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Unit outline_

SMBA6005: Critical Analysis and Thought Leadership

MBA Session 1, 2024 [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 and cultural competence. In this unit, you will 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
The census date for this unit availability is 16 February 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised test
? 
Exam
Written exam
25% Week 03
Due date: 19 Feb 2024 at 19:40
80 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO5
Presentation group assignment Group presentation
Students in assigned groups will present their views on an assigned topic
30% Week 08
Due date: 16 Mar 2024 at 09:00
10min + Q&A
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Participation group assignment Group Peer Assessment
Peer review
5% Week 08
Due date: 17 Mar 2024 at 18:00

Closing date: 24 Mar 2024
15 min
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4
Assignment hurdle task Opinion piece
Written task
40% Week 11
Due date: 07 Apr 2024 at 17:00

Closing date: 14 Apr 2024
800 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
group assignment = group assignment ?

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.
  • Group Presentation: Students in assigned groups will present their views on an assigned topic.
  • Group Peer assessment: Students will be required to assess individual contributions to the group assignment via the ‘Feedback Fruit’ platform integrated in Canvas. Through the peer evaluation, students will have the opportunity to give and receive feedback to/from all members of the team. Marks will be made up of the average score from teammates’ rating and engagement with the feedback received.
  • Opinion piece:  Students will be required to critically analyse an aspect of an ethical issue for their own organization and take a justifiable position.  On these bases, they will develop a thought leadership piece suitable for publication as an opinion piece. (hurdle task set at 50%)

 

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 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 Introduction to critical analysis and thought leadership Workshop (3 hr)  
Critical reasoning and critical analysis Lecture (6 hr)  
Critical reasoning and critical analysis Workshop (6 hr)  
Week 02 How we lead organizations for 'good' Lecture (3 hr)  
How we lead organizations for 'good' Workshop (6 hr)  
Being critical about our role in society Workshop (6 hr)  
Week 04 How we communicate our vision of 'good' Workshop (6 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.

Live debates have been introduced both during classes and as assessments following students’ suggestions. The final OpEd is now to be written on an ethical issue related to the student’s own organizational/work environment. This responding to feedback asking for more flexibility on the topic and also as the final assessment becomes a more meaningful exercise for students to reflect on their own values and how these can be brought constructively in their work setting.

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.