Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

Faculty of Business and Law

School: Law and Justice

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

• Unit Title

  Essential Skills for University Study in Criminology and Law

• Unit Code

  CRI1100

• Year

  2015

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  2

• Credit Points

  15

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  Online

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Description

University students require a number of general and academic study skills to enable them to successfully study and achieve within their undergraduate course. This unit is designed specifically for students enrolled in a Criminology and Justice or Law course. It will expose students to a range of tertiary learning skills that can be transferred and applied to other units of study within their course. Using relevant theory and applied activities, students will examine their personal learning styles and will be introduced to essential academic writing and oral communication practices, critical thinking, paraphrasing practices, referencing conventions, effective teamwork skills, information technology systems and time management. During the semester, students will engage in self-reflective practices and will be provided with opportunities to work independently and collaboratively.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Apply appropriate referencing conventions to work using the ECU Referencing Guide; APA (5th ed.) and the Australian Guide to Legal Citation.
2. Build and participate effectively within teams.
3. Demonstrate proficiency in paraphrasing.
4. Develop and apply time management strategies.
5. Employ critical thinking skills.
6. Employ effective oral communication practices via informal and formal presentation methods.
7. Explain the purpose and structure of various academic writing genres such as reports, essays and literature reviews.
8. Improve academic writing practices including sentence structure, paragraphing, grammar and punctuation.
9. Interpret their personal learning style.
10. Prepare written academic assessments.
11. Use information technology systems, such as Blackboard and library databases to support learning and assessment activities.

Unit Content

1. Applying referencing conventions.
2. Critical thinking.
3. Essential skills for academic writing.
4. Essential skills for oral presentations.
5. Ethical student conduct at university.
6. Information technologies for academic study.
7. Paraphrasing principles and practice.
8. Personal styles of learning.
9. Practicing academic writing.
10. Team building and effective teamwork strategies.
11. Time management.
12. Understanding academic writing genres.

Additional Learning Experience Information

On-campus students participate in a weekly three hour seminar. Seminars will engage students using a range of active learning practices including face-to-face delivery, online content, discussion forums, reflective journals, case studies and problem-based learning. Seminars will be facilitated in a way that maximizes the support and assistance provided to students. Participation in all class activities is essential. Off-campus students are provided with an electronic version of the on-campus seminar content and activities. All information is delivered to off-campus students through Blackboard. Online teaching and learning practices will include electronic handouts and readings, discussion forums, reflective journals, case studies and problem-based learning. Support with be provided by an online facilitator using online methods of communication. Participation in all online activities is essential.

Assessment

GS4 GRADING SCHEMA 4 Used for undifferentiated pass/fail units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Text References

• ^ Turner, K., Ireland, L., Krenus, B., & Pointon, L. Essential Academic Skills. (2nd ed.). South Melbourne: Oxford
• Brick, J. (2009). Academic culture: A student's guide to studying at university. South Yarra, VIC: Macmillan Education Australia.
• Drew, S., & Bingham, R. (2010). The guide to learning and study skills: For higher education and at work. Burlington, VT: Gower.
• Walmsley, B. (2010). Improve your study skills. London, UK: Teach Yourself.
• Rolls, N., & Wignell, P. (2009). Communicating at university: Skills for success (3rd ed.). Darwin, NT: Charles Darwin University Press.
• Grellier, J., & Goerke, V. (2010). Communication skills toolkit: Unlocking the secrets of tertiary success. (2nd ed.). South Melbourne: Thomson Learning
• Hay, I., Bochner, D., & Dungey, C. (2006). Making the grade: A guide to successful communication and study. Melbourne: Oxford University Press
• Cloninger-Long, E. (2012). Resources for writers with readings: Paragraphs to essays (4th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education Australia.
• Dawson, C. (2011). The complete study skills guide: A practical guide for all students who want to know how to learn. Oxford, UK: How To Books.
• Forsyth, P., & Connelly, J. (2010). The study skills guide: Essential strategies for smart students. London, UK: Kogan Page.
• Krever, R. (2011). Mastering law studies and law exam techniques (7th ed.). Chatswood, NSW: LexisNexis Butterworths.

Website References

• ECU homepage http://www.ecu.edu.au/
• Mind tools http://www.mindtools.com/pages/main/newMN_HTE.htm
• Learning styles http://www.ldpride.net/learning-style-test.html
• ECU library http://www.ecu.edu.au/library/

^ Mandatory reference

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