HASS Special Topic Reading and Research Units

The School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) offers a number of research units both at the undergraduate and postgraduate level for those students wishing, or needing, to pursue research in a specialised area.

These units are as follows:

Please seek approval from a potential supervisor within the School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, and complete an application form (link below - "Apply Now") before enrolling in these units. All Reading and Research unit applicants are required to submit a 1000 word Research Proposal along with the application form.

You might consider a HASS project with the Museum of Antiquities.

Research Proposal Information and Requirements:

Supervision Acceptance: Acceptance by a staff member is based upon a variety of factors including but not limited to the following:

  • The academic record of the student;
  • The availability of appropriate supervision in the proposed topic;
  • The viability of the suggested topic

Requirements: Students are required to submit a 1000 word research proposal to a proposed supervisor as part of the consultation process, not less than SIX weeks prior to the start of teaching in the trimester they wish to enrol in.

The proposal should make clear the nature of the question to be investigated, and how the project will address the research question(s). A proposal should also demonstrate that some preparatory work has been completed, and that you have been thinking about the scale and scope of the project and looking for any existing literature on your topic. Approval is dependent on the availability of supervision and resources.

  • A description and overview of the topic, noting the relevance to your discipline or field of study (200 words)
  • The rationale and aims of the project, including the main thrust of your research, its central issues or question(s) to be addressed (300 words)
  • The research methodologies you will engage with in this project, and why. IE how do you propose investigating your research question(s)? (300 words)
  • A brief bibliography/reference list of research resources for the project. This should typically include key primary texts or creative work that you propose to study in depth and secondary or scholarly/critical texts that other investigators of the topic have published and/or that help you to develop a methodology (200 words).

If you require further information about any of these units, please refer below or alternatively please contact the hass-cam@une.edu.au

Apply Now

Additional HASS Unit Information and Prerequisite Requirements

Prerequisite requirements for enrolment in the unit:

Any 36cp in a relevant discipline area and permission of Head of School (or delegate)

Unit Outline:

This unit provides you with the opportunity to conduct an independent study on an agreed research topic or project not previously covered in your undergraduate units. It is suited to students near the end of their major sequence or specialist degree in a relevant subject area. For some disciplines, it may include creative practice. Assessment is by individual project. A group creative practice is permitted in some cases however assessment is based on individual work. Throughout, you will demonstrate independent study skills, with the guidance of a nominated supervisor. Your enrolment requires approval from Head of School (or delegate). You will also need to negotiate your project topic with a nominated supervisor and submit a satisfactory formal proposal, noting this depend on the availability of appropriate supervision and resources. Upon completion, you will have developed high-level skills in research, critical thinking, communication, and synthesis of knowledge related to your study area.

Unit Notes: This repeatable unit that may be taken up to twice within a course. However, the unit cannot be undertaken more than once in any one teaching period. Any special exemption to these rules will require approval of Head of School (or delegate) and would require demonstration of an exceptional circumstance.

The 36cp prerequisite should be in units from the relevant subject area in which the HASS301 will be undertaken. Where this unit appears as a listed unit in a Major, the topic must relate to the relevant discipline area, in order to be included within the Major.

Enrolment in this unit needs approval from Head of School (or delegate). To obtain approval, students are required to negotiate a project topic with a nominated supervisor and submit a satisfactory formal proposal. Approval depends on the availability of supervision and resources.

Prerequisite requirements for enrolment in the unit:

Candidature in a postgraduate award and 24cp at 300 level or 12cp at 400/500 level within the same area of study as the intended reading course and permission of head of school or nominee

Unit Outline:

This unit is designed to allow you to pursue individual research interests or to undertake an agreed program of study. Students must consult with the School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences and secure the permission of the head of school or nominee, prior to enrolment. Advance your ability to develop your knowledge and understand, reflect upon and critically analyse the principal themes within an area of specialisation. Extend your capacity for independent, lifelong learning and equip yourself for further advanced study within your chosen disciplinary field by honing your research skills, critical thinking, academic writing, and communication abilities.

Unit Notes:

This is a repeatable unit. However, the unit cannot be undertaken more than once in any one teaching period, and no more than two times in total within a degree.

Prerequisite requirements for enrolment in the unit: Any 18cp at 500-level, including a research training or methods unit such as HASS500 or equivalent, and prior consultation with supervisor, and permission of Head of School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (or delegate)

Unit Outline:

This unit provides the opportunity to pursue independent study at an advanced level on an agreed research topic or practical project not previously covered in your undergraduate units. Throughout, you will demonstrate a high level of independent study skills, under the guidance of a nominated supervisor. Your enrolment requires approval from Head of School (or delegate). You will also need to negotiate your project topic with a nominated supervisor and submit a satisfactory formal proposal, noting this depend on the availability of appropriate supervision and resources. Upon completion, you will have developed advanced in research, critical thinking, communication, and synthesis of knowledge related to your study area.

Unit Notes:

Where this unit appears as a listed unit in a Major, the topic must relate to the relevant discipline area, in order to be included within the Major.

This unit is not normally repeatable. Any special request for taking the unit more than once requires approval of Head of School or delegate.

Prerequisite requirements for enrolment in the unit:

Any 18cp at 500-level, including a research training or methods unit such as HASS500 or equivalent and an overall course Distinction GPA (6), and prior consultation with supervisor, and permission of Head of School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (or delegate).

Unit Outline:

This unit is designed to allow you to pursue an original independent research project of your choice. You will work with an experienced supervisor to design, conduct and present your project, while developing advanced critical thinking, writing, analytical and cognitive skills. For some disciplines, your project may include creative practice or applied work. Your enrolment requires approval from the relevant Head of School (or delegate). To obtain approval, you will need to negotiate a project topic with a nominated supervisor and submit a satisfactory formal proposal, noting that approval may depend on the availability of supervision and resources. Satisfactory completion of HASS512 may provide a pathway to further study options, such as UNE’s Master of Philosophy or PhD.

Unit Notes:

Where this unit appears as a listed unit in a Major, the topic must relate to the relevant discipline area, in order to be included within the Major. This unit is not repeatable.

HASS518: Dissertation

Prerequisite requirements for enrolment in the unit:

Any 18cp at 500-level, including a research training or methods unit such as HASS500 or equivalent and an overall course Distinction GPA (6), and prior consultation with supervisor, and permission of Head of School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (or delegate).

Unit Outline:

This unit is designed to allow you to pursue an original major independent research project of your choice, as a larger and more comprehensive research project within one unit. You will work with an experienced supervisor to design, conduct and present your project, while developing advanced critical thinking, writing, analytical and cognitive skills. For some disciplines, your project may include creative practice or applied work. Your enrolment requires approval from the relevant Head of School (or delegate). To obtain approval, you will need to negotiate a project topic with a nominated supervisor and submit a satisfactory formal proposal, noting that approval may depend on the availability of supervision and resources. Satisfactory completion of HASS518 may provide a pathway to further study options, such as UNE’s Master of Philosophy or PhD.

Unit Notes:

Where this unit appears as a listed unit in a Major, the topic must relate to the relevant discipline area, in order to be included within the Major. This unit is not repeatable.