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Unit of study_

BUSS5080: Succeeding in the Accounting Profession

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This compulsory foundation unit is designed to help students develop personal and interpersonal skills. These fundamental professional skills will allow students to effectively work with and through others and are important for career success. Through a series of readings, lectures, assessments, and experiential exercises, this unit provides students with useful frameworks and research-based insights on effective organisational behaviours. Topics such as effective communication, self-management, working with others, leadership, influence, decision making, and more are discussed. Upon completion of this unit, students will have gained valuable knowledge and practical skills that will aid their professional development.

Unit details and rules

Unit code BUSS5080
Academic unit Accounting
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Eliza Byington, eliza.byington@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
Final exam
Comprehensive, closed-book final exam.
35% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1
Participation Participation
Class participation
15% Ongoing Ongoing
Outcomes assessed: LO1
Presentation Assignment 1
Video presentation (multiple dates – see canvas)
5% Week 04 3 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1
Assignment group assignment Group project
Written report
30% Week 12
Due date: 19 May 2024 at 17:00

Closing date: 19 May 2024
10 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3
Skills-based evaluation Teammate evaluation
Peer evaluation
10% Week 13
Due date: 26 May 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 26 May 2024
n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO3
Skills-based evaluation Assignment 2
Peer evaluation
5% Week 13
Due date: 26 May 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 26 May 2024
n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Participation: Students are expected to attend their workshop each week, be fully prepared, and to participate in exercises, discussions, and other class activities. Participation is a key part of the learning process in this unit.
  • Assignment 1: After the Week 3 workshop, students are required to make and submit a video using a framework they have learned about in this unit.
  • Group project: For this project, your team will find and interview an organisational employee about a major “people problem” they are experiencing or have experienced at work. Teams will prepare and deliver a presentation on their “people problem” case, and prepare a written team project report. The written report contributes 30% to your overall mark in the unit.
  • Teammate evaluation: After your group project is complete, teammates will complete an evaluation of each teammate's individual contribution to the group's work. The teammate evaluations contribute to 10% to your overall mark in the unit.
  • Assignment 2: Businesses commonly use peer evaluations - where managers/colleagues evaluate an individual’s performance - as part of how that individual’s overall job performance is assessed. Thus, the ability to assess the performance of others, and give accurate, specific, behavioural feedback is a key professional skill. You will assess the quality of each of your classmates' participation and use of BUSS5080 learnings in your workshop over the course of the semester, and provide behavioural notes to support your evaluations. Your mark associated with this assignment is based on the overall accuracy/quality of your evaluations of your classmates' participation.
  • Final exam: The final exam will test the accuracy of your knowledge of unit content across the entire semester. That is, the final exam may draw from any online content, lecture, discussion, reading, case, or other content from across the entire semester. It will be a closed-book exam.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

**PLEASE NOTE: Given the structure of BUSS5080, all assessments for this unit must be submitted no later than the scheduled deadline date / time. For the final exam, under certain circumstances, students may apply for a replacement exam at a different time / date. Details on the process and requirements for applying for special consideration can be found here: https://www.sydney.edu.au/students/special-consideration.html

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Week 1 Online Module: Introduction Online class (1 hr)  
Week 1: Introduction Tutorial Tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 02 Week 2 Online Module: Leadership Online class (1 hr)  
Week 2: Leadership Tutorial Tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 03 Week 3 Online Module: Communication Online class (1 hr)  
Week 3: Communication Tutorial Tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 04 Week 4 Online Module: Teams Online class (1 hr)  
Week 4: Teams Tutorial Tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 05 Week 5 Online Module: Developing Relationships Online class (1 hr)  
Week 5: Developing Relationships Tutorial Tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 06 Week 6 Online Module: Managing People Online class (1 hr)  
Week 6: Managing People Tutorial Tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 07 Week 7 Online Module: Thinking Skills Online class (1 hr)  
Week 7: Thinking Skills Tutorial Tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 08 Week 8 Online Module: Organisational Politics, Social Influence, and Conflict Tutorial Online class (1 hr)  
Week 8: Organisational Politics, Social Influence, and Conflict Tutorial Tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 09 Week 9 Online Module: Culture Online class (1 hr)  
Week 9: Culture Tutorial Tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 10 Week 10 Online Module: Careers Online class (1 hr)  
Week 10: Careers Tutorial Tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 11 Week 11 Online Module: Team Presentations Online class (1 hr)  
Week 11: Team Presentations Tutorial Tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 12 Week 12 Online Module: Team Presentations Online class (1 hr)  
Week 12: Team Presentations Tutorial Tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 13 Week 13 Online Module: Unit Synthesis and Review Online class (1 hr)  
Week 13: Unit Synthesis and Review Tutorial Tutorial (2 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

NO Lecture recordings: Due to the content and structure of BUSS5080, workshops/tutorials are not recorded. Students should ensure they attend and participate in all workshops/tutorials.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit are provided on the BUSS5080 Canvas site.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate knowledge of effective (inter)personal communication techniques
  • LO2. demonstrate critical thinking skills by identifying, assessing and responding to workplace challenges
  • LO3. work collaboratively in a team to address complex workplace issues.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Changes due to semester date shifts.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.