GLAM6920: Semester 1b, 2026

Units GLAM6920 Semester 1b 2026 [Block mode]

Unit outline_

GLAM6920: Capstone Project

Semester 1b, 2026 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

How can theoretical knowledge be effectively translated into professional cultural sector practice? This capstone unit enables you to develop and manage a substantial self-directed project connected to industry contexts. Working with staff, students investigate a museum, gallery, heritage site or collection to build essential professional skills in research, project management, analysis, and presentation. Students will produce a portfolio showcasing their ability to address contemporary challenges in collection management, public programming, or interpretative frameworks. This unit will help you to develop and demonstrate specialised project skills.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Art History
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Chiara O'Reilly, chiara.oreilly@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 May 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Practical skill	Project Pitch Project Pitch	10%	Week 08 Due date: 24 Apr 2026 at 23:59	500 word equivalent	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Creative work	Project Development Notebook Notebook of the iterative development and research for the project	30%	Week 10 Due date: 08 May 2026 at 23:59	1500 word equivalent	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Peer Review & Reflective Response Critical structured peer feedback	20%	Week 12 Due date: 22 May 2026 at 23:59	1000 words equivalent	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Portfolio or journal	Final Proposal and Portfolio Complete documentation for project	40%	Week 13 Due date: 29 May 2026 at 23:59	3000 word equivalent	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Full details of the assessments and how they are scaffolded is available via the Canvas page.

Assessment criteria

Assessment grading will be line with faculty policy and will be detailed on the Canvas page

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Late penalties for this unit will be in line with the faculty policy. Refer to Canvas page for details

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 07	Introduction and outline of project	Self-directed learning (3 hr)
Week 08	Case study	Self-directed learning (3 hr)
Week 09	Case Study	Self-directed learning (4 hr)
Week 10	Case study	Self-directed learning (4 hr)
Week 11	Case Study	Self-directed learning (4 hr)
Week 12	Case Study	Self-directed learning (4 hr)
Week 13	Case Study	Self-directed learning (4 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

See Canvas page

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

See Canvas page

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Design and scope a feasible, self-directed capstone project in heritage/museum/curatorial practice, including aims, research questions, methods, timeline, and relevant professional/ethical considerations.
LO2. Critically analyse contemporary debates and challenges in the cultural sector (e.g., collection management, public programming, interpretation) and apply relevant theoretical frameworks to an industry context.
LO3. Locate, evaluate, and synthesise appropriate evidence (scholarly literature, policy/sector sources, and collection/archival or equivalent materials) to inform project decisions and claims.
LO4. Build and present a professional portfolio that traces the development of your capstone project from initial scoping to final recommendations, demonstrating your capacity to iterate, respond to feedback, and communicate your work clearly and credibly to sector audiences.
LO5. Critically reflect on learning and professional practice to articulate how disciplinary knowledge has been translated into sector-ready capabilities and future development goals.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This is the first time the unit is offered and student feedback during the course will be used to help design and develop the unit.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links