Academic literacies
Order Description
Essay Question and Instructions
Essay Question
It is often suggested that Australia, and especially higher (i.e. university) education in Australia, is “meritocratic.” Using the statistics, identify a pattern in one demographic that seems to challenge this. Using academic sources, explain some theories and academic research that has sought to explain this pattern.
Demographics you may choose are:
• Socio-economic Status
• Gender
• Ethnicity
• Rural / urban
Patterns you may identify may be:
• Overall numbers of enrolments
• Type of university
• Type of course
Statistics:
SES, ethnicity (indigenous only), rural / urban statistics:
https://www.education.gov.au/undergraduate-applications-offers-and-acceptances-publications
Gender statistics:
https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/[email protected]/Lookup/4102.0Main+Features20Sep+2012#HIGHER