Interdisciplinary Inquiry Project (A/T) - new for 2018
Advances in technology, coupled with political, economic, and social shifts both nationally and globally have transformed the nature of work and learning. Students are required to demonstrate a range of capabilities. They are required to apply concepts, methods, and language of more than one discipline to explore topics, design research questions, develop skills and solve problems. This course promotes interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches. Students will learn how to transfer capabilities such as the research process, information management, critical thinking, creativity, effective teambuilding, leadership, and collaborative decision making and will communicate with a diverse range of people. Students complete an inquiry that has a purpose, product or outcome. They develop the ability to engage with a process, question sources of information, make effective decisions, consider ethical implications, evaluate their own progress, be innovative and solve problems. This course is suited for students with diverse abilities and learning styles, including students preparing to enter the workforce, as well as those planning to study at university.
This course enables students to:
· Synthesise, analyse and evaluate ideas, methodologies, concepts, issues and knowledge
· Apply ethical frameworks that underpin relevant disciplines
· Plan and develop research projects
· Reflect on the learning process
· Demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills
· Build on and connect, concepts and skills from diverse disciplines
· Use inquiry and research methods from diverse disciplines to identify problems and to research solutions
· Use critical and creative thinking skills to synthesise methodologies and insights from a variety of disciplines
· Demonstrate collaboration and build mentoring relationships within the community
· Apply creative and innovative solutions to real life contexts.
Unit 1: Modes of Inquiry
Students study modes of inquiry. They learn about data collection, ways of communicating findings and evaluation. Students apply the understanding and skills required to formulate an interdisciplinary inquiry. The inquiry leads to deep knowledge in a defined area as well as transferable knowledge, understanding and skills. Students evaluate their inquiry and reflect on their learning.
Unit 2: Inquiry – The creative process and innovation
Students study the elements of creativity and innovation and apply this learning within their own inquiry. Students learn how to formulate an inquiry question, select and apply appropriate methodology in conducting the inquiry, and evaluate and communicate their process and findings. The inquiry leads to deep knowledge in a defined area as well as transferable knowledge, understanding and skills. Students evaluate their inquiry and reflect on their learning.
Unit 3: Inquiry – The critical thinking process
Students study theories such as laws of logic, different modes of reasoning, identifying, constructing and evaluating arguments, detecting inconsistencies, biases and other barriers to critical thinking. These Critical thinking processes are applied in constructing and conducting an inquiry, solving problems systematically where evidence is tested. The inquiry leads to deep knowledge in a defined area as well as transferable knowledge, understanding and skills. Students evaluate their inquiry and reflect on their learning.
Unit 4: Inquiry – The collaboration process
Students learn how collaboration skills can be practiced and developed for use in different contexts. They study elements such as socio-emotional awareness, giving and receiving feedback, recognising talents, leadership, organisation, conflict resolution strategies, stakeholder advocacy and cultural awareness. These processes are used in communicating with others in planning and conducting an inquiry which may be a group or individual project. The inquiry leads to deep knowledge in a defined area as well as transferable knowledge, understanding and skills. Students evaluate their inquiry and reflect on their learning.
This course is new for 2018 and can be studied as a major or minor.