CURRICULUM POLICY Introduction The Australian Film, Television and Radio School (AFTRS) is an elite specialist and selfaccrediting higher education institution that provides excellence in education through its practice-based model. It aspires to deliver a dynamic education that prepares the most talented and creative people to be platform agnostic, creative and resilient in an industry subject to constant changes in knowledge and technology. Entry to AFTRS is highly competitive and students are admitted to their course through a merit selection process based on the submission of their best creative work and the completion of set tasks. Applications to the Introductory Award courses are an exception to this. The design of the AFTRS Curriculum is based on the following principles: MERIT SELECTION Ensuring best outcomes through evaluation of individual applicant s ability to demonstrate their creative potential, passion, curiosity, imagination, originality, intelligence, risk taking, and awareness. EXCELLENCE Providing excellence in education and training in the screen arts and in broadcasting. STUDENT LEARNING Creative and intellectual development through problem-solving and critical thinking skills, the critical development of knowledge and investigation of ideas and application through experimentation and collaboration. INDUSTRY RELEVANCE Flexibility in course offerings to deliver specialist technical skills, anticipating and responding to rapid changes, innovations and competitiveness. OPPORTUNITY Providing opportunities for all students to explore creative strengths and interests. 1
Curriculum Policy 1. Overview The Curriculum Policy provides the framework for the Approved Curriculum for Degree and Specialist Program comprised of: Degree Program Bachelor (AQF Level 7) Masters (AQF Level 9) Specialist Program Introductory Award (Enabling, non AQF) Diploma (AQF Level 5) Advanced Diploma (AQF Level 6) The Curriculum Policy defines the School s Approved Curriculum, including duration of the AFTRS semester, the program and course structure, graduate attributes, course and subject learning outcomes, credit points, hours, delivery mode, and the number of assignments at course and subject level. The Approved Curriculum is designed to ensure an appropriate balance in course delivery and assignment workload for teachers and students. The objective of a defined number of assignments for each subject is to manage the workload in a practice-based course, to assess a student s achievement of the learning outcomes and to determine a student s grades in the subject (summative assessment). Students are also provided with feedback on their progress through class activities (formative assessment). AFTRS Approved Curriculum integrates the professional feedback processes and standards of the screen arts and broadcasting industry into the curriculum through the contribution of industry members in the Subject (Degree Program) and the Course (Specialist Program) Development Committee process. 2. Academic Governance The Curriculum Policy confirms the academic governance of the management of the Approved Curriculum. The CEO, the Directors of Teaching Divisions, and the Director of Education devise the Approved Curriculum as the Education Program Committee (EPC). The Division of Education is the repository for the Approved Curriculum. The Approved Curriculum is aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework. This means the knowledge and skills and application of knowledge and skills of each course type is designed and delivered to the appropriate level. 2
The Approved Curriculum meets the Threshold Standards as expressed in the Tertiary Education Quality Standards Act 2011 in particular the Provider Course Accreditation Standards. The Approved Curriculum is endorsed by the AFTRS Academic Board and approved by the AFTRS Council. 3. Review of Approved Curriculum The Approved Curriculum will be formally reviewed, annually. The CEO, the relevant Director of the Teaching Division and the Director of Education (the Education Program Committee (EPC)) will conduct the review. The Division of Education will call for input to the formal review from Subject Leaders, Teachers and Education Specialists. This input must be via a written proposal that makes a strongly argued recommendation with evidence. The evidence may draw on evaluation surveys; student feedback; research into the scholarship of teaching, including documentary evidence drawn from a teacher s reflection maintained for the duration of the delivery of the subject; and/or other relevant disciplinary research. The Division of Education will provide analysis of course and subject evaluation surveys from students and other research and data as required. The EPC will assess the value of the submitted proposals and all other material submitted as a part of the annual review process. 4. Variation The EPC is solely authorised to make any variation to the Approved Curriculum, its model and philosophy including Graduate Attributes, Course Name, Course Learning Outcomes, Course Structure, Content, Credit Points and Policy. Major Changes to the Approved Curriculum include: Graduate Attributes Course Name Course Learning Outcomes Course Structure Course Credit Points Where the EPC authorises a Major Change to the Approved Curriculum, the Director of Education will take the Major Changes to the Academic Board for endorsement. 3
