Journal article
Honouring the incomparable: Honours in Australian universities
Higher Education, Vol.62(5), pp.619-633
2011
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.
Details
- Title
- Honouring the incomparable: Honours in Australian universities
- Authors
- Margaret Kiley (Author) - Australian National UniversityDavid Boud (Author) - University of Technology SydneyCatherine Manathunga (Author) - University of QueenslandRobert Cantwell (Author) - University of Newcastle
- Publication details
- Higher Education, Vol.62(5), pp.619-633
- Publisher
- Springer Netherlands
- Date published
- 2011
- DOI
- 10.1007/s10734-011-9409-z
- ISSN
- 0018-1560; 0018-1560
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2011 Springer Netherlands. The author's accepted version is reproduced here in accordance with the publisher's copyright policy. The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10734-011-9409-z
- Organisation Unit
- School of Education - Legacy; Indigenous and Transcultural Research Centre; School of Education and Tertiary Access; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99451471202621
- Output Type
- Journal article
Metrics
42 File views/ downloads
257 Record Views
InCites Highlights
These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Education & Educational Research
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
Source: InCites