University of Technology Sydney

55994 Honours Project

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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Communication: FASS Communication Core
Credit points: 24 cp
Result type: Grade and marks

There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Description

This subject is the major component of the Bachelor of Communication (Honours) (C09047). It provides students with the opportunity to exhibit their research skills in an advanced-level work that they design and complete, with the assistance of an academic supervisor. The honours project may be presented in a variety of formats or media as appropriate to the student's core discipline, either as a traditional academic thesis, a practice-based or creative work with supporting exegesis, or a professional portfolio with supporting exegesis.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

a. Design and execute an original research project
b. Choose a research methodology appropriate to research design
c. Engage in a sophisticated manner with theory appropriate to the research topic and discipline
d. Present an argument lucidly and persuasively
e. Reflect on practice
f. Present a project report professionally

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject engages with the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs), which are tailored to the Graduate Attributes set for all graduates of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences:

  • Exhibit intellectual curiosity, reflexive critical thinking and innovative creative practice and be able to plan and execute ethical research (2.2)

Teaching and learning strategies

The Honours Project is completed with the assistance of an academic supervisor, who advises the student on research design and methodology, and provides ongoing feedback. Students are expected to meet regularly with their supervisor to ensure the progress and timely completion of their Honours projects.

Statement on project feedback
It is expected that the supervisor will offer constructive feedback on the student’s work and, especially with regard to substantial written submissions, will provide this advice in some written form within a reasonable time after submission. It is important the supervisor brings to the attention of students any perceived inadequacies in their work at the earliest opportunity, and discusses the various ways of addressing such problems.

Statement on assessment
An Internal Examiner and an External Examiner or two External Examiners assess Honours projects. Examiner results are averaged to determine the final grade, mark and honours level awarded. When there is a difference of 10 marks or less between the Internal and External results, the marks are added together and divided by 2 to get the final grade for the project. This result appears on the student’s transcript with a grade and mark. When the examiner results differ by more than 10 marks, the supervisor appoints a third examiner from within the Faculty. The third examiner is to have no prior knowledge of the project or the previous examiner results. The final grade will be calculated by averaging the 3 marks.

Content (topics)

Content areas are unique to the specific student project.

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Honours Project

Objective(s):

a, b, c, d, e and f

Weight: 100%
Length:

An Honours Project may take one of the following forms:

a 15,000 word scholarly thesis (including references)

a practice-based research component comprising creative or professional production, plus 5,000 word scholarly exegesis (including references)

The length of the practice-based research component of the Honours Project should be equivalent to 10,000 words. This component may take one of the following forms:

• a work of fiction, creative non-fiction, screenwriting, or poetry

• a short film, video production, or new media production

• a piece or portfolio of journalism (print, radio, television or online) or a work of investigative journalism

• a sound project, sound installation or radio work

• an advertising, public relations or integrated communication project in the form of a series of produced print, radio or television pieces, or a combination of all three

• a portfolio of information products with substantial technology component accompanied

• an installation, exhibition or performance.

Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Rigour and logic of project design 15 a 2.2
Appropriateness of research methodology 15 b 2.2
Awareness of own assumptions and values 10 e 2.2
Integration of research literature 25 c 2.2
Cogency of results/outcomes discussion 20 d, f .1
Coherence of structure and professionalism of project presentation and expression 15 d, f .1
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes