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What Are KNoTs?
KNoTs (to Know the Nature of Things) are flexible learning modules in the SoCIETIE Initiative. Think of them as building blocks for your journey to becoming a changemaker — like weekly topics, but chosen by you, to match your interests and goals.
Each KNoT links to a key learning outcome, and you’ll collect KNoT points as part of your course assessment. You’ll learn through panels, projects, workshops, events, and self-designed activities — all shaped around creating social impact and engaging with real-world challenges.
Types of KNoTs
| Type | Description | Primary Learning Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Knowing | Explore ideas, worldviews, and disciplines | Compare, contrast, and apply concepts to real problems |
| Being | Build practical skills for influencing change | Assess relationships and dynamics across systems |
| Doing | Collaborate on applied projects with impact | Model inclusive collaboration for social engagement |
How KNoTs Are Delivered
Each KNoT can be offered through different modes:
- SoCIETIE KNoTs — Led by Fellows and Affiliates from the McCusker Institute. Scheduled as part of the course timetable or joining up with co-hosted events.
- Campus KNoTs — Offered by partners, groups and events around campus. You choose what aligns with your goals.
- Propose-a-KNoT — Self-directed. You design your own activity, submit for approval, and reflect on what you learn.
KNoTs might blend Knowing, Being, and Doing. Pick what fits best for your learning journey, and assign them appropriately in your KNoT Completion
Knowing KNoTs – Understanding Perspectives
Focus: Diverse ways of thinking about complex challenges, based on our Threads:
- Enabling Technology
- Active Citizenship
- Connected Communities
- Planetary Health
- Shared Prosperity
SoCIETIE Knowing KNoT examples:
- Timetabled SoCIETIE sessions and panels with guest speakers
- Public lectures, policy forums, Indigenous knowledge talks with SoCIETIE partners
- Check out the KNoTs Schedule
Campus Knowing KNoT:
- Attend 2.5-3 hours of events, panels and activities on campus
- Come prepared, and complete the Completion task
- Maximum: 2 points per course (without prior approval)
- Check out the Campus Knowing KNoT description
Propose-a-KNoT:
- External conferences or public events
- Must relate to SoCIETIE values
- Approval needed before undertaking
Time Commitment:
- Approximately of 5 hours of learning, including time allocated for preparation and completion
- For each Knowing point, approximately 5 hours of learning should be allocated to independent study via your Portfolio
Being KNoTs – Developing Skills
Focus: Practical methods and tools for changemaking, extending the graduate attributes for social change:
- Transdisciplinary problem-solving
- Indigenous knowledges and perspectives
- Critical thinking
- Skills for experiential learning
SoCIETIE Being KNoT examples:
- Timetabled SoCIETIE workshops (e.g. systems thinking, facilitation)
- KNoTs run by our Fellows and Affiliates, such as storytelling, collaboration, navigating change, decolonising research, conflict resolution
- Check out the KNoTs Schedule
Campus Being KNoT:
- Attend 2.5-3 hours of workshops or skill sessions
- Come prepared, and complete the Completion task
- Maximum: 2 points per course (without prior approval)
- Check out the Campus Being KNoT description
Propose-a-KNoT:
- Attend a workshop or training externally
- Must relate to SoCIETIE values
- Approval needed beforehand
Time Commitment:
- Approximately of 5 hours of learning, including time allocated for preparation and completion
- For each Being point, approximately 5 hours of learning should be allocated to independent study via your Portfolio
Doing KNoTs – Applying Knowledge
Focus: Apply what you know in a collaborative project.
SoCIETIE Doing KNoTs
- During Semester sessions, we will hold a 2-point Doing KNoT “Micro-Summit” with partners
- We’ll form small teams that work on different aspects of the project
- This will two workshops, a week apart, with time spent in-between the session to deliver on the project
Campus Doing KNoTs
- Projects listed with our Campus Partners
- This could be in partnerships with student-led projects, societies, clubs, residential halls and community partners
- Passion project, service-learning project, awareness campaign
Propose-a-Project:
- Bring your own idea aligned to SoCIETIE Values
- Must involve real-world collaboration, either with peers or experts
- Seek early approval via the Course Pathway Plan
Time Commitment:
- For each Doing point, approximately 10 hours of contribution to the project
- There is a balance between the hours spent on Projects v the hours spent on your portfolio.
How Many KNoTs do I need to complete?
| Course Credit | Minimum KNoT Points | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| 6 units | 12 points | At least 2 points from each of Knowing, Being, and Doing; at least 4 points from SoCIETIE/McCusker-delivered KNoTs |
| 6+6 units | 24 points | At least 3 points from each of Knowing, Being, and Doing; at least 8 points from SoCIETIE/McCusker-delivered KNoTs |
Time Planning
Completion tasks are required to claim the KNoT for assessment. Each KNoT includes:
- A preparation task (listed in the KNoT description)
- Live participation (event, project, workshop)
- A completion task (reflection, output, or short assignment)
Notionally, each point equates to 10 hours of learning.
- The time spent on Knowing and Being KNoTs is approximately 5hrs per point (1hr prep, 3hrs attendance, 1hr completion). The remaining time (5hrs) should be spent on independent study including your Portfolio.
- The time spent on Deing KNoTs is approximately 10hrs per point (10 hours of doing).
There is a balance between the time that you spend on Knowing and Being KNoTs, Doing KNoTs (your project), and your Portfolio. As you spend more time on your Doing KNoTs, it is more likely that your Portfolio aligns to these KNoTs. For example:
| Use Case | Doing | Knowing & Being | Time left to develop Portfolio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Project | 2pts (~20hrs) | 10pts (~50hrs) | 50hrs. Portfolio likely to be an independent and substantial piece of work. |
| Mid-size Project | 5pts (~50hrs) | 7pts (~35hrs) | 35hrs. Portfolio likely to be an extension of activities in the class. |
| Large Project | 8pts (~80hrs | 4pts (~20hrs) | 20hrs. Portolio likely to be an extension/final artefact of the Doing project. |
It’s recommended to plan for 14–16 points to maximise your learning experience and ensure that the 12 points is met. If you find yourself doing more than 16 points, you might like to enrol in a further 6 units.
Meet Knox (they/them)
Knox 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 or check the KNoT calendar online.