File Ref: F68752
26th February 2015
MEMBERS OF THE CURRICULUM COMMITTEE
Dean of Coursework Studies as Chair (Professor Grady Venville)
Deputy Chair of Academic Board (Professor Mark Israel)
Dean of Graduate Research and Postdoctoral Training (Professor Alan Dench)
Academic Secretary (Dr Kabilan Krishnasamy)
Associate Director, Admissions Centre (Dr Anne Mills)
Associate Director (International Admissions), International Centre (Ms Katherine Webster)
Academic Coordinator, Bachelor of Philosophy (Hons) (Dr Kathy Sanders)
President of the Guild of Undergraduates (Ms Elizabeth O’Shea)
Nominee of the President of the Postgraduate Students’ Association (Mr Nassif Nazir Kesavath)
Chair of each Faculty and School of Indigenous Studies Teaching and Learning/Education Committee, or
nominee of the Dean:
Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Visual Arts (Ms Sophie Giles) (Deputy Chair)
Faculty of Arts (Associate Professor Hélène Jaccomard)
Faculty of Business (Professor Alison Preston)
Faculty of Education (Associate Professor Grace Oakley) (Associate Chair)
Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics (Professor Michael Johns)
Faculty of Law (Dr Natalie Skead)
Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences (Professor Sandra Carr)
Faculty of Science (Professor Brendan Waddell)
School of Indigenous Studies (Mr Grant Revell)
IN ATTENDANCE
Ms Kath Williams, Academic Policy Services (Deputy Executive Officer)
Mr Maxwell Keeble, Academic Policy Services (Support Executive Officer)
Ms Benita Hube, Academic Policy Services (Support Executive Officer
CURRICULUM COMMITTEE MEETING - WEDNESDAY 4TH MARCH 2015
This is to confirm that the next meeting of the Curriculum Committee will be held from 2pm to 4.00pm on
Wednesday 4th March in the Senate Room.
Members are advised that this agenda has been formatted to be ‘electronic device friendly’ by including
bookmarks to provide easier navigation throughout the document. Click here for details.
Part 1 of the agenda consists of items for communication. Part 2 of the agenda relates to items for decision
to be dealt with en bloc by motion by the Chair. Part 3 is for discussion. A member may request the transfer
of an item from Part 1 or Part 2 to Part 3.
Relevant background information has been provided for each item on the agenda, but if members require
further details they are welcome to contact the Executive Officer (via eo-aps@uwa.edu.au).
Ms Jan Cardy
Executive Officer
Academic Policy Services
AGENDA
WELCOME
The Chair will welcome members to the first meeting of the Curriculum Committee and introduce members
to the Executive Officer team.
APOLOGIES
The Chair will record any apologies. Members are reminded that apologies should be forwarded to the
Executive Officer (via eo-aps@uwa.edu.au) prior to the meeting. Members representing the faculties are
reminded that if unable to attend a meeting, an alternative attendee from the Faculty Teaching and
Learning/Education Committee or by nomination of the Dean should be organised prior to the meeting.
Members are also reminded that the meetings are usually scheduled for two hours (2-4pm), if members are
unable to attend for the whole meeting would they please advise the Executive Officer prior as this may
have an impact on the Committee proceeding inquorate.
DECLARATIONS OF POTENTIAL FOR CONFLICT OR PERCEIVED CONFLICTS OF
INTEREST
The Chair will invite members to declare potential for conflict or perceived conflicts of interest, if applicable,
with regard to items on the agenda.
PART 1 – ITEM(S) FOR COMMUNICATION TO BE DEALT WITH EN BLOC
1. MEETING DATES IN 2015 FOR THE CURRICULUM COMMITTEE – REF: F68755
Members are reminded that the meeting dates for the remainder of 2015 for the Curriculum Committee
have been confirmed as follows:
Meeting date and time
Cut-off date for receipt of agenda
material (by midday)
Venue
2pm – 4pm, Wednesday 4th March
Wednesday, 18th February
Senate Room
2pm – 4pm, Wednesday 8th April
Wednesday,
2pm – 4pm, Wednesday 13th May
Wednesday,29th
25th
March
Senate Room
April
Senate Room
2pm – 4pm, Wednesday10th June
Wednesday, 27th May
Senate Room
2pm – 4pm, Wednesday 15th July
Wednesday, 1st July
Senate Room
2pm – 4pm, Wednesday12th August
Wednesday,
29th
July
Senate Room
2pm – 4pm, Wednesday 9th September
Wednesday,
26th
August
Senate Room
2pm – 4pm, Wednesday 14th October
Wednesday, 30th September
2pm – 4pm, Wednesday 11th November
Wednesday,
28th
October
Senate Room
Senate Room
Members are asked to note revised cut-off dates for receipt of agenda material as listed above.
For noting
2. CURRICULUM COMMITTEE WEBPAGE – REF: F68755
Members are advised that agendas/minutes, meeting dates and induction information are available from
the Curriculum Committee website:
http://www.teachingandlearning.uwa.edu.au/staff/committees/education-committees/educationcommittee/curriculum-committee/_nocache
In particular members are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the induction information and use this
as a resource during their term of appointment.
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In addition the UWA Curriculum Management website provides a comprehensive resource that is
particularly relevant to the work of this Committee and also provides a link to Academic Policy Services
Customer Service and Communication Strategy for Curriculum Management. In line with this Strategy,
APS will be circulating a customer satisfaction survey to its key clients, including the Curriculum Committee,
in early March.
For noting
PART 2 – ITEM(S) FOR DECISION TO BE DEALT WITH EN BLOC
3. BACHELOR OF PHILOSOPHY (HONS) SELECTION GROUP – REF: F37849
By way of background, Academic Council by R89/10 approved the establishment of a selection panel for
ranking applicants for admission to the Bachelor of Philosophy (Hons) degree course under the auspices of
the [then] Board of Studies (BPhil).
Members are advised that the panel has been re-established as a Selection Group under the auspices of
the newly constituted Curriculum Committee with delegated authority to oversee the selection process and
report the outcomes to the Curriculum Committee on an annual basis.
To accommodate the establishment of this Selection Group the Curriculum Committee constitution has
been amended (Attachment A). Also attached for members’ approval are the Terms of Reference
amended to reflect the new committee structure (Attachment B).
The Chair recommends:


