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Unit of study_

BUSS6101: Elective Option

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Elective unit option topic: Business Transformation Management through Analytics and Artificial Intelligence This elective is designed for students interested in understanding how to create a successful strategic roadmap in order to lead, seize opportunities, and transform organizational thinking in a digital age. For many years, state-of-the-art strategic thinking has promoted business models and leadership strategy based on competition analysis of close sector rivals, market analytics, as well as traditional human resources processes and talent development. Currently, the impacts of digital transformation are so broad that the most disruptive competition is likely to be external and come from businesses about which executives may have an incomplete understanding. For example, in Finance many traditional organizations (banks) are challenged by small fintech start-ups. Furthermore, businesses at the moment are facing many external uncertainties such as the COVID-19 outbreak crisis. This unit delivers an in-depth understanding of how current business needs can be supported by analytics and AI at the cutting-edge of thinking about the transformative potential of digital technology for tackling contemporary challenges. Students learn how digital transformation (through analytics and AI) can be championed in organisations facing risk and uncertainty. No previous experience in analytics or data science is necessary.

Unit details and rules

Unit code BUSS6101
Academic unit Business School
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Vik Naidoo, vik.naidoo@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam Final exam
Written exam
40% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment group assignment Group project
Report and oral presentation
30% Week 12
Due date: 20 May 2020 at 17:00

Closing date: 20 May 2020
1000 words, 20 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Assignment Individual assignment
Essay
30% Week 13
Due date: 02 Jun 2020 at 17:00

Closing date: 02 Jun 2020
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Group assignment: As someone who has had the opportunity to study the United States, you are uniquely positioned to help a colleague from your home culture to adjust to culture in the U.S. Identify some of the cultural assumptions, norms and behaviours that may be prevalent in your home culture, and contrast these with the assumptions, norms and behaviours that are typical within the United States. Your job is to make the transition from your home culture to the U.S. culture as smooth as possible for your colleague.

This group assignment is meant to bring all that you have learned over the last few weeks together.

The presentation will take the form of a “how-to” and “why” regarding business practices and customs in the US. The presentation should be 10 minutes or less, and you should appear in business casual attire at a minimum. You should prepare slides or handouts, as appropriate, and be prepared to distribute to the class.

Examples of topics you can cover during your presentation include:

  • How do cultural norms and assumptions differ in the US compared to Australia (or your home country)?
  • Is doing business in the US different to conducting business in Australia (or your home country)?
  • How attractive is the business environment for doing business compared to Australia (or your home country)?
  • Does a manager need different influencing skills in the US compared to Australia (or your home country)?
  • Individual assignment: Critically reflect on the role of the United States in the development of the current international trading system. What are your perspectives on the current challenges and where to from here?
  • Final examThe final exam will consist of questions requiring short essay-type answers that demonstrate relevant knowledge and understanding about the topics covered in the course and communicate this effectively. The exam will include all material covered in the course including lectures, class discussions and cases/activities/exercises used in class.

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:

Late assignments will be penalised as per the Business School 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 02 An Introduction to the US Economy Lecture (4 hr) LO1
Week 03 The American Economic System Lecture (4 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 04 The US Economic History Lecture (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 05 The US & The Multilateral Trading System Lecture (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 06 The US Dollar & the International Monetary System Lecture (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 08 The Rise of Populism in the US Lecture (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 09 Consumerism in the US Lecture (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 10 US Financial Markets Lecture (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 11 US-China Relations Lecture (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 12 Group Presentations Lecture (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

Attendance and class requirements

Lecture recordings: All lectures and seminars are recorded and will be available on Canvas for student use. Please note the Business School does not own the system and cannot guarantee that the system will operate or that every class will be recorded. Students should ensure they attend and participate in all classes.

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 can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available 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. Understand the core facets of the economic and business systems of the United States
  • LO2. Evaluate the impact of the complexities found in the US marketplace when considering doing business with the United States
  • LO3. Develop, create and present knowledge of market entry strategies to the US
  • LO4. Anticipate cultural constraints, as well as ethical and institutional issues related to operating a business in the United States.

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.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

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.