File Ref: F50138
The University of Western Australia
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COURSEWORK STUDIES HELD ON FRIDAY 31st
OCTOBER 2014 FROM 10AM – 11.30AM IN THE SENATE ROOM
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF COURSEWORK STUDIES
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) as Chair (Professor Alec Cameron)
Chair, Academic Board (Professor John Cordery)
Deputy Chair, Academic Board (Professor Cara MacNish)
Dean, Coursework Studies (Professor Grady Venville)
Academic Secretary (Ms Sue Smurthwaite on behalf of Academic Secretary)
President of the Guild of Undergraduates (Mr Thomas Henderson)
Chair, Board of Studies (Bachelor of Arts) (Winthrop Professor Mark Israel)
Chair, Board of Studies (Bachelor of Design) (Associate Professor Kate Hislop)
Chair, Board of Studies (Bachelor of Science) (Professor Cara MacNish)
Chair, Board of Studies (Bachelor of Philosophy (Hons)) (Professor Alan Dench)
Co-opted member (Mr Jon Stubbs, Director, Student Services)
Executive Officer (Dr Kabilan Krishnasamy)
INVITEES FOR AGENDA ITEM 3
Professor Erika Techera, Dean, Faculty of Law
Associate Professor Meredith Blake, Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning)
APOLOGIES
Registrar and Executive Director, Corporate Services (Mr Peter Curtis)
Chair, Board of Studies (Bachelor of Commerce) (Professor Trish Todd)
Nominee of the President, Postgraduate Students’ Association (Mr Aaron Fordham)
WELCOME
The Chair welcomed members to the meeting of the Board of Coursework Studies.
DECLARATIONS OF POTENTIAL FOR CONFLICT OR PERCEIVED CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
No conflict of interest was declared.
1.
MINUTES – Ref F50138
RESOLVED – 29/14

that the minutes of the meeting of the Board of Coursework Studies held on 28th July 2014 be
confirmed.

that the minutes of a joint meeting of the Admissions Committee and the Board of Coursework
Studies held on 28th July 2014 be confirmed.

that the noting of decision taken on 14th August 2014 on an item considered by the Board of
Coursework Studies by way of a circular be confirmed.
2.
CURRICULUM MANAGEMENT – LATE PROPOSALS (NEW) FOR 2015
2.1
End-On Honours Proposals in Law and Society and Business Law – Ref F62291, F62292
The Board noted that the Faculty of Law had submitted proposals to offer from 2015 a new end-on
Honours course in Law and Society that had been endorsed (by R24/14) by the Board of Studies (BA),
and a new end-on Honours course in Business Law that had been endorsed (by R3/14) by the Board of
Studies (BCom).
Members noted that admission to these end-on Honours courses were, due to resource constraints,
restricted to the Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) students only. It was pointed out by a member that
denying a non-BPhil (Hons) student, who might have had met the proposed admission requirements,
entry into the relevant end-on Honours course might raise equity issues.
Members also explored the option of introducing a quota to the proposed end-on Honours courses.
However, this could be problematic because a BPhil (Hons) student might need to compete for a place
to complete an integrated honours component of the Bachelor of Philosophy (Hons) degree course.
21
File Ref: F50138
Therefore, members agreed that the end-on honours proposals should be withdrawn at this stage and
that the new 12-points dissertation units, proposed as follows, be approved for offering as part of an
intergrated honours component within the Bachelor of Philosophy (Hons):


LAWS4201 Dissertation (Law and Society) 1 and LAWS4202 Dissertation (Law and Society) 2; and
LAWS4203 Dissertation (Business Law) 1 and LAWS4204 Dissertation (Business Law) 2
RESOLVED – 30/14
to recommend to the Academic Council that the following new units be approved for offering within the
Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours):
 LAWS4201 Dissertation (Law and Society) 1 and LAWS4202 Dissertation (Law and Society) 2; and
 LAWS4203 Dissertation (Business Law) 1 and LAWS4204 Dissertation (Business Law) 2
In so resolving, it was noted that the remaining units forming the unit sequence for the integrated
honours component of the BPhil (Hons) would be drawn from existing Cycle 2 courses, and that the unit
sequences be made available from 2015, subject to approval by the Dean of Coursework Studies.
