Global Utilities

School of Historical and European Studies

Quality Assurance of Units 2007 - Responses to Student Feedback

Ancient Greek
First year units Second year units Third year units
ANG1AMC    
ANG1BEA    
ANG1BEB    
Archaeology
First year units Second year units Third year units
ARC1AAC ARC2ACH ARC3ACH
ARC1DAR ARC2AFR ARC3AFR
ARC1DOH ARC2AME ARC3AME
  ARC2ANM ARC3ANM
  ARC2ECC ARC3ECC
  ARC2HAA ARC3HAA
  ARC2ICE ARC3ICE
  ARC2MHW ARC3MHW
  ARC2RFC ARC3RFC
  ARC2ZOO ARC3ZOO
    ARC3AAR
Art History
First year units Second year units Third year units
ARH1ARW ARH2AOB (online unit) ARH3AOB (online unit)
  ARH2BAA ARH3BAA
  ARH2ETA ARH3ETA
  ARH2FAI ARH3FAI
  ARH2GAA ARH3GAA
  ARH2MEU ARH3MEU
European Studies
First year units Second year units Third year units
EST1GAB EST2ECC EST3ECC
EST1WEA EST2IEU EST3IEU
  EST2RJS EST3RJS
  EST2TTH EST3TTH
Gender Studies
First year units Second year units Third year units
GSD1SGD see School of Communication and Critical Enquiry see School of Communication and Critical Enquiry
GSD1SGI
Greek Studies
First year units Second year units Third year units
GST1ADA GST2BEA GST3BEA
GST1ADB GST2BEB GST3BEB
GST1BEA GST2CWJ GST3CWJ
GST1BEB GST2FSG GST3FSG
GST1INA GST2INA  
GST1INB GST2INB  
  GST2ITG GST3ITG
History
First year units Second year units Third year units
HIS1ACA HIS2AAH HIS3AAH
HIS1AHC HIS2AIA HIS3AIA
HIS1CAM HIS2AWV HIS3AWV
HIS1DEV HIS2BM HIS3BM
HIS1MEA HIS2CHA HIS3CHA
HIS1MEB HIS2CWU HIS3CWU
HIS1MLH HIS2DC HIS3DC
HIS1PPP HIS2EUT HIS3EUT
HIS1REV HIS2EUU HIS3EUU
  HIS2FHN HIS3FHN
  HIS2GAH HIS3GAH
  HIS2HIA HIS3HIA
  HIS2HSL HIS3HSL
  HIS2IJN HIS3IJN
  HIS2IRL HIS3IRL
  HIS2LFP HIS3LFP
  HIS2LIR HIS3LIR
  HIS2MMH HIS3MMH
  HIS2MMI HIS3MMI
  HIS2NGE HIS3NGE
  HIS2OWD HIS3OWD
    HIS3RHB
  HIS2SCS HIS3SCS
  HIS2WOR HIS3WOR
Italian Studies
First year units Second year units Third year units
ITA1ADA ITA2ADA ITA3ADA
ITA1ADB ITA2ADB ITA3ADB
ITA1BEA ITA2BEA ITA3BEA
ITA1BEB ITA2BEB ITA3BEB
ITA1PCI ITA2ITT - online  
  ITA2MEI ITA3MEI
Latin American Studies
First year units Second year units Third year units
  LAS2CSP LAS3CSP
  LAS2PCI LAS3PCI
Spanish Studies
First year unit Second year units Third year units
SPA1ADA SPA2ADA  
SPA1ADB SPA2ADB  
SPA1BEA SPA2BEA SPA3BEA
SPA1BEB SPA2BEB SPA3BEB
SPA1INA SPA2INA  
SPA1INB SPA2INB  

ANG1AMC - Ancient Mediterranean Culture

Coordinator Dr Despina Michael
Semester 2
Class size 41
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 4.5

Planned improvements: Satisfaction was expressed about the unit’s structure, clarity of aims and of different parts, presentation of lectures and practical classes, assessment and help given to the students by the lecturer. Suggestions included better support materials and clearer explanation of the content. More videos will be used about ancient Greek culture and more passages from different texts. However, given the fact that this is an ancient language it is not possible to use a variety of materials for language acquisition other than texts.


ANG1BEA - Ancient Greek Beginners 1A

Coordinator Dr Thanasis Spilias
Semester 1
Class size 18
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 4.6

Best aspects: Structure, clarity of aims, presentation, assessment and assistance provided by staff.

Needs improvement: Better support materials together with a clearer explanation of the content.


ANG1BEB - Ancient Greek Beginners 1B

Coordinator Dr Thanasis Spilias
Semester 2
Class size 8
Questionnaire responses: n/a

Best aspects: Students expressed their satisfaction on the following aspects: teamwork, materials which helped them to continuously learn, class discussions and interaction, helpful teacher.

Needs improvement: One student suggested that more work should be given to students who want it.


