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Unit of study_

SLAM4003: Meaning in the Anthropocene

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

This unit focuses on key themes for understanding meaning in the Anthropocene, an age of human planetary impact: human-nature relations, social and environmental activism. Students will learn how the various disciplines in the School of Literature, Art and Media engage with the Anthropocene in literary, visual, digital and performative modes. Collaborating with the Sydney Environment Institute, the unit underscores the contribution of the arts to the ethics and aesthetics of meaning in an age of global economic crisis. This unit is team-taught and assessment will accommodate a student's research interests.

Unit details and rules

Unit code SLAM4003
Academic unit Art, Communication and English Administration
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
ARHT3998 or ARHT3999 or ARIN3998 or ARIN3999 or CAEL3998 or CAEL3999 or ENGL3998 or ENGL3999 or FILM3998 or FILM3999 or LNGS3998 or LNGS3999 or PRFM3998 or PRFM3999 or 144 credit points in the Bachelor of Visual Arts
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Liam Semler, liam.semler@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Essay
Extended research essay
60% Formal exam period
Due date: 22 Nov 2021 at 23:59
4000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1
Assignment Assignment
Analysis of theories, websites, or Australian response to Anthropocene.
40% Week 07
Due date: 20 Sep 2021 at 23:59
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1

Assessment summary

Assignment (40%): This assignment will require you to consider information from lectures and conduct research to create a concise written argument.

Essay (60%): This assignment will require you to consider information from lectures and conduct research to create an extended written argument.

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

When you 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

When you 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

When you 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

When you 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.

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 Human, Nature, Capital: Introducing the Anthropocene Online class (2 hr) LO1
Week 02 Shakespeare’s 'Tempest' and Ours: Exploring 'The Tempest' and how it relates to the Anthropocene Online class (2 hr) LO1
Week 03 The Altered Earth: Exploring key aspects of human alteration of the planetary system Online class (2 hr) LO1
Week 04 Climate Justice: Considering environmental justice issues Online class (2 hr) LO1
Week 05 More-than-human Agency and Multispecies Justice Online class (2 hr) LO1
Week 06 Indigenous Knowledge and Futures Online class (2 hr) LO1
Week 07 Chau Chak Wing Museum Visit: Meet outside Museum main entrance at 12.50pm. Field trip (2 hr) LO1
Week 08 Planetary Art and Environmental Memory (Art History) Online class (2 hr) LO1
Week 09 Samuel Beckett’s 'Endgame' (English) Online class (2 hr) LO1
Week 10 Cultures of Rewilding: Exploring rewilding as a conservation and cultural practice. (Studies in Religion) Online class (2 hr) LO1
Week 11 The Internet of Things, AI and the Planet (Digital Cultures) Online class (2 hr) LO1
Week 12 Choreographies of Protest (Theatre and Performance Studies) Online class (2 hr) LO1
Week 13 Sydney Environment Institute Online class (2 hr) LO1

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 for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

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. As per graduate qualities for BAS

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 is the first time this unit has been offered.

Student to consult the School of Literature, Art and Media Undergraduate Curriculum Coordinator Dr Amanda Card (Amanda.Card@sydney.edu.au) for selection of seminar units.

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.