ACADEMIC PLAN 2013-2015
PREAMBLE
This Academic Plan is the first to be adopted by SCD.
Within the broader planning context of the SCD, the Academic Plan brings together the key
elements of learning and teaching, curriculum development, research planning, quality assurance
and the student experience. This integration emphasizes the connections between these
components and the need to maintain a focus upon the whole academic activity and experience.
Further, it elaborates specific sections of the SCD Strategic Plan 2013-2015, especially Goal 2.
Through its nine key Goals, the Academic Plan outlines the Objectives to be achieved, the
Strategies to be employed, the pertinent Academic Performance Indicators, the Resources
required and, finally, the Related Academic Policies that will govern its implementation and
activities.
As a Plan, it builds upon existing academic activities and strengths and charts the way ahead.
GOALS FOR 2013-2015
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Ensure that Learning and Teaching at the SCD are of the highest quality: underpinned by
appropriate quality assurance procedures and benchmarked with other theological
providers.
Provide a Curriculum and Teaching experience that equips students to proclaim the
Christian Gospel and the value of Christianity in understanding our society and culture.
Attract excellent students from diverse backgrounds, including LOTE students, and
maximize the opportunities throughout their candidature for mixing and sharing the
understandings and mutual benefits of that diversity.
Produce successful coursework and research graduates who will be ethical, socially engaged
and employable, thereby meeting the needs of denominational and professional traditions.
Provide an enhanced focus upon the ecumenical dimension of SCD programs, courses and
research.
Promote research-led learning and teaching, research excellence and research training.
Ensure that the Member Institutions and their campuses, including all faculty and students,
together with the programs delivered directly by the SCD, achieve a synergy to the greatest
advantage of the SCD and its mission.
Achieve outstanding assessments in the academic domain from external audits.
Commit resources to expand flexible learning opportunities with new pedagogies and
technologies.
These Goals are detailed on the following pages.
IMPLEMENTATION
Early in each academic year, the Academic Board Standing Committee will review progress
against the Academic Plan and the changing environment. It will provide a report to Academic
Board, which will respond by making any necessary modifications or adjustments to the
Academic Plan. The Board will then advise Council annually of its progress against the Report.
Relevant SCD entities will be advised concerning progress in the various areas and encouraged to
address key issues.
Academic Plan
Author: W. Wilson and Academic Board
Adopted by Council 120912
Page 1 of 11
GOAL 1
Ensure that Learning and Teaching at the SCD are of the highest quality: underpinned
by appropriate quality assurance procedures and benchmarked with other theological
providers
Objectives
a. To implement the goals and strategies of the Learning and Teaching Enhancement Plan
for 2013-2018
b. To have in place robust quality assurance processes
c. To benchmark the SCD and its courses with other national and international theological
providers
Strategies
a. Ensure full recognition of teaching excellence in the promotion of faculty
b. Encourage effective, innovative and reflective teaching that develops on the basis of selfassessment, peer assessment and student evaluation
c. Encourage all MIs to develop a policy on faculty appraisal
d. Make quick replacements of highly qualified people to the committees of the SCD when
vacancies occur.
e. Assure on-going appointment of expert external moderators and consultants to ensure
appropriate benchmarking of the SCD and its courses
Academic Performance Indicators:
a. Increased number of faculty at Level D and E
b. Satisfactory annual review of roles and effectiveness of Discipline Coordinators and
Course Unit Coordination Panels
c. Establishment of high calibre moderation panels
d. Satisfactory outcomes in Discipline Moderation and in MI Institutional Moderation
Resources
External academics
MI faculty
Discipline Coordinators
Course Unit Coordination Panels
Related Policies
Moderation Policy: Disciplines
Moderation Policy: Member Institutions
Promotions Policy
Teaching and Learning Enhancement Plan
Academic Plan
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GOAL 2
Provide a Curriculum and Teaching experience that equips students to proclaim the
Christian Gospel and the value of Christianity in understanding our society and culture
Objectives
a. To provide high quality programs and a curriculum that develop an understanding and
respect for contemporary society
b. To ensure that students gain an awareness of the major religious traditions in our society
Strategies
a. Maintain ongoing reviews and development of the curriculum under the leadership of
the Discipline Coordinators
b. Academic Board to review the Learning and Teaching Enhancement Plan to support this
Goal
Academic Performance Indicators
a. Positive reports from external moderators and students in the Student Graduate Survey
Resources
Adequate funding
Related Policies
Academic Prizes and Scholarships
Accreditation of Course Units
Consultants’ Reports
Learning and Teaching Enhancement Plan
Role of Discipline Coordinators and Course Unit Coordinators
Student Feedback Policy
Academic Plan
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GOAL 3
Attract excellent students from diverse backgrounds, including LOTE students, and
maximize the opportunities throughout their candidature for mixing and sharing the
understandings and mutual benefits of that diversity
Objectives
a. To increase numbers of both overseas and LOTE students.
b. To enhance reputation of SCD as an institution both attracting and welcoming overseas
and LOTE students.