ARC1AAC - The Archaeology of Ancient Civilisations

Coordinator Dr Peter Davies
Semester 2
Class Size 150
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 4

Best aspects: The main strengths noted by students were the interesting, comprehensive and informative content, site visits, hand-on tutorial exercises, guest lectures and the open and engaging tutorials.

Needs improvement: The main weaknesses noted were the amount of material covered and the need for more structure in the tutorials.


ARC1DAR - Discovering Archaeology

Coordinator Dr Sam Spiers
Semester 1
Class Size
153
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 4.3

Student feedback and planned improvements: In response to student feedback revisions to this unit will focus on providing students with more opportunities to seek help and advice – during tutorials and/or by providing feedback on WebCT and/or in person.


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ARC1DOH - Dawn of Humanity

Coordinator Dr Nicola Stern
Semester 2
Class Size
95
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 4.1

Best aspects: No comments.

Needs improvement: Although many students (and the coordinator) do not like the style of some of the documentaries shown during this unit, they provide the best information content of any produced during the past decade and they present an account of human evolution that is consistent with that presented in the lectures.


ARC2/3ACH - Applied Cultural Heritage Management

Coordinator Dr Sam Spiers
Semester 1
Class Size
22/20
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 4.5

Student feedback and planned improvements: In response to student feedback revisions to this unit will focus on clearer presentation of the rationale underlying the workshops and on more structured delivery of workshop discussions and tasks.


ARC2/3AFR - African Archaeology

Coordinator Dr Nicola Stern
Semester 1
Class Size
14/11
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 4.5

Student feedback and planned improvements: This unit is revised each time it is taught in response to student surveys, new discoveries, the publication of new texts and the availability of new videos. Student feedback has indicated that they are dissatisfied with the existing textbook and although other texts do not cover the subject matter in its entirety, a more lively text will be used in the future, in conjunction with supplementary readings.


ARC2/3AME - Archaeology of the Middle East

Coordinator Dr Phillip Edwards
Semester 1
Class Size
27/22
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 3.8

Student feedback and planned improvements: This was the largest cohort of students to take this unit and it is planned to continue developing this course in light of student feedback. In 2008 it is intended to alter the structure of assessment to better reflect the student workload involved by increasing the weight given to classroom assignments which extend over quite a part of the semester and which have proved to be popular and decreasing the proportion of marks accorded to the visual test (not so popular). It is also planned to provide more online services through WebCT.


ARC2/3ANM - Ancient Maya Civilisation of Mexico and Guatemala

Coordinator Professor Peter Mathews
Semester 1
Class Size
37/22
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 4.7

Student feedback and planned improvements: Student feedback was positive and no improvements are planned.


ARC2/3ECC - Emergence of Chinese Civilisation

Coordinator Mr Wei Ming
Semester 1
Class Size
7/1
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5) Unit was evaluated but no report prepared by the ADU due to the very small number of responses.


ARC2/3HAA - Historical Archaeology in Australia

Coordinator Dr Susan Lawrence
Semester 2
Class Size:
23/17
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 4.1

Best aspects: Favourite part of the subject was the workshop component with hands-on work with artefacts.

Needs improvement: Students would like more time in the workshops but given restrictions on contact hours this is not feasible. Some students would like to have an exam based on the lectures (this could be done but I don't know that it would really be popular with the majority of the students).


ARC2/3ICE - Ice Age Australia

Coordinator Dr Richard Cosgrove
Semester 2
Class Size
14/11
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 4.6

Best aspects: Getting assignments back in good time.

Needs improvement: Students requested field visits to sites (difficult to arrange), wanted PowerPoint on Web but there are unresolved issues of copyright; complaints about too much information in lectures and not enough time to study.


ARC2/3MHW - Maya Hieroglyphic Writing

Coordinator Professor Peter Mathews
Semester 2
Class Size
34/16
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 4.4

Best aspects: The class was very well received.

Needs improvement: The main concerns were that the class is too big for a hands on workshop type unit.


ARC2/3RFC - Rise and Fall of Civilisations

Coordinator Mr Peter Biro
Semester 1
Class Size
22/4
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 4.1

Student feedback and planned improvements: In response to student surveys revisions to this unit will focus on clarifying its aims and the academic skills it seeks to impart, on integrating the assessment tasks more effectively with those aims and on tighter structuring of lectures and workshops. Students will be provided with more opportunities to seek help and advice, through tutorial discussions, feedback on WebCT and in person.


ARC2/3ZOO - The Archaeology of Animals

Coordinator Dr Richard Cosgrove
Semester 2
Class Size
20/14
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 4.1

Best aspects:

Needs improvement: Fieldwork and excavating bones wanted but this is impracticable given the nature of regulations governing archaeological research in Victoria. Students can get this experience by volunteering on dig.