Minor Changes include changes at subject level: Subject name Subject learning outcomes Assessment methods, weighting and rubrics Subject credit points. The Director of the Teaching Divisions may recommend minor changes to the Approved Curriculum to the EPC for its approval. The Division of Education will oversee the management of Major Changes and of Minor Changes to the Approved Curriculum documentation for issuing. 5. Misconduct The Approved Curriculum may not be altered, amended or edited unless jointly authorised by CEO, the Directors of Teaching Divisions, and the Director of Education. Deviation from teaching and/or altering, amending or editing the Approved Curriculum without formal approval, is considered serious misconduct and action may be taken under the AFTRS Discipline Procedure; it will be considered serious misconduct under Fair Work Regulation 1.07(2) and immediate termination of employment without notice may result. 4
APPROVED CURRICULUM 1. Academic Year The standard AFTRS semester is 16 weeks. The standard AFTRS Academic year is comprised of 32 weeks comprised of two semesters of 16 weeks each. 2.Credit Points Credit points are a means of identifying the relative value of a unit of study. It is derived from the calculation of EFTSL (Equivalent Full Time Study Load). AFTRS determines the standard full-time study load as 48 credit points = 1 EFTSL. The Credit Point value of the Approved Curriculum is as follows: Specialist Program Credit Points Part-time/Full-time Introductory 3 Part-time Diploma Level 12 Part-time Advanced Diploma 24 Part-time Advanced Diploma in Radio 48 Full-time Degree Program Bachelor Degree 48 Full-time Masters 48 Full-time 3. Supervised Hours Credit Points provide the framework for the allocation of hours notionally required for students to successfully complete their course. It confirms the number of hours teachers are actively engaged in the learning activities of students. AFTRS Credit Point value is defined as: 1 Credit Point = Total 16 hours Contact hours = 10 hours Self-directed hours = 6 hours Specialist Contact hours for Advanced Diploma and Diploma courses may include fully online learning activities or blended learning that includes online learning and on-campus attendance by students in intensive blocks for skills-based exercises and workshops. Introductory 30 hours (over six weeks) 5
3. Supervised Hours (cont d) Diploma Advanced Diploma Advanced Diploma in Radio Degree program 120 hours (over 1 standard semester) 240 hours (over 2 standard semesters) 480 over 2 standard semesters comprised of 240 supervised hours and 240 required for practicums and 4 station simulations. Contact hours for the Bachelor degree may include large lecture delivery mode, and generally no more than 4 tutorials per subject, per semester, which may take the form of exercises and in-class workshops. Bachelor 480 hours per annum (approximately 15 hours per week over 2 standard semesters, variations will occur due to Project (years 1 and 3) and Placement (year 2). Masters level courses may include seminars, tutorials, practical exercise and in-class workshops or intensive block teaching. Masters (Coursework) 480 hours (approximately 15 hours per week over 2 standard semesters). 4. Self-Directed (Unsupervised) hours The Approved Curriculum aims to enable students agency in their own learning within the course, and beyond. Students may focus on achieving the intended learning outcomes of subjects, and the course, through the constructivist design of the Approved Curriculum. Subject structure and delivery mode as set out in the Subject Outline enables time for reflection, experimentation, and exploration for students to develop and construct their own knowledge based on their learning and experience. This includes independent (either individual or collaborative) work on assignments, preparation and other self-directed study activities. It might also include students engaging in practice that requires their accessing the tech store and AFTRS facilities during AFTRS opening hours, as well as assistance from AFTRS technical and general staff, including service desk and library staff. 5. Subjects The number of subjects in a course is determined by its structure and duration. Specialist Program Introductory course Diploma Advanced Diploma 3 subjects 3 subjects 4 subjects 6
Degree Program Bachelor 10 subjects, all core (in year 1) 4 core subjects plus 4 electives (year 2) 4 core subjects plus 3 electives (year 3) Masters (Coursework) 4 8 subjects over an academic year When determining the credit point value for a subject, students overall workload requirements will be taken into account. Credit point values for subjects in the Approved Curriculum are contained in the approved subject outlines. 6. Course Development The Approved Curriculum is developed collaboratively to achieve the School s education vision, to ensure educational standards, to demonstrate scholarly knowledge and to reflect industry currency, relevance and expertise. The development of the Degree program will be through Subject Development Committees (SDCs). The SDCs will be comprised of the CEO/Director of Degree Program; Education Specialists; Subject Leaders; and Industry members. The development of the Specialist program will be through Course Development Committees (CDCs). The CDCs will be comprised of the Director of Specialist Program; Education Specialist; Specialist Lecturer; and Industry members. 