Faculty of Architecture, Landscape & Visual Arts: Diploma in Design – Ref F55932,
F39331
Members noted that by R54/14 Academic Council resolved to approve the offering of a new major in
Fine Arts within the Bachelor of Design from 2015. Further to this approval, the Faculty of Architecture,
Landscape and Visual Arts had requested, as supported by its Dean, that the major in Fine Arts be also
offered in the Diploma in Design (DU003) from 2015.
2.2
RESOLVED – 31/14
to endorse and recommend to the Academic Council that the exiting major in Fine Arts be offered in the
Diploma in Design DU003, effective from 2015.
2.3
Offshore Delivery of Selected Majors in the Bachelor of Arts – Ref F28847
By R17/10 Academic Council resolved that for offshore/transnational and regional programs
“implementation of the Future Framework be postponed until end of 2014 to enable well-informed
feasibility studies to be conducted by participating schools and faculties”.
The Board noted that the Faculty of Arts had been offering some of its pre-2012 courses offshore in
Hong Kong and in Singapore via the respective academic providers, Hong Kong University and the PSB
Academy Singapore. By R23/14, the Board of Studies for the Bachelor of Arts resolved to recommend
to the Board of Coursework Studies that from 2015 the following selected majors within the Bachelor of
Arts be offered to replace the Faculty’s pre-2012 offshore course offerings:
Country
Hong Kong
Singapore
Offshore provider
Hong Kong University, School of
Professional and Continuing
Education
PSB Academy
Major in the Bachelor of Arts
Communication and Media Studies Major
Asian Studies
Communication and Media Studies (Parttime offering only)
Noting that all units offered in the above listed majors would be taught offshore by UWA, the Board:
RESOLVED – 32/14
to endorse the proposal, as attached to the agenda, and to recommend to the Academic Council that
from 2015 the following majors (and associated units) within the Bachelor of Arts be offered offshore via
the relevant academic providers: Communication and Media Studies major (Hong Kong University and
PSB Academy) and Asian Studies (Hong Kong University).
3.
FACULTY OF LAW: EXEMPTION FROM THE DISTINCTION RULE FOR THE JURIS
DOCTOR – REF F35162
By R48/14, the Faculty of Law resolved to recommend to the Board of Coursework Studies that the
Juris Doctor (JD) be exempted from the University’s 80 per cent distinction rule, and suggested the
adoption of one of the following:
a) that the JD with distinction be awarded to graduates with a WAM (Weighted Average Mark) of 75
per cent and above; or
22
File Ref: F50138
b) that an internal system for recognising outstanding academic performance in the JD be adopted.
In introducing the item, the Law Faculty noted that the proposed exemption in (a) had been sought on
the following grounds:
 that a degree awarded with distinction at other Group of Eight Universities and other competitor law
schools had been typically based on a WAM of lower than 80 per cent;
 that the application of an 80 per cent distinction rule would place the University’s JD students at a
competitive disadvantage in the marketplace;
 that based on evidence associated with the University’s pre-2012 Bachelor of Laws program it was
pointed out that it was extremely difficult for students to achieve a WAM of 80 per cent or more.
 the Faculty’s profiling policy reinforced a view that a mark of 80 per cent in any unit was regarded as
a result of the very highest standard, which had been consistent with marking practices across
many other Australian law schools.
The following were amongst the points raised in the ensuing discussion:
 It was clarified that the proposed exception in (a) was being requested only for the JD as a
qualifying degree to practice law.
 There was strong support for the fundamental principle of recognising outstanding academic
performance in the JD, but members expressed some concerns with regard to the Law School’s
proposed exception to the 80 per cent distinction rule.
 It was suggested that the Law school should reconsider its methodology for recognising outstanding
academic performance in the JD. A request to set the University’s distinction rule at 75 per cent, as
an exception to the rule, for the JD was viewed as not the the best way forward by members.
 In light of its high marking standards, the Law School should consider the option of appropriate
scaling by way of adjusting marks for an entire cohort so that the marks better reflected the
achievement standards of the students in that cohort.