ARC3AAR - Approaches to Archaeological Research

Coordinator Dr Phillip Edwards
Semester 2
Class Size
32
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • mean 3.1

Best aspects: n/a

Needs improvement: n/a


ARH1ARW - Art from Rembrandt to Warhol: Constructing the Modern

Coordinator Dr Lisa Beaven
Semester 1 (Bundoora), 2 (Albury-Wodonga)
Class Size 65 (Bundoora) and 14 (Albury-Wodonga)
Questionnaire responses Semester 1: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 4.0

Student feedback and planned improvements: The feedback for this subject was quite mixed. All the students wrote in their individual comments that the best thing about the subject were the guest lecturers and that what could be improved were the tutorials. The curriculum will be developed in 2008 and the format of tutorials will be changed.


ARH2/3AOB - Art of Byzantium (Online unit)

Coordinator Dr Ursula Betka
Semester 1
Class Size
39
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 4.5

Best aspects: Not available.

Needs improvement: Not available.


ARH2/3BAA - Art and Passion in the Baroque

Coordinator Dr Lisa Beaven
Semester 1
Class Size
25/11
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 4.5

Student feedback and planned improvements: The feedback was extremely positive and students noted that lectures were well prepared and well presented, the subject was interesting and lots of fun. It is planned to include online components and a module that will attempt to provide a virtual tour of some of Bernini’s chapels in Rome to provide the experiential dimension of Baroque sculpture.


ARH2/3ETA - European Travel and Art

Coordinator Dr Katrina Grant
Semester 2
Class Size
50
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

    N/A

Best aspects: N/A

Needs improvement: N/A


ARH2/3FAI - Fashion, Art and Identity

Coordinator Dr Sylvia Harrison
Semester 2
Class Size
27
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

N/A

Best aspects: N/A

Needs improvement: N/A


ARH2/3GAA - Greek Archaeology and Art

Coordinator Dr Ian McPhee
Semester 1
Class Size
17/9
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 4.6

Student feedback and planned improvements: N/A


ARH2/3MEU - Medieval Europe C600 – C1200 (Online unit)

Coordinator Dr Ursula Betka
Semester 2
Class Size
54
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – 4.5

Best aspects: This course is fully online with a rich databank of digital imagery, written materials, bibliography, e-reserve resources for all seminar topic reading, full video presentations of lectures and demonstrations. Scope is provided for direct communication with the lecturer/tutor via the WebCT email as well as via the Discussion forums for each week. Threaded links enable perpetual group discussion of seminar topics. Essays are posted to the lecturer and marked with extensive written comments, then posted home to the students for re-reading.

Needs improvement: No comments.


EST1GAB - Ancient Greece and the Balkans

Coordinator Dr Despina Michael
Semester 1
Class Size
41
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 4.3

Student feedback and planned improvements: Most positive comments were about clarity of lecture delivery, course content, support materials, AV content and the ‘new learning’ involved. Appreciation was expressed for the assistance provided by staff, however, a number of students highlighted the need for more coherent structure and presentation of tutorials together with lecture notes to be provided through WebCT.


EST1WEA - Windows on Contemporary Europe: Cultures in transformation

Coordinator Mr Tony Pagliaro
Semester 2
Class Size
59
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 4.1

Best aspects: The unit has been well received.

Needs improvement: A couple of comments indicate that some students do not understand the necessity that they prepare for tutorial discussion.


EST2/3ECC - Ethnic and Civil Conflict in Southern Europe and Cyprus

Coordinator Dr Despina Michael
Semester 1
Class Size
42
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 4.5

Best aspects: Most positive comments were abut clarity of lecture delivery, course content, support materials, AV content and understanding how it all fits together.

Needs improvement: A number of concerns were expressed about the tutorials and the learning of too many dates rather than concepts. This is the first time in four years that such feedback has been received. Students also requested lectures on WebCT.


EST2/3IEU - Imagining Europe: Cultural perceptions of European identity

Coordinator
Semester 2
Class Size
15
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

Not available.

Best aspects: N/A

Needs improvement: N/A


EST2/3RJS - Romeo and Juliet: Fact, fiction and film

Coordinator Dr Nicole Prunster
Semester 1
Class Size:
19
Questionnaire responses: Not available.

Unit surveyed but not returned to the Academic Development Unit for data analysis.


EST2/3TTH - Transterritorial Hellenism: A journey through some sites

Coordinator Professor Anastasios Tamis
Semester 2
Class Size
17
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 4.8

Best aspects: No comments

Needs improvement: No comments


GSD1SGI - Sex, Gender and Identity

Coordinator Dr Carol D’Cruz
Semester 1
Class Size
134
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 3.9

Student feedback and planned improvements: Feedback was very positive and students appreciated the variety of topics covered, the relevance to their lives, the use of a range of medium in lectures (slides, videos, etc) and guest speakers. One repeated request was for lecture notes to be placed on the web.


