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Unit of study_

FASS2200: Great Books that Changed the World

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

Guided by experts from across the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, students will learn how to interrogate, analyse and respond to a range of internationally significant texts in the humanities and social sciences, from both ancient and modern eras. Weekly lectures will be followed by seminars where an emphasis will be placed on detailed group discussion. Authors and texts covered in the unit will vary from year to year, but will include ancient works as the Iliad and the Epic of Gilgamesh, alongside such modern texts as Paulo Freire's Pedagogy of the Oppressed and Elena Ferrante's My Brilliant Friend.

Unit details and rules

Unit code FASS2200
Academic unit Arts and Social Sciences
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
must be in the Dalyell stream
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Alexander Howard, alexander.howard@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Daniel Dixon, daniel.dixon@sydney.edu.au
Diana Shahinyan, diana.shahinyan@sydney.edu.au
Pamela Maddock, pamela.maddock@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Participation Weekly responses
Tutorial questions
10% - n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4
Assignment Short writing task (1)
Written submission
20% Week 04
Due date: 20 Mar 2020 at 23:59
750 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO5
Assignment Short writing task (2)
Written submission
20% Week 08
Due date: 24 Apr 2020 at 23:59
750 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Assignment Independent essay
Written submission
50% Week 14 (STUVAC)
Due date: 05 Jun 2020 at 23:59
2500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Assessment summary

Please see the FASS2200 Canvas page for detailed assessment instructions.

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

Work of outstanding quality, demonstrating an excellent standard of written English and of criticism, logical argument, interpretation of materials or use of methodology. Evidence of extensive independent – and where appropriate, collaborative – research and use of relevant primary and secondary sources, a thoughtful structure, substantial additional work and independent learning. Detailed and demonstrated awareness of professional appropriateness and cultural sensitivity. NB. This grade may be given to recognise particular originality, interdisciplinarity, or creativity.

Distinction

75 - 84

Work of superior quality, demonstrating a command of language, sound grasp of content, efficient organisation and selectivity. Evidence of relevant research, additional work and independent learning. Appropriate use of relevant primary and secondary sources, a thoughtful structure, substantial additional work and independent – and where appropriate, collaborative – learning. Demonstrated awareness of professional appropriateness and cultural sensitivity.

Credit

65 - 74

A sound performance, competent and appropriate. Work that is well written and demonstrates good research skills. Demonstrates a clear grasp of the basic skills and knowledge. Evidence of independent research and use of relevant primary and secondary sources, a thoughtful structure, substantial additional work and independent learning. Work of good quality, showing more than satisfactory achievement. General clarity of expression and professional appropriateness and cultural sensitivity.

Pass

50 - 64

A satisfactory attempt to meet the demands of the assignment. Demonstrates understanding and command of basic skills, core knowledge, and appropriate primary and relevant resources. The assignment may have significant weaknesses (e.g. poor time-keeping skills, lack of engagement with chosen materials), or may not be wholly successful or coherent in terms of delivery or clarity of expression, but shows at least satisfactory achievement in more important aspects.

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.

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 Lecture (1.5 hr)  
Week 02 Homer, Iliad (Lattimore trans.): Books 1, 6, 9, 16-18, 24 Lecture (1.5 hr)  
Welcome / Introduction Seminar (1.5 hr)  
Week 03 Plato, Apology (West trans.) Lecture (1.5 hr)  
Homer, Iliad (Lattimore trans.): Books 1, 6, 9, 16-18, 24 Seminar (1.5 hr)  
Week 04 Michel de Montaigne, Essays (Screech trans.): ‘On Friendship,’ ‘On Liars’ Lecture (1.5 hr)  
Plato, Apology (West trans.) Seminar (1.5 hr)  
Week 05 Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey Lecture (1.5 hr)  
Michel de Montaigne, Essays (Screech trans.): ‘On Friendship,’ ‘On Liars’ Seminar (1.5 hr)  
Week 06 Karl Marx & Friedrich Engels, The Communist Manifesto Lecture (1.5 hr)  
Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey Seminar (1.5 hr)  
Week 08 Carl Schmitt, Concept of the Political (Schwab trans.) Lecture (1.5 hr)  
Karl Marx & Friedrich Engels, The Communist Manifesto Seminar (1.5 hr)  
Week 09 Hannah Arendt, Men in Dark Times: ‘On Humanity in Dark Times: Thoughts on Lessing’ Lecture (1.5 hr)  
Carl Schmitt, Concept of the Political (Schwab trans.) Seminar (1.5 hr)  
Week 10 Susan Sontag, Against Interpretation: ‘Notes on “Camp,”’ ‘Against Interpretation,’ ‘On Style’ Lecture (1.5 hr)  
Hannah Arendt, Men in Dark Times: ‘On Humanity in Dark Times: Thoughts on Lessing’ Seminar (1.5 hr)  
Week 11 Valerie Solanas, SCUM Manifesto Lecture (1.5 hr)  
Susan Sontag, Against Interpretation: ‘Notes on “Camp,”’ ‘Against Interpretation,’ ‘On Style’ Seminar (1.5 hr)  
Week 12 Elena Ferrante, My Brilliant Friend (Goldstein trans.) Lecture (1.5 hr)  
Valerie Solanas, SCUM Manifesto Seminar (1.5 hr)  
Week 13 Claudia Rankine, Citizen Lecture (1.5 hr)  
Elena Ferrante, My Brilliant Friend (Goldstein trans.) / Claudia Rankine, Citizen Seminar (1.5 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: 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.

  • Lecture recording: Most lectures (in recording-equipped venues) will be recorded and may be made available to students on the LMS. However, you should not rely on lecture recording to substitute your classroom learning experience.

  • Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

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 see the weekly lecture schedule for the prescribed readings. (A complete listing of the prescribed readings is also available on the FASS2200 S1, 2020 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 awareness and understanding of primary texts, unit themes, and related topics
  • LO2. show familiarity with theoretical and critical perspectives and be able to discuss and apply them to primary texts and related topics
  • LO3. critically evaluate primary texts and related materials in the cultural, political, geographical, social, and historical contexts in which they were produced
  • LO4. plan for and meet goals and deadlines, both independently as a team member
  • LO5. demonstrate advanced skills in research and critical thinking and analysis to link information in an original way

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.

The unit of study outline has been updated and the assignment criteria (available on Canvas) have been refined.

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.