 It was, however, argued that raising marks by way of scaling might not only alter the perception of
quality but also create an uncertainty in the marketplace.
 The proposal in (a) was generally viewed by members to be compensating for what may be
inappropriate scaling methods within the Law School.
 Rather than a competitive marketplace, the achievement standards of students in a cohort should
be the key driver for the award of a distinction in the JD.
Noting that the scaling issue might warrant a broader University-level discussion, the Board:
RESOLVED – 33/14
to recommend to the Academic Council:
(i) that the Juris Doctor be exempted from the University’s 80 per cent distinction rule; and
(ii) that an internal system for recognising outstanding academic performance in the Juris Doctor be
adopted.
PROGRESSION FROM HONOURS TO MASTER’S COURSEWORK COURSES – REF
F46725
The Board noted that the University Policy on Master’s degree courses by coursework or by coursework
and dissertation (UP21/31) provided for an Honours graduate to progress into a 96-points Master’s
course and receive full credit for half the point value of the course. However, the context in which such a
progression might occur had changed. Arguably, a 96-points Master’s course comprising only
postgraduate units (Level 4 and Level 5 units) is no longer the norm at UWA. Since 2013 the University
has been heading in a new direction of offering 96-points Master’s courses, comprising 72 points of
postgraduate units (taught study) and 24 points of conversion units, which have been designed to
provide knowledge and skills for those with little or no formal prior study or professional experience in
the discipline area of the course.
4.
Members had before them the following for consideration:
 a paper that explores options available for students to progress from Honours to a 72-points
Master’s courses. To this end, it recommends the following:
a) That the Honours coursework and dissertation components in an end-on or integrated
Honours course may attract full credit (48 points) in a Master’s course that has a
minimum volume of learning of 72 credit points provided:
(i) student does not graduate/exit with an Honours degree; and
(ii) at least six of the 12 units of the Master’s course are undertaken at Level 5.
23
File Ref: F50138
b) That progression from a Bachelor of Philosophy (Hons) to a master’s degree course is
permissible subject to exiting with a bachelor’s degree in one of the following knowledge
areas: Arts, Commerce, Design or Science.

a revised University Policy on Master’s Degree courses by Coursework or by Coursework and
Dissertation (UP21/31) which reflects the above recommendations, if endorsed.
Following a brief discussion, members agreed that the revised policy should be further amended as
follows:
8.4 Progression from a Bachelor of Philosophy (Hons) to a master’s degree course with full
credit (48 points) is permissible subject to exiting with a bachelor’s degree in one of the
following knowledge areas: Arts, Commerce, Design or Science.
It was further pointed out that an honours graduate, in accordance with the Australian Qualifications
Framework, must be enrolled in a 48-points Master’s course. Hence, it was agreed that an additional
principle be included as follows:
8.5 Honours graduates may receive credit of up to 24 points for entry into a 72-points Master’s
course.
RESOLVED – 34/14
to recommend to the Academic Council that the proposed revisions, as attached to the agenda, and the
above minuted amendments to the University Policy on Master’s Degree Courses by Coursework or by
Coursework and Dissertation (UP21/31) be approved.
5.
PROPOSAL TO RATIONALISE THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE STRUCTURE – REF F44038
Members noted that the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), as Chair of the three key Academic
Council Standing Committees within the education portfolio (Admissions, Board of Coursework Studies
and Teaching and Learning) had requested a review of the governance arrangements in place, with a
view to achieving a more effective use of committees within the portfolio.
The Chair pointed out that the review had been timely due to a number of key issues:
 The Boards of Studies were established to manage the major task of introducing and
implementing new courses. The first cohort of students would graduate at the end of 2014 and
the high level of curriculum related work at the undergraduate level had now greatly reduced.
 Changes in the management structure over the last couple of years and the new portfolio
positions established including Pro Vice-Chancellor (International), Dean of Coursework
Studies, and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education Innovation) have provided the opportunity for
improved delegations and responsibilities.
 Improved policies over the last few years had enabled more efficient decision-making.
