General Information
The Gold Coast has a rich history as a globally renowned surf city, boasting numerous national and world surfing champions and some of the finest surfing waves on the planet. In this subject, you will go surfing, learn underwater smartphone photography, and visit culturally significant coastal Aboriginal sites, among other immersive field trips and activities, to construct your own multimedia narratives about those experiences. You will use ethnographic methodologies to collect data – including critical on-site observations, field notes, photographic and video recordings using smartphones – to tell those stories as you explore the Gold Coast’s surfing cultures and heritage. Storytelling is foundational to this subject, with emphasis given to the importance of place to personal identity within Gold Coast surf communities.
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Details
Academic unit: Faculty of Society & Design Subject code: COMN11-115 Subject title: Gold Coast Surf, Culture, and Storytelling Subject level: Undergraduate Semester/Year: January 2025 Credit points: 10.000 -
Delivery & attendance
Timetable: https://bond.edu.au/timetable Delivery mode: Standard Workload items: - Seminar: x6 (Total hours: 18) - Seminar
- Excursion: x5 (Total hours: 15) - Experiential sessions
- AV Screening: x1 (Total hours: 3) - Documentary film
- Personal Study Hours: x12 (Total hours: 84) - Recommended study hours
Attendance and learning activities: Given the high proportion of experiential learning in this subject, attendance and participation are critical. ‘Class Participation' does not equate to 'Class Attendance'. Merely 'being there' is insufficient to get the most out of the experiential activities. In addition to synchronous sessions, students should plan to spend a minimum of 84 hours undertaking preparation/out-of-class work/personal study for this subject. This is intended as a general guide only for workload planning, and more time may be required depending on factors such as familiarity with the content. It is recommended students bring mobile devices to class. Students will also be required to supply their own sunscreen, hat, bathing clothing, and towel. -
Resources
Prescribed resources: Books
- Christopher N. Poulos (2021). Essentials of Autoethnography. n/a, Washington DC American Psychological Association 100
Journals
- Baker, Tim (2021). 'Dancing about architecture’: the fraught practice and chequered history of writing about the physical act of wave riding. Text Available at: https://textjournal.scholasticahq.com/section/2089-special-issues-scholarly-article
iLearn@Bond & Email: iLearn@Bond is the Learning Management System at Bond University and is used to provide access to subject materials, class recordings and detailed subject information regarding the subject curriculum, assessment, and timing. Both iLearn and the Student Email facility are used to provide important subject notifications.
Additionally, official correspondence from the University will be forwarded to students’ Bond email account and must be monitored by the student.
To access these services, log on to the Student Portal from the Bond University website as www.bond.edu.au
| Academic unit: | Faculty of Society & Design |
|---|---|
| Subject code: | COMN11-115 |
| Subject title: | Gold Coast Surf, Culture, and Storytelling |
| Subject level: | Undergraduate |
| Semester/Year: | January 2025 |
| Credit points: | 10.000 |
| Timetable: | https://bond.edu.au/timetable |
|---|---|
| Delivery mode: | Standard |
| Workload items: |
|
| Attendance and learning activities: | Given the high proportion of experiential learning in this subject, attendance and participation are critical. ‘Class Participation' does not equate to 'Class Attendance'. Merely 'being there' is insufficient to get the most out of the experiential activities. In addition to synchronous sessions, students should plan to spend a minimum of 84 hours undertaking preparation/out-of-class work/personal study for this subject. This is intended as a general guide only for workload planning, and more time may be required depending on factors such as familiarity with the content. It is recommended students bring mobile devices to class. Students will also be required to supply their own sunscreen, hat, bathing clothing, and towel. |
| Prescribed resources: | Books
Journals
|
|---|---|
| iLearn@Bond & Email: | iLearn@Bond is the Learning Management System at Bond University and is used to provide access to subject materials, class recordings and detailed subject information regarding the subject curriculum, assessment, and timing. Both iLearn and the Student Email facility are used to provide important subject notifications. Additionally, official correspondence from the University will be forwarded to students’ Bond email account and must be monitored by the student. To access these services, log on to the Student Portal from the Bond University website as www.bond.edu.au |
Enrolment requirements
| Requisites: |
Nil |
|---|---|
| Restrictions: |
Nil |
Assurance of learning
Assurance of Learning means that universities take responsibility for creating, monitoring and updating curriculum, teaching and assessment so that students graduate with the knowledge, skills and attributes they need for employability and/or further study.
