OLET1115: Semester 1, 2025

Overview

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

Academic unit	International Comparative Literature and Translation Studies
Credit points	2
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Benjamin Nickl, benjamin.nickl@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Daniela Panico, daniela.panico@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Laura Marshall, l.marshall@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025

Details
Criteria

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: 14 Mar 2025 at 23:59	100 words
Outcomes assessed:
Small continuous assessment	Asking to do things: quiz Online quiz for Module 2	5%	Week 13 Due date: 30 May 2025 at 23:59	100 words
Outcomes assessed:
Small continuous assessment	Forms of address: quiz Online quiz for Module 3	5%	Week 13 Due date: 30 May 2025 at 23:59	100 words
Outcomes assessed:
Small continuous assessment	Summative quiz on modules 1-4 Online quiz for Module 4	5%	Week 13 Due date: 30 May 2025 at 23:59	100 words
Outcomes assessed:
Small continuous assessment	Topics of conversation: quiz Online quiz for Module 5	5%	Week 13 Due date: 30 May 2025 at 23:59	100 words
Outcomes assessed:
Small continuous assessment	Summative quiz on modules 1-6 Online quiz for Module 6	5%	Week 13 Due date: 30 May 2025 at 23:59	100 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Self-reflection paper Written submission	30%	Week 13 Due date: 30 May 2025 at 23:59	500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Final assignment Written submission	40%	Week 13 Due date: 30 May 2025 at 23:59	500 words
Outcomes assessed:
= AI allowed ?

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.

The use of AI in this unit:

In this OLET course, students are expected to complete all marked online quizzes independently, without the assistance of AI tools. The use of AI in completing quizzes will be treated as a potential breach of academic integrity and may be referred for further investigation.

However, students are encouraged to use AI tools as a supplementary resource to engage with and process the course materials. For example, you may use AI to take notes, summarize information, or clarify concepts as part of your study process. Please ensure that all submissions for graded assessments, including quizzes, reflect your own understanding and work.

For the self-reflection paper and the final assignment, you may use AI tools such as Grammarly or ChatGPT to refine the academic language of your work.

How to acknowledge your use of AI in this unit:

The use of generative artificial intelligence must be appropriately acknowledged. You can do this by inserting a note at the top or end of your submission where you need to list and describe the AI tool(s) that you used, what you used it/them to do, what prompt(s) you provided, and how the output of the artificial intelligence was used or adapted by you. This additional description does not add to your word count.

An example of such an acknowledgement that you may provide might look like this: I acknowledge the use of ChatGPT (https://chat.openai.com/) to refine the academic language of my own work. On (insert date) I submitted my (self-reflection paper) with the prompt to<“Improve the academic tone and accuracy of language, including grammatical structures, punctuation and vocabulary”>. The output (clarify version history) was then modified further to better represent my own tone and style of writing.

If you are unsure about what constitutes acceptable use of AI in this course, please ask for clarification and consult this Canvas resource site: https://canvas.sydney.edu.au/courses/51655

Please note:

In order to satisfy the requirements for this OLE and receive an SR (Satisfied Requirements, pass) result, you must attempt all assessments. You also must obtain an overall mark of 50% or above to pass this unit and for an SF (pass) result to be recorded on your transcript. Results below 50% will be recorded as an FR (Failed Requirements, fail) result.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2021 (Schedule 1).

Unit mark descriptors: SR/FR

Grade	Description	Description
SR	Satisfied Requirements	Awarded in units of study where student achievement is measured as a pass or fail only without a mark to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars established by the faculty.
FR	Failed Requirements	Awarded in units of study where student achievement is measured either as Satisfied Requirements or Failed Requirements only, without a mark. Awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, fail to demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard established by the faculty
AF	Absent Fail	Awarded to students who fail to demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard through failure to submit or attend compulsory assessment tasks or to attend classes to the required level.

For more information see guide to grades.

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

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator.

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions.

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit.

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site.

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:

The late penalties in this unit for all assessment items with due dates follow the penalty scheme provided by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, with a standard percentage deduction for up to 10 calendar days. After 10 days, a mark of 0 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.

Learning support

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

Weekly schedule

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)

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.

Required readings

all materials available via Canvas online learning site

Learning outcomes

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

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

Additional information

Additional costs

there are no additional costs associated with this unit

Site visit guidelines

there will be no site visits associated with this unit

Work, health and safety

nothing to note

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

This unit of study outline was last modified on 12 Feb 2025.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

OLET1115: (Im)Politeness in Global Society

Semester 1, 2025 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

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

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Site visit guidelines

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

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Useful links

Media

Student links

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