University of Technology Sydney

978460 In-country Study and Fieldwork Project 2: Switzerland

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

UTS: International Studies: International Studies and Global Societies
Credit points: 24 cp

Subject level:

Undergraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 977460 In-country Study and Fieldwork Project 1: Switzerland

Description

In-Country Study and Fieldwork Project (ICS &FP) 2 is the second part of the capstone in the Switzerland major in the Bachelor of Arts in International Studies, which involves two sessions of In-Country Study (ICS) at a UTS partner institution and reflective and research assessment about the host society. This subject is designed to enable students to live and study 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 perspectives of people from other cultures.

Through experiential learning in a partner university and the assessments allow students to develop their intercultural capabilities via critical reflection on host and home culture(s). Students build upon the work in ICS & FP 1 and their continued exposure to and interaction with the host society to recognise the processual nature of intercultural learning. Students also continue their work with an academic supervisor to design and research a major mixed-methods project investigating an aspect of contemporary relevance for the host society.

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)
  • Value Indigenous knowledges and sovereignty in Australian and international settings. (INT.4.1)
  • 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 in International Studies or Intercultural Communication, Contemporary Society subjects and ICS & FP 1. Students complete one reflective and two research assignments for a UTS 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 research assessments in ICS & FP 2 build upon the work in ICS & FP 1 and culminate in a major mixed-methods project on a topic of the student’s choosing. The reflective assessment draws upon continued exposure to and experience with students’ host culture(s) to extend their learning about the host society and, through distance from their home culture(s), allow for new perspectives on home culture(s).

Students are provided with general guidance on these assignments, including research design and ethics, through online resources and through ongoing conversations with their academic supervisor. The Assignment Modules provide instructions, exemplars, and advise for academic writing. Detailed assessment briefs and rubrics are also available online. Specific guidance and feedback from academic supervisors, the main pedagogical component of the subject, is provided via distance supervision. Timely and detailed feedback, including on written communication, will support student learning as they progress through the assessments; students should use the feedback on their assessments in ICS & FP 1 to help them prepare their 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 line with host university and UTS requirements. 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 University Classes

Objective(s):

a and b

Weight: Mandatory task that does not contribute to subject mark
Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Satisfactory completion of approved host university classes 100 a, b INT.1.1
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 2: Project Proposal

Objective(s):

a, b, c and d

Weight: 25%
Length:

2000 words
Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Suitability of research subject and question(s) 25 a, c, d INT.3.1
Depth of analysis 25 a, c, d INT.2.1
Appropriateness of selection and application of methods 25 a, d INT.2.2
Attentiveness to ethical considerations, including for First Peoples 5 a, c, d INT.4.1
Coherence of organisation, clarity of expression and presentation 20 b INT.6.1
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 3: Project

Objective(s):

a, b, c and d

Weight: 50%
Length:

5000 words, or in the case of projects incorporating a Virtual Landscape Tour methodology, 3500 words plus the multimedia component.
Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Suitability of research subject and question(s) 10 a, c, d INT.3.1
Depth of analysis 40 a, c, d INT.2.1
Appropriateness of selection and application of methods 20 a, d INT.2.2
Attentiveness to ethical considerations, including for First Peoples 10 a, c, d INT.4.1
Coherence of organisation, clarity of expression and presentation 20 b INT.6.1
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 4: Cultural Report: First Impressions Revisited

Objective(s):

a, b and c

Weight: 25%
Length:

1500 words

Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Depth of critical reflection on host society 50 a, c INT.3.1
Evidence of ongoing engagement in intercultural learning 20 a, c INT.5.1
Coherence of organisation, clarity of expression and presentation 30 b INT.6.1
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 Canvas 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

Students should be aware of the Policies and Procedures for Assessment of Coursework Subjects.

Recommended texts

See individual assessment tasks for references.