At Bond University, we carefully develop subject and program outcomes to ensure that student learning in each subject contributes to the whole student experience. Students are encouraged to carefully read and consider subject and program outcomes as combined elements.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
Program Learning Outcomes provide a broad and measurable set of standards that incorporate a range of knowledge and skills that will be achieved on completion of the program. If you are undertaking this subject as part of a degree program, you should refer to the relevant degree program outcomes and graduate attributes as they relate to this subject.
Subject Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
On successful completion of this subject the learner will be able to:
- Evaluate the significance of the Gold Coast's surfing culture and its impact on surf communities using ethnographic methodologies and critical on-site observations.
- Construct multimedia narratives using ethnographic methodologies, emphasising the importance of place to personal identity within Gold Coast surf communities.
- Apply critical thinking skills to analyse the cultural significance of coastal Aboriginal sites visited during the subject's immersive activities.
- Synthesise acquired knowledge and skills in surfing, underwater smartphone photography, and storytelling to create multimedia narratives that showcase the Gold Coast's unique surf culture.
- Use critical thinking skills to gather and interpret data on Gold Coast surfing communities for ethnographic and autoethnographic narratives.
Generative Artificial Intelligence in Assessment
The University acknowledges that Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen-AI) tools are an important facet of contemporary life. Their use in assessment is considered in line with students’ development of the skills and knowledge which demonstrate learning outcomes and underpin study and career success. Instructions on the use of Gen-AI are given for each assessment task; it is your responsibility to adhere to these instructions.
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Assessment details
Type Task % Timing* Outcomes assessed Creative Piece You will write an ethnographic account of an aspect of Gold Coast ocean culture drawn from experiential site visits and classroom instruction. 50.00% Week 7 1,2,3,4,5 Creative Piece You will write an autoethnographic account of an aspect of Gold Coast ocean culture drawn from experiential site visits and classroom instruction, supplemented with photographic/videographic illustrations. 50.00% Week 12 1,2,3,4,5 - * Assessment timing is indicative of the week that the assessment is due or begins (where conducted over multiple weeks), and is based on the standard University academic calendar
- C = Students must reach a level of competency to successfully complete this assessment.
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Assessment criteria
Assessment criteria
High Distinction 85-100 Outstanding or exemplary performance in the following areas: interpretative ability; intellectual initiative in response to questions; mastery of the skills required by the subject, general levels of knowledge and analytic ability or clear thinking. Distinction 75-84 Usually awarded to students whose performance goes well beyond the minimum requirements set for tasks required in assessment, and who perform well in most of the above areas. Credit 65-74 Usually awarded to students whose performance is considered to go beyond the minimum requirements for work set for assessment. Assessable work is typically characterised by a strong performance in some of the capacities listed above. Pass 50-64 Usually awarded to students whose performance meets the requirements set for work provided for assessment. Fail 0-49 Usually awarded to students whose performance is not considered to meet the minimum requirements set for particular tasks. The fail grade may be a result of insufficient preparation, of inattention to assignment guidelines or lack of academic ability. A frequent cause of failure is lack of attention to subject or assignment guidelines. Quality assurance
For the purposes of quality assurance, Bond University conducts an evaluation process to measure and document student assessment as evidence of the extent to which program and subject learning outcomes are achieved. Some examples of student work will be retained for potential research and quality auditing purposes only. Any student work used will be treated confidentially and no student grades will be affected.
| Type | Task | % | Timing* | Outcomes assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creative Piece | You will write an ethnographic account of an aspect of Gold Coast ocean culture drawn from experiential site visits and classroom instruction. | 50.00% | Week 7 | 1,2,3,4,5 |
| Creative Piece | You will write an autoethnographic account of an aspect of Gold Coast ocean culture drawn from experiential site visits and classroom instruction, supplemented with photographic/videographic illustrations. | 50.00% | Week 12 | 1,2,3,4,5 |
- * Assessment timing is indicative of the week that the assessment is due or begins (where conducted over multiple weeks), and is based on the standard University academic calendar
- C = Students must reach a level of competency to successfully complete this assessment.
