CLINED 710 : Special Studies

Medical and Health Sciences

2024 Semester Two (1245) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Independent study on a topic approved by the Head of School of Medicine.

Course Overview

This special studies paper allows the participant to undertake a small research or evaluation project in a topic area aligned with their own professional and educational interests and context, while being supervised by a member of our Centre. The nature of the project is negotiated between the supervisor and the candidate in accordance with the assessment criteria. Assessment comprises a report written to an appropriate academic standard on the outcome of their project of between 4000 and 5000 words, and a short reflective commentary of between 1000 and 1500 words on their learning and professional development as a result of undertaking the project.

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Course Contacts

Assoc. Prof. Marcus Henning, Email: m.henning@auckland.ac.nz
Assoc. Prof. Craig Webster, Email: c.webster@auckland.ac.nz

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 2: Sustainability
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate skills in conceptualizing and undertaking a small research project (Capability 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8)
  2. Synthesise evidence from various sources in order to address a research aim (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8)
  3. Reflect on potential applications of your learning from this special studies paper to your role as a clinical educator (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Report of project (4000-5000 words) 80% Individual Coursework
Reflection (1000-1500 words) 20% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3
Report of project (4000-5000 words)
Reflection (1000-1500 words)

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 0 hours of lectures, attending supervision meetings, approximately 80 hours of reading and thinking about the content and approximately 62 hours of work on assessments.

Delivery Mode

Online

Attendance on campus is not required.
This course runs to the University semester and all the associated completion dates and deadlines will apply.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Full access to the University library is provided and other key learning resources will be provided by the project supervisor.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Given the one-to-one nature of the course, no anonymized feedback is available. Students have found the learning process to be instructive in developing ideas, through completing a scoping or narrative review or conducting a  needs analysis for trainees.

Other Information

A supervisor is available for this special studies topic to guide students throughout the duration of the course and are happy to discuss elements or provide feedback at any point. Opportunity to demonstrate learning and understanding will be through the formal course assignments outlined above. Beyond these deadlines, study structure and timelines can be entirely student-driven.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

The delivery mode may change depending on COVID restrictions. Any changes will be communicated through Canvas.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.