6.1 Course Design The Approved Curriculum is designed on constructive alignment principles where the intended learning outcomes, the teaching/learning activities and assessment tasks support each other in alignment. The focus is on what and how students are to learn, rather than on the content (Biggs and Tang, 2010). 6.2 Learning Outcomes Learning Outcomes are defined at the institutional level (Graduate Attributes) and at course level (course learning outcomes) and at subject level. At institutional level the Graduate Attributes state what the graduates of the School should be able to do. Learning outcomes at the course level signify a substantial body of knowledge acquired in a specialist area (Biggs and Tang 2010). 7
The Graduate Attributes for the Specialist Program are: Effective Communicators Collaborative Industry Focused Technically skilled The Graduate Attributes for the Degree Program are: Cultural awareness Critical thinking skills Ethical practice Creativity Entrepreneurship Collaborative skills Global citizenship Deep knowledge in screen arts 6.3 Course Learning Outcomes Course learning outcomes are the overall learning outcomes for the course. They address the graduate outcomes and make clear the purpose and reason for offering the course (Biggs and Tang 2010). Specialist Advanced Diploma Between 4 and a maximum of 6 course learning outcomes Diploma courses Between 3 and a maximum of 5 course learning outcomes Degree Bachelor There will be a maximum of 5 course learning outcomes Masters (Coursework) There will be a maximum of 6 course learning outcomes 6.4 Subject Learning Outcomes Subject Learning Outcomes inform the choice of content that will be taught and assessed in each subject. These should map broadly to the course learning outcomes, taking into account the subject description and aims and enabling variation therein. The learning outcomes will be achievable in the timeframe and resources allocated for a degree or subject. 8
Specialist Diploma Maximum of 3 learning outcomes per subject. Advanced Diploma Maximum of 3 learning outcomes per subject. Undergraduate Bachelor There will be between 3 6 learning outcomes for each subject. Postgraduate Masters (Coursework) There will be between 3 6 learning outcomes for each degree and each subject. 6.5 Assignments Assignments are designed to assess students achievement of the learning outcomes for each subject. Assignments are designed and assessed in accordance with the AFTRS Assessment Guidelines. Feedback on students progress towards the achievement of learning outcomes and on assignments may be in written and/or verbal form. Verbal feedback is considered as part of the supervised hours for a subject. Feedback on students progress is not exclusively tied to assignments. Ongoing feedback is also built into the teaching and learning activities and exercises during supervised hours, including peer-to-peer feedback. Feedback is delivered in accordance with the AFTRS Assessment Guidelines. Specialist Diploma Up to 2 assignments per subject may be set, one of which will be clearly defined as formative assessment in anticipation of the second assignment, which will be summative. Advanced Diploma Up to 2 assignments per subject may be set. Undergraduate Bachelor There will be 2 assignments per subject offered over the course of the semester. Postgraduate Master (Coursework) There will be 2 assignment per subject offered over the course of the semester. 9
7. New Courses Any request for a new course must be submitted to the Director of the Teaching Division who will bring it to the Education Program Committee for consideration. The CEO will decide on whether the School will run it. The criteria by which each proposed course will be judged includes: Business case including industry rationale Educational level Proposed course structure Course overview and description Course aims and proposed learning outcomes Capacity of School to implement Management priorities in relation to resources and facilities. 8. AFTRS Curriculum Glossary Of Terminology AFTRS Graduate Attributes: are generic learning outcomes for all graduates of AFTRS Specialist and Degree courses. Graduate Attributes for the Specialist award courses are: Effective communicators; collaborative; industry focused; and technically skilled; and are contained in every subject outline document. Graduate Attributes for the Bachelor and Master degree courses are: cultural awareness; critical thinking skills; ethical practice; creativity; entrepreneurship; collaborative skills; global citizenship; deep knowledge in screen arts; and are contained in every subject outline document. Assignments: the means by which students achievement of the learning outcomes are measured and documented and the assessment grades for a subject are awarded. Australian Qualification Framework (AQF): the national policy for regulated qualifications in Australian education and training. It sets the framework for the design, delivery and award of all AFTRS degrees. All qualifications awarded by Australian higher education providers must comply with the appropriate criteria outlined in the relevant AQF Qualification Types and Levels in order to meet the TEQSA threshold standards. Blended Learning: a model of course design that combines traditional (face-to-face) class time with online course work. Credit Point: a basic unit of measure of workload. Each higher education provider determines the standard credit point values for its degrees. Students gain credit points when they pass subjects within the degree in which they are enrolled and when accumulated, credit points form one measure of the total requirements of a degree. 10
