Students

ACBE100 – Academic Communication in Business and Economics

2014 – S2 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Cassi Liardet
Contact via cassi.liardet@mq.edu.au
Margaret Wood
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit is designed to support students in their transition to university by enabling them to understand and achieve standards of performance required in an academic environment. The unit provides a three-level focus which is initiated by facilitating the development of academic practices, behaviours and values. Secondly, it fosters a level of familiarity with the disciplinary language, texts and conventions used when studying in programs offered by the Faculty of Business and Economics. Finally, it raises awareness of the impact of business and economics principles when they are applied to solving problems and addressing issues in contemporary society. Learning and assessment activities are designed to build the capacity for independent and collaborative approaches to learning. Students are guided to develop their capacity for reading, thinking and expressing ideas effectively and critically.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • A] Read efficiently to gather specific information and ideas from discipline-specific sources.
  • B] Demonstrate an ability to interpret and apply concepts from sources used in the discipline.
  • C] Analyse the purpose, language and features of academic, disciplinary and professional genres.
  • D] Critically evaluate information and ideas from academic, disciplinary and professional sources.
  • E] Express ideas using appropriate language and structure for academic and professional purposes in written and/or oral texts.
  • F] Apply academic referencing conventions accurately and appropriately.
  • G] Apply reasoning to formulate and support a position or argument.
  • H] Plan and produce texts to reflect academic and disciplinary standards.
  • I] Engage in independent and collaborative learning activities.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Due
Critical Summary 15% Weeks 4-5
Group Presentation 15% Weeks 6-8
Business Report Texts 35% Weeks 9-11
Persuasive Essay 35% Weeks 12-14

Critical Summary

Due: Weeks 4-5
Weighting: 15%

As part of a four-stage portfolio, students will be placed in groups and assigned a topic examining a social inclusion issue.  This task requires students to critically read and evaluate discipline-specific texts related to the assigned topic.  Each student is required to read one (1) relevant text and write a critical summary, identifying the salient points, key statistics and points of reliability for why the article is a valid resource in the academic community.

When choosing their texts to critically summarise, students must select from the provided list of reliable resources.

Note: Students should collaborate with their groups to ensure that each student chooses a distinct resource (i.e. a group of 4 students should have 4 different resources). (500 words).


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • A] Read efficiently to gather specific information and ideas from discipline-specific sources.
  • B] Demonstrate an ability to interpret and apply concepts from sources used in the discipline.
  • C] Analyse the purpose, language and features of academic, disciplinary and professional genres.
  • D] Critically evaluate information and ideas from academic, disciplinary and professional sources.
  • E] Express ideas using appropriate language and structure for academic and professional purposes in written and/or oral texts.
  • F] Apply academic referencing conventions accurately and appropriately.
  • H] Plan and produce texts to reflect academic and disciplinary standards.
  • I] Engage in independent and collaborative learning activities.

Group Presentation

Due: Weeks 6-8
Weighting: 15%

The Oral Presentation builds on the information synthesised in the Critical Summaries.  Students organise information related to their topics and collaborate to produce a coherent, multi-dimensional informative report on the topic, evaluating the situation and presenting insightful recommendations to respond to a salient issue within the topic area.

Student presentations will demonstrate an ability to collaborate effectively to identify issues and problem-solve solutions.  Each group member will deliver a 5-minute portion of the presentation followed by a 5-10 minute Q&A session in which the presenters will actively respond to audience enquiry. Students who are functioning as the “audience” of a given presentation will be required to complete a “Question Development Worksheet” and will be assessed on their ability to formulate probing questions relevant to their peer’s presentations.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • A] Read efficiently to gather specific information and ideas from discipline-specific sources.
  • B] Demonstrate an ability to interpret and apply concepts from sources used in the discipline.
  • C] Analyse the purpose, language and features of academic, disciplinary and professional genres.
  • D] Critically evaluate information and ideas from academic, disciplinary and professional sources.
  • E] Express ideas using appropriate language and structure for academic and professional purposes in written and/or oral texts.
  • F] Apply academic referencing conventions accurately and appropriately.
  • G] Apply reasoning to formulate and support a position or argument.
  • H] Plan and produce texts to reflect academic and disciplinary standards.
  • I] Engage in independent and collaborative learning activities.

