Course Outline

SCS290 Understanding Cultural Diversity

Course Coordinator:Naomi Smith (nsmith7@usc.edu.au) School:School of Law and Society

2026Trimester 2

UniSC Sunshine Coast

UniSC Moreton Bay

Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Online

Online You can do this course without coming onto campus, unless your program has specified a mandatory onsite requirement.

Please go to unisc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

This course examines the construction and maintenance of cultural difference and identity in the context of Australian immigration and multiculturalism. It explores how concepts of identity, cultural diversity, representation, and racism unfold in the public domain and how minorities are represented as the 'other'. The course explores contemporary debates surrounding national identity, global citizenship, social inclusion, governance, and Australia's treatment of asylum seekers.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – 1 hour online Learning Materials 1hr Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – 2 hour on campus tutorial 2hrs Week 2 10 times
Online
Learning materials – 1 hour online Learning Materials 1hr Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – 2 hour online tutorial 2hrs Week 2 10 times

Course Topics

  • The construction and maintenance of cultural difference and identity in the context of Australian immigration and multiculturalism
  • Theories and concepts of identity, cultural diversity, representation, and racism 
  • National identity
  • Global citizenship
  • Social inclusion
  • Governance
  • Australia's treatment of asylum seekers
  • (All topics contain adult themes)

Mature Content

Adult themes

What level is this course?

200 Level (Developing)

Building on and expanding the scope of introductory knowledge and skills, developing breadth or depth and applying knowledge and skills in a new context. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally, undertaken in the second or third full-time year of an undergraduate programs.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Demonstrate awareness of basic theoretical approaches to immigration, multiculturalism, identity, culture, race/ethnicity, and diversity Knowledgeable
Empowered
2 Examine, and reflect on the debates and discourses on race and cultural diversity in Australia Creative and critical thinker
Engaged
3 Critically reflect on social and community perspectives for working with cultural diversity Creative and critical thinker
Ethical
4 Reflect and discuss the impact of cultural diversity and how it relates to professional practices in Australia Empowered
Ethical
5 Communicate to relevant audience using appropriate referencing conventions Knowledgeable
Empowered
Ethical

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

Any 2 courses

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

Microcredential Information

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

Timely and detailed feedback is provided for each assessment. Feedback is provided both within text and general comments to build scholarly skills. Students are able to seek feedback through discussion with the course coordinator. Tutorials will include extended discussion and review of the assessment task requirements and scope.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Artefact - Creative Individual 20%
Using the readings and concepts from the first four weeks, students will produce an academic poster (which must have written content of 700 words). Student will apply the readings and concepts to critically reflect on their own understanding/experience of cultural diversity and multiculturalism.
Week 5 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 2 Oral and Written Piece Individual 35%
Students will create a 10-minute video essay with an accompanying script that engages with one concept from weeks 6-10 and demonstrates its relevance to multiculturalism and cultural diversity in contemporary Australian society. Students will contextualise their chosen concept with reference to current news/reporting. All video essays must include the student’s face as part of the recording.
Week 10 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All - Assessment Task 1:Academic Poster
Goal:
To engage in critical reflection by linking personal experiences and understandings of cultural diversity/multiculturalism to core sociological concepts of cultural diversity/multiculturalism.
Product: Artefact - Creative
Authorship Statement:
Format:
Online submission
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Identification and critical definition of relevant concept(s) drawn from scholarly sources.
1
2
Application of concept/ theory to a relevant personal or professional reflections/experiences
2 3
3
Use of scholarly evidence and resources, clear visual and written communication
1
Generic Skills:
Communication, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 2:Video Essay
Goal:
To demonstrate your learning of a critical concept from the learning materials through critical examination of/reflection on discourses of cultural diversity and professional practice, and/or social theory. To showcase your understanding of cultural diversity in Australian society.
Product: Oral and Written Piece
Authorship Statement:
Format:
Online video and written document submission
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
A clear description of a (relevant aspect of) a key concept of cultural diversity/multiculturalism through engagement with scholarly evidence.
1
2
Analysis linking an identified concept to cultural diversity/ multiculturalism in contemporary Australia through current news/reporting.
2 4
3
Reflection on professional practice or social theory supported by sociological research.
3
4
Coherent and evidence-based argument. Clear, concise, organised writing style using APA or Harvard referencing.
2
Generic Skills:
Communication, Organisation, Information literacy

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

There are no required/recommended resources for this course.

Specific requirements

Not applicable

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
(a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%; and
(b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submissions may be penalised up to and including the following maximum percentage of the assessment task’s identified value, with weekdays and weekends included in the calculation of days late:
(a) One day: deduct 5%;
(b) Two days: deduct 10%;
(c) Three days: deduct 20%;
(d) Four days: deduct 40%;
(e) Five days: deduct 60%;
(f) Six days: deduct 80%;
(g) Seven days: A result of zero is awarded for the assessment task.

The following penalties will apply for a late submission for an online examination:
Less than 15 minutes: No penalty
From 15 minutes to 30 minutes: 20% penalty
More than 30 minutes: 100% penalty

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

For course-specific questions, contact your teaching staff or Course Coordinator.  

For other enquiries or to access support, please contact Student Central: