Influence, Belief and Argument (8132.3)

Availability

Availability

This unit is no longer offered. Information may be available for Units in the following years:

• Version 1 - Start Date: 01/01/2009 End Date: 31/12/2010
• Version 2 - Start Date: 01/01/2011 End Date: 31/12/2012
• Version 3 - Start Date: 01/01/2013 End Date: 31/01/2013

Syllabus

As citizens and consumers we are constantly bombarded by attempts to persuade and influence us -- to change our beliefs, our desires, and our actions. Fundamental to this process are claims to knowledge. This foundation unit aims to make students more reflective and critical about the role of research in producing and underpinning such knowledge claims. It thereby aims to help students both to improve their capacity to use research and its findings to construct their own persuasive arguments, as well as to be more critical 'consumers' of knowledge claims. By looking at a range of contexts and methods, in an interdisciplinary framework, students will learn about the strengths and limitations of different types of research, as well as develop basic skills in undertaking research, and communicating its results.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. demonstrate a reflective understanding of the role of research and its influence;

2. demonstrate a basic understanding of the major research methods, and their main strengths and limitations;

3. demonstrate basic skills in utilizing key research methods to answer a question or address a problem;

4. demonstrate basic skills in synthesizing and communicating the results of research effectively.

Contact Hours

2 hours per week.

Prerequisites

None