Academic Programmes

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Here are the building blocks of our Academic Programmes:

Bruce Hall Intentional Learning Community

Bruce Hall is a residence at the Australian National University. So while the Hall promotes and organises social, cultural and sporting events, the Hall's primary role is to provide a community of learning - an Intentional Learning Community. We organise formal dinners, debates and special projects. Senior Residents and Academic Mentors assist Bruce Hall members in specific courses. We also have IT assistants and a voluntary library staff.

The residential team, working with the Dean of Residents, has responsibility for the Hall's Intentional Learning Community. It is an holistic model, promoting learning both in the classroom, and in the wider environment. Appreciation for the Arts, culture, history and general knowledge along with critical awareness is encouraged. There are four themes or learning communities in the Hall including Arts, Asia-Pacific, Rhetoric and Sustainability. We invite non-residential students to join some of these learning communities and are also coordinating a project which aims to establish more learning communities across the ANU.

Academic Assistance

Academic Mentors

Most Bruce Hall residents are exceptional students and perform very well at university. There are, however, occasions when its helpful to have someone to talk to about exam preparation, read over an essay, run a small study group, comment on written or spoken English, comment on an oral presentation, give general advice about study skills and time management or help you contact your university tutor or other academic staff.

Bruce Hall has a network of over 50 residents who volunteer their time to help other residents in this way. Regardless of the programme you're studying, you're sure to have a later year student or a peer to help you at any stage during your studies. We call the students in this network Academic Mentors. The Mentors Network is organised by the Dean with the assistance of one of the Sub Deans and several Senior Residents.

If you have a Distinction average or better in a subject you can also volunteer to be an academic mentor. We run training sessions during the year that cover aspects of mentoring including the mentoring role, commenting on essays, running small group tutorials and exam preparation. As a way of recognising the contributions of our Academic Mentors, we offer little rewards like Snow Day during the year.

Programmes with the Academic Skills and Learning Centre and the Counselling Centre

Besides our Academic Mentors, Bruce Hall works with the Academic Skills and Learning Centre and the Counselling Centre to provide assistance in areas such as assistance with English language problems, dealing with examination anxiety and goal setting.

High Table Dinners and Discussion Forums

High Table dinners are regular events held every week of the term. They are a highlight of the week, and involve a diverse range of activities designed to encourage learning and academic excellence, and to foster a strong sense of community. Residents and guests wear Academic Gowns for these events.

Faculty Nights are a regular feature throughout the year, providing the opportunity for residents to meet with the academic staff of the university outside of the formal lecture context. Faculty nights are a great chance to learn about research at the ANU, and to discuss areas of interest with academic staff and fellow residents. They are also an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the studies of students from each of the faculties. High table Dinners are also a means of encouraging academic debate on a wide range of issues amongst Bruce Hall residents. As part of a learning community theme, guests and interested residents meet for dinner to discuss a topical theme or issues, usually involving a lively exchange of ideas and opinions among the invited guests, with the active contribution of ideas, questions and opinions from residents. Themes have included Youth and Government, 'Does Majority Rule in the House of Parliament', the Great Green Debate, and ReconcilliACTION: Is Sorry Enough?

Publications

As part of the Intentional Learning Community, residents have the opportunity to learn and take part in the production of Hall publications, including the newsletter (Ignis Draconis), the year book (Uroboros) and the Bruce Hall Academic Journal (Cross-sections). Cross-sections is a refereed collection of essays and art work submitted by residents in July each year. Academic staff members from the ANU generously act as reviewers for the journal.

Arts Appreciation

Some of Australia's most talented artists and musicians perform in Canberra on a regular basis. Our aim is to encourage student appreciation in a wide variety of artistic disciplines, not just academic areas, and by doing so to compliment their knowledge and understanding of Australia's multicultural roots. In 2006, we hosted musicians, artists and the Bell Shakespeare Company to dinner.

Furthermore, students are enthusiastically encouraged to participate in the Arts themselves. To promote the arts and crafts, Bruce Hall has its own dark room, art room, sewing machine and there is an annual Photography & Art Competition. For those musically inclined there are music rooms in which to practice, and many opportunities to perform at formal dinners and talent shows. For all the Bruce Hall thespians, there is a play performed with great success each year.

Special Projects

We encourage residents to propose special projects that help us fulfil the goals of our ILC. Previous projects include the Pacfest outdoor cinema experience, developing an academic journal, developing a library and reading room and proposals to use the glasshouse and garden facilities. These projects are typified by characteristics such as technical and organisational complexity, teamwork, multidimentional problem solving, negotiation, communication and budgetary challenges.

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