Knots Explained

In the SoCIETIE Initiative, our classes are called KNoTs (referring to the ANU Motto to Know the Nature of Things). Most KNoTs are generally interactive workshops that focus on building your skills and knowledge in specific areas of Knowing, Being, and Doing. These are flexible learning experiences that you can use as building blocks based on your interests and goals in the course.

Types of KNoTs

There are three types of KNoTs in the SoCIETIE Initiative, and you need to make sure that you complete a mix of all three to get the most out of your learning experience and meet the course learning outcomes.

Knowing KNoTs help you understand different perspectives on complex issues.
- these are often lectures, panels, or events where you hear from experts
Being KNoTs help you develop practical skills for creating change.
- these are often workshops or training sessions focused on transdisciplinary skill-building
Doing KNoTs give you the opportunity to apply what you’ve learned in real-world projects.
- these are often collaborative projects with community partners

KNoTs are typically advertised as Knowing, Being or Doing KNoTs, but sometimes a KNoT may cover more than one type. For example, a workshop may include both Being (skill-building) and Doing (applying skills in a project). You can select the type that best fits your learning goals when you complete the KNoT.

Counting KNoTs

Generally, a KNoT should be about 5 hours of learning time:

Each Knowing and Being KNoT should take you about 5 hours, typically:

A preparation task (listed in the KNoT description) (about an hour)
Live participation (event, project, workshop) (about 3 hours)
A completion task (reflection, output, or short assignment) (about an hour)

For a KNoT to count towards your course requirements, you need to complete both the live participation and the associated preparation and completion tasks.

Sometimes a learning activity is longer or shorter than this. In these cases, multiple shorter activities can be combined to make up a full KNoT, or a longer activity can count as more than one KNoT.

Doing KNoTs are measured by Project Hours which are the actual hours you spend working on your SoCIETIE Project (in multiple of 10 hours). In addition, any Knowing or Being KNoT can be counted as a Doing KNoT by explicitly applying what you learned as part of your SoCIETIE Project.

If you’re unsure whether a KNoT counts towards your requirements, please check with the course convenor.

Planning Your KNoT Pathway

During semesters, the McCusker Institute will run a variety of KNoTs delivered by Institute Fellows, guest speakers, community partners, and student leaders. We believe the university as a place of learning, and you can also build your own “Campus KNoTs” by using events and activities delivered by other parts of the university. Further afield, you can include relevant experiences outside of the university provided that they align with your Doing KNoTs and overall learning goals.

As you plan your KNoT pathway, please ensure that you meet the following requirements:

at least 4 Knowing or Being KNoTs delivered within the SoCIETIE Initiative
up to 2 Knowing or Being KNoTs from Campus events, or relevant experiences that you find outside of the university

This balance can be adjusted as part of your Course Pathway Plan and in discussion with the course convenor.

Session-based students may not have access to as many SoCIETIE-delivered KNoTs, so please discuss your options with the course convenor.

Meet our Mascot, Knox

Knox (they/them) is our mascot, and was brought to life by students (Jordyn, Hugo and Moby) as a DESN3011 project (S2, 2024).

You’ll see Knox around the place, but their design holds great meaning to the origins of SoCIETIE.

Knox, obviously, is a knot, but there are two distinctive features:

Knox’s body/head is a representation of a Giordian Knot. The metaphor represents a problem that tightens the more you pull at it—an intractable challenge requiring a shift in thinking to resolve. As is the legend, we need great leaders to ‘cut through the Giordian Knot’, breaking free from the complexity it represents.
Above Knox’s head is a representation of Gödel’s Loophole. The metaphor highlights how initial breakthroughs are the hardest to achieve, but once done, subsequent solutions become easier.

Together, these symbols create a powerful narrative: Knox evokes the idea that a fundamental change in approach is required to untangle intractable problems in SoCIETIE, reminds us that meaningful change requires bold and unconventional thinking to navigate, and that initial breakthroughs create the path for subsequent solutions.

Need help planning your KNoT pathway? Talk to your course convenor