Honouring the incomparable: Honours in Australian universities

Kiley, M; Boud, D; Manathunga, C; Cantwell, R

Honouring the incomparable: Honours in Australian universities

Kiley, M Boud, D

Manathunga, C Cantwell, R

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Higher Education, 2011, 62 (5), pp. 619 - 633
Issue Date:: 2011-11-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Kiley, M	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Boud, D https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6883-2722	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Manathunga, C	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Cantwell, R	en_US
dc.date.issued	2011-11-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Higher Education, 2011, 62 (5), pp. 619 - 633	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	0018-1560	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/18786
dc.description.abstract	The Honours undergraduate degree in Australia is unlike that in most other countries. It has taken on a particular significance as a qualification, as a pathway to and a pre-requisite for direct entry into doctoral programs. This paper explores the outcomes of a study that suggests that the aims, outcomes, curriculum, pedagogical practices, purposes and enrolment patterns of Honours vary substantially across disciplines and university types. It addresses the questions about the diverse nature of Honours programs and questions what this diversity means for Australian higher education in the context where global standardisation of awards is rapidly occurring. Honours is seen variously as a qualification, an experience, or a program. These variations are discussed and it is demonstrated that Honours globally has not one, but many meanings. These meanings are often poorly understood within, and outside the academy. These multiple meanings create confusion about what Honours stands for and inhibit communication about the role and purpose of Honours both within Australia and in a global context. © 2011 UK Crown: The Australian National University.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Higher Education	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1007/s10734-011-9409-z	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Education	en_US
dc.title	Honouring the incomparable: Honours in Australian universities	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	5	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	62	en_US
utslib.for	1303 Specialist Studies in Education	en_US
utslib.for	1301 Education Systems	en_US
utslib.for	1302 Curriculum and Pedagogy	en_US
dc.location.activity	Arizona
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences/FASS Faculty Administration
utslib.copyright.status	open_access
pubs.issue	5	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	62	en_US

Abstract:

The Honours undergraduate degree in Australia is unlike that in most other countries. It has taken on a particular significance as a qualification, as a pathway to and a pre-requisite for direct entry into doctoral programs. This paper explores the outcomes of a study that suggests that the aims, outcomes, curriculum, pedagogical practices, purposes and enrolment patterns of Honours vary substantially across disciplines and university types. It addresses the questions about the diverse nature of Honours programs and questions what this diversity means for Australian higher education in the context where global standardisation of awards is rapidly occurring. Honours is seen variously as a qualification, an experience, or a program. These variations are discussed and it is demonstrated that Honours globally has not one, but many meanings. These meanings are often poorly understood within, and outside the academy. These multiple meanings create confusion about what Honours stands for and inhibit communication about the role and purpose of Honours both within Australia and in a global context. © 2011 UK Crown: The Australian National University.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/18786