Course Management Policy
| Document Number | 000994 |
|---|---|
| Date Approved | 19 September 2012 |
1. Introduction
This policy is made by Academic Senate in accordance with the provisions of the Rules Governing Courses and Assessment and is part of the legislative framework that authorises and describes the functions and responsibilities of Academic Senate.
This policy must be read in conjunction with the:
- Rules Governing Courses and Assessment;
- Assessment Policy;
- Course Management and Assessment Procedure Manual
The Course Management and Assessment Procedure Manual describes the relevant practices and responsibilities of University bodies, officers and students.
The University of Newcastle aims to prepare graduates to be lifelong learners, sought after by employers, and who contribute to society by being adaptable and critical global citizens. To that end, the planning of all programs, their constituent courses and their assessment, must be responsive, rigorous and ensure that the enhancement of the quality of the student experience remains at the forefront of University planning and action.
In the event of an inconsistency between other lower level policy documents and a Rule(s) or Schedule to the Rule(s), the Rule(s) made by Council prevails to the extent of the inconsistency.
In the event of an inconsistency between an Academic Senate policy document and a Faculty policy, procedure or guideline, the policy document made by Academic Senate prevails to the extent of the inconsistency.
2. Policy Scope
This policy applies to coursework courses created and offered by the University of Newcastle and its controlled entities across all campuses, locations and modes of delivery (on-campus, online, blended or by distance).
3. Policy Intent
The purpose of this policy is to describe the principles that have been approved by Academic Senate for the management of coursework courses offered by the University of Newcastle.
4. Relevant Definitions
This document is to be read in conjunction with the University’s Policy Glossary.
5. Policy Provisions and Principles
5.1. Students are expected to spend an average of 120 - 140 total hours of effort or total load in any term per 10 unit course value. This includes contact and non-contact course requirements and assessment, and applies to all fields of study and modes of delivery.
5.2. Schools are responsible for ensuring that:
5.2.1. course content is:
i. appropriate, current and of high quality;
ii. distinctive and avoids unnecessary duplication with other course offerings.
5.2.2. courses are delivered by those with appropriate expertise in the relevant field of study;
5.2.3. the academic content and the number, weighting and types of assessment items within a course offered in multiple modes or locations will be equivalent;
5.2.4. the University Learning management system is used to provide content, resources and relevant information for every course offered in a term;
5.2.5. undergraduate courses re-badged as postgraduate courses are identified as such;
5.2.6. the learning outcomes, content, and assessment for a course are described in the course outline available to students at the commencement of the term.
5.3. Faculty Boards are responsible for the approval of the academic content of new courses, their assessment and compulsory course components.
5.4. The Program and Course Approval Committee is responsible for ensuring that:
5.4.1. new courses will only be approved for creation and inclusion in the Course Availability List (CAL) if they meet at least one of the criteria listed below:
i. Criterion 1 - Online, and available as an elective to all students.
ii. Criterion 2 - A course:
a. which is part of a proposed program in the final stages of approval by Academic Senate, or established by Council; and
b. where justification is given that existing appropriate courses are not available.
iii. Criterion 3 - A course required for a revised program following an external program review, developed in a Faculty Response and Action Plan approved by the Faculty Board and the Program and Course Approval Committee.
iv. Criterion 4 – A face to face or on-line course which is balanced by an equivalent deleted course across the Faculty.
v. Criterion 5 - a course which does not comply with Criteria 1-3, will only be considered if accompanied by an appropriate justification.
5.4.2. courses with zero enrolments for the most recent two years of offerings will be discontinued by the Program and Course Approval Committee after consultation with the Faculty Pro Vice-Chancellor.
6. Essential Supporting Procedures
Academic Senate is authorised to develop and approve procedures to support this Policy and to provide processes to be followed by officers authorised to act by the Rules Governing Courses and Assessment.
Following establishment of the supporting procedures by Academic Senate, the President of Academic Senate is authorised to amend the supporting procedures, following appropriate consultation with stakeholders. This may include the creation, amendment or rescission of a clause or clauses.
Any such amendments will be reported to the next meeting of Academic Senate.
7. Relaxing Provision
7.1. To provide for exceptional circumstances arising in any particular case, the President of Academic Senate on the recommendation of the relevant Pro Vice-Chancellor(s) may relax any provision of this policy unless otherwise specified in the overarching Rules Governing Courses and Assessment.
8. Related Documents
Rules Governing Courses and Assessment 000993
Course Management and Assessment Procedure Manual 000996
| Approval Authority | Academic Senate |
|---|---|
| Date Approved | 19 September 2012 |
| Policy Sponsor | Academic Senate |
| Policy Owner | Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic) |
| Policy Contact | Deputy Academic Registrar, Goverance and Academic Administration |
| Amendment History | 19 September 2012 - endorsed by Academic Senate subject to minor amendments. 18 October - approved by President of Academic Senate under delegation UB1 and reported to Senate on 7 November 2012. |