that the Curriculum Committee endorse the consequential changes to the attached constitution and
refer to the Education Committee for approval; and
that the Curriculum Committee approve the consequential changes to the attached Terms of
Reference
PART 3 – ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION AND DECISION
4. MODUS OPERANDI FOR THE CURRICULUM COMMITTEE – REF: F68755
In accordance with the Committee’s practice, the Chair will briefly outline the role and operation of the
Committee and the expectations of its members, which are guided by the following University policies and
practices:
• Constitution of the Curriculum Committee
• Principles for the Operation of Committees
• Rules for the Operation of Committees
• University Committee Members’ Code of Conduct
• The Effective Committee Member
A comprehensive online induction package is provided for members. The package contains information on
the protocols for best practice in committees and details the above policies and practices as well as course
development criteria and links to relevant curriculum policy.
Members will be invited to consider and discuss the role of the Curriculum Committee.
The Curriculum Committee as a standing committee of the Education Committee is subject to annual
review by its members. In addition to responding to a survey at the end of each year, members’ are
encouraged, during the course of the year, to raise any issues associated with the committee’s activities
and processes which may improve its efficiency and effectiveness.
For discussion
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5. UWA EDUCATION PORTFOLIO – PRIORITY PROJECTS 2015 – REF: F70534
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) has identified the following top three priority projects for the
Education portfolio:



To lead and inspire the development, delivery and support of a world-class student experience
throughout UWA
To successfully implement the Education Futures vision and engage in a process of continual
improvement of student education
To build a shared culture within the Education portfolio based on communication, collaboration and
cooperation
Strategies in support of these priorities are provided in Attachment C. The Chair will invite discussion on
the role of the Curriculum Committee in supporting and progressing these priorities.
Further information is available from the Education Portfolio website.
For discussion
6. NEW COURSE PROPOSALS: MASTER OF STUDIES AND GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN
STUDIES – REF: F70534, F70588
By way of background, the introduction of new courses in 2012, resulted in all undergraduate and
postgraduate degree courses at UWA being aligned with a consistent structure and policies that are
compliant with the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). While there is considerable flexibility in the
postgraduate course structure, it has been difficult for faculties to develop multidisciplinary courses and for
students to select subjects from a broad range of disciplines. The proposed courses have therefore been
developed to enable students with interests in subjects across the University to work in close consultation
with the course advisor to develop a plan of study that is unique to their academic, professional and
personal interests and, at the same time, academically robust and rigorous.
The concept of a proposed Master of Studies was initiated by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Community and
Engagement, Professor Kent Anderson, who was appointed to this role in 2014. His previous experience at
the Australian National University indicated that a similar course at that university had been successful with
enrolments, particularly of alumni. The University’s Executive endorsed the concept of the Master of
Studies in December 2014.
The following are attached (Attachment D) for members’ consideration:


Master of Studies – concept plan (approved) and detailed proposal (for consideration and
endorsement)
Graduate Certificate in Studies – detailed proposal (for consideration and endorsement)
The Dean of Coursework Studies will present the proposal documents to members.
For discussion, endorsement and refer to the Education Committee for consideration
7. NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Curriculum Committee will be held on Wednesday 8th April at 2pm in the Senate
Room. The cut-off date for submission of items for the committee’s agenda is Wednesday 25th March.
Please refer any issues for discussion to the Executive Officer, Ms Jan Cardy (eo-aps@uwa.edu.au).
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