GSD1SGD - Sex, Gender and Diversity

Coordinator Dr Carol D’Cruz
Semester 2
Class Size
135
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 4.5

Best aspects: No comments

Needs improvement: No comments


GST1ADA/2INA/3BEA - Greek Advanced 1, Greek Intermediate 2, Greek Beginners 3

Coordinator Ms Maria Herodotou
Semester 1
Class Size
18
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 4.6

Student feedback and planned improvements: Students viewed the variety of materials, class discussions and teaching staff excellent but noted that more clarity needed for assessment criteria. In 2008 more effort will be made to explain the criteria of assessment in more detail and for every component. It is also planned to include more preparation for the examination.


GST1ADB/2INB/3BEB - Greek Advanced 1, Greek Intermediate 2, Greek Beginners 3

Coordinator Ms Maria Herodotou
Semester 2
Class Size
21
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 4.5

Best aspects: Clear aims, development of writing and communication skills, variety of materials, class discussions, excellent teachers.

Needs improvement: Feedback and comments on individual work were not always adequate; more grammar and access to more learning resources are needed.


GST1BEA - Greek Beginners 1

Coordinator Ms Maria Herodotou
Semester 1
Class Size
13
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5).

Due to the small number of responses received no report was provided by the Academic Development Unit.

Student feedback and planned improvements: Students however expressed their satisfaction about group discussions, interaction, enjoyable classes and teaching practices. Students requested more variety and better support materials. In 2008 the Program will be using more audio visual materials in order to enrich teaching.


GST1BEB - Greek Beginners 1

Coordinator Ms Maria Herodotou
Semester 2
Class Size
10
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

N/A

Best aspects: Students expressed their satisfaction about participation opportunities, individual attention given to them, good preparation for the exam, gaining confidence to use the language, enjoyable classes and teaching practices.

Needs improvement: Extra curricular activities and better support materials will be provided in response to student feedback.


GST1INA/2BEA - Greek Intermediate 1/Greek Beginners 2

Coordinator Ms Dimitra Petrelli
Semester 1
Class Size
6
Questionnaire responses: Due to the small number of responses received no report was provided by the Academic Development Unit.

Student feedback and planned improvements: Students comments were positive. They found classes enjoyable, learning environment satisfying, interaction with students and staff helpful.


GST1INB/2BEB - Greek Intermediate 1/Greek Beginners 2

Coordinator Ms Dimitra Petrelli
Semester 2
Class Size
7
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

N/A

Best aspects: Students' comments were positive. They enjoyed classes and the opportunities given to them for oral presentations and communication in the language. They found their teacher professional, helpful and patient.

Needs improvement: Clearer exercises.


GST2/3CWJ - Creative Writing and Journalism

Coordinator Ms Maria Herodotou
Semester 2
Class Size
15
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 4.9

Best aspects: Every aspect of this subject was considered excellent and this was very satisfying. Much time has been spent on this unit. Students submitted drafts of their creative work continuously and received extensive comments on every piece of their work. The results, however, were outstanding and this was rewarding.

Needs improvement: No comments


GST2/3FSG - Formal Standard Greek

Coordinator Ms Maria Herodotou
Semester 1
Class Size
15
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 4.7

Student feedback and planned improvements: Every aspect of this unit was considered by students to be excellent and no improvements planned.


GST2/3ITG - Issues in Teaching Greek

Coordinator Ms Maria Herodotou
Semester 2
Class Size
9
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

N/A

Best aspects: Excellent comments were made which included great teacher, interesting subject matter, understanding of issues in teaching Greek and ways of dealing with them, opportunities for discussion, helpful handouts, learning to prepare teaching plans.

Needs improvement: More variety in the topics covered and shorter classes.


HIS1ACA - Ancient Civilisations

Coordinator Dr Anne Gardner
Semester 2
Class Size
194
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 3.6

Best aspects: No comments

Needs improvement: No comments


HIS1AHC - Australian History: Colonial (Albury-Wodonga)

Coordinator Dr Sue Gilbert
Semester 1
Class Size
43
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 4.1

Student feedback and planned improvements: No comments.


HIS1CAM - Conquest of the Americas: Aztecs, Incas, Mayans, Spaniards

Coordinators Dr Barry Carr and Dr Claudia Haake
Semester 1
Class Size
211
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 4.2

Student feedback and planned improvements: The student feedback was reasonably positive but different tutors had different levels of support. The lectures were criticised as excessive speed of delivery and overfilling of the lecture hour. Overwhelmingly students want powerpoint material and presentations to be included as part of each lecture and this will be done in 2008.


HIS1DEV - Globalisation: the Rise of the Modern World

Coordinator Dr Robbie Robertson
Semester 2
Class Size
307 (Albury-Wodonga, Bendigo, Bundoora, Mildura and Shepparton)
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • mean split across campuses - lowest was 2.1 and highest was 3

Feedback: This unit explores the historical origins of globalisation and its impact on development. This was a new unit for me in 2007 and taught for the first time across five campuses. As a result of student responses I will tighten the focus of the unit, provide a greater range of readings and modify tutorial activity.