Assessment criteria
| High Distinction | 85-100 | Outstanding or exemplary performance in the following areas: interpretative ability; intellectual initiative in response to questions; mastery of the skills required by the subject, general levels of knowledge and analytic ability or clear thinking. |
|---|---|---|
| Distinction | 75-84 | Usually awarded to students whose performance goes well beyond the minimum requirements set for tasks required in assessment, and who perform well in most of the above areas. |
| Credit | 65-74 | Usually awarded to students whose performance is considered to go beyond the minimum requirements for work set for assessment. Assessable work is typically characterised by a strong performance in some of the capacities listed above. |
| Pass | 50-64 | Usually awarded to students whose performance meets the requirements set for work provided for assessment. |
| Fail | 0-49 | Usually awarded to students whose performance is not considered to meet the minimum requirements set for particular tasks. The fail grade may be a result of insufficient preparation, of inattention to assignment guidelines or lack of academic ability. A frequent cause of failure is lack of attention to subject or assignment guidelines. |
Quality assurance
For the purposes of quality assurance, Bond University conducts an evaluation process to measure and document student assessment as evidence of the extent to which program and subject learning outcomes are achieved. Some examples of student work will be retained for potential research and quality auditing purposes only. Any student work used will be treated confidentially and no student grades will be affected.
Study Information
Submission procedures
Students must check the iLearn@Bond subject site for detailed assessment information and submission procedures.
Policy on late submission and extensions
A late penalty will be applied to all overdue assessment tasks unless an extension is granted by the subject coordinator. The standard penalty will be 10% of marks awarded to that assessment per day late with no assessment to be accepted seven days after the due date. Where a student is granted an extension, the penalty of 10% per day late starts from the new due date.
Academic Integrity
Bond University‘s Student Code of Conduct Policy , Student Charter, Academic Integrity Policy and our Graduate Attributes guide expectations regarding student behaviour, their rights and responsibilities. Information on these topics can be found on our Academic Integrity webpage recognising that academic integrity involves demonstrating the principles of integrity (honesty, fairness, trust, professionalism, courage, responsibility, and respect) in words and actions across all aspects of academic endeavour.
Staff are required to report suspected misconduct. This includes all types of plagiarism, cheating, collusion, fabrication or falsification of data/content or other misconduct relating to assessment such as the falsification of medical certificates for assessment extensions. The longer term personal, social and financial consequences of misconduct can be severe, so please ask for help if you are unsure.
If your work is subject to an inquiry, you will be given an opportunity to respond and appropriate support will be provided. Academic work under inquiry will not be marked until the process has concluded. Penalties for misconduct include a warning, reduced grade, a requirement to repeat the assessment, suspension or expulsion from the University.
Feedback on assessment
Feedback on assessment will be provided to students according to the requirements of the Assessment Procedure Schedule A - Assessment Communication Procedure.
Whilst in most cases feedback should be provided within two weeks of the assessment submission due date, the Procedure should be checked if the assessment is linked to others or if the subject is a non-standard (e.g., intensive) subject.
Accessibility and Inclusion Support
Support is available to students where a physical, mental or neurological condition exists that would impact the student’s capacity to complete studies, exams or assessment tasks. For effective support, special requirement needs should be arranged with the University in advance of or at the start of each semester, or, for acute conditions, as soon as practicable after the condition arises. Reasonable adjustments are not guaranteed where applications are submitted late in the semester (for example, when lodged just prior to critical assessment and examination dates).
As outlined in the Accessibility and Inclusion Policy, to qualify for support, students must meet certain criteria. Students are also required to meet with the Accessibility and Inclusion Advisor who will ensure that reasonable adjustments are afforded to qualifying students.
For more information and to apply online, visit BondAbility.
Additional subject information
This subject is highly experiential and involves water activities. Students should have basic swimming competence.
Subject curriculum
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Welcome to Gold Coast surf, and intro to ethnography
The Gold Coast is one of the only cities in the world that was founded on and developed around the pastime of surfing. This module introduces students to Gold Coast surf culture, and to ethnographic methodologies.
SLOs included
- Evaluate the significance of the Gold Coast's surfing culture and its impact on surf communities using ethnographic methodologies and critical on-site observations.
- Construct multimedia narratives using ethnographic methodologies, emphasising the importance of place to personal identity within Gold Coast surf communities.
- Synthesise acquired knowledge and skills in surfing, underwater smartphone photography, and storytelling to create multimedia narratives that showcase the Gold Coast's unique surf culture.
- Use critical thinking skills to gather and interpret data on Gold Coast surfing communities for ethnographic and autoethnographic narratives.
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Surf subcultures and identity
Scaffolding your learning: the concepts of subcultures, with a funnelled approach to focus on surf subcultures. These include issues of surfing and personal identity, surfing as a culture of tribes, surfing as a gendered space, and surf localism.