Degree: a course of study into which students are admitted comprising of a program of subjects that, when satisfactorily completed, lead to the award of an approved qualification. Education Program Committee: the sole authority responsible for the AFTRS Curriculum, its generation, validation and variation. No alteration may be made to the AFTRS Curriculum without the explicit written approval of the EPC. Face-to-face Teaching: takes place during supervised hours and involves instruction through lecturer-student interactions conducted in lectures, tutorials, exercises and workshops, mentoring and feedback as distinct mediated instruction in the form of distance or online learning. Flipped Classroom: a model of course design in which lecture and class content is made available to students online prior to classes such as workshops and tutorials. Learning Outcomes: the expression of the set of knowledge, skills and the application of the knowledge and skills a person has acquired and is able to demonstrate as a result of learning. Moodle: a technology that facilitates e-learning otherwise known as a Learning Management System (LMS). Online Learning: the delivery of a course or individual subject solely online. Self-Directed Study: takes place during unsupervised hours when students are undertaking independent work on their assignments and preparing for classes and workshops. Self-directed study promotes learner autonomy and encourages students to take personal responsibility for their learning. It requires students to take initiative in the decisions that they make about how they plan for, implement and reflect on their learning. Semester: The academic year at AFTRS is made up of two semesters. Each semester is 16 weeks long. Seminar: Under guidance of Subject Leader, a non-subject specific discussion group of BA(S) students that meets approximately three times a semester. Specialist course: A course delivered as an Introductory course, Diploma (AQF level 5) or Advanced Diploma (AQF Level 6.) Subject: A subject is a discrete, self-contained unit of study that is recognised as a component of a degree. A subject is allocated a specified number of credit points as a measure of the workload for that subject. 11
Subject Outline: The subject outline is the key syllabus document that outlines to students the structure, credit points, content, assessment tasks, duration and delivery of the subject in which they are enrolled. Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA): is Australia s regulatory and quality agency for higher education. TEQSA requires higher education providers to meet the threshold standards outlined in the Higher Education Standards Framework. All higher education providers are required by TEQSA to comply with the AQF. Tutorial: is a workshop, demonstration or discussion group that follows a large group lecture and is comprised of at least 20 students. 12
AFTRS CURRICULUM MODEL MODEL DIPLOMA ADVANCED DIPLOMA * BACHELOR MASTERS COURSEWORK under review CREDIT POINTS 48 Credit Points for 1 academic year full-time study LENGTH OF PROGRAMME 32 weeks Comprised of 2 semesters of 16 weeks each 12 24 48 48 16 weeks Part-time (1 semester) 32 weeks Part-time (2 semesters of 16 weeks each) 96 weeks Full-time (6 semesters of 16 weeks each) 32 weeks Full-time (2 semesters of 16 weeks each) TOTAL HOURS 1 CP=10hrs 120 240 1440 (480 per annum) 480 HOURS PER SEMESTER 240 120 120 240 240 HOURS PER WEEK 14.5 on average Approx. 7.5 hrs/wk for 16 wks on average NUMBER OF SUBJECTS Approx. 7.5 hrs/wk for 32 wks on average Approx 15 hrs/wk for 32 wks on average 6-8 (as per degree) 3 4 10 subjects, all core (in year 1) 4 core subjects plus 4 electives (year 2) 4 core subjects plus 3 electives (year 3) Approx 15 hrs/wk for 32 wks on average, or as required 6 NUMBER OF LEARNING OUTCOMES ASSIGNMENTS PER SUBJECT Generally 3 to 6 per degree and per subject Generally 3 to 6 per subject Generally 3 to 6 per subject Generally 3 to 6 per degree and per subject Generally 3 to 6 per degree and per subject 1 to 3 per subject 1 per subject 2 per subject 2 per subject 1 to 3 per subject Curriculum Policy v1.0 amended 25 November 2014
Authorisation and Distribution Authorisation CEO Date 25 November 2014 Responsible Officer Director of Education Contact Officer Director of Education Effective Date 25 November 2014 Distribution Intranet and AFTRS website Review Date 25 November 2017 Current version v1.0 25 November 2014 Supersedes Associated Documents AFTRS Curriculum Policy 9 July 2012 Staff Code of Conduct Assessment Guidelines Australian Qualifications Framework 2013 Curriculum Policy v1.0 amended 25 November 2014 Page 14 of 14