HIS1MEA - Modern Europe A: From Monarchies to Nations, 1760-1890

Coordinators Dr Phillip Bull, Dr Adrian Jones and Dr Jennifer Ridden
Semester 1
Class Size
196
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 3.3

Student feedback and planned improvements: Students overwhelmingly requested changing the time of the 5.00 pm lectures and this timeslot will be abandoned in 2008. Students also considered there were too many unit readings and sometimes wondered about the connections between themes in the unit. The lecturers in the unit will be consulting with a view to reducing the readings by about a third, and better coordinating the lectures to accentuate how themes connect.


HIS1MEB - Modern Europe B: The Twentieth Century

Coordinators Dr Phillip Bull and Dr Adrian Jones
Semester 2
Class Size
192
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 4.1

Best aspects: This unit was rated very positively by students overall. Students relished the lectures and welcomed the pan-European scope of the unit.

Needs improvement: In 2007, for the first time, some students complained about some tutorials and about the extent of the readings.


HIS1MLH - Myth, Legend and History

Coordinator Dr Despina Michael
Semester 1
Class Size
235 (Bundoora and Mildura)
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 4.4 (Bundoora) and 4.7 (Mildura)

Student feedback and planned improvements: One of the major concerns among students in 2006 was lack of WebCT. This was responded to and in 2007 WebCT as well as Lectopia, were used to great effect. Mildura students also complained abut the lack of live lecture coverage – this was rectified in 2007 via videoconferencing. There was also a concern about the assessment tasks.


HIS1PPP - People, Power and Protest

Coordinator Dr Bart Ziino
Semester 2
Class Size
121
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 4.7

Best aspects: No comments

Needs improvement: No comments


HIS1REV - Revolutionary Europe

Coordinator Dr Yolande Collins
Semester 1
Class Size
99 (Bendigo and Shepparton)
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 4.5

Student feedback and planned improvements: Student feedback was positive and general comments included: more time for tutorials, texts were expensive and hard to understand, timetabling concerns and students felt that the unit should focus more on the Russian Revolution than the French Revolution. Unfortunately this unit will not be offered in the future.


HIS2/3AAH - Australian Aboriginal History

Coordinator Dr Richard Broome
Semester 2
Class Size
44/38 (Bundoora, Mildura and Shepparton)
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 4.4 (Bundoora)

Best aspects: Overall comments were very positive about the subject matter and its teaching, both lectures and tutorials.

Needs improvement: The complaints were few in number, three thought the lectures too long, a few thought the reading was too much, two the tutorials too crowded or too short and two not enough help given re essay preparation and one wanted more black perspectives and one an Aboriginal guest lecturer.


HIS2/3AIA - Ancient Israel A

Coordinator Dr Anne Gardner
Semester 1
Class Size
21/16
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 4.6.

Student feedback and planned improvements: This unit was well received and indicates that little change should be made.


HIS2/3AWV - America's War in Vietnam: Culture and Politics

Coordinator Dr Diane Kirkby
Semester 2
Class Size
52/36
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

N/A

Best aspects: Overall feedback favourable.

Needs improvement: Some students wanted a book of readings. Some did not warm to the Art History component; others found this stimulating. A significant number of students clearly had difficulties with tutorial participation.


HIS2/3BM - Blood, Guts and Medicine

Coordinator Dr Yolande Collins
Semester 2
Class Size
6/10 (Bendigo)
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • N/A

Best aspects: N/A

Needs improvement: N/A


HIS2/3CHA - Community and History in Australia

Coordinator Dr Susan Gilbert
Semester 2
Class Size
3/17 (Albury-Wodonga)
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 4.2

Best aspects: No comments

Needs improvement: No comments


HIS2/3CWU - Civil War to Civil Rights in the USA

Coordinator Dr Tim Minchin
Semester 1
Class Size
36/31
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 4.4.

Student feedback and planned improvements: In general the surveys revealed a very high level of student satisfaction and the feedback to lectures was particularly positive. Some students called for lecture notes to be put on WebCT and this will be done in 2008. The lecturer will try to increase use of visual sources.


HIS2/3DC - Development and Change

Coordinator Dr Robbie Robertson
Semester 1
Class Size
27/17 (Bendigo and Shepparton)
Questionnaire responses:

Unit surveyed but not returned to the Academic Development Unit for data analysis.


HIS2/3EUT Europe Transformed

Coordinator Dr Adrian Jones
Semester 1
Class Size
44/20 (Bundoora and Mildura)
Questionnaire responses: Unit surveyed but no report produced by the Academic Development Unit.


