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Unit of study_

OLET1115: (Im)Politeness in Global Society

Semester 1, 2024 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

In a multicultural environment, it is easy to come across as rude, or to misunderstand others' behaviour if we don't know their culture. Showing how politeness and behaviour norms function in different cultures, this unit will provide you with skills that give competitive edge in any professional area. The unit does not require any previous knowledge of foreign language.

Unit details and rules

Unit code OLET1115
Academic unit International Comparative Literature and Translation Studies
Credit points 2
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Tamaki Mihic, tamaki.mihic@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Small continuous assessment Introduction: quiz (compulsory Early Feedback Task)
Online quiz for Module 1 #earlyfeedbacktask
5% Week 03
Due date: 08 Mar 2024 at 23:59
100 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1
Small continuous assessment Asking to do things: quiz
Online quiz for Module 2
5% Week 13
Due date: 23 May 2024 at 23:59
100 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Small continuous assessment Forms of address: quiz
Online quiz for Module 3
5% Week 13
Due date: 23 May 2024 at 23:59
100 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Small continuous assessment Summative quiz on modules 1-4
Online quiz for Module 4
5% Week 13
Due date: 23 May 2024 at 23:59
100 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Small continuous assessment Topics of conversation: quiz
Online quiz for Module 5
5% Week 13
Due date: 23 May 2024 at 23:59
100 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Small continuous assessment Summative quiz on modules 1-6
Online quiz for Module 6
5% Week 13
Due date: 23 May 2024 at 23:59
100 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Assignment Self-reflection paper
Written submission
30% Week 13
Due date: 23 May 2024 at 23:59
500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4
Assignment Final assignment
Written submission
40% Week 13
Due date: 24 May 2024 at 23:59
500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

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 in the Canvas site for this unit.

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

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

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.

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 2023 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 2023. 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

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Ongoing The unit is delivered fully online. You must complete the first module and complete the first quiz by the end of Week 3 (as this is the Early Feedback Task for this unit). However, you can complete the rest of the unit at your own pace as long as you submit the two final assignments by the due dates. Individual study (50 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

Attendance and class requirements

  • this unit is fully online, there is no face to face component.
  • you can take this unit at your own pace, however all assignments must be completed by the deadline for the final assignment.

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 2 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 40-50 hours of student effort in total.

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. gain an in-depth understanding of how politeness and behaviour function differently in different cultures
  • LO2. develop a broader understanding of how language informs culture and vice-versa
  • LO3. identify problems stemming from culture-based notions of politeness and behaviour and devise innovative solutions for them
  • LO4. develop advanced skills in culturally sensitive professional and interpersonal relations.

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.

this unit of study is regularly revised based on student feedback.

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.