CLINED 712 : Curriculum and Course Design

Medical and Health Sciences

2025 Semester One (1253) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Theory, concepts, and processes that underlie curriculum development and the design of short courses for a clinical setting. Addresses outcome-based course design and the development of objectives, content, methods, materials, assessment and evaluation for a course or curriculum.

Course Overview

Many roles are played by and expected of a good clinical teacher. The purpose of this course is to enhance skills and understanding of modern curriculum and course design. This includes defining the purposes of courses, identifying learner and stakeholder needs and developing a critical awareness of the learning theories that drive and shape curricula. On completion students should be able to identify the process and key components of designing and critiquing curricula and courses and put these into practice in the clinical context.

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Course Contacts

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. Describe key terminology and theory underpinning curriculum and course design (Capability 3 and 4)
  2. Demonstrate skills in designing curricula and courses (Capability 2, 4, 7 and 8)
  3. Identify common problems and flaws in curriculum and course design and provide constructive feedback to improve these (Capability 3, 4 and 5)
  4. Critique examples of courses and curricula on the basis of their design (Capability 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8)
  5. Reflect on and justify their own approaches to curriculum and course design (Capability 1, 2, 3 and 4)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignment 1 (no greater than 1500 words) 30% Individual Coursework
Assignment 2 (no greater than 2500 words) 40% Individual Coursework
Assignment 3 (no greater than 2500 words) 30% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5
Assignment 1 (no greater than 1500 words)
Assignment 2 (no greater than 2500 words)
Assignment 3 (no greater than 2500 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.

As an online course, you can expect 0 hours of lectures, an 8 hour tutorial, 80 approx. hours of reading and thinking about the content and 62 approx. hours of work on assignments.

Delivery Mode

Online

This course is fully online however there is a one-day workshop at the beginning of semester.
Study materials are uploaded on Canvas.
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.

An electronic reading list and full access to the University library is provided.

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.

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

Other Information

Course facilitators are available to guide students throughout the duration of this course and are happy to discuss elements or provide feedback at any point. The modules aim to identify and signpost the key features of course and curriculum design and make this applicable in the clinical setting. Opportunity to demonstrate learning and understanding will be through the three formal course assignments outlined above. Beyond these deadlines, study structure and timelines can be entirely student-driven.
The online environment is an ideal context for active learning. The online discussion forums aim to progress learning further and enable exploration of some of the on-going debates and practical applications of course design to individual teaching and learning contexts. 

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations 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. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.

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 your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

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 you may be asked to submit your 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. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.