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Disciplinary Supervisors

The information on this site is designed for Faculty staff who have been approached to be a disciplinary supervisor for a student enrolling in Arts Practicum II.

What is the Arts Practicum?

The Arts Practicum is a unique opportunity for students to mix university study and workplace experience by completing a supervised project that draws on the skills they have learnt through their Arts degree. In a private or public sector workplace, students work on a discrete project for a host organisation, helped by a supervisor from that organisation.

Arts students who have completed 48 points of Level 1 units can enrol in the practicum in either semester of the year, or as a more intensive programme over the summer semester. They complete a minimum of 100 hours of work, attend two workshops, write a report on their placement, and give a five-minute presentation.

The Arts Practicum is an optional unit, with the same weight (six points) as any other unit. Students can enrol in either Arts Practicum I (HUMA2210) or Arts Practicum II (HUMA2211), but they cannot do both within the same course (unless enrolled in Albany).

Arts Practicum I gives students six Level 2 points towards their Arts course, but does not contribute towards any major. The unit is assessed on a simple pass or fail basis by the Arts Practicum Co-ordinator, in conjunction with the recommendations of the placement supervisor.

Arts Practicum II involves doing a project and a report that are strongly discipline-related and it is counted towards the relevant discipline major. Arts Practicum II is co-supervised by someone within the placement organisation and an academic supervisor from the relevant discipline at UWA. This is a graded unit that is assessed by both supervisors.

A variety of organisations have hosted students in the past, ranging from the West Australian to the WA Industrial Relations Commission. You can view the gallery of previous practicum placements or list of host organisations for more information.

What is required of me?

Firstly, you are asked to advise the student about potential placements that would fulfil the requirements Arts Practicum II. The placement could be in the private or public sector, inside or outside the university. The organisation should be acticely involved in an area related to the discipline, and should be able to support a student placement through workplace supervision and the formulation of an appropriate project.

After speaking to you about potential placements, the student will contact the Arts Practicum Co-ordinator, who is responsible for officially setting up and confirming the placement. The Co-ordinator will also contact you to discuss and confirm your role as the discipline supervisor.

You are also asked to supervise the student during the practicum, which may also involve contact with their workplace supervisor. The student should meet with you in person at least twice over the period of their placement and the timing can be negotiated to suit. The first meeting should be close to the beginning of the placement to discuss the project design and any issues that may be able to be explored in completing it.

The student may also maintain email or phone contact with you whilst completing their placement and you are asked to make yourself available for this consultation.

Towards the end of the practicum, the student should make contact to discuss issues which can be addressed as part of their 2000 word report and presentation. This should address discipline-related aspects of their practicum, as well as reflecting on the success of the placement in general. You are required to mark the report, which is expected to engage analytically with critical issues in the relevant discipline area. You are also required to attend and mark the presentation.

Finally, you are asked to submit a brief online evaluation at the conclusion of your supervision.

In Sum

As an Arts Practicum II Disciplinary Supervisor, you are required to:

  • Advise the student about possible suitable placement organisations
  • Consult with the student at least twice over the course of their placement to facilitate their engagement with central issues in your discipline throughout their project
  • Be available by phone or email
  • Discuss possible issues for the student to address in their report
  • Mark and write comments on the submitted report
  • Attend the student's presentation and mark is accordingly
  • Forward all marked assessment items to the Arts Practicum Co-ordinator by the close of the academic semester
  • Fill in an online evaluation about your students engagement in the unit.

The success of Arts Practicum II relies on assistance from UWA academic staff. Supervising a student as they undertake an Arts Practicum II helps to develop ties between the university and broader community, and facilitate research links with industry. It enables a demonstration of the practical value of an Arts degree and of the relevance of students' areas of study. It is sincerely hoped that you take on this role and find it an enriching experience.

Any questions about the role of the discipline supervisor or the Arts Practicum II should be directed to the Arts Practicum Co-ordinator.
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