 Improved use of technology and systems to provide curriculum data (CAIDi) had streamlined
agenda documentation, and had provided for greater transparency and accountability.
 Early feedback from the University community, via stage one of the functional review process,
had indicated a general consensus that the University’s decision-making process via the
committee system had been “often slow and involves duplication of effort across multiple layers
involving committees, boards and councils” and “the amount of committee involvement (44+
separate bodies) and consultation is seen as excessive, time consuming and restricting UWA’s
capacity to adapt within a changing environment”.
Members considered a proposal to rationalise the eleven current education-related committees to three
committees and noted a number of points on the following issues:
 That the Board of Coursework Studies and its current standing committees, as follows be
disestablished: Board of Studies (Bachelor of Arts); Board of Studies (Bachelor of Commerce);
Board of Studies (Bachelor of Design); Board of Studies (Bachelor of Science); Board of Studies
(Bachelor of Philosophy (Hons); and Board of Examiners – Boards of Studies
 That the policy role of the Board of Coursework Studies would continue and be undertaken by the
proposed Education Committee, which had a strategic and policy role.
 That the Board’s role in Cycle 2 course approvals would be undertaken by the proposed Curriculum
Committee, which had been proposed as a standing committee of the Education Committee. It was
further noted that the Curriculum Committee, in line with clause 2(a) of its constitution, had the
24
File Ref: F50138




responsibility to make recommendations direct to Academic Council on proposals submitted through
the appropriate quality assurance processes.
That current delegations to the Dean of Coursework Studies for referral direct to the Academic
Council of items that are routine in nature would continue.
That the work of the Boards of Studies in managing Cycle 1 course proposals would continue and
be managed via the proposed Curriculum Committee.
That strong academic representation in committees dealing with education-related issues at both
strategic and operational levels would continue. In particular, Deans of Faculties, Associate Deans
(Teaching and Learning/Education), Chairs of faculty teaching and learning committees, and Chair
or representative of the Academic Board.
In response to a query related to the disestablishment of the Admissions Committee, it was clarified
that:
o admissions matters would not be viewed as a separate entity to the design and quality
assurance of courses in the future;
o a mapping exercise of the Admissions Committee’s activities in the last one year
demonstrated that much of its policy and strategic related items would be steered, in
consultation with the Admissions Centre, to either the Education Committee or to the
Curriculum Committee, where relevant; and
o issues that were operational in nature would be managed by way of delegating the
responsibilities to the Dean, Coursework Studies and/or the Pro-Vice Chancellor
(International), where appropriate.
The Chair concluded the discussion by noting that the University’s education portfolio is at a juncture
where it had to rethink the relevance of some of the exiting committee infrastructures and how it might
better serve to meet new strategic goals of the University. Following this, the Chair expressed his
appreciation to:
 the Director, Academic Policy Services (Ms Smurthwaite) for undertaking analysis and in producing,
at the request of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), a report entitled ‘Proposal to Rationalise
the Education Committee Structure’ for consideration by the three key Academic Council Standing
Committees within the education portfolio; and
 all members for their support and participation in the work, where relevant, of the Board of
Coursework Studies and the Boards of Studies.
RESOLVED – 35/14
to note the report entitled ‘Proposal to Rationalise the Education Committee Structure’ and as a
consequence to recommend to the Academic Council that the following committees be disestablished
and that their respective constitutions be rescinded:
 Board of Coursework Studies and its standing committees as follows:
o Board of Studies (Bachelor of Arts);
o Board of Studies (Bachelor of Commerce);
o Board of Studies (Bachelor of Design);
o Board of Studies (Bachelor of Science);
o Board of Studies (Bachelor of Philosophy (Hons); and
o Board of Examiners – Boards of Studies
RESOLVED – 36/14
to recommend to the Academic Council that:
(i) the proposed Education Committee be established as a standing committee of the Academic
Council; and
(ii) the proposed constitutions, as attached to the agenda, for the following committees be approved:
o Education Committee and its standing committees as follows:
 Curriculum Committee; and
 Education Futures Strategy Group
Confirmed:
______________________________
Chair
25