Short Courses
The University of Wollongong offers Summer and Winter Short Courses in the faculties of Arts and Science: These short courses provide an opportunity to explore the Australian landscape, cultural and social issues through field based investigations. These short courses can be taken as stand alone offerings or before and/or after the UOW academic semester Study Abroad programs.
Regional Australian Society & Environment: A Field Study (Summer/Winter)
Advances in Molluscan Biology (Winter)
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Program Details
The University of Wollongong, through the Faculties of Arts and Sciences and the Woolyungah Indigenous Centre offers the following short course, ARTS 201 Regional Australian Society and Environment, for credit.
This can be undertaken as a stand-alone subject or as an extra subject in addition to a semester study abroad program. The subject is offered as a three week program twice a year: in January prior to the start of Autumn Session and June/July prior to the start of Spring Session. Students continuing for the academic semester may choose other subjects from the regular subject offerings in the Faculties of Arts and Science which focus on contemporary issues in Australian Society and Environment.
Winter Short Course (January), the Field Studies are in the NSW South Coast and High Country.
Summer Short Course (June/July), the Field Studies are in Central Australia/Northern Territory.
ARTS 201 Regional Australian Society and Environment introduces students to a range of environmental and social issues relevant to understanding contemporary regional Australian society. It covers the natural and the social issues and examines both wider Australian and indigenous aspects of environment and society.
The subject runs for three weeks and consists of an orientation session, a period of intensive field based study, and a summary session at the end of the subject.
Program Outline
The initial orientation will be held at the University of Wollongong and will consist of lectures, presentations, seminars, films and workshops. The orientation is designed to build the broad context for the case studies, introduce the studies to be undertaken and the locations and procedures for the fieldwork. The fieldwork will be conducted over ten days. Debriefing, analysis, writing and presentation will occupy the last part of the program.
The orientation provides students with an overview of the history and environment of the region seen in the context of changing human occupation. The specific Australian ecologies and the relations between Indigenous people and European settlement are the main focus of the subject. During the orientation period, students will identify and begin preliminary research for a project that will be augmented by work in the field. Students will work together in small teams and make a team presentation of their research as part of the overall assessment. They will also keep a reflective journal on issues raised by the subject.
The issues covered will include some of: joint managed national parks; Aboriginal and eco-tourism; changing demography; rural restructuring; community governance; competing uses of land and natural resources; mining; endangered species; fire management.
The specific case studies are dependent on available expertise and will be advised prior to the start of the program. The review period draws together the orientation and the field study, pursuing questions and issues raised, and having student research teams present their work to date. Coordinating staff will be available throughout to provide support.
Students will gain skills in field observations, research, cross-cultural approaches and critical thinking.
Assumed background knowledge
The subject assumes students have a background in one or more subjects related to Cultural Anthropology, Environmental Studies, Geography, History, Human Ecology, Indigenous Studies or Sociology.
Academic coordination
Class sizes are restricted to 20 students allowing greater student-teacher interaction. The subject will be coordinated by Professor John Bern, Director, Woolyungah Indigenous Centre. All lectures will be taught by UOW academic staff or UOW guest lecturers drawn from other participating organisations. There will be a team leader for each field study who has extensive local knowledge, academic and communication skills.
Assessment requirements
Students will be required to submit assignments, a reflective diary, a research presentation and a written research submission prior to the completion of the program. Attendance at orientation, all classes and fieldwork is compulsory.
Credit awarded
Students who successfully complete ARTS 201 Regional Australian Society and Environment will be awarded 8 credit points by the University of Wollongong. An official UOW academic transcript will be issued.
Field study locations
Field Studies in the New South Wales South Coast and High Country, as part of the Winter (January) program:
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2008
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ARTS 201 South Coast schedule
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Location
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6 January
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Arrival in Wollongong
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Wollongong
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7-11 January
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Orientation
Introductory lectures
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Wollongong
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12-20 January
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Field studies
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NSW South Coast: including Booderee National Park
Snowy Mountains: Kosciuszko National Park.
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21-25 January
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Presentations and review at UOW; Program finishes
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Wollongong
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Field studies in Central Australia/Northern Territory as part of the Summer (June/July) program: Dates and program to be confirmed
Accommodation
Accommodation will be provided in the UOW Residences during the Orientation program. For the field studies, students will be accommodated in either university-managed accommodation or dorm/hostel style accommodation.
Fees
The 2008 program fee is $3,300 per student. The fee includes tuition, all accommodation and most meals; all program ground travel within Australia; an orientation program; pre-departure materials and airport shuttle services. The fee does not include airfares to, from or within Australia. Australian students are required to pay HECS, all associated travel costs, accommodation and subsistence costs.
Admission and application procedures
Applicants should be currently enrolled in a recognised university or other approved higher education institution. Successful applicants will normally have completed at least one year of study with a Cumulative Grade Point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher. All students whose first language is not English are required to provide evidence of satisfying the University English language requirements.
Whilst there are no formal pre-requisites for ARTS 201, the program would suit students who will be in their Junior year or the final semester of their Sophomore year with a background in an area related to Anthropology, Human Ecology, Environmental Studies, Geography, Indigenous Studies or Sociology.
Applications should be submitted by 1 April for the June/July program and 1 October for the January program; The maximum number of students for the program is 20; UOW reserves the right to cancel the program if the numbers are insufficient.
Contact the UOW Study Abroad Office for further information
Study Abroad & Exchange Office
Student Central , Building 17
University of Wollongong
Northfields Avenue
Wollongong
NSW 2522
Australia
Tel: + 61 2 42 21 3170
Fax: + 61 2 42 21 3499
Email: studyabroad@uow.edu.au
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