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Unit outline_

SMBA6005: Critical Analysis and Thought Leadership

Session 1 Early Census, 2022 [Block mode] - Castlereagh St, Sydney

A hallmark of great leaders is the ability to analyse critical situations, understand different points of view and the values underpinning these positions. Being able to reflect on one's and others' philosophical stances, and conveying them accurately, is crucial to effectively meet the needs of a variety of stakeholders. In this unit of study, you will improve your understanding of logical reasoning and rhetoric, by identifying the common fallacies that appear in public and private discussions and debate, and how to argue by analogy. You will also develop your ethical awareness, cultural competence and receive guidance on how to deal with emotions and stress. These learnings will be applied in the classroom to start a personal journey towards becoming a reflexive thought leader.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Management Education
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
SMBA6001
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Mattia Anesa, mattia.anesa@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
In-semester test (Record+) Type B in-semester exam Exam
Written exam
25% Week 04
Due date: 07 Mar 2022 at 18:00
80 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO5
Assignment group assignment Video
Video
30% Week 05
Due date: 02 Apr 2022 at 09:00

Closing date: 02 Apr 2022
5 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment Opinion piece
Written task
45% Week 06
Due date: 17 Apr 2022 at 17:00

Closing date: 17 Apr 2022
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
group assignment = group assignment ?
Type B in-semester exam = Type B in-semester exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Exam: A written exam will be used to assess students’ understanding of the critical reasoning and critical analysis section of the unit. The exam will include a series of multiple choice questions as well as extended written responses.
  • Video: Students will be required to work with their assigned group members to develop a video to communicate an ethical challenge faced in organizational life.
  • Opinion piece:  Students will be required to critically analyse an aspect of an ethical issue for today’s organizations and take a justifiable position.  On these bases, they will develop a thought leadership piece suitable for publication as an opinion piece.

 

Detailed information for each assessment can be found 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 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 Introduction to critical analysis and thought leadership Workshop (4 hr)  
Critical reasoning and critical analysis Workshop (6 hr)  
Critical reasoning and critical analysis Workshop (6 hr)  
Week 02 How we lead organizations for 'good' Workshop (6 hr)  
How we lead organizations for 'good' Workshop (6 hr)  
Week 04 Group assessment workshop Workshop (4 hr)  
Thought leadership video assessment Presentation (4 hr)  
How we communicate our vision of 'good' Workshop (6 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

Lecture recordings: Note that MBA classes held at the CBD Campus are not systematically recorded and 100% class attendance is expected for each unit of the MBA Program. If there are extenuating circumstances as to why you are not able to attend a particular class, please contact your Unit Coordinator as soon as possible, and also notify your group members (if the Unit has a group work component). A course requirement is 80% class attendance where some classes are mandatory, so those who drop below this level may not pass the unit. Please contact the Unit Coordinator for more information..

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.

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 ability to draw on insights from across relevant business and social skills to critically analyse a variety of business related problems.
  • LO2. Produce written and visual outputs that demonstrate a sound knowledge of critical thinking skills drawing from philosophy, ethics, business communications and media studies.
  • LO3. Excel at working with others and demonstrating leadership capabilities to draw on the strengths of peers with diverse backgrounds, values and talents.
  • LO4. Provide evidence of personal development including leadership and communication skills as well as ethical awareness, cultural competence and show an ability to reflect on how these might contribute to more effective management of organisations.
  • LO5. Emerge with an ability to clearly articulate a well reasoned, culturally appropriate and informed perspective on some of the major forces shaping contemporary organisations and society (ethical, social and professional understanding).

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.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered

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.