Introduction
Charles Darwin University's common units program recognises the need for all beginning university students to have fundamental academic skills and background knowledge for academic success. This innovative approach seeks to enable students to assume responsibility for their own learning both within the University and beyond.
The programme provides an introduction to graduate attributes skills by equipping students with a foundation in the academic skills of critical thinking, communicating, researching and computing, and the opportunity to understand the social, cultural and political context for their study and their work.
As these skills are continually applied and reinforced in the students’ learning journey through higher education, CDU students will be well positioned to succeed in their study and to take a competitive place in employment markets.
Most undergraduate courses include two Common Units. Students should confirm this by referring to their specific course rules.
Common Units are normally taken during the first year of study. Each Common Unit has been written so that it can be taken independently of any other Common Unit.
Specific aims and objectives
Aims
The aims of the program are to:
- to assist students to develop fundamental skills as a foundation for university study;
- to develop students' understandings of the Northern Territory region and cultures;
- to introduce students to effective ways of learning at university;
- to give students from all faculties a sense of learning together;
- to broaden the range of students' learning and knowledge and an appreciation of cultural diversity.
Objectives
The specific objectives of the program are:
- demonstrate skills in academic reading and writing with particular reference to their major field of study;
- gather and process information from multiple sources both print based and electronic, including databases, library catalogues and professional journals;
- use information technology tools proficiently, demonstrating competency in word processing, electronic messaging in information retrieval using the WWW and CD ROM; and
- demonstrate critical thinking and analysis through oral and written expression.
- demonstarte an understanding of the Northern Territory region and cultures
Enrolment
You enrol in Common Units on the same form you use for your course enrolment.
Contact
If you have enquiries about individual common units please contact the coordinator of that unit (details located on the Unit Outlines pages).
For general enquiries contact:
Nicola Rolls
Faculty of Education, Health and Science
Tel: (08) 8946 6142
Email: nicola.rolls@cdu.edu.au
