1. Collaborative Structural Reform Research Project

2. Australian Learning and Teaching Council Grant: 'Nature and Roles of Arts Degrees in Contemporary Society

1. Collaborative & Structural Reform Research Project

Innovative approaches to the provision of Languages other than English in Australian Higher Education

Overview
Towards the end of 2005 DASSH was awarded funds from the Collaborative and Structural Reform Fund (CASR) to undertake a national project on languages in the Australian higher education sector. The aim of the project is to identify a range of innovative, cost efficient and pedagogically appropriate models for languages other than English (LOTE) delivery and collaboration across higher education. This will be achieved by identifying successful (components of) existing models nationally and internationally; and new and innovative modes of LOTE delivery.

The project will trial selected models in individual universities and consortia of universities and evaluate the feasibility of transferability across the sector in Australia. As a collaborative project with DASSH the project is guaranteed access to all universities in Australia.

Full details of the CASR Project are available here.

2. Australian Learning and Teaching Council Grant:'

Nature and Roles of Arts Degrees in Contemporary Society

Overview
The aim of this project is to conduct a scoping study of Bachelor of Arts degrees (BAs)  that identifies the major strengths, difficulties, capabilities and contributions that BAs make to the community and consider these in the light of emerging needs, opportunities both nationally and internationally. The study will draw on a range of data so as to establish a number of key indicators including: types of BAs, their structural differences and range of disciplines; student demand, choice of discipline study by age, sex and other characteristics such as entry schemes, ethnicity and numbers of international students; the nature, extent and characteristics of discipline, interdisciplinary, cross-disciplinary and multidisciplinary approaches; teaching and learning approaches (including e-learning), assessment, course design and outcome statements; and structural mapping the relationship between Social Sciences and the Humanities (including Creative Arts).

Data collected in the scoping study will be analysed in a variety of ways, using both quantitative and qualitative techniques. From this data, options and models to build on strengths and capacities in the various manifestations of the BA will be proposed and plans to address gaps and limitations will be developed.

Full details of the Carrick BA Scoping Project are available here.