Outline

Overview

What does it mean to study Arts and Social Sciences? In this unit, we begin with a central claim: that the disciplines that make up Arts and Social Sciences are fundamental to understanding our world and the challenges it faces. Through a set of engaging topics, we ask the foundational questions underpinning our areas of study: what does it mean to be part of a university community? How do we think, read, create, speak, and act, critically? How do we engage in and solve complex, often multifaceted problems, individually and in collaboration with others? How will you build the key communication and interpersonal skills to make a difference in a complex and challenging world?

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Arts and Social Sciences
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Will Jeffery, will.jeffery@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 August 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
In-person written or creative task	A3: Weekly In-class Task Weekly in-class, on-paper individual writing task based on unit lecture and reading material	40%	Multiple weeks	1800 words (equivalent)	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Early Feedback Quiz	0%	Week 02 Due date: 14 Aug 2026 at 23:59	10 minutes - 100 words (equivalent)	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	A1: A Personal Reflection Individual reflection on a single object or site on campus or in the 'Our Sydney' virtual map through the unit material	15%	Week 04 Due date: 28 Aug 2026 at 23:59	500 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	A2: Critical Reading/Analysis Task Critical reading and analysis of argument in the age of AI	35%	Week 08 Due date: 25 Sep 2026 at 23:59	1600 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Tutorial Participation Tutorial participation, assessed by co-designed rubric	10%	Weekly	500 words equivalent	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

A3: Weekly In-class Task

You will complete a weekly in-class tutorial written task from Week 2 to Week 13, twelve in total. Your final mark for this assessment will come from your ten best tutorial task results.

The in-class task is based on the previous week's lecture and reading contect. For example, the Week 2 in-class task is based on Week 1's lecture and required reading material, the Week 3 in-class task is based on Week 2's lecture and required reading material, and so on.

Simple extensions are not available for this in-class task.

Special consideration for this task must be a replacement task for the specific week you are away. No informal replacement tasks are allowed.

If special consideration is granted, a replacement task will be organised and made at a later date.

Assessment criteria

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

As a general guide:

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Work of an exceptional standard
Distinction	75 - 84	Work of a very high standard
Credit	65 - 74	Work of a good standard
Pass	50 - 64	Work of an acceptable standard
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

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

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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 Penalties Work not submitted on or before the due date is subject to a penalty of 5% per calendar day late. If work is submitted more than 10 days after the due date, or is submitted after the return date, the mark will be 0. Details of the Faculty Resolutions and Provisions regarding late work: Undergraduate: https://www.sydney.edu.au/handbooks/arts/governance/faculty_resolutions.shtml

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

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 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. 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

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Welcome: Purpose of Studying the Arts and Social Sciences	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 01	Welcome and Introduction	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 02	Research and the Researcher	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Purpose of Studying the Arts and Social Sciences - introduction to Assessment 1	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 03	Critical Thinking	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Research and the Researcher - discussing Assessment 1	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 04	Feminism and Gender Politics in the Arts and Social Sciences	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Critical Thinking	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 05	Purpose Revisited - Indigenous Perspectives	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Feminism and Gender Politics in the Arts and Social Sciences	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 06	AI in the Arts and Social Sciences	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Purpose Revisited - Indigenous Perspectives	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 07	Critical Reading/Analysis	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	AI in the Arts and Social Sciences - introduction to Assessment 2	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 08	School of Social and Political Sciences	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Critical Reading/Analysis - discussing Assessment 2	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 09	School of Economics	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	Arguing Well in the School of Social and Political Sciences	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 10	School of Languages and Cultures	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Arguing Well in the School of Economics	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 11	School of Humanities	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Museums through a FASS lens: visiting the Chau Chak Wing Museum	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 12	School of Art, Communication, and English	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Arguing Well in The School of Humanities and the Unit of Study Survey	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 13	Becoming: what's next?	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 13	Arguing Well in the School of Art, Communication, and English and unit wrap up	Tutorial (1 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.

If a unit of study has a participation mark, your attendance may influence this mark.

For more information on attendance, see Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences – Student Attendance at Classes Provisions 2025.

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 required readings are available electronically through the library or directly through the Canvas site. See Canvas for full details on required readings, suggested readings, and further materials.

Learning outcomes

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

LO1. Demonstrate engagement with major concepts, approaches, and practices informing the study of Arts and Social Sciences.
LO2. Understand the diversity and complexity of Arts and Social Sciences from historical, cultural, and social perspectives.
LO3. Apply skills of critical thinking, critical reading, critical analysis, and research practice in engaging with a diverse set of texts and media forms.
LO4. Develop and demonstrate skills of problem solving and what it means to belong and become part of Arts and Social Sciences studies and community.

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

Following student feedback from S2 2024 - S1 2026, we continue to develop the lecture programme and have linked tutorials in week 1-6 closely to core introductory themes in the faculty. We made considerable changes to A3 in 2025. We continue to co-develop participation assessment with students and have already introduced an Early Feedback task. There is no requirement for students to use any AI to complete FASS1000.

Additional information

For detailed information on unit structure, topics, content, and assessment structures and requirements, please visit the unit Canvas site.

And for any further assistance, please contact your tutor or the unit coordinator.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

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

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

FASS1000: Studying Arts and Social Sciences

Semester 2, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links