CDS2002 Independent Project 1

Contents

• Staffing
• Requisites
• Synopsis
• Objectives
• Topics
• Reference materials
• Student workload
• Assessment details
• Important assessment information
• Assessment notes
• Production date
• PDF version

STAFFING

REQUISITES

SYNOPSIS

Within this course students who have completed the prerequisites may undertake a project that is discipline or field based and related to counselling. The objectives of the project are developed in conjunction with the member of the academic staff, selected to supervise and evaluate the project. The course encourages students to develop independent discipline or field based techniques that will culminate in a report that lends itself to academic scrutiny. Outcomes of student and supervisor negotiations must have the approval of the Program Coordinator. Students must enrol in this course in semester 2, but may complete the requirements at any time in the year. IMPORTANT NOTE: Working with Children: State law in Queensland requires that all adults (including university students in industry placement) working with children under the age of 18, in the State of Queensland*, obtain approval before commencing such work. The Bachelor of Human Services (Counselling) program includes a practical component (professional experience, project work, research, assessment etc.) that may require engagement with children under the age of 18. It is your responsibility to ensure that you possess a current suitability card (Blue Card) before commencing any practical components of this course. DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN ANY PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE WITH CHILDREN UNDER 18 UNLESS YOU POSSESS A CURRENT 'BLUE CARD'. For further information: http://www.childcomm.qld.gov.au/employment/bluecard/informationSheets.html *If you are undertaking practical experience outside the State of Queensland, Australia you should check local requirements.

OBJECTIVES

On completion of this course students will be able to:

1. Develop an independent capacity to document, analyse and report on a human services/counselling practical project of substance.
2. Demonstrate the development of counselling skills and/or community welfare and development-based techniques.

TOPICS

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

REFERENCE MATERIALS

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

Summers, J & Smith, B 2006, Communication skills handbook: how to succeed in written and oral communication, 2nd edn, John Wiley & Sons, Milton, Qld.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

NOTES

1.

Students will be advised of project details via the course CD Rom. This project includes a 100 hour industry placement / practical project. Before a passing grade can be given, students must successfully complete the industry placement / practical project, successfully complete all Journals, and obtain a satisfactory report from the on-site supervisor. This assessment is aligned with all Objectives.

2.

Journal 1 - maximum 100 words. This assessment is aligned with all Objectives.

3.

Journal 2 - minimum 300 words per entry, with a minimum of one entry per week, to cover weeks 1-5. This assessment is aligned with all Objectives.

4.

Journal 3 - minimum 300 words per entry, with a minimum of one entry per week, to cover weeks 6-13. This assessment is aligned with all Objectives.

5.

Journal 4 is a reflective summary of all journal entries - maximum of 1500 words. This assessment is aligned with all Objectives.

6.

Students must successfully complete the industry placement / practical project component of this course to be assured a pasing grade. This assessment is aligned with all Objectives.

7.

Students must successfully complete the industry placement / practical project component of this course to be assured a passing grade. All items of assessment count towards this final USQ course examiner's report. This assessment is aligned with all Objectives.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   It is the students' responsibility to participate appropriately in all activities (such as workshops and consultation with supervisors) scheduled for them, and to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   To satisfactorily complete an individual assessment item, a student must submit all of the items of assessment by the due date and achieve on each of the minimum specified standards outlined in 4 (Requirements for a pass in the course). This statement must be read in conjunction with Statement 4 below.
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   If students submit Projects after the due date without prior approval or documented medical circumstances, then a fail grade will be given.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of receiving a passing grade in the course, students must - (i) submit all items of assessment; and (ii) complete the industry placement / practical project requirements successfully. Normally, there will be no opportunity for the resubmission of failed or unsatisfactory items of assessment. Students who do not achieve a passing grade in the course may be eligible for supplementary assessment in the following circumstances: where the industry placement / practical project requirements constitute the only assessment item not completely satisfied.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the aggregate of the weighted marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
6. Examination information:
   There is no exam for this course.
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   Given the details under (6) above, there are no deferred exams for this course. However, if any deferred/makeup work is granted, it would have to be submitted by a date set by the examiner.
8. University Regulations:
   Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6 Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm

ASSESSMENT NOTES

This version produced 4 Jul 2008.