Optional Courses for Research Students - Course Descriptions
2012
Semester 1
ARTS5022 Qualitative Research Methods
Staff Contact: Leanne Dowse
School of Social Sciences and International Studies (http://ssis.arts.unsw.edu.au/)
Exclusion: SLSP4000, ARTS5004
Aims to provide an understanding of the role of qualitative research in the social sciences; knowledge and experience in the use of qualitative methods; an appreciation of their limitations and the social, theoretical and political context of their use. Includes qualitative data analysis, and writing and presenting qualitative research.
ARTS5060 Developing your Research Proposal
Staff Contact: Jamie Roberts
The Learning Centre (http://www.lc.unsw.edu.au/)
NOTE: This course begins in week 2 and class meets every two weeks.
Provides an environment that supports humanities and social sciences students in the preparation of their thesis proposal that is orally defended during the annual review process. Provides a framework for first-year postgraduate research students that assists in conceptualising their research topic and approaches to researching it. Assists students in the writing of the thesis proposal. Provides feedback on draft proposal. Topics include the selection and framing of a research question; defining the scope of the research; making an original contribution; engaging with the literature; developing the research approach and theoretical framework.
Semester 2
ARTS5024 Research Writing and Presentation
Staff Contact: Sue Starfield
The Learning Centre (http://www.lc.unsw.edu.au/)
Exclusion: ARTS5012
Assists students to develop their thesis writing abilities and skills. Weekly sessions cover the overall structuring of the thesis; writing the introduction; the literature review; the methodology chapter; discussion chapters; the conclusion and the abstract; and understanding examiners' expectations. Emphasis on managing the writing process over an extended time period and on managing large amounts of texts. Informed by current applied linguistic and educational research into advanced academic and professional writing. Includes writing a conference paper and journal article and preparing for seminar/conference presentations.
