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Unit of study_

OLET1656: Understanding Animal Welfare

Intensive November, 2022 [Block mode] - Remote

Ever wondered what it is like to be an elephant? Or why sheep might prefer not to take an overseas trip? Or how to tell if a cat is happy? This unit introduces you to the scientific and ethical frameworks that shape current societal attitudes to animals, how you can assess whether animals are experiencing good welfare, and the way in which practices, policies, legislation and the views of different stakeholders affect animal welfare outcomes. You'll explore these concepts using current examples of animal welfare issues and debates. This unit will stimulate your thinking about the impacts on animals of human activities and give you the skills to critically evaluate information and communicate effectively where your own views lie on animal welfare issues. Through taking this unit you'll discover why animal welfare has been called the social justice issue whose time has come.

Unit details and rules

Unit code OLET1656
Academic unit School of Veterinary Science Academic Operations
Credit points 2
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

No prior knowledge required

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Peter White (Vet Science), p.white@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Online task Module 2 Quiz
Unlimited attempts - must get 100%
10% Week 02
Due date: 28 Oct 2022 at 23:59
Approx: 10-15 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Online task Module 3 Quiz
Unlimited attempts - must get 100%
15% Week 03
Due date: 04 Nov 2022 at 23:59
Approx: 15-20 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3
Assignment Module 4 assessment
Written assignment
15% Week 04
Due date: 11 Nov 2022 at 23:59
200 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Online task Module 5 Quiz 1
Canvas quiz
5% Week 05
Due date: 18 Nov 2022 at 23:59
5-10 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4
Online task Module 5 Quiz 2
Canvas quiz
5% Week 05
Due date: 18 Nov 2022 at 23:59
5-10 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4
Online task Module 6 Quiz
Canvas quiz
15% Week 06
Due date: 25 Nov 2022 at 23:59
15-20 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO5 LO4
Assignment Final assessment
Written assignment
35% Week 08
Due date: 02 Dec 2022 at 23:59
500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

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

Representing complete or close to complete mastery of the material.

Distinction

75 - 84

Representing excellence, but substantially less than complete mastery.

Credit

65 - 74

Representing a creditable performance that goes beyond routine knowledge and understanding, but less than excellence.

Pass

50 - 64

Representing at least routine knowledge and understanding over a spectrum of topics and important ideas and concepts in the course.

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.

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 submission In accordance with the University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date: 1) Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date. 2) 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 Module 1: Introduction and key concepts Individual study (6 hr) LO1
Week 02 Module 2: Animal welfare in society Individual study (6 hr) LO2
Week 03 Module 3: Frameworks for assessing animal welfare Individual study (6 hr) LO3
Week 04 Module 4: Applying animal welfare assessments Individual study (4 hr) LO3
Week 05 Module 5: Understanding stakeholder perspectives Individual study (6 hr) LO4
Week 06 Module 6: Policy and practice Individual study (6 hr) LO5
Week 07 Module 7: Evaluation of a current animal welfare issue Individual study (5 hr) LO6

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. Recognise the key scientific and ethical concepts that underpin animal welfare
  • LO2. Identify differences in societal treatment of animals across different contexts
  • LO3. Describe the different factors that affect an animal’s welfare state
  • LO4. Distinguish the views of different stakeholders on an animal welfare issue
  • LO5. Critically evaluate policy decisions on animal welfare issues
  • LO6. Communicate effectively and succinctly where your own views lie on issues of animal use

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.

Overall, feedback was positive in regards to the structure and content of the unit, with many students expressing that they found the work intellectually rewarding and that they have developed new knowledge and skills. Overall, the aspects of the unit that could be improved are related to interaction in an online environment. Ways to address this are being explored, with potential for structured peer discussions and more 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.