Refereed Paper Scholarly practice the Australian way: an

Abstract International students in postgraduate coursework degrees experience many challenges in adapting to Australian writing conventions. Too often comprehending and meeting referencing requirements for assignments has proved challenging, and has cost students dearly in terms of academic success and lost face. A new pedagogical approach is needed. In this paper we describe a course which fosters inclusivity and communication. The course focuses on academic, professional and information literacies, and its design acknowledges that Australian scholarly practice is unfamiliar to many students. Our pedagogical approach is dialogic, involving students in many and various learning activities. Acknowledgement of students ’ prior experience, cultural difference and transitional needs is integral to classroom discussion. We present evidence of the course’s success in meeting its goals including the adoption of Western academic conventions, and of high student satisfaction. The course is being adapted to other disciplines. Key ideas • In our teaching context, where academic integrity has been a problem for international students, students who are unaccustomed to Western scholarly practice learn about referencing and academic integrity through a supportive and positive curriculum. • International students respond positively and successfully to a course that respects cultural and educational difference, introduces new cultural norms and idiom, and develops their capacities for scholarly observation, reflection and critique. • An inclusive curriculum can be based on mutual respect, offer multiple and diverse opportunities to learn, and meet practical, immediate and longer term learning needs. Discussion Question 1: What are the benefits of a specific postgraduate course, compared to an approach which embeds writing, referencing and cultural skills in existing curriculum? Discussion Question 2: What are the challenges of extending this approach to other disciplinary contexts? 1