Strategies
a. Introduce additional new courses and course units in the Korean medium, and explore
new courses and course units in other community languages
b. Increase attention on overseas students in SCD marketing
c. Continue negotiations for staff and student exchange with other accredited Korean
Higher Education institutions
d. Set up a Working Party to consider potential market for SCD awards in other community
languages
e. Maximize opportunities for interaction between Australian, international and LOTE
students in Workplace Learning Units or community service projects
f. Develop and market a final-semester opportunity at the SCD for overseas students,
especially those studying full time
Academic Performance Indicators
Increased number and diversity of enrolments and expression of student satisfaction through
the graduate Course Experience Questionnaire
Resources
Funding of targeted marketing
Goodwill of churches and community groups
Related Policies
Curriculum Policy
LOTE Policy
Role of Discipline Coordinators
Academic Plan
Page 4 of 11
GOAL 4
Produce successful coursework and research graduates who will be ethical, socially
engaged and employable, thereby meeting the needs of denominational and professional
traditions
Objectives
a. To ensure that the graduate attributes encompass ethical behaviour, social engagement
and employability
b. To ensure that the curriculum continues to meet the needs of stakeholders
Strategies
a. Develop Workplace Learning units and Capstone units that maximize the opportunity to
develop the desired graduate attributes
b. Develop tools to assist students in self-assessment of their progress in acquiring the
desired graduate attributes
c. Undertake a mid-term review of the curriculum to ensure that it continues to meet the
needs of students and stakeholders
d. Examine the findings and implications of the research on transformative learning in
theological education that has been conducted by the Council of Deans of Theology
e. Ensure coursework and research students are aware of their obligations in regard to any
Research utilizing human subjects
f. Develop and implement Graduate Destination Survey
Academic Performance Indicators
Data from surveys show progress in development of the desired attributes
Graduate Destination survey shows high rates of “employment” of graduates
Increased take-up by students of Workplace Learning and Capstone units
Increased take-up by students of self-assessment tools
Resources
Availability of workplace training places
Discipline Coordinators
Director of Learning and Teaching
SCD Ethics Committee
Related Policies
Curriculum Policy
Research Policy
Student Feedback Policies and Procedures
Learning and Teaching Enhancement Plan
Academic Plan
Page 5 of 11
GOAL 5
Provide an enhanced focus upon the ecumenical dimension of SCD programs, courses
and research
Objectives
a. To engage SCD faculty in promoting the ecumenical dimension in academic processes
b. To ensure that students benefit from the ecumenical reality of the SCD
Strategies
a. Establish an ad hoc ecumenical committee comprised of one representative of each MI to
promote the ecumenical dimension of SCD among MIs and the wider community
b. The ad hoc ecumenical committee to advise the Academic Board on the academic
implications of the SCD’s consideration of its ecumenicity at Planning Days
c. Organize and promote an annual SCD-wide ecumenical event for staff and students
d. Encourage faculty to identify ecumenical questions in relevant course units
e. MIs invite, where appropriate, faculty from other MIs as guest lecturers to present their
theological tradition
Academic Performance Indicators
A report from the ad hoc ecumenical committee is received and acted upon
Resources
MI representatives
SCD Professional Development Committee
Statement on the Ecumenical Identity of the SCD
Related Policies
Curriculum Policy
Free Intellectual Inquiry Policy
Academic Plan
Page 6 of 11
GOAL 6
Promote research-led learning and teaching, research excellence and research training
Objectives
a. To implement the goals and strategies of the Research Plan for 2013-2018
b. To increase engagement of faculty in research and publication
c. To increase qualified thesis supervisors amongst faculty
d. To attract a greater number of promising research students
Strategies
a. Ensure appropriate resources in time and funding for faculty to undertake significant
research and conference participation
b. Publicize research of faculty and availability of research degrees and supervisors through
SCD website
c. Develop scholarships for research students through private sector contribution
d. Establish flexibility in the curriculum for faculty research interests to be featured in
appropriate course unit outlines
Academic Performance Indicators
a. Increase of faculty achieving research-active status and becoming available as supervisors
b. Higher profile of SCD researchers in publications, conference participation, requests to
act as supervisors or examiners for non-SCD theses, and invited reviews
c. Increased enrolments in research programs
d. Positive benchmarking of the SCD Annual Research and Professional Activities Report
against similar reports of other theological Higher Education Providers and universities
Resources
Funding for research costs for faculty
Research time allowance for faculty
Scholarships contributed by private sector
Related Policies
Research Active Policy
Research Degree Regulations
Register of Supervisors
Research Policy
Research Plan