Business Report Texts

Due: Weeks 9-11
Weighting: 35%

The Business Report assignment involves two critical parts: (1) A formal academic essay and (2) a brochure written for a professional, non-academic audience.  Both parts will focus on identical content; however, the essay will be written for a specialist, academic audience and the brochure will be written for a professional, non-academic audience.

The Business Report organises critical information collected in the critical summary and the group oral presentation to present an information report.  This report will effectively integrate figures and graphs to illustrate salient information and statistics. The brochure will similarly outline the salient issues related to issue and implicitly guide readers to a "call to action" recommendation.

Students are required to reference at least four (6) sources and the prescribed format will replicate the reports examined in class.  (1500 words; i.e. 1200 words for the essay; 300 for the brochure)


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • A] Read efficiently to gather specific information and ideas from discipline-specific sources.
  • B] Demonstrate an ability to interpret and apply concepts from sources used in the discipline.
  • C] Analyse the purpose, language and features of academic, disciplinary and professional genres.
  • D] Critically evaluate information and ideas from academic, disciplinary and professional sources.
  • E] Express ideas using appropriate language and structure for academic and professional purposes in written and/or oral texts.
  • F] Apply academic referencing conventions accurately and appropriately.
  • G] Apply reasoning to formulate and support a position or argument.
  • H] Plan and produce texts to reflect academic and disciplinary standards.
  • I] Engage in independent and collaborative learning activities.

Persuasive Essay

Due: Weeks 12-14
Weighting: 35%

The Persuasive essay will identify a recommendation in response to the social inclusion issue topic and develop a thesis to argue for this recommendation.  The argument essay outlines the key arguments supporting a central thesis, referencing relevant evidence to support each argument before reiterating and reinforcing the thesis through a summary of salient arguments. 

In the argument essay students are required to reference at least eight (8) sources and demonstrate the ability to synthesise information and views from a variety of perspectives to produce a coherent, well-supported recommendation.   (1200 words)


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • A] Read efficiently to gather specific information and ideas from discipline-specific sources.
  • B] Demonstrate an ability to interpret and apply concepts from sources used in the discipline.
  • C] Analyse the purpose, language and features of academic, disciplinary and professional genres.
  • D] Critically evaluate information and ideas from academic, disciplinary and professional sources.
  • E] Express ideas using appropriate language and structure for academic and professional purposes in written and/or oral texts.
  • F] Apply academic referencing conventions accurately and appropriately.
  • G] Apply reasoning to formulate and support a position or argument.
  • H] Plan and produce texts to reflect academic and disciplinary standards.
  • I] Engage in independent and collaborative learning activities.

Delivery and Resources

Lecture: Monday 6:00-7:55pm and Wednesday 9:00-10:55pm.

“Soft” Due dates refer to the time the assignment should be completed and brought to the tutorial for final review and revision.

“Formal” due dates refer to the time the assignment should be formally submitted electronically to Turnitin and in hard copy at the opening of the tutorial.

 

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Assessment Policy  http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html

Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html

Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Extension policy

Extensions are granted only on grounds of illness or misadventure, and appropriate supporting documentation must be submitted.

You may apply for an extension to the due date for an assignment by placing a request for special consideration (http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/special_consideration/policy.html) with AskMQ (https://ask.mq.edu.au/splash.php).

Late submissions

Assessment tasks that are submitted after the due date (without an extension) will attract a penalty of 5% for each day it is overdue (i.e. -5% for 1 day late; -10% for 2 days late;   -15% for 3 days late). Work submitted more than 6 days after the “Formal” due date (i.e., the date in which assignments are returned to students) will not be accepted.

Attendance

Students are expected to attend and participate in all classes. Students should submit formal requests for attendance excusal through the ask.mq.edu.au web portal and must submit supporting documentation to merit an excused absence. Note: Attendance requires respectful student participation in a given lecture or tutorial.  If the lecturer or tutor identifies a student who is physically present but who is not respectfully contributing to the class, he/she reserves the right to mark the student as “Absent”.  If a student’s attendance is below 80% (without approval), he/she will be given an unsatisfactory result (F) for this unit.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • C] Analyse the purpose, language and features of academic, disciplinary and professional genres.
  • E] Express ideas using appropriate language and structure for academic and professional purposes in written and/or oral texts.
  • G] Apply reasoning to formulate and support a position or argument.
  • I] Engage in independent and collaborative learning activities.