HIS2/3EUU The European Union

Coordinators Dr Phillip Bull, Dr Stefan Auer and Dr Tony Jarvis
Semester 1
Class Size
56/46 (Bendigo, Bundoora and Shepparton)
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 3.3 (Bendigo) and 4.1 (Bundoora), No report produced for Shepparton

Student feedback and planned improvements:
Bundoora: Student responses were overwhelmingly positive. Most students appreciated that lectures were very well prepared and interesting (also thanks to the effective use of relevant audio-visual material). They responded very positively to the innovative structure of the unit, in which every second lecture was recorded as an interview with guests mostly from outside the university. Students appreciated the variety of views that were offered through these different formats. A number of students suggested that there should have been more history and less politics. I will address this criticism next year by explaining even more clearly that the unit takes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of the European Union for both academic and practical reasons (many students enrolled in a major in politics or international relations). Another suggestion for improvement was t he desire to produce a reading pack in addition to making all readings available on WebCT which will be done for next semester.
Bendigo: Regional students on the Bendigo campus responded very positively to their tutor but their overall response was somewhat less complimentary. Students seem to have been negatively affected by the sense of distance from the Bundoora campus. A number of respondents suggested that more (or in fact all) lectures should have been presented directly on the campus, or at least through video-conferencing. This is in stark contrast with the overwhelmingly positive response from students enrolled at other universities of the Innovative Universities European Union (IUEU) Centre. While it is clearly not feasible to deliver lectures on two campuses at the same time, I will certainly attempt to visit the campus at least once in a semester (as I have done this time) and will also seek the possibilities of consultation hours through video-conferencing.
Shepparton: 5 out of the 7 students responded to the survey mostly positively. The suggestions for improvements echoed those at other campuses, mainly that a physical reading pack with essential readings should be provided for a charge in addition to all the readings on WebCT.


HIS2/3FHN - Film, History and Narrative

Coordinator Dr Diane Kirkby
Semester 2
Class Size
12/16
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 4

Best aspects: Individual comments from students emphasised the additional historical understanding they gained from looking at film, the quality and interesting nature of the readings set, the integration of film and history, 93% said it enhanced their analytic skills.

Needs improvement: Because it had a film viewing as part of the Unit, something desired by the students to have done in the classroom rather than their own time, this added considerably to the number of hours required for the subject. This affected enrolments as it also then clashed with other units, and it made a very long day for those who did come.


HIS2/3GAH - Genocides and holocaust: Nazi Europe, Central America, Africa

Coordinator Dr Shannon Woodcock
Semester 2
Class Size
79/31
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 4.2

Best aspects: The student feedback on the course was very positive. Students enjoyed the reflective and interactive nature of using blogging on WebCT.

Needs improvement: The feedback showed an equal number of students asked for more and less guest speakers so in the future I will provide one page handouts of background information from the speakers to ensure that students understand there is a guest lecturer because they are specialists. In cases where students thought there were too many guest lectures they also specified that they liked my lectures most. Students also commented that they would have liked to read each other's essays on specific case studies, and that they loved the space for students to also speak about their own survival of genocide in the classroom.


HIS2/3HIA - A History of Indigenous Australia

Coordinator Dr Richard Broome
Semester 1
Class Size
Ithaca College, New York
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 3.9

Student feedback and planned improvements: Most responses were very positive about the unit overall. All thought the field trip to the Grampians to meet the local Aboriginal community and to view Aboriginal rock art was extremely good. Some said it was the best of their entire Australian stay. Many thought the selection of videos need to be re-evaluated and this will be carried out. Some wanted shorter lectures, more discussion and more current issues dealt with and more attention will be made to creating discussion and relating the Archaeology and History to the present. The format of three hours straight may be a problem here but each year when asked, students choose for this to be the format.


HIS2/3HSL - Heritage Sites and Landscapes in Australia

Coordinator Dr Richard Broome
Semester 1
Class Size
37 / 25 (Albury-Wodonga / Bundoora)
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 2.0 / 4.7

Student feedback and planned improvements:
Bundoora: The best thing of all for most students was the excursion which was tied to their first essay. No one thing stood out by way of needed changes, all suggestions being requested by only one student, namely: longer tutorials; some guest lecturers; more videos; a bit more on the theme of heritage; bit more on environmental movements. However, more than one said don’t change a thing. Given there is no request with more than one student supporting it, I would teach this the same way again.
Albury-Wodonga: the great disparity between the very enthusiastic responses for this unit at Bundoora and the very disappointing responses at Albury-Wodonga about the same unit, indicate a number of problems outside of the unit for which I propose the following solutions. The lack of choice in the regions. Some students asked why they cannot receive any unit from Bundoora. While it may be easy to deliver a wider range of lectures, it is not possible to tutor such an array of choices in the regions with one staff member, and at Albury-Wodonga that person being half time. However, online units would alleviate this lack of choice and some are being developed in 2009, including one in History. The need for video-conferencing of all regional units; it was not possible to find a suitable venue in 2007 but it is hoped that all History units in the regions will be delivered to the regions through video-conferencing in the future.


