Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 102791

Coordinator Tai Peseta Opens in new window

Description This project-based subject offers students a chance to learn, negotiate and practise change-making skills in, and for, our University, Western Sydney University. At the heart of this subject is student partnership, curriculum co-creation, and an invitation for students to be involved in improving the educational experience at Western. Working in groups and alongside a university mentor, students will have an opportunity to contribute genuine solutions to an authentic education challenge that might be (a) commissioned by senior staff of the University; (b) intended to support students' aspirations to become a student leader; or (c) offers students a chance to undertake a project that advances their existing student leader or representative role. By choosing this elective subject, students not only receive credit for the partnership work they undertake, the University will have a new way of involving students in its decision-making processes. This is a subject intended to sharpen students' analytical skill-set and provide a taste of what it's like to operate as a change-maker inside a large and complex institution. This subject is recommended for all students, regardless of discipline.

School Social Sciences

Discipline Studies in Human Society, Not Elsewhere Classified.

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 4 10cp

Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 3 subject

Restrictions

Successful completion of 80 credit points. Please note that this subject is recommended for all students, regardless of discipline.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. Articulate a view of the purpose of universities and students�f role in them, drawing on the scholarly literature and multiple sources of data.
2. Carry out an inquiry project that addresses a substantial challenge intended to improve students�f educational experience at Western.
3. Create an artefact that communicates the findings of the project to the broad university community.
4. Identify why and how a student partnership approach can contribute to successful change-making in universities.
5. Describe the applicability of a partnership approach to your life as a student, and to your likely future endeavours.

Subject Content

1. Why study the University (and WSU)? History and Purpose
- Jeffrey J. Williams?fs concept ?eTeach the University?f
- Representations of the (Australian) University: influenced by philosophy, history, fiction, sociology
- An overview of the university sector in Australia
- An official history of WSU (Forsyth and Hutchinson) / An indigenous history of WSU
2. The difference between Governance and Leadership in universities
- Act of Parliament for WSU
- Leadership / Governance / Committee structure: who are the leaders and what do they lead?
- Role of Office of Governance at WSU: how does the business of university actually work?
- Where is student leadership, gove