 Group Report. Proofreading identifying and correcting errors in written work. WEEK 6 Structure and content of Scientific and Non-scientific [Business] reports. Working in groups group dynamics and collaborative learning Incorporating data [graphics, tables & figures] in reports Quizzes on Blackboard WEEK 4 Tutorial based individual and group activities on academic writing Tutorial based individual and group activities on academic writing. Group feedback session on Assessment Task 3. Argumentative Essay Tutorial based group activities on collaborative learning. NOTE: Students MUST attend this tutorial session to be included in a group for Task 4 Group Report. Tutorial based group activities Assessment Task 4. Group feedback session on Assessment Task 3 Tutorial based group activities Assessment Task 4. Group activities on collaborative learning. Tutorial based group activities Assessment Task 4 Report Summative Assessment Task 4 Please note that the course activities may be subject to variation. Check the Learning Materials tab Weekly Powerpoints section of the TPP101 BlackBoard site for recommended reading chapters. 7. What resources do I need to undertake this course? 7.1 Prescribed text(s) Please note that you need to have regular access to the resource(s) listed below: Author Year Title Publisher TPP101 Workbook Summer, 2016 TPP101 Academic Skills for Success Available from USC MaPS and on TPP101 BlackBoard site.

10 7.2 Required and recommended readings Page 10 Required: as above 7.1 Recommended: The Study Skills Handbook 4 th edn. Stella Cottrell, Palgrave MacMillan. IBSN: Lists of required and recommended readings may be found for this course on its Blackboard site. These materials/readings will assist you in preparing for tutorials and assignments, and will provide further information regarding particular aspects of your course. 7.3 Specific requirements There are no specific materials, equipment or clothing items for this course. 7.4 Risk management There is minimal health and safety risk in this course. It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with the Health and Safety policies and procedures applicable within campus areas. 8. How can I obtain help with my studies? In the first instance you should contact your tutor, then the Course Coordinator. Additional assistance to all students through Peer Advisors and Academic Skills Advisors. You can drop in or book an appointment. To book: Tel: or student central@usc.edu.au 9. Links to relevant University policies and procedures For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including: Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs Review of Assessment and Final Grades Supplementary Assessment Administration of Central Examinations Deferred Examinations Student Academic Misconduct Students with a Disability Faculty specific information In person: Sippy Downs - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C USC SouthBank - Student Central, Building B, Ground floor (level 1) USC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie USC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Building A Tel: studentcentral@usc.edu.au