SLOs included
- Evaluate the significance of the Gold Coast's surfing culture and its impact on surf communities using ethnographic methodologies and critical on-site observations.
- Construct multimedia narratives using ethnographic methodologies, emphasising the importance of place to personal identity within Gold Coast surf communities.
- Synthesise acquired knowledge and skills in surfing, underwater smartphone photography, and storytelling to create multimedia narratives that showcase the Gold Coast's unique surf culture.
- Use critical thinking skills to gather and interpret data on Gold Coast surfing communities for ethnographic and autoethnographic narratives.
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The surfing history of the Gold Coast
Surfing's ancient Polynesian origins manifested in Australia at the turn of the last century but board riding only gained popularity on the Gold Coast in the 1960s. This module explores how the Gold Coast became a global surfing powerhouse.
SLOs included
- Evaluate the significance of the Gold Coast's surfing culture and its impact on surf communities using ethnographic methodologies and critical on-site observations.
- Construct multimedia narratives using ethnographic methodologies, emphasising the importance of place to personal identity within Gold Coast surf communities.
- Apply critical thinking skills to analyse the cultural significance of coastal Aboriginal sites visited during the subject's immersive activities.
- Synthesise acquired knowledge and skills in surfing, underwater smartphone photography, and storytelling to create multimedia narratives that showcase the Gold Coast's unique surf culture.
- Use critical thinking skills to gather and interpret data on Gold Coast surfing communities for ethnographic and autoethnographic narratives.
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Burleigh Barrels
Experiential site visit to Burleigh Heads, the birthplace of modern professional surfing. Students will use ethnographic methodologies to explore and observe Burleigh Headland, interact with local surfers, and realise Burleigh's underlying spiritualities.
SLOs included
- Evaluate the significance of the Gold Coast's surfing culture and its impact on surf communities using ethnographic methodologies and critical on-site observations.
- Construct multimedia narratives using ethnographic methodologies, emphasising the importance of place to personal identity within Gold Coast surf communities.
- Apply critical thinking skills to analyse the cultural significance of coastal Aboriginal sites visited during the subject's immersive activities.
- Synthesise acquired knowledge and skills in surfing, underwater smartphone photography, and storytelling to create multimedia narratives that showcase the Gold Coast's unique surf culture.
- Use critical thinking skills to gather and interpret data on Gold Coast surfing communities for ethnographic and autoethnographic narratives.
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Surf Stories
Writing the ethnography. In-class exercises to develop and guide your first assessment item.
SLOs included
- Evaluate the significance of the Gold Coast's surfing culture and its impact on surf communities using ethnographic methodologies and critical on-site observations.
- Construct multimedia narratives using ethnographic methodologies, emphasising the importance of place to personal identity within Gold Coast surf communities.
- Apply critical thinking skills to analyse the cultural significance of coastal Aboriginal sites visited during the subject's immersive activities.
- Synthesise acquired knowledge and skills in surfing, underwater smartphone photography, and storytelling to create multimedia narratives that showcase the Gold Coast's unique surf culture.
- Use critical thinking skills to gather and interpret data on Gold Coast surfing communities for ethnographic and autoethnographic narratives.
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Surf photography: Using your Smartphone underwater
This experiential session will take place in the Bond pool. Underwater photography and videography using smartphones. Underwater housings will be supplied.
SLOs included
- Evaluate the significance of the Gold Coast's surfing culture and its impact on surf communities using ethnographic methodologies and critical on-site observations.
- Construct multimedia narratives using ethnographic methodologies, emphasising the importance of place to personal identity within Gold Coast surf communities.
- Apply critical thinking skills to analyse the cultural significance of coastal Aboriginal sites visited during the subject's immersive activities.
- Synthesise acquired knowledge and skills in surfing, underwater smartphone photography, and storytelling to create multimedia narratives that showcase the Gold Coast's unique surf culture.
- Use critical thinking skills to gather and interpret data on Gold Coast surfing communities for ethnographic and autoethnographic narratives.
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Surfing Experience
Surf lessons on Burleigh Beach.
SLOs included
- Evaluate the significance of the Gold Coast's surfing culture and its impact on surf communities using ethnographic methodologies and critical on-site observations.
- Construct multimedia narratives using ethnographic methodologies, emphasising the importance of place to personal identity within Gold Coast surf communities.
- Apply critical thinking skills to analyse the cultural significance of coastal Aboriginal sites visited during the subject's immersive activities.
