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Unit outline_

BUSS1000: Future of Business

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This compulsory first year unit is designed to provide commencing undergraduate students with insights into the study and the practice of business. Students gain foundational knowledge in relation to business stakeholders, business challenges and the ways in which business leaders might approach responding to these challenges. Key stakeholders within and external to organisations are identified and their interests are analysed. Critical business challenges such as climate change and sustainability, the future of work and workforce diversity are investigated. The way that these challenges affect different types of business, sectors and stakeholders is analysed and responses constructed to them. The unit is delivered in a blended format, with face-to-face lectures, seminars, and interactive online modules. Success in this unit is determined by strong application of critical, strategic and cross-disciplinary thinking, as well as the ability to demonstrate business knowledge and problem-solving skills through effective written and oral communication.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit International Business
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
BUSS1001
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Jane Kerr, jane.kerr@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 April 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Participation Tutorial preparation & participation
Class preparation and participation
14% Ongoing Weekly from Week 2 onward.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Online task Quiz
Online quiz based on readings & weekly content Weeks 1-3 #EarlyFeedbackTask
6% Week 03
Due date: 10 Mar 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 10 Mar 2024
Timed quiz with up to 10 questions.
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO1
Assignment Consulting Report
Case study analysis
20% Week 05
Due date: 24 Mar 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 03 Apr 2024
1,800 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Presentation group assignment Team presentation
In-class (live) presentation.
30% Week 11
Due date: 12 May 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 12 May 2024
10 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Short release assignment Final Assessment
Short-release assignment.
30% Week 13
Due date: 26 May 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 26 May 2024
2,000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
group assignment = group assignment ?

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

  • Tutorial preparation & participation: Students are required to complete weekly preparation activities provided on Canvas before their tutorial (including completing the modules, readings and weekly case study questions). They will then use the completed preparation activities to help effectively engage in their weekly tutorials with their classmates and tutor, and reflect afterwards on the process and content. More information is detailed on Canvas including any excluding weeks.  
  • Quiz (early feedback task): Students will be required to complete a quiz on Canvas by Week 3 Sunday 23:59. The quiz will cover all Week 1, 2 and 3 content (readings, online modules, case studies and tutorial work). For this reason, it is recommended that students do not complete the quiz until after their Week 3 tutorial. The Quiz will open Week 3 Monday 9pm and will be timed (once a student opens it, they must complete). Feedback will be provided to students once the quiz closes for all students, to help them assess their progression and understanding of the unit.
  • Consulting Report: Students will prepare a business report on a case study, answering the questions provided. The report involves undertaking research, applying theoretical frameworks and concepts, and critically analysing the context and/or organisation. Further details will be provided on Canvas.
  • Team presentation: Students will work on a project in groups of 3-6 participants, creating and submitting their presentation slides and script in Week 11, then presenting it live in Week 12 tutorials where all members must attend. Students will also have to submit regular status reports providing an update of the group’s progress weekly from Week 7-11, with a component of peer evalutation after the presentation is completed. Details of the project will be given to you on Canvas in due course. 
  • Final Assessment: Students will be provided a case they have to analyse and write a report based on the questions provided as part of a short-release assignment. Students will be required to refer to their earlier completed weekly refelections from Tutorials to assist them in completing this assessment. Further details will be provided to you in due course 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

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

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.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

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
Week 01 Business today Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 02 The Organisation - internal analysis Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 03 The Organisation - external analysis Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 04 Business & Society - intertwined or separate? Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 05 Sustainability & Business Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 06 The strategic direction of a business Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 07 The evolution of technology Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 08 Digitalizing & transforming the workplace Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 09 Future of work Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 10 Entrepreneurship Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 11 Opportunistic business: emerging markets Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 12 Presentation Preparation Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 13 Your future in business Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

Important referencing guidelines: APA 7th ed referencing style must be used for all submitted work.

BUSS1000 Tutorials and Workshops start in Week 1.

Tutorial Preparation & Participation is about the quality and consistency of engagement in tutorials and tutorial preparation. It is not simply founded on attendance. The assessment comprises of performance in class and demonstration of preparation prior to class. It includes responding to questions correctly on the topic module on Canvas or on the assigned tutorial material when cold-called. It also includes team/group performance when teams meet in class, overall engagement with Canvas, level of discussion and building on others’ answers, and understanding the weekly case study materials.

NOTE: 

  • Absence affects your participation mark tremendously as one cannot participate in the tutorial activities when they do not attend the tutorials. Furthermore, not being prepared for the tutorials limits your ability to engage and demonstrate good understanding of the weekly topic and case study, therefore impacting the mark awarded.
  • Tutorials are not recorded.
  • If a student misses their assigned weekly tutorial, then they will not be permitted to attend another.
  • To help with other BUSS1000 assessment, particularly the Final Assessment, it is recommended students complete the reflection activity on Canvas after every tutorial.

 

BUSS1000 Workshops: Students will have in their timetables: ‘BUSS1000 Workshops’ which are referred to in the unit as 'Masterclass 1000'. This is the Business School’s undergraduate academic support program for all students in BUSS1000 Future of Business, designed to support students' learning in BUSS1000 through developing their key foundation skills (including communication and research skills) beyond what is taught in the tutorials. 

The Masterclass 1000 workshops start in Week 1 as scheduled in students' timetables. They will be held online, accessible through the Masterclass 1000 Canvas page. The first workshop requires students to complete a compulsory diagnostic exercise where students will receive feedback to assist with submitting their first BUSS1000 written assessment: the Consulting Report. The program also includes weekly on demand resources and live online workshops on Canvas, providing further pre-assessment advice and personalised academic feedback.

Detailed information for BUSS1000 assessment and about Masterclass 1000 can be found on Canvas.

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 Reading List, 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. demonstrate an understanding of theory and conceptual frameworks that are relevant to businesses operating in diverse sectors
  • LO2. explain and critically assess the challenges and opportunities facing businesses in a variety of key sectors within the global economy
  • LO3. apply conceptual frameworks to different business problems in order to derive insights about business performance and opportunities for strategic change
  • LO4. communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, using a range of modes of communication including presentations and writing effectively to different audiences
  • LO5. collaborate effectively with others by structuring work assignments in an effective way to meet deadlines and manage team conflict
  • LO6. demonstrate an understanding of how to make a positive impact within the business environment and plan for a sustainable and ethical approach to societal challenges.

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.

We thank students for their ongoing feedback about the unit and its recent changes in 2023. The unit's topics have been reviewed and are updated for 2024 taking on the shifting direction of business since the global pandemic, and the dire need for organisations to focus on reducing carbon emissions, considering their role in society. Additionally, the Team Presentation will now have a peer evaluation component as requested by many students, as well as be held live in class later in the semester to help students with their combined workload across all units. Finally, additional opportunities for feedback on student progression with the unit have been introduced with the quiz in Week 3 and ongoing feedback in relation to tutorial participation.

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.