OLES1602: Semester 2, 2021

University home

Library

Current students

Staff intranet

Find an event

Give

Current students

Units OLES1602 Semester 2 2021 [Block mode]

Unit of study_

OLES1602: The Apocalypse in Science and Culture

Semester 2, 2021 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Apocalypse scenarios abound in popular culture, due to causes as diverse as nuclear war, climate change, and zombies. Thinking about how the apocalypse might occur, and how to survive it, presents deep questions around our understanding of science, economics and social culture. This unit will investigate topical issues in nuclear physics, climate science, agriculture and economics. We will use examples from film and literature to explore how we might survive apocalyptic events. In this highly interdisciplinary unit of study you will work together with other students on a diverse range of case studies, to explore some of the key problems confronting our civilization. By doing this unit you will develop critical thinking and analysis skills, as well as practical skills in video production.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	OLES1602
Academic unit	Physics Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Tara Murphy, tara.murphy@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Michael Wheatland, michael.wheatland@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Tara Murphy, tara.murphy@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Online task	Short quizzes Short multiple choice quiz for each module.	10%	Multiple weeks	15 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Participation and contribution A number of small participation tasks.	10%	Multiple weeks	Various.
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Project plan and storyboard Each group will submit a short plan and video storyboard.	20%	Week 06	3-5 pages
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Video project Each group will make a short video.	50%	Week 11	3-5 minute video project.
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Peer assessment Peer assess video projects during final workshops (in Weeks 12 and 13).	10%	Week 12	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	At HD level, a student demonstrates a flair for the subject as well as a detailed and comprehensive understanding of the unit material. A “High Distinction” reflects an exceptional level of achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates their ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding to produce original solutions for novel or highly complex problems and/or comprehensive critical discussions of theoretical concepts.
Distinction	75 - 84	At D level, a student demonstrates an aptitude for the subject and a well-developed understanding of the unit material. A “Distinction” reflects excellent achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates an ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding of the subject to produce good solutions for challenging problems and/or a reasonably well developed critical analysis of theoretical concepts.
Credit	65 - 74	At CR level, a student demonstrates a good command and knowledge of the unit material. A “Credit” reflects solid achievement and is awarded to a student who has a broad general understanding of the unit material and can solve routine problems and/or identify and superficially discuss theoretical concepts.
Pass	50 - 64	At P level, a student demonstrates proficiency in the unit material. A “Pass” reflects satisfactory achievement and is awarded to a student who has threshold knowledge of the subject and can solve simple problems and can accuracy identify key theoretical concepts.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

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. The Apocalypse - Introduction	Seminar (1 hr)
Week 02	2. A Disease Apocalypse	Seminar (1 hr)
Week 02	Introduction to the Project	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 03	3. An Astrophysical Apocalypse	Seminar (1 hr)
Week 04	4. A Nuclear Apocalypse	Seminar (1 hr)
Week 04	Filming Skills - 1	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 05	5. A Climate Apocalypse	Seminar (1 hr)
Week 06	6. The Post-Apocalyptic World	Seminar (1 hr)
Week 06	Filming Skills - 2	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 07	7. An Economic Apocalypse	Seminar (1 hr)
Week 08	8. An IT Apocalypse	Seminar (1 hr)
Week 08	Filming Skills - 3	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 09	9. An Agricultural Apocalypse	Seminar (1 hr)
Week 10	10. The Apocalypse - Wrap-up	Seminar (1 hr)
Week 12	Screening of video projects and peer assessment	Workshop (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Students should attend all seminars and workshops. These will be available online or in-person.

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 are listed on Canvas and are available online.

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 an understanding of different apocalyptic scenarios
LO2. Describe examples of potentially catastrophic issues facing our society, such as climate change and economic collapse
LO3. Use online research to explore threats to our society and possible solutions in an interdisciplinary context
LO4. Analyse how fictional representations of apocalyptic scenarios reflect our concerns and inform debate about threats to society
LO5. Analyse a particular aspect of an apocalyptic scenario in depth, connecting to the broader scientific and social context
LO6. Create a video to communicate ideas, using appropriate technology
LO7. Work in groups to plan and implement a major project

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.

This is the first time this unit has been offered.

Additional information

Equity, Access and Diversity statement

The School of Physics recognises that biases, bullying and discrimination, including but not limited to those based on gender, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion and age, continue to impact parts of our community disproportionately. Consequently, the School is strongly committed to taking effective steps to make our environment supportive and inclusive and one that provides equity of access and opportunity for everyone.

The School has Equity Officers as a point of contact for students who may have a query or concern about any issues relating to equity, access and diversity. If you feel you have been treated unfairly, discriminated against, bullied or disadvantaged in any way, you are encouraged to talk to one of the Equity Officers or any member of the Physics staff.

More information can be found at https://sydney.edu.au/science/schools/school-of-physics/equity-access-diversity.html

Any student who feels they may need a special accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact Disability
Services: https://sydney.edu.au/study/academic-support/disability-support.html who can help arrange support.

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

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

Media

Student links

About us

Connect