- Synthesise acquired knowledge and skills in surfing, underwater smartphone photography, and storytelling to create multimedia narratives that showcase the Gold Coast's unique surf culture.
- Use critical thinking skills to gather and interpret data on Gold Coast surfing communities for ethnographic and autoethnographic narratives.
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Gold Coast Surfing Communities
The people and groups that comprise Gold Coast surf communities. Site visits to Snapper Rocks, the World Surf League headqaurters at Coolangatta, and a surfboard factory visit, dependent on availability.
SLOs included
- Evaluate the significance of the Gold Coast's surfing culture and its impact on surf communities using ethnographic methodologies and critical on-site observations.
- Construct multimedia narratives using ethnographic methodologies, emphasising the importance of place to personal identity within Gold Coast surf communities.
- Apply critical thinking skills to analyse the cultural significance of coastal Aboriginal sites visited during the subject's immersive activities.
- Synthesise acquired knowledge and skills in surfing, underwater smartphone photography, and storytelling to create multimedia narratives that showcase the Gold Coast's unique surf culture.
- Use critical thinking skills to gather and interpret data on Gold Coast surfing communities for ethnographic and autoethnographic narratives.
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Saltwater People
Experiential site visit to Jellurgal (Burleigh Headland) and the Jellurgal Centre. Representatives of the Yugambeh language group will guide students around the headland and explain its indigenous histories, culture and heritage.
SLOs included
- Evaluate the significance of the Gold Coast's surfing culture and its impact on surf communities using ethnographic methodologies and critical on-site observations.
- Construct multimedia narratives using ethnographic methodologies, emphasising the importance of place to personal identity within Gold Coast surf communities.
- Apply critical thinking skills to analyse the cultural significance of coastal Aboriginal sites visited during the subject's immersive activities.
- Synthesise acquired knowledge and skills in surfing, underwater smartphone photography, and storytelling to create multimedia narratives that showcase the Gold Coast's unique surf culture.
- Use critical thinking skills to gather and interpret data on Gold Coast surfing communities for ethnographic and autoethnographic narratives.
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Surfing in Popular Culture
Film, fashion, music and print media: from Gidget to pure soul surfing movies, surfing magazines and press, and the Gold Coast surf filmmakers who helped spearhead an industry.
SLOs included
- Evaluate the significance of the Gold Coast's surfing culture and its impact on surf communities using ethnographic methodologies and critical on-site observations.
- Construct multimedia narratives using ethnographic methodologies, emphasising the importance of place to personal identity within Gold Coast surf communities.
- Apply critical thinking skills to analyse the cultural significance of coastal Aboriginal sites visited during the subject's immersive activities.
- Synthesise acquired knowledge and skills in surfing, underwater smartphone photography, and storytelling to create multimedia narratives that showcase the Gold Coast's unique surf culture.
- Use critical thinking skills to gather and interpret data on Gold Coast surfing communities for ethnographic and autoethnographic narratives.
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More Surf Stories
Working on your multi-media auto-ethnography assessment with tutor assistance.
SLOs included
- Evaluate the significance of the Gold Coast's surfing culture and its impact on surf communities using ethnographic methodologies and critical on-site observations.
- Construct multimedia narratives using ethnographic methodologies, emphasising the importance of place to personal identity within Gold Coast surf communities.
- Apply critical thinking skills to analyse the cultural significance of coastal Aboriginal sites visited during the subject's immersive activities.
- Synthesise acquired knowledge and skills in surfing, underwater smartphone photography, and storytelling to create multimedia narratives that showcase the Gold Coast's unique surf culture.
- Use critical thinking skills to gather and interpret data on Gold Coast surfing communities for ethnographic and autoethnographic narratives.
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Semester overview and the future
Discussion on what has been learned and the future of surfing on the Gold Coast.
SLOs included
- Evaluate the significance of the Gold Coast's surfing culture and its impact on surf communities using ethnographic methodologies and critical on-site observations.
- Construct multimedia narratives using ethnographic methodologies, emphasising the importance of place to personal identity within Gold Coast surf communities.
- Apply critical thinking skills to analyse the cultural significance of coastal Aboriginal sites visited during the subject's immersive activities.
- Synthesise acquired knowledge and skills in surfing, underwater smartphone photography, and storytelling to create multimedia narratives that showcase the Gold Coast's unique surf culture.
- Use critical thinking skills to gather and interpret data on Gold Coast surfing communities for ethnographic and autoethnographic narratives.