Admission and Unit Information - Bachelor of Arts (Honours)

Introduction to Honours Research is an intensive introduction to both theoretical and practical aspects of honours research and writing in the humanities and communication studies.

This unit is intended for students enrolled in 1599 BA (Honours) Languages & Linguistics and 1600 BA (Honours) Humanities who must submit a National Ethics Clearance Form (NEAF) or other ethics application. Understanding of ethical issues is crucial in conducting research involving human participants. This unit provides the necessary information and practical training for writing an ethically sound and sustainable research plan and to complete the ethics application to carry it out. Students enrolling in this unit are expected to submit a NEAF (National Ethics Application Form) as outcome of this unit. The unit is ungraded and the student will receive either Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory grade.

The thesis provides the opportunity for students to undertake a major research project in a selected area under academic supervision. The thesis (15,000 words) may be presented in a written, rationally-argued format. Alternatively, it may be of a non-standard project (eg. Video, script, poetry, fiction) if certain conditions are met including presentation of a 5,000 word research essay giving a critical exposition of the project in a written, rationally-argued form. This unit is to be completed in two sessions.

This unit continues the work undertaken in Introduction to Honours Research an examines a range of research methods and styles relevant to the production of academic theses and essays in the humanities. Areas covered include: philosophy, literary theory and semiotics, cultural studies, history, politics, and social theory.

To support thesis development and continuity, this unit consists of extended oral presentations that are delivered by all Honours students. Designed to assess skills in critical and integrative thinking, these presentations provide students with the opportunity to bring the various components of the thesis together into a coherent whole. Attended by unit co-ordinators and supervisors, feedback and support are offered by academic staff to facilitate the process of reflective review. Students learn to apply criteria, to reflect on peer comments and suggestions, and to apply this constructive feedback to the writing of their thesis overview.

The thesis provides the opportunity for students to undertake a major research project in a selected area under academic supervision. The thesis (15,000 words) may be presented in a written, rationally-argued format. Alternatively, it may be of a non-standard project (eg. Video, script, poetry, fiction) if certain conditions are met including presentation of a 5,000 word research essay giving a critical exposition of the project in a written, rationally-argued form. This unit is to be completed in two sessions.