What second-year student Halima learnt from the new ‘Respect at Deakin’ module
We know the first few weeks of trimester are a busy time as you sort out your new routine and get to know your classmates and teachers.
But with lots of new experiences and opportunities ahead of you (especially now that most restrictions have lifted), we encourage you to complete the Respect at Deakin module as soon as you can. This short online module discusses some important issues you may encounter during your studies, in the community, at work and at home.
Doing the module will help you understand how to navigate your personal and professional relationships – both now and in the future. You’ll also be playing your part in keeping Deakin a safe, respectful and inclusive learning and working environment.
Second-year student Halima Abdul Aziz, who’s doing her Bachelor of Biomedical Science at Waurn Ponds, decided to do the Respect at Deakin module because she wanted to educate and challenge herself. We asked her a few quick questions about how she found the module and what she learnt.
How long did the module take you to complete and what did you learn from doing it?
‘It took me 30 minutes to complete this module. It was very easy to understand. I learnt a lot about intersectionality and bystander intervention, as well as refreshing my knowledge of other dimensions of respect at Deakin.’
Were there any parts that really stood out or made you reconsider how you think about respect, consent and diversity?
‘The “power and privilege” part of the intersectionality section stood out to me the most because there were statistics I didn’t know about. It made me reconsider and realize how quickly an individual can be discriminated against and hurt just by being themselves.’
What would you say to other students who aren’t sure if the module is worth their time or feel they already understand these kinds of issues?
‘I would say to give it a go! Even if you think you already understand these issues, you can recommend the module to others or refresh your memory.’
It’s quick and simple to complete
The module has seven main topics – including what ‘respect’ means, what diversity looks like and what makes a healthy relationship. There’s some practical suggestions of what you could do if you see someone being disrespectful or abusive, as well as links to helpful resources and free professional services.
It should take you 20–30 minutes to complete, and there’s no ‘pass’ or ‘fail’. Once you’ve finished, you check a box to trigger a completion email and receive your certificate of completion – which you can also include on your LinkedIn profile or CV!
Even if you’ve been at Deakin for a while, you’ll benefit from checking out the module as we’ve refreshed all the content and added a bunch of graphics and two videos featuring Deakin students.
The module will be available year-round, so you can access it any time that suits. Access the module now or find it in DeakinSync under ‘Course sites and useful extras’.
Content warning
The module does discuss different types of harm, but there’s no explicit material or images included. If you wish to ‘opt out’ of these specific sections or have any feedback, questions or concerns, please email [email protected].
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual harm or family violence, contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or Deakin’s Safer Community service. In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).