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Unit of study_

BUSS5221: Creative and Analytic Mindset

Semester 2, 2022 [Normal day] - Remote

The 'creative' half of this unit gives students the tools and confidence to come up with something new; to be able to look at a problem in a new way and find innovative solutions and novel alternatives. Students do this at both an individual and team level as well as recognize how organisations can be more creative. The 'analytic' component of this unit is concerned with getting students to be more comfortable with numbers and ways to analyse data. The unit focuses on the application of analytic methods and thinking, rather than theoretical concepts of statistics and mathematics. Although students are introduced to the basic concepts of statistical testing in a very applied way, the focus is on understanding an analytical mindset to critically appreciate the assumptions and limitations of data and analysis techniques.

Unit details and rules

Unit code BUSS5221
Academic unit Business School
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
BUSS5220
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Elly Meredith, elly.meredith@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment group assignment Assignment 3 - Group Work - Nailing the Proposal
Group Work - students to submit a written case using the analytics section
40% Formal exam period
Due date: 14 Nov 2022 at 10:00

Closing date: 24 Nov 2022
2500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO4
Presentation Assignment 4 - Creativity Presentation
This assessment requires students to reflect on creative contents
10% Multiple weeks 2 minute video
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Assignment 1 - Pitching my Idea
This assignment requires students to submit one creative idea.
0% Week 04
Due date: 25 Aug 2022 at 10:00

Closing date: 03 Sep 2022
3 minute video
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3
Assignment group assignment Assignment 2 - Group Work - Creating the Proposal
Group work - choose one idea from Assignment 1 and present a video format
40% Week 08
Due date: 22 Sep 2022 at 10:00

Closing date: 02 Oct 2022
6 minute video - Group Work
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Assignment Quiz
Students will be asked MCQ and short answer quetions
10% Week 11
Due date: 21 Oct 2022 at 10:00

Closing date: 30 Oct 2022
30 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO4
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Individual – Assignment 1

Individual – Assignment 4

Individual – Quiz

Group Work – Assignment 3

Group Work – Assignment 2

 

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:

Any assessment submitted after the due time and date will incur a late penalty of 5% of the total marks per 24 hour period, or part thereof, late (note that this is applied to the mark gained after the submitted work is marked). Since submission is electronic, weekends and public holidays count as days in the same way as working days. Any assessment submitted after the due time and date will incur a late penalty unless excused by special consideration, special arrangement or disability services adjustment. Any assessment submitted after the “Closing Date” noted in the Unit of Study Outline will not be marked or assessed. Word or time length Where a word or time length is specified, you must conform to the word or time length. Where a student exceeds the word or time length, the student will lose 10% of the total marks when the submission is 10% above the word or time length and 10% for each 10% over-length thereafter. Note that the maximum word length includes in-text referencing but excludes the reference list and any appendices at the end of the assessment. For Further Information, please see: https://business.sydney.edu.au/students/policy

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to analytic and creative mindset Lecture (1 hr) LO1
Week 02 Introduction to creativity, critical thinking & asking good questions Lecture (1 hr) LO1
Week 03 Individual and organizational barriers to creativity Lecture (1 hr) LO2
Week 04 Creative places, teams and structured creative techniques Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 05 Group creative processes Lecture (1 hr) LO3
Week 06 Evaluating creative outcome Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 07 Linking creativity and analytics Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 08 Where do data come from? qualitative and quantitative data sources and quality of them Lecture (1 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 09 How do data contribute to analysis: Understanding and managing uncertainty Lecture (1 hr) LO4
Week 10 How are data presented and consumed? quantitative literacy for descriptive statistics, central tendency and variance Lecture (1 hr) LO4
Week 11 How do data contribute to analysis? Models, relationships and hypothesis testing Lecture (1 hr) LO4
Week 12 Assessing the validity of data-based arguments; creating and communicating Lecture (1 hr) LO4
Week 13 Revision: Comparing and using creative and analytical mindsets Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

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

Please find prescribed readings on Canvas.

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. Use critical and creative thinking to reframe business problems and apply analytical insights to identify different solutions
  • LO2. Analyse enablers and barriers to individual and team creativity in innovative companies
  • LO3. Experiment with different tools and techniques to stimulate creative thinking in problem-solving
  • LO4. Evaluate, discriminate and utilize different types and sources of data, appreciating the differences in discipline perspectives

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.

Amendments have been made in line with student feedback.

Additional Support

BUSS5100 Communicating in Business

As you transition into your postgraduate studies, we encourage you to take advantage of our free academic language and learning unit- BUSS5100: Communicating in Business. You will be provided with weekly online content and optional workshop sessions designed to guide you through important skill areas associated with research, referencing, writing and critical reasoning skills. By joining BUSS5100, you will also have access to our 1-1 essay proofreading services (ALLSI). Please contact BUSS5100.coordinator@sydney.edu.au for more info.  BUSS5221 staff strongly urge you to consider enrolling in BUSS5100.  It is a valuable resource and absolutely free!

 

PASS Program:  Peer Assisted Study Sessions

The Sydney University Business School funds an additional program for BUSS5220 students called PASS. PASS stands for Peer Assisted Study Sessions. Research from the UK, USA, and Australia has consistently demonstrated that students who regularly attend PASS are likely to improve their academic performance and are less likely to fail or drop out. In 2020, 99% of respondents to the end of the semester, anonymous surveys, reported they learned during PASS and 97% reported that they enjoyed the program. One student commented, “I loved everything about PASS – it was GREAT for clarifying ideas from class [and] helped my studies. I also had the opportunity to make many friends through PASS”.

 

What’s in it for you?

Weekly, hour-long sessions lead by senior, high achieving students.

A focus on mastery of course content through discussion and peer learning.

Extra learning opportunities, including problem-solving practice where relevant, in areas directly related to understanding the concepts more thoroughly.

Great opportunities to meet other students and study effectively together in relaxed, interactive, small groups.

 

Registering for the PASS program

Attendance in PASS is voluntary but highly recommended. Registrations open the first week of the semester. PASS starts in week 2 of the semester. Spaces in the PASS program are limited.

Students register through the PASS online page at: https://sydney.edu.au/students/pass/eligibility-registration.html

Email all enquiries about the PASS program to: business.pass@sydney.edu.au

 

PASS Canvas

Students are automatically enrolled into the PASS Canvas site where they will be able to access PASS materials.  You will find the PASS agendas for each week, under the BUSS5220 tab, plus a range of useful links that may assist you to learn and study more effectively.

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.