HIS2/3IJN - Israel, Jews and the Nation

Coordinator Dr Anne Gardner
Semester 2
Class Size
20/22
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 4.5

The unit was highly praised by students.


HIS2/3IRL - Ireland in the Nineteenth Century

Coordinators Dr Phillip Bull and Dr Jennifer Ridden
Semester 2
Class Size
16/14
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

N/A

Best aspects: General feedback showed that students were particularly pleased at the two international invited speakers (in association with the Irish Conference) who were kind enough to teach them and with the level of student engagement that was generated by the teamwork tasks in tutorials.

Needs improvement: One student asked for much clearer advice about the difference between tutorial papers and essays and I will address this earlier in the future.


HIS2/3LFP - Latin America Through Film and Popular Culture 1820-2000

Coordinator Dr Barry Carr
Semester 1
Class Size 25/32
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 4.3.

Student feedback and planned improvements: Student feedback was mostly positive and it was noted that audio-visual and technical support is in place.


HIS2/3LIR - Late Imperial Russia: 1812-1917

Coordinator Dr Adrian Jones
Semester 2
Class Size
36/28
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 4

Best aspects: This unit was very highly rated by students. They rated the lectures and tutorials very highly indeed.

Needs improvement: Some students thought the reading load was heavy, but they appreciated the variety of readings and choice of essay topics.


HIS2/3MMH - Memory, Myth and History

Coordinator Dr Bart Ziino
Semester 1
Class Size
12/15
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 4.6.

Student feedback and planned improvements: Responses were mainly favourable but it was noted that students are requesting for more resources including lecture notes to be available through WebCT. The lecture in 2007 was scheduled at 9.00 on a Thursday and this caused problems for many students and future timetabling will commence lectures at 10.00.


HIS2/3MMI - The Making of Modern Italy

Coordinator Professor John Gatt-Rutter
Semester 1
Class Size
6/26
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 4.2.

Student feedback and planned improvements: No comments.


HIS2/3NGE - Nazi Germany and Europe

Coordinator Dr Shannon Woodcock
Semester 1
Class Size
83/21
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 4.3

Student feedback and planned improvements: Feedback was consistently high but it was noted that questions in which students gave the lowest scores were those concerning assessment and historiographical skill development. What is clear from this is that students do need to be closely involved in the process of discussing how and why I am teaching certain content. Students struggled with the task of making their own research question, but through insisting that they each came to see me individually to discuss their question, I endeavoured to support them in a journey that in the end would be more rewarding than simply giving them a question to answer. In 2008 there will be one less small task of assessment.


HIS2/3OWD - Out West and Down Under

Coordinator Dr Charles Fahey
Semester 2
Class Size
10/5 (Bendigo)
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

N/A

Best aspects:N/A

Needs improvement: N/A


HIS2/3SCS - Sex, Crime and Scandal

Coordinator Dr Yolande Collins
Semester 2
Class Size
22/17 (Bendigo)
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

N/A

Best aspects: N/A

Needs improvement: N/A


HIS2/3WOR - The World Since 1945

Coordinator Dr Claudia Haake
Semester 2
Class Size
66/22
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 3.9

Best aspects: Comments were mostly very encouraging and confirm that students very much take to the concept of the unit.

Needs improvement: No comments.


ITA1ADA/ITA2BEA - Italian Advanced 1, Italian Beginners 2

Coordinator Dr Nicole Prunster
Semester 1
Class Size
41/24
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 4.2

Student feedback and planned improvements: Student feedback was very good but it is proposed to revise the structure for the cultural component of the unit.


ITA1ADB/ITA2BEB - Italian Advanced 1, Italian Beginners 2

Coordinator
Semester 2
Class Size
37/16
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 3.6

Best aspects: Excellent

Needs improvement: Remove gremlins in WebCT quizzes.


ITA1BEA - Italian Beginners 1

Coordinator Professor John Gatt-Rutter
Semester 1
Class Size
51
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 3.8

Student feedback and planned improvements: Overall satisfaction was good and it is planned to provide more guidance for written exams and clarity in oral assessment together with offering more variety in teaching materials.


ITA1BEB - Italian Beginners 1

Coordinator
Semester 2
Class Size
27
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 3.9

Best aspects: Excellent

Needs improvement: More exposure to hearing Italian and conversations.


ITA1PCI - People of Contemporary Italy

Coordinator Professor John Gatt-Rutter
Semester 2
Class Size
14
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

N/A

Best aspects: N/A

Needs improvement: N/A


ITA2ADA/ITA3BEA - Italian Advanced 2, Italian Beginners 3

Coordinator Dr Nicole Prunster
Semester 1
Class Size
20/6
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 3.6

Student feedback and planned improvements: Positive comments on clarity of lectures, helpfulness of staff and weekly tasks; some criticism of assessment and lack of reading materials. For semester 2 it is proposed to introduce reading materials and enhance assessment tasks.


