OLET2148: Intensive March - April, 2025
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Unit outline_

Unit outlines now display a small icon AI Allowed = AI allowed restricted AI = restricted AI to indicate which assessments allow you to use AI tools such as Microsoft Copilot Chat. Make sure you are aware of how AI can be used, as unauthorised use is a breach of academic integrity.

OLET2148: Thinking Critically

Intensive March - April, 2025 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

In this unit students will develop their intellectual autonomy: their ability to think for themselves. By learning how to distinguish rational argument from mere rhetoric, how to seek evidence and test hypotheses, how to use analogies, and how to detect fallacies, students will gain skill and confidence in critical thinking.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Philosophy
Credit points 2
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Luke Russell, luke.russell@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Luke Russell, luke.russell@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 4 April 2025
Type Description Weight Due Length
Online task Early Feedback Task AI Allowed Quiz 1
Online quiz #earlyfeedbacktask
7.5% Week 02
Due date: 31 Mar 2025 at 23:59

Closing date: 28 Apr 2025
No time limit
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO2
Online task AI Allowed Quiz 2
Online quiz.
7.5% Week 03
Due date: 07 Apr 2025 at 23:59

Closing date: 09 May 2025
No time limit
Outcomes assessed: LO8 LO3
Online task AI Allowed Quiz 3
Online Quiz
5% Week 03
Due date: 07 Apr 2025 at 23:59

Closing date: 09 May 2025
1 hr
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO1 LO8 LO7 LO4
Assignment AI Allowed Short written assessment
Short essay
20% Week 04
Due date: 15 Apr 2025 at 23:59
400 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Online task AI Allowed Quiz 4
Online Quiz
15% Week 05
Due date: 21 Apr 2025 at 23:59

Closing date: 09 May 2025
1 hr
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO8 LO7 LO5 LO4 LO3
Online task AI Allowed Quiz 5
Online Quiz
15% Week 05
Due date: 21 Apr 2025 at 23:59

Closing date: 09 May 2025
1 hr
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO4
Online task AI Allowed Final Online Quiz
Online Quiz
30% Week 06
Due date: 30 Apr 2025 at 23:59

Closing date: 09 May 2025
90 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO2
AI allowed = AI allowed ?
early feedback task = early feedback task ?

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

See Canvas for full assessment instructions.

Assessment criteria

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

 

Code Name 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 sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades

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:

5% per calendar day or part thereof.

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.

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 03 Modules 1 and 2 Lecture (6 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7 LO8
Week 04 Modules 1 and 2 and tutorial 1 Lecture and tutorial (8 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7 LO8
Week 05 Modules 3 and 4 Lecture (6 hr) LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 06 Modules 3 and 4 and tutorial 2 Lecture and tutorial (8 hr) LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.
  • Lecture recording: Most lectures (in recording-equipped venues) will be recorded and may be made available to students on the LMS. However, you should not rely on lecture recording to substitute your classroom learning experience.
  • Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

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 readings for this unit can be accessed on the Library eReserve link available in the Canvas site for this unit.

  • Recommended textbookCritical Thinking: The Basics, Stuard Hanscomb

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. distinguish rational argument from mere rhetoric
  • LO2. distinguish arguments from explanations
  • LO3. assess the strength of causal arguments
  • LO4. generate and test alternative causal hypotheses
  • LO5. use analogies in scientific, moral, and legal contexts
  • LO6. detect and critique a range of fallacies
  • LO7. employ all of these skills in the critical evaluation of novel arguments from a range of disciplines
  • LO8. communicate evaluation of arguments clearly and succinctly using philosophical terminology used in class.

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 unit is now Pass/Fail.

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 03 Mar 2025.

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