University of Technology Sydney

81524 Transdisciplinary Practice at the Cutting Edge

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2024 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Creative Intelligence and Innovation: TD School
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 32 credit points of completed study in spk(s): STM90839 Core subjects (Creative Intelligence and Innovation)
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Description

This subject invites students to reflect on their unique strengths and talents, and position themselves as cutting-edge transdisciplinary practitioners within a professional ecosystem of their choice. Students identify their unique transdisciplinary expertise to offer advice to partners on ways in which they could approach emerging programs of work to achieve positive changes in the world. They then showcase artefacts of their work and pitch their unique transdisciplinary value to a target audience of potential employers, clients and/or collaborators. In the process, students must become adept at the art of translation and recognise the liminal space they occupy between their chosen professional field and the burgeoning global community of transdisciplinary practitioners.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

1. Identify ways in which transdisciplinary principles could be applied to future projects, challenges or opportunities (CII 1.1)
2. Demonstrate the distinctive value of working with a transdisciplinary professional to act on complex challenges (CII 3.1)
3. Communicate the key elements of transdisciplinary practice to diverse audiences (CII 3.2)
4. Practice reflexivity to identify how values, norms, worldviews and beliefs affect decision-making and outcomes (CII 4.1)

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject contributes specifically to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes:

  • Identify and evaluate complex challenges by analysing system dynamics, constraints, and potential leverage points, using disciplinary perspectives, evidence, and diverse viewpoints. (CII.1.1)
  • Practice mutual, responsible value creation, including the implementation of sustainable and entrepreneurial innovation. (CII.3.1)
  • Communicate transdisciplinary ideas and solutions succinctly and persuasively using appropriate modalities. (CII.3.2)
  • Develop reflexive connection with an evolving self, demonstrating ethical and intellectual positions that reflect well-considered values that enable greater purpose and inclusivity. (CII.4.1)

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

Your experience as a student in this subject supports you to develop the following graduate attributes (GA):

  • GA1 - Holistic analysis
  • GA3 - Action orientation and TD experimentation
  • GA4 - Contextual and self-awareness

Teaching and learning strategies

Learning takes place in a collaborative, immersive, experiential, studio-based environment. Students apply various reflection methods to identify their transdisciplinary strengths and moments of transformative learning along with their cohort. They develop artefacts and practice pitching themselves by applying the creative, experimental and adaptive methods learned in previous subjects, including gaining feedback from tutors and industry experts.

Content (topics)

  • Review of transdisciplinary principles and practices
  • Reflecting on your personal transdisciplinary learning journey
  • Learning to persuasively argue for a transdisciplinary approach to complex problem-solving
  • Articulating your individual value proposition as a transdisciplinary professional
  • Taking your place in a burgeoning global community of transdisciplinary practioners

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Transformative moments

Intent:

Reflect on moments of transformative learning in which you realised the value of key transdisciplinary principles.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

3 and 4

This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s):

CII.3.2 and CII.4.1

Type: Report
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 30%
Length:

1000 words maximum

Assessment task 2: The TD lens

Intent:

Reviewing a partner’s challenge to identify ways in which a transdisciplinary approach could help to address it.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

1 and 2

This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s):

CII.1.1 and CII.3.1

Type: Presentation
Groupwork: Group, group assessed
Weight: 30%
Length:

10-minute presentation plus annotated slide deck

Assessment task 3: What's your story?

Intent:

Curated artefacts, a pitch and a rationale that collectively illustrate your application of transdisciplinary principles to past principles and the capabilities you can offer in future professional contexts.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

2, 3 and 4

This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s):

CII.3.1, CII.3.2 and CII.4.1

Type: Portfolio
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 40%
Length:

Part A (video pitch) has a 3-minute time limit and Part C (rationale) has a word limit of 750 words. There is no limit on the number of artefacts you may include for Part B (artefacts).

Minimum requirements

Students must attempt each assessment task and achieve an overall pass mark in order to pass this subject.

Late penalties apply to all assessment tasks as outlined in the TD School Student Guide. Please consult this booklet for other useful information including Special Consideration, Plagiarism, Extension, and Student Support Services.

It is expected that students will attend a minimum of 80% of all classes (as outlined in the timetable)