ITA2ADB/ITA3BEB - Italian Advanced 2, Italian Beginners 3

Coordinator Dr Nicole Prunster
Semester 2
Class Size
20/5
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 3.6

Best aspects: Excellent

Needs improvement: More exposure to hearing Italian and conversations.


ITA2ITT - Italian Translation

Coordinator Mr Tony Pagliaro
Semester 2
Class Size
7
Questionnaire responses:
(maximum possible rating is 5)

N/A

Best aspects: Comments from students indicates that this was felt to have given them new understanding and skills.

Needs improvement: No comments.


ITA2/3MEI - Medieval Italy

Coordinator Mr Tony Pagliaro and Dr Nicole Prunster
Semester 2
Class Size
1/6
Questionnaire responses:
(maximum possible rating is 5)

N/A

Best aspects: N/A

Needs improvement: N/A


ITA3ADA - Italian Advanced 3

Coordinator Mr Antonio Pagliaro
Semester 1
Class Size
12
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

No report produced by the Academic Development Unit due to low student enrolments.

Student feedback and planned improvements: Feedback was very good but no Academic Development Unit report due to low numbers. No preponderant comment but some students ask for more visibly coherent course structure including change of reading text, drawing students’ attention to open-endedness and diversity of language genres and more time for active student participation.


LAS2/3CSP - Cuba in the Special Period

Coordinator Mr Carlos Uxo
Semester 1
Class Size
21
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

N/A

Student feedback and planned improvements: N/A


LAS2/3PCI - Post Colonial Identities

Coordinator Dr Isabel Moutinho
Semester 1
Class Size
31
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

N/A

Student feedback and planned improvements: N/A


SPA1ADA/SPA2ADA - Spanish Advanced 1/Spanish Advanced 2

Coordinator Mr Carlos Uxo
Semester 1
Class Size
5/10
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

Unit not surveyed by Academic Development Unit due to low enrolments.


SPA1ADB/SPA2ADB - Spanish Advanced 1/Spanish Advanced 2

Coordinator Mr Carlos Uxo
Semester 2
Class Size
3/5
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

N/A

Best aspects: The WebCT that was created for the cultural component was found useful by the students.

Needs improvement: Following feedback the unit will cover only cultural material and now language/grammar.


SPA1BEA - Spanish Beginners 1

Coordinator Mr Carlos Uxo
Semester 1
Class Size
260
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 4.3

Student feedback and planned improvements: As in previous years, students ask for more contact hours. Further improvements to the course reader will be introduced and students will be given the option of buying the electronic format. A brief new section in the lectures called “the tip of the week” which tackled this problem in a more visible way. Next year, this section will be available on WebCT, with links to external websites.


SPA1BEB - Spanish Beginners 1

Coordinator Mr Carlos Uxo
Semester 2
Class Size
164
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 4.3

Best aspects: No comments.

Needs improvement: As in previous years, the students ask for more contact hours


SPA1INA/2BEA - Spanish Intermediate 1, Spanish 2 Beginners

Coordinator Ms Ana Maria Ducasse
Semester 1
Class Size
10/44
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 4.6.

Student feedback and planned improvements: Student feedback requested less assessment and as a result one single writing piece plus one on the final exam has been implemented from Semester 2 2007 instead of four smaller pieces. The structure of the course reader re support materials has also been revised.


SPA1INB/2BEB Spanish Intermediate 1, Spanish 2 Beginners

Coordinator Ms Ana Maria Ducasse
Semester 2
Class Size
10/21
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 4.4

Best aspects: No comments.

Needs improvement: No comments.


SPA2INA/3BEA Spanish Intermediate 2, Spanish 3 Beginners

Coordinator Dr Isabel Moutinho
Semester 1
Class Size
16/44
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 4.1 (Bundoora) and 4.3 (The University of Melbourne)

Student feedback and planned improvements: Student satisfaction with this unit is high and students praise the staff and course design. Many students noted they would prefer the textbook to be Aula (textbook used in 1B and 2B). Many students request more contact hours. The text Aula will be introduced as soon as it becomes available. Unfortunately it is not possible to increase the contact hours for this unit.


SPA2INB/3BEB Spanish Intermediate 2, Spanish 3 Beginners

Coordinator
Semester 2
Class Size
12/32
Questionnaire responses: (maximum possible rating is 5)

  • All things considered, I am satisfied with this unit – mean 4.6

Best aspects: No comments.

Needs improvement: No comments.

Content Approved by: Head of School
Page maintained by: Web and Academic Services Officer (email:d.bisset@latrobe.edu.au)
Last Updated: 30 June, 2008