992219 Languages and Cultures Capstone Project

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 2025 is available in the Archives.

UTS: International Studies: International Studies and Global Societies
Credit points: 16 cp

Subject level:

Undergraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): MAJ09447 96cp Chinese Language and Culture OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): MAJ09448 96cp French Language and Culture OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): MAJ09449 96cp German Language and Culture OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): MAJ09450 96cp Italian Language and Culture OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): MAJ09451 96cp Japanese Language and Culture OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): MAJ09452 96cp Spanish Language and Culture

Description

Languages and Cultures Capstone Project (L&C CP) involves a reflective and research-based assessment about language and cultural issues in contemporary societies. This subject is designed to enable students to study languages other than English and cultures other than, or in addition to, Australia and is guided by the principles of reflection and inquiry-based learning. Students build upon their prior studies to devise and conduct a major mixed-methods research project with an academic supervisor. 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.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

a.	Demonstrate a coherent and nuanced understanding of the cultural, linguistic and social situation of the society examined
b.	Employ advanced and effective communication skills in English and another language
c.	Apply intercultural understanding by critically reflecting upon linguistic and cultural behaviours and values in diverse cultures
d.	Design and conduct independent, small-scale research for linguistic and cultural inquiry

Teaching and learning strategies

The Languages and Cultures Capstone Project provides students with the opportunity to complete a substantial project that consolidates the skills and knowledge gained throughout the course.

Learning is independent, project- and inquiry-based and utilises curated resources on the subject’s online site to inform discussions with an academic supervisor. Supervision takes place via email and/or scheduled video conferencing sessions.

Content (topics)

This subject provides students with foundational knowledge of research methods, research ethics and study design for linguistic and cultural research. Students develop broad skills in these areas and deepen their knowledge of at least 2 research methods appropriate for their selected project.

Students acquire specialist vocabulary, relating to their topic, in their target language(s).

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Project Proposal

Objective(s):

a, b, c and d

Weight:

35%

Length:

2,500 words

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 research methods	20	a, d	INT.2.2
Attentiveness to principles of ethical research	10	c, d	INT.5.1
Coherence of organisation, clarity of expression and presentation	20	b, d	INT.6.1

SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 2: Project

Objective(s):

a, b, c and d

Weight:

65%

Length:

5,000 words (or negotiated equivalent for non-traditional research formats, to be accompanied by an exegesis of no fewer than 1500 words)

Criteria linkages:

Criteria	Weight (%)	SLOs	CILOs
Extent and appropriateness of linguistic and/or cultural engagement	15	a, c, d	INT.3.2
Depth of analysis	55	a, c, d	INT.2.1
Rigour in selection and application of research methods	10	a, d	INT.2.2
Coherence of organisation, clarity of expression and presentation	20	b, d	INT.6.1

SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Required texts

‘There are no required texts for this subject. Recommended readings will be available via UTS Library and Canvas.

Recommended texts

Barbour, R. 2007, 'Ethics and Engagement', in Doing Focus Groups, London, Sage, pp. 92-101.

Hult, C.A. 1996, 'Primary Research Methods; Writing a Research Report', in Researching and Writing in the Social Sciences, Needham Heights MA, Allyn & Bacon, pp. 61-110.

Lee, J. & Ingold, T. 2006 ‘Fieldwork on foot: Perceiving, routing, socializing’, in Simon M. Coleman & Peter Collins (Eds.), Locating the field. Space, place and context in anthropology, Oxford, Berg, pp 67- 86.

Lister, M. and Wells, L. 2001, 'Seeing beyond belief: Cultural Studies as an approach to analysing the visual', in van Leeuwen T. and Jewitt C. (eds) Handbook of Visual Analysis, London, Sage, pp. 61-91.

Macnamara, J. 2005, ‘Media content analysis: Its uses, benefits and Best Practice Methodology’ in

Asia Pacific Public Relations Journal Vol 6, No.1, pp.1–34.

Mero-Jaffe, I. 2011, 'Is that what I said?' Interview Transcript Approval by Participants: An Aspect of Ethics in Qualitative Research’ in International Journal of Qualitative Methods, Vol 10, No. 3, pp. 231- 247.

Pink, S. 2008, ‘An urban tour: The sensory sociality of ethnographic place-making’ in Ethnography, Vol 9, No. 2, pp. 175–196.

Portelli, A. 2011, ‘Oral History: A collaborative Method of (Auto) Biography Interview’, in The Practice of Qualitative Research, eds. Hesse-Biber, S.J.N. and Leavy, P., Los Angeles and London, Sage, Chapter 5.

Robertson, B. M. 2006 (fifth edition), 'Preparing for the Interview', in Oral History Handbook, Adelaide, Oral History Association of Australia (South Australian Branch) Inc, pp. 5-20.

Rose, G. 2001, 'Researching Visual Material', in Visual Methodologies: An Introduction to the Interpretation of Visual Materials, London, Sage, pp. 5-32.

Saukko, P. 2003, ‘New Ethnography and Understanding the Other’ in Doing Research in Cultural Studies. An Introduction to classical and new methodological approaches, London, Thousand Oakes, CA and New Delhi. Sage, pp.55 - 73.

Talmy, S. 2010, ‘The Interview as Collaborative Achievement: Interaction, Identity, and Ideology in a Speech Event’ in Applied Linguistics, Vol 32, no.1, pp.25–42.

Thomas, S.J. 1999, 'Planning the Survey Project', in Designing Surveys that Work!, Thousand Oaks, CA, Corwin Press, pp. 1-12.

Other resources

The Canvas site for this subject will provide assessment breifs and rubrics for both assignments, sample student assignments, and literature review and research methodology guidelines