Inherent requirements for Master of Digital Humanities

These inherent requirements apply to the following course:

• Master of Digital Humanities - course code 1836

Introduction

Western Sydney University and the School of Humanities and Communication Arts (SHCA) strongly supports the right of all people to pursue a Master of Digital Humanities.

Inherent requirements are the essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the abilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of the course or unit, while preserving the academic integrity of the University’s learning, assessment and accreditation processes. The inherent requirements are the abilities, knowledge and skills needed to complete the course that must be met by all students.

Students with a disability or chronic health condition may be able to have reasonable adjustments made to enable them to meet these requirements.

The School is committed to making reasonable adjustments to teaching and learning, assessment, professional practice and other activities to enable students to participate in their course. Reasonable adjustments must not fundamentally change the nature of the inherent requirement.

To support prospective and current students’ decision making, a series of inherent requirement statements have been developed. These statements specify the essential skills, knowledge and abilities required for the Master of Digital Humanities. Students should use this information to make informed decisions about their chosen course of study. The statements are clustered under five domains consisting of ethical behavior, behavioural stability, communication, cognition, and information and communication technologies.

The inherent requirements outlined below provide a guide to inform decision making for students and staff.

How to read the inherent requirement statements

If you are intending to enrol in the Master of Digital Humanities course in the School of Humanities and Communication Arts (SHCA), you should look at these inherent requirement statements and think about whether you may experience challenges in meeting these requirements.

If you think you may experience challenges for any reason including a disability or chronic health condition, you should discuss your concerns with the SHCA staff, such as the Director of Academic Program, Academic Course Advisor, School Disability Coordinator or campus Disability Advisor. These staff can work collaboratively with you to determine reasonable adjustments to assist you to meet the inherent requirements. In the case where it is determined that inherent requirements cannot be met with reasonable adjustments, the University staff can provide guidance regarding other study options.

These inherent requirements should be read in conjunction with other course information.

The inherent requirements are made up of the following five components:

Level 1 - introduction to the inherent requirement
Level 2 - description of the inherent requirement
Level 3 - explanation of why this is an inherent requirement of the course
Level 4 - the nature of any adjustments that may be made to allow you to meet the requirement
Level 5 - examples of tasks you must be able to do to show you’ve met the requirement. The exemplars provided are not intended as an exhaustive list.

Inherent requirement statements

There are 5 domains of inherent requirements in the Master of Digital Humanities. Some domains have a number of sub-domains.

Ethical behaviour

	Inherent requirements statements
1	Students need to understand and act in ways consistent with the recognised values of Australian society.
2	Student demonstrates knowledge of, and engages in ethical behaviour in practice.
3	Justification of inherent requirement: » Compliance with the recognised values of society facilitates safe, competent interactions and relationships for students and/or the people with whom they engage. This supports the physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of all
4	Adjustments must support the recognised values of Australian society and not result in unethical behaviour. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the campus Disability Advisor.
5	Exemplars: » Demonstrating ability to reflect on ethical dilemmas and issues and take responsibility for ensuring awareness of ethical behaviour » Treating others respectfully and fairly in classroom discussions, regardless of differences in background or opinion

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Behavioural stability

	Inherent requirements statements
1	Behavioural stability is required to function and adapt effectively in a program of study in digital humanities.
2	Student demonstrates behavioural stability to work constructively in a diverse and changing academic environment, which may at times be challenging and unpredictable.
3	Justification of inherent requirement: » Behavioural stability is required to work individually and in groups in the academic environment. Students will be required to have behavioural stability to manage their academic responsibilities
4	Adjustments must support stable, effective and professional behaviour in the academic environment. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the campus Disability Advisor.
5	Exemplars: » Being receptive and responding appropriately to constructive feedback » Managing own emotions and behaviour effectively when engaging with individuals in the academic environment

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Communication

This course requires effective written communication skills.

Written

	Inherent requirements statements
1	Effective written communication, in English, is fundamental to digital humanities studies.
2	Student demonstrates capacity to construct coherent written communication appropriate to the circumstances.
3	Justification of inherent requirement: » Construction of written text based assessment tasks to reflect the required academic standards are necessary to convey knowledge and understanding of relevant subject matter   » Comprehensive and accurate written communication for a range of purposes and audiences is essential to provide a consistent professional standard of work
4	Adjustments must meet necessary standards of clarity, accuracy and accessibility to ensure effective recording and transmission of information in academic settings. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the campus Disability Advisor.
5	Exemplars: » Constructing a written report for an industry context » Conducting critical analysis to academic standards

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Cognition

This course requires knowledge of theory and the skills of cognition and literacy (language).

Knowledge and cognitive skills

	Inherent requirements statements
1	Consistent knowledge and effective cognitive skills must be demonstrated to undertake digital humanities studies
2	Student demonstrates: » Capacity to locate appropriate and relevant information » Ability to process information relevant to practice » Ability to integrate and implement knowledge
3	Justification of inherent requirement: » Competent practice requires the sourcing, understanding and application of knowledge and skills relevant to computer software and hardware, social knowledge platforms and networks, digital media and digital research projects » The ability to read, decode, interpret and comprehend multiple sources of information is fundamental for understanding and applying knowledge » The ability to follow precise instructions is required to accurately and effectively use digital tools specific to digital media
4	Adjustments must ensure that a clear demonstration of knowledge and cognitive skills is not compromised or impeded. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the campus Disability Advisor.
5	Exemplars: » Ability to conceptualise and use appropriate knowledge and information in response to academic assessment tasks » Displaying the ability to understand and use digital tools specific to digital research projects » Applying knowledge of digital tools to analyse a website

Literacy (language)

	Inherent requirements statements
1	Competent literacy skills are essential to digital humanities studies.
2	Student demonstrates: » Ability to acquire information and accurately convey appropriate, effective messages » Ability to read and comprehend a range of literature and information » Ability to understand and implement digital tools or creative media in an appropriate manner for the intended audience
3	Justification of inherent requirement: » The ability to acquire information and accurately convey messages is fundamental in understanding the relevant background and context for analysis of digital projects » The ability to read, decode, interpret and comprehend multiple sources of information is fundamental to digital practice » The ability to convey accurate and appropriate messages is essential to create text-based digital projects
4	Adjustments must demonstrate a capacity to effectively acquire, comprehend, apply and communicate accurate and appropriate information. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the campus Disability Advisor.
5	Exemplars: » Demonstrating the ability to find and follow instructions to use relevant digital technology appropriately » Demonstrating the ability to paraphrase, summarise and reference in accordance with appropriate academic conventions » Producing accurate and appropriate information for use on a website

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Information and communication technologies (ICT)

	Inherent requirements statements
1	Competent Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills are essential to digital humanities studies.
2	Student demonstrates the ability to use ICT, appropriately and effectively in a range of digital practice areas.
3	Justification of inherent requirement: » Competent ICT skills that are specific to digital media are fundamental to digital practice
4	Adjustments must enable the effective use of a range of ICT (specific to digital media). Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the campus Disability Advisor.
5	Exemplars: » Demonstrating the ability to explore and understand a variety of digital platforms for a diverse range of industries e.g. research, galleries, libraries etc. » Using a computer to view or build a website » Using a computer or mobile device to annotate a digital map

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Developed from: Johnson, A., Allan,T., Phillips,K., Azzopardi,T., Dickson,C., Goldsmith,M & Hengstberger-Sims, C. (2011). Inherent Requirements of Nursing Education (IRONE), Western Sydney University School of Nursing & Midwifery and Student Equity & Disability Services