977123 In-country Study and Fieldwork Project 1: Latin Americas
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 24 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Description
This subject is the first part of the capstone in the Latin Americas major in the BA in International Studies, which involves two sessions of study overseas at a UTS partner institution. In-country study is designed to enable students to experience living and studying in another country and is guided by the principles of cultural immersion and reflection, inquiry-based learning and self-reliance. It fosters in students a capacity for critical reflection – in particular the ability to identify and question one’s cultural assumptions, values and beliefs, and thus to acknowledge and empathise with the perspective of people from other cultures.
Through experiential learning in a partner university, and reflective and research assessments, the subject develops students' intercultural capabilities via critical reflection on host and home culture(s). It also scaffolds the learning and work toward a major project (to be completed in ICS 2) investigating an aspect of contemporary relevance for the host society. Students work with an academic supervisor to devise an appropriate topic for a project, engage with relevant secondary sources to deepen their understanding and conduct small-scale investigations using a social science or humanities research methodology.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| a. | Demonstrate a broad and coherent understanding of the historical, political, cultural, social and/or economic situations of the host society. |
|---|---|
| b. | Develop oral and written communication skills in both English and the language(s) of the host society. |
| c. | Develop intercultural understanding by critically reflecting upon the behaviours and values in host and home cultures. |
| d. | Design and conduct independent, small-scale research in an international setting. |
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 (INT = International Studies CILOs):
- Employ effective cultural strategies to operate within professional settings in Australia and internationally. (INT.1.1)
- Conduct independent research into contemporary societies and cultures. (INT.2.1)
- Evaluate research findings and creatively use research methods in International Studies. (INT.2.2)
- Reflect on and use knowledge of contemporary societies to engage with diverse cultures. (INT.3.1)
- Develop capacity to engage with current issues and to act ethically in Australian and international settings. (INT.5.1)
- Communicate clearly and effectively in written and spoken English. (INT.6.1)
Teaching and learning strategies
This subject builds on skills and knowledge gained in Language & Culture classes, Foundations to International Studies and Contemporary Society subjects. Students complete one reflective and two research assignments for an ICS academic supervisor in addition to an agreed-upon course of study at a UTS partner university. All aspects of the subject promote the development of international knowledges, understandings of cultural difference, interpersonal skills and ethical practices.
The reflective assessment, completed early in the session at the host university, draws upon real exposure to and experience with students’ host and home cultures. Students will reflect on preconceived ideas about the host society, as well as the unchallenged assumptions they might have about their home culture(s). Feedback on this assessment should inform the second reflective assessment in ICS 2, as well as guide students in the development of their intercultural understanding. The research assessments in ICS 1 are scaffolded and build toward a major project in ICS 2 on a topic of the student’s choosing.
Students are provided with general guidance on these assignments, including research design and ethics, through resources on UTS Online and through ongoing conversations with their academic supervisor. The Academic Skills Modules provide instructional screencasts, annotated exemplars, advice from past students and exercises for improving one’s academic writing. Detailed assessment briefs and rubrics are also available on UTS Online. Specific guidance and feedback from academic supervisors, the main pedagogical component of the subject, is provided via distance supervision and a face-to-face block teaching session. Students should seek advice from their academic supervisor, especially in relation to the selection of the topic for their research assessments. Timely and detailed feedback, including on written communication, will support student learning as they progress through the assessments.
Given the distance-learning nature of the subject, students are reminded that they have additional responsibilities, not limited to remaining in contact with UTS professional and academic staff and representing UTS in an appropriate fashion. Full details about student responsibilities while on ICS are available on UTS Online in the administration folder. Please note that assessment due dates and feedback are configured around the university calendars in the host society, not the UTS academic calendar.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Host Uni Classes
| Objective(s): | a and b | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: | Mandatory task that does not contribute to subject mark | ||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 2: First Impressions Report
| Objective(s): | a, b and c | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 30% | ||||||||||||||||
| Length: | 2000 words | ||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 3: Literature Review
| Objective(s): | a, b, c and d | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 35% | ||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 4: Methodology
| Objective(s): | a, b, c and d | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 35% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Length: | 2500 words. For students electing the Virtual Landscape Tour: 1500 words plus the multimedia component. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Minimum requirements
Students must pass Assessment Task 1: Host University Classes, the experiential learning component of the subject, and earn a total of 50 marks or more on the remaining assessment tasks. Students who fail Assessment Task 1 will be awarded an X- Fail grade (unsatisfactory performance in a compulsory component of the subject) even if other assessment components have been completed successfully.
Required texts
The Assessment Resources folder on UTS Online contains essential information and resources for completing your assessments. Among the resources you will find:
- Comprehensive assessment briefs and rubrics that outline requirements and detailed marking criteria
- The ICS Academic Skill Modules, which contain instructional screencasts, advice from previous students and annotated exemplar assignments
- PDF versions of all readings
- Writing guides
- Examplar assignments from past students
- Guidance on place-based methodologies
Students should be aware of the Policies and Procedures for Assessment of Coursework Subjects.