External Quality Assurance

Subject MGMT90117 (2015)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2015.

Credit Points: 12.5
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

September, Parkville - Taught online/distance.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period 28-Sep-2015 to 20-Nov-2015
Assessment Period End 27-Nov-2015
Last date to Self-Enrol 08-Oct-2015
Census Date 16-Oct-2015
Last date to Withdraw without fail 06-Nov-2015

Semester 2, Parkville - Taught online/distance.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period 27-Jul-2015 to 25-Oct-2015
Assessment Period End 20-Nov-2015
Last date to Self-Enrol 07-Aug-2015
Census Date 31-Aug-2015
Last date to Withdraw without fail 25-Sep-2015


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Online discussions and webinars
Total Time Commitment:

170 hours.

Prerequisites:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

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

Coordinator

Dr Heather Davis

Contact

LH Martin Institute
Level 1, 715 Swanston Street
E: martin-institute@unimelb.edu.au
T: +61 3 8344 0756

Subject Overview:

This subject provides an international overview of how different governments approach EQA in tertiary education, including key concepts and definitions, the role of EQA agencies and surrogates, the use of standards and criteria, the processes of self-assessment, internal quality assurance, and external review.

Learning Outcomes:

The overall objective is to impart a comparative view of the major modalities and approaches to quality assurance, both internal and external. Students will acquire at least a fundamental grasp of (1) the key definitions and vocabulary of EQA; (2) the practical effects of variations in EQA standards, criteria, and procedures; (3) EQA agencies as surrogates of government; (4) critical decisions by government and EQA agencies regarding agency autonomy, focus-level-scope, policies relating to quality control, self-management or improvement, as well as the policy dimension of standards and criteria; and, (5) agency networking in the context of emerging challenges for EQA agencies.

Assessment:

Assessment for online delivery

  • Active written participation in six weekly discussion board exercises (6 x 420 word postings). Each will require a brief but thoughtful reflection on a common topic.
  • Participation in three Webinars
  • An individual final paper of 2500 words. The topic will be published on the UniMelb Learning Management System prior to the first Webinar.

Students will receive feedback and mentoring on each task and must pass all tasks.

This is a pass/fail subject. The discussion board postings and the final paper count equally toward the final grade.

Assessment for intensive subject delivery

There are two assessment tasks:

  • Four small group discussion and presentation tasks (5 x 500 word equivalent assessment tasks) (= 2000 words) due during residential school.
  • A 3000 word final individual essay due at end of semester.

This is a pass/fail subject. Participants receive feedback for each task, and must pass all tasks.

Prescribed Texts:

Selected readings and notes to be provided prior to commencement

Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

On successful completion of this subject participants will be able to distinguish between different approaches to external quality assurance and critically examine how well a given model fits a specific national context.

Links to further information: www.education.unimelb.edu.au
Related Course(s): Graduate Certificate in Quality Assurance
Graduate Certificate in Tertiary Education Management
Master of Tertiary Education Management

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