Assessment tasks

  • Critical Summary
  • Group Presentation
  • Business Report Texts
  • Persuasive Essay

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • C] Analyse the purpose, language and features of academic, disciplinary and professional genres.
  • E] Express ideas using appropriate language and structure for academic and professional purposes in written and/or oral texts.
  • I] Engage in independent and collaborative learning activities.

Assessment tasks

  • Group Presentation
  • Business Report Texts
  • Persuasive Essay

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • A] Read efficiently to gather specific information and ideas from discipline-specific sources.
  • C] Analyse the purpose, language and features of academic, disciplinary and professional genres.
  • D] Critically evaluate information and ideas from academic, disciplinary and professional sources.
  • E] Express ideas using appropriate language and structure for academic and professional purposes in written and/or oral texts.
  • F] Apply academic referencing conventions accurately and appropriately.
  • H] Plan and produce texts to reflect academic and disciplinary standards.

Assessment tasks

  • Critical Summary
  • Group Presentation
  • Business Report Texts
  • Persuasive Essay

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • A] Read efficiently to gather specific information and ideas from discipline-specific sources.
  • B] Demonstrate an ability to interpret and apply concepts from sources used in the discipline.
  • C] Analyse the purpose, language and features of academic, disciplinary and professional genres.
  • D] Critically evaluate information and ideas from academic, disciplinary and professional sources.
  • G] Apply reasoning to formulate and support a position or argument.
  • H] Plan and produce texts to reflect academic and disciplinary standards.

Assessment tasks

  • Critical Summary
  • Group Presentation
  • Business Report Texts
  • Persuasive Essay

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • B] Demonstrate an ability to interpret and apply concepts from sources used in the discipline.
  • D] Critically evaluate information and ideas from academic, disciplinary and professional sources.
  • F] Apply academic referencing conventions accurately and appropriately.
  • G] Apply reasoning to formulate and support a position or argument.
  • H] Plan and produce texts to reflect academic and disciplinary standards.
  • I] Engage in independent and collaborative learning activities.

Assessment tasks

  • Critical Summary
  • Group Presentation
  • Business Report Texts
  • Persuasive Essay

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • E] Express ideas using appropriate language and structure for academic and professional purposes in written and/or oral texts.
  • G] Apply reasoning to formulate and support a position or argument.
  • I] Engage in independent and collaborative learning activities.

Assessment tasks

  • Group Presentation
  • Business Report Texts
  • Persuasive Essay

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • B] Demonstrate an ability to interpret and apply concepts from sources used in the discipline.
  • D] Critically evaluate information and ideas from academic, disciplinary and professional sources.
  • E] Express ideas using appropriate language and structure for academic and professional purposes in written and/or oral texts.
  • F] Apply academic referencing conventions accurately and appropriately.
  • G] Apply reasoning to formulate and support a position or argument.
  • H] Plan and produce texts to reflect academic and disciplinary standards.
  • I] Engage in independent and collaborative learning activities.

Assessment tasks

  • Critical Summary
  • Group Presentation
  • Business Report Texts
  • Persuasive Essay

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • B] Demonstrate an ability to interpret and apply concepts from sources used in the discipline.
  • D] Critically evaluate information and ideas from academic, disciplinary and professional sources.
  • G] Apply reasoning to formulate and support a position or argument.
  • I] Engage in independent and collaborative learning activities.

Assessment tasks

  • Critical Summary
  • Group Presentation
  • Business Report Texts
  • Persuasive Essay

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • B] Demonstrate an ability to interpret and apply concepts from sources used in the discipline.
  • G] Apply reasoning to formulate and support a position or argument.
  • I] Engage in independent and collaborative learning activities.

Assessment tasks

  • Critical Summary
  • Group Presentation
  • Business Report Texts
  • Persuasive Essay