Knowledge, Learning and Culture

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

170 hours

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject will explore the significance of culture and context in the development and transmission of knowledge and in approaches to learning. Topics will include a consideration of historical, social, political and cultural influences on knowledge and the analysis of information and ideas from multiple perspectives. Tutorials will be conducted in a broad range of cultural collections on the University of Melbourne Parkville campus. These collections will include art works, scientific specimens and objects, archaeological and historical artifacts, maps, rare books and prints. The focus of learning will be through the experience of direct engagement with objects and a consideration of the knowledge they embody and convey in different contexts.

The aim of this subject is to facilitate an understanding of

• how knowledge, understanding and learning are influenced by a range of factors; and
• how direct experience can lead to enhanced understanding and knowledge.

There are two assessment tasks:

• A 2,000-word assignment in which students will select objects they have seen in cultural collections and (i) identify the cultural and contextual influences on their interpretation and (ii) identify alternative interpretations of the knowledge the objects embody, drawing on other perspectives and sources. Due mid-semester (50 per cent);
• A 2,000-word assignment in which students will select cultural collections they are studying and identify how interpretation and learning are influenced by particular factors such as socio-cultural context, purpose and organization of material. Due in the examination period (50 per cent).

Attendance at all classes (tutorial/seminars/practical classes/lectures/labs/online classes) is obligatory. Failure to attend 80% of classes will normally result in failure in the subject.

Readings will be provided throughout the semester.

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

This subject will lead students to understand the processes involved in knowledge enhancement and transfer. Topics will include: the notion of creativity and innovation; the evaluation and critical analysis of ideas; the influence of sociological, historical and cultural influences on knowledge enhancement and creativity; novice versus expert representations of a topic; knowledge transfer and creativity. Students will be encouraged throughout to develop this understanding in the context of their tertiary learning and to understand themselves as knowledge enhancers.