ABN467 Work Integrated Learning (WIL) 1 - Understanding the Profession
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | ABN467 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2027, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | ABN467 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
Overview
This Work Integrated Learning unit investigates the complex and multifaceted nature of architectural practice across diverse professional environments. You will examine organisational dynamics, cultural expectations, ethical tensions, regulatory frameworks, and emerging disciplinary shifts. Building on your undergraduate professional experience, the unit deepens your understanding of how context, culture and power shape practice, leadership, and decision-making. Through collaborative inquiry and reflective engagement with industry, you will evaluate multiple perspectives, synthesise professional knowledge, and demonstrate evolving professional capability aligned with contemporary practice expectations.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Critically analyse the organisational, cultural and socio-political contexts that shape architectural practice, and evaluate their implications for professional decision-making.
- Integrate and apply ethical frameworks, cultural protocols and regulatory requirements to navigate complex professional scenarios in diverse practice environments.
- Investigate and appraise contemporary professional challenges, including interdisciplinary collaboration, procurement, sustainability and First Nations' engagement, and formulate evidence-based strategies for practice.
- Collaborate effectively with industry partners and stakeholders to co-create responses to authentic professional problems, demonstrating advanced interpersonal and professional communication capabilities.
- Reflect deeply on one’s emerging professional identity, values and capabilities, and evaluate how these align with current and future disciplinary directions.
Content
You will explore the following topics in this unit:
- Organisational structures in architecture
- Cultural, Ethical and Socio-political Frameworks
- Professional Complexity and Risk
- Professional Identity and Capability Development
Learning Approaches
This unit employs reflective and inquiry-based learning to provide you with:
- Awareness of and ability to self-assess progress in your development of knowledge and skills required by graduates in your field
- Familiarity with, understanding of, and ability to interpret and apply key concepts, policies, and external guidelines (e.g., legislative or certification requirements, standards stipulated by relevant professional institute(s)) associated with Standards of Professional Practice
- Ability to reflect upon and clearly communicate work integrated learning experiences in a manner which highlights competency/skill development
Your participation in the unit will include:
- Real world experience in a workplace setting that enables you to develop as a confident and competent professional through interaction with industry professionals and peers. Whilst in the workplace setting you are encouraged to explore and experiment, to reflect on your employers' and your own work performance, to seek learning, insights and professional development opportunities.
- Independent engagement with online learning modules and vodcasts
- Online collaborative sessions to review and discuss your experiences and reflect on your professional development
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Assessment involves an emphasis on constructive and progressive feedback structured to support your WIL experience "before" "during" and "after". Formative feedback will be offered during your engagement in a work place setting and by academic staff during the semester at key times to assist you in the development of your assessment tasks. Your performance in the unit will be assessed through three items of assessment to be completed during the semester and submitted at the specified times in the semester. The assessment items will contribute to your overall summative grade for the unit.
Assessment
Overview
The two assessment tasks work together to build a coherent picture of professional complexity and your growing capability within it. The Professional Context Analysis develops a deep, research-informed understanding of how organisational, cultural and ethical factors shape real architectural practice. This analytical foundation is then applied in the Industry Project and Professional Capability Portfolio, where you will collaboratively address an authentic practice challenge and critically reflect on your emerging professional identity.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Professional Context Analysis
You will analyse your selected architectural practice or organisational environment and apply relevant frameworks to evaluate its organisational structure, cultural dynamics, decision-making processes, ethical frameworks, and contextual pressures (economic, regulatory, cultural).
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.
Assessment: Industry Project + Professional Capability Portfolio
You will collate a series of artefacts from your WIL experience that showcases: an authentic professional challenge (e.g., procurement dilemma, workplace cultural challenge) from your WIL placement; your professional reflections on this challenge, which is grounded in relevant theory and a proposed solution to this issue. You will present your key ideas and reflections from this process to your peers at the end of the semester.
This portfolio is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
The late submission period does not apply to the presentation, and no assignment extensions are available.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Access to a computer or lap top to access recourses on canvas. No set texts but readings from the library will be prescribed in the unit Canvas.
Students will be required to attend a set hours of placement as part of this unit. The employment must be with a registered architect and the hours can be drawn from existing employment in an architectural practice or the course team will facilitate a placement for individual students.
Risk Assessment Statement
Core teaching this unit is based in QUT teaching spaces, and as such there are no out of the ordinary risks or hazards. Placements will be managed through standard Faculty agreements that cover risk assessments for placements
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.DE83 Master of Architecture
- Communicate architectural ideas and outcomes effectively and respectfully across diverse audiences and disciplines, including clients, communities, and industry stakeholders, advancing architecture’s social and environmental value.
Relates to: Industry Project + Professional Capability Portfolio - Demonstrate professional integrity and leadership in relation to Country, climate, and community wellbeing across all aspects of architectural design and documentation.
Relates to: Professional Context Analysis, Industry Project + Professional Capability Portfolio - Engage collaboratively with team members and stakeholders using culturally appropriate, respectful, and ethically informed engagement practices when partnering with First Nations communities in the delivery of architectural services that support Country and community wellbeing.
Relates to: Professional Context Analysis, Industry Project + Professional Capability Portfolio