Unit rationale, description and aim
This capstone unit provides students with the opportunity to see International Development work in practice. Students will undertake a structured global learning experience that will allow them to experience the culture and reality of communities in a development context. Students will engage in an ethical, engaging and creative experience that facilitates genuine intercultural connection through meetings with development and humanitarian agencies. The aim of this unit is to develop students’ critical analysis of various approaches to humanitarian and development work, to strengthen students’ empathy and understanding of issues of human rights and human dignity, and for students to emerge from the experience ready to apply what they have learnt in their future careers.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Demonstrate cultural awareness and respect for hum...
Learning Outcome 01
Investigate and critically evaluate a development ...
Learning Outcome 02
Critically analyse, evaluate and reflect on develo...
Learning Outcome 03
Critically reflect on their own learning, knowledg...
Learning Outcome 04
Content
Topics will include:
Students will be exposed to a wide variety of international development topics during their internship or overseas experience. These may include, but are not limited to:
- Personal development
- Global citizenship
- Culture & cultural differences
- Historical context of the country they are visiting
- Foreign aid & development
- Sustainability
- Social entrepreneurship
- Responsible tourism
- Service & responsible giving
- Education & development
- Natural & heritage conservation
- Global health
- Humanitarian work
Assessment strategy and rationale
A range of assessments will be used to meet the unit learning outcomes and develop graduate attributes consistent with university assessment requirements.
Students will write a reflective journal - a progressive piece of work which reflects the student’s developing knowledge and critical reflective practice. The journal is a focused examination on the learning experience that were offered whilst on their Global Learning Experience.
The second assignment gives students the opportunity to deeply investigate a particular area of scholarship and professional practice in international development. Students will undertake a substantial research project which requires independent investigation and critical analysis of a specific development issue, theory or practice of international development in the country they visit.
Student will choose their own topic for this research project (e.g., climate change and development; human-rights based approaches to development; gender and development; international cooperation and governance of development). They will produce a report which needs to reflect current knowledge, policies and practices in regard to the chosen topic, and which provides feasible recommendations on how policies and practices can be improved.
Lastly, students will prepare a Development Practitioner Report in which they critically assess one development practitioner or organisation from their internship or overseas experience. Students will use interviews and observations as they interact with their selected practitioner/organisation while in-country or on internship and must demonstrate an ability to then evaluate the development practices in written form, upon their return.
Overview of assessments
Assessment Task 1: Reflective Journal This assess...
Assessment Task 1: Reflective Journal
This assessment task will allow the students to progressively report on their developing understanding of development in the region using critical reflective practice.
30%
Assessment Task 2: Research Report This task will...
Assessment Task 2: Research Report
This task will enable students to undertake a substantial research task requiring independent investigation and critical analysis of a specific development issue, theory or practice in the country they visitor intern in.
30%
Assessment Task 3: Development Practitioner Repor...
Assessment Task 3: Development Practitioner Report
This task requires students to critically assess at least one practitioner or organisation from their internship or overseas experience in the form of a written report evaluating the development practice and what they learnt through that experience.
40%
Hurdle tasks* a) immunisation certificate signed ...
Hurdle tasks*
a) immunisation certificate signed by qualified medical expert showing up-to-date immunisations relevant to destination country
b) current National Police Check or Working With Children Check
c) Registration of trip details with ACU- recommended emergency service (eg International SOS)
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
Mode/Attendance Pattern: Compulsory information sessions, pre-departure or pre-internship sessions and post-DEIP debrief session/s.
- Pre-departure sessions enable students who will travel overseas to emotionally and mentally prepare for their immersion experience in a particular developing country (in order to navigate the intensity of culture shock on arrival). Pre-departure preparation forms part of the risk management component of the program and is therefore mandatory.
- A mandatory overseas experience of a minimum of three weeks that includes interaction with local communities and NGOs working in development, mentored by partner organisation.
OR
- An internship in Australia or overseas at a suitable organisation approved by the course coordinator.
- Compulsory post-experience evaluation session/s. Reverse culture shock has been experienced by students from previous cohorts as indicated through student feedback. The post-experience sessions are important to ensure that students are able to readjust to their home country satisfactorily upon their return, a process that forms part of the risk management of the program. Assessment may take place during the post-experience sessions.
Duration: Several classes prior to commencing the internship overseas experience, a minimum of three weeks of fieldwork or equivalent, post-experience evaluation session/s.