Academic Plan
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GOAL 7
Ensure that the Member Institutions and their campuses, including all faculty and
students, together with the programs delivered directly by the SCD, achieve a synergy to
the greatest advantage of the SCD and its mission
Objectives
a. Increase the level of activity integration between MI campuses and faulty
b. Encourage sharing of research and teaching developments by faculty
c. Increase the awareness and possibility of cross-MI enrolment
Strategies
a. Increase professional development opportunities across MIs
b. MIs to publicize and promote availability of course units at other MIs
c. Principals’ Fellowship to retain this Goal as a standing item on their Agenda
Academic Performance Indicators
a. Increased staff participation in professional development events and activities
b. Increased participation in Discipline meetings
Resources
Access to all faculty
Maintain Professional Development Funding
MI Web site information
Related Policies
Curriculum Policy
Professional Development Policy
Libraries Policy
Sessional Teachers Policy
Communications Policy
Academic Plan
Page 8 of 11
GOAL 8
Achieve outstanding assessments in the academic domain from external audits
Objectives
1. To maintain and further develop high quality academic activities
2. To ensure a good understanding of TEQSA requirements and opportunities across SCD
Strategies
1. Regular review of the curriculum and academic policies and procedures for ongoing
improvement
2. Ensure appropriate benchmarking across the SCD operation, including through external
moderators
3. Pay ongoing attention to TEQSA announcements and events and engage with sector
opportunities for updating SCD awareness of TEQSA developments
4. Provide ongoing opportunities for SCD community to understand and implement
TEQSA expectations
Academic Performance Indicators
1. TEQSA approvals with minimal further queries.
2. Commendable Discipline and Institutional Moderation reports
Resources
Astute appointment to, and appropriate resourcing of, the Office of the Dean
Effective Academic Board
Well qualified faculty in the MIs
Related Policies
All academic policies and procedures
Academic Plan
Page 9 of 11
GOAL 9
Commit resources to expand flexible learning opportunities with new pedagogies and
technologies
Objectives
a. To increase the proportion of courses and course units available in flexible modes
b. To ensure academic and support staff have demonstrable skills and understanding of
how to develop quality flexible and technology learning
c. To ensure that the implementation of any new technologies or technological
infrastructure is well planned and resourced, and appropriate to learners’ needs
Strategies
a) Each MI develop a plan for the development of flexible and technology-enhanced
learning that is relevant to its context
b) Each MI regularly evaluate the professional development and training needs for its
academic and support staff
c) The SCD and its MIs provide relevant professional development and training for
academic and support staff that addresses pedagogical principles, course design and
development, appropriate use of technologies for learning, and technological knowledge
and expertise required for flexible and technology-enhanced learning
d) SCD Distance Education Committee and Distance and Online Education Coordinator
provide academic and support staff with guidance and support including: advice in
instructional design; provision of guidelines, templates and other resources; and examples
of good practice
e) Each MI ensure that adequate teaching and learning technologies and technological
infrastructure are in place to support current and projected student enrolments
f) The SCD Distance Education Committee and the Distance and Online Education
Coordinator collect and disseminate up-to-date information on relevant developments in
flexible and technology-enhanced learning
Academic Performance Indicators
a. Submission of MI plans for the development and maintenance of flexible and
technology-enhanced learning
b. Professional development offered by the SCD and by the individual MIs is: sufficiently
resourced, able to be delivered flexibly, and promoted to relevant staff members
c. Participant feedback from professional development is incorporated in planning for
continuous improvement
d. Academic and support staff involved in design, delivery and support of flexible and
technology enhanced learning participate in at least one relevant SCD professional
development workshop per year
e. Documentation is available on how new technologies or technological infrastructure are
trialled and implemented, including evidence of consultation with key stakeholders and
clearly identified responsibilities
f. Academic and support staff are kept up-to-date and informed of developments in
flexible and technology-enhanced learning via internal newsletters and communications,
professional development seminars and web-based materials
Academic Plan
Page 10 of 11
g. Regular internal reviews of flexible and technology-enhanced learning are completed by
Member Institutions and the outcomes are reported to SCD Distance Education
Committee and Academic Board
Resources
SCD Distance and Online Coordinator
SCD Distance Education Committee
SCD Libraries Committee
SCD Professional Development seminars and resources
Technical staff in MIs
Related Policies
Learning and Teaching Enhancement Plan
Online Policy
Academic Plan
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