Current Issues in Society (10126.1)

Required texts

Readings are available on the Canvas site both in Modules and under 'Reading Lists'. Students are required to complete weekly readings prior to the first class each week to enable them to participate in discussions and activities. Students must also take notes on readings they find themselves and post these along with the article they have chosen before the beginning of the first workshop as per the unit outline. The notes must be submitted to Canvas unless otherwise stipulated.

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

All assignments are required to be submitted by the due date. If, for any reason, you are unable to do an assignment by the due date you must submit, to the lecturer, a request for an extension in writing before the due date (except in special cases considered reasonable to the lecturer). The request must set out, in detail, the genuine and exceptional reason for requesting the extension. If there is a medical reason for the extension request it must be accompanied by a medical certificate (see below).

Medical certificates. Your medical certificate must clearly state:

• That you were unfit to complete the assignment;
• The date of the medical consultation;
• The period during which you were/are/will be unfit; and
• The severity of your illness.

As an integral part of the learning theory that underpins this unit, students may be asked to re-submit their written assignments if the lecturer and /or tutor decide that the quality of work submitted is not at a reasonable standard that would, as a minimum, gain a Pass level grade. This request will be given in close consultation with the student. Note that a re-submitted assignment can only get a Pass or Fail.

Special assessment requirements

Artificial intelligence

Students are not permitted to use generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in assessments for this unit.

GenAI may only be used in authorised ways when completing assessments at UC. This means that GenAI can only be used for an assessment when:

1. The Unit Convener has authorised GenAI use for that assessment
2. The student uses GenAI in the way that the assessment instructions allow
3. The student fully acknowledges their use of GenAI, with proper citations, references and a GenAI Acknowledgement Statement in line with the assessment instructions.

Where the assessment instructions do not specifically state that GenAI may be used and how, then its use is not permitted for that assessment. Students must still provide the required GenAI Acknowledgement Statement to indicate whether GenAI has or has not been used in the preparation of the assessment. If unsure, students should seek advice from the Unit Convener.

Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.

Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.

UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).

UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.

Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

Participation requirements

If you are an International Foundation Programs student on a student visa, you must attend at least 80% of the scheduled classes, as this is a condition of your student visa to study in Australia.

If your projected attendance falls below 80% the University of Canberra is required to advise the Department of Home Affairs, unless you have evidence of compelling or compassionate circumstances that directly affected your attendance. You will be contacted if your projected attendance falls to 90% and again at 85%.

It is your responsibility to contact your unit convener if you are going to be absent from a class and provide the appropriate evidence of the compelling or compassionate circumstance.

Under the terms of your student visa, you are also required to maintain satisfactory academic progress.

To stay informed about your academic progress in this unit, please check the Gradebook on Canvas regularly.

Your grades provide a clear indicator of your current standing towards achieving the learning outcomes required to pass.

Remember to review the additional feedback on your assessment submissions, as this complements your grades by highlighting areas of strength and opportunities for improvement.

For further discussion on your progress or to seek additional support, you are encouraged to attend the unit convener's consultation sessions or book a separate appointment.

Required IT skills

You are expected to have the IT skills specified in the Handbook for admission to the course, to be interested to use IT in work and learning and have access to the internet.

Work placement, internships or practicums

None.

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