FASS7001: Semester 1, 2022

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Units FASS7001 Semester 1 2022 [Normal day]

Unit of study_

FASS7001: Academic English for Postgraduates

Semester 1, 2022 [Normal day] - Remote

Overview

This elective is designed for international postgraduates who are new to study in an English language university. It supports the development of study, research, and critical thinking abilities, spoken English and academic language. Knowledge acquired in this unit will strengthen written and spoken English to help meet the standards necessary for successful completion of FASS Masters by coursework degrees. It is recommended that this elective be taken during your first semester.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	FASS7001
Academic unit	English and Writing
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Louise Katz, louise.katz@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Presentation	Seminar presentation n/a	25%	Multiple weeks	one hour
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Reflection journal n/a	25%	Progressive	2500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Annotated bibliography n/a	15%	Week 04 Due date: 15 Mar 2022 at 23:59	500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Essay n/a	35%	Week 12 Due date: 20 May 2022 at 23:59	1500 words
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

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	To be awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars established by the faculty.
Distinction	75 - 84	To be awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars established by the faculty
Credit	65 - 74	To be awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars established by the faculty.
Pass	50 - 64	To be awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars established by the faculty.
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.

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.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	1. Introduction to FASS7001: discussion - cultural differences in academic context; 2. Introduction to resources, including online readings for next week; 3. Assessment type 1 set and explained: reflection journal	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 01	1. 1st online journal entry advice; 2. Word games; 3. Freewriting exercise; 4. Prep W2 seminar: read W2 section titled, ‘Texts for seminar: essay research’	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 02	1. Critical analysis and essential study skills: annotating, summarising, mind-mapping, time management; 2. Assessment types 2 and 3: annotated bibliography & essay Library liaison workshops announced	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 02	1. Advice and group discussion on annotated bibliography, incl. summarising exercise based on readings; 2. Mindmapping exercise and impromptu presentations; 3. Time management exercise	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Introduction to rhetoric and argumentation studymates begins	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 03	1. Word games; 2. Annotat’d bib. continued: research share; 3. Impromptu presentations	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	Logic, argument, evidence	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 04	1. Mechanics: cohesive academic writing (i); 2. Debates explained, groups formed; 3. In-class assignment: write and submit annotations (one hour)	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	1. Negotiating the literature: where do I fit into the conversation?; 2. Academic integrity discussed in the context of developing scholarly voice	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 05	1. Word games; 2. Paraphrasing exercise; 3. Further debate prep	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Making claims	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 06	Debates	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	1. Essay structure; 2. In-class quiz next week: revision	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 07	1. Mechanics: cohesive academic writing ii; 2. Essay marking exercise	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Seminar presentations advice	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 08	1. Word games; 2. Pre-essay sub. quiz; 3. Seminar topic discussion	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	Fact and opinion: final advice on critical reading and writing	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 09	Q and A: essay writing content and style and word games	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 10	Critical thinking beyond the academy	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 10	Student seminar presentations	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 11	Research skills	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 11	Student seminar presentations	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	Review, and further advice on grammar and style	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 12	Student seminar presentations	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 13	Student seminar presentations	Tutorial (2 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.

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. excel at applying and continuing to develop expertise in the graduate's chosen discipline or disciplines
LO2. demonstrate an increased impact of expertise, and to learn and respond effectively and creatively to novel problems and opportunities
LO3. demonstrate integrity, confidence and personal resilience, and the capacities to manage challenge and uncertainty
LO4. demonstrate effective professional and social responsibility and making a positive contribution to society.

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.

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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

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