INTS 100, “Cross-Cultural Communication”, is offered internally in first semester. Assessment is by coursework. The unit includes a weekly 1 hour lecture and a 1 hour tutorial.

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Is my unit in iLearn?: http://help.ilearn.mq.edu.au/unitsonline/ Use this link to check when your online unit will become available.

Technology

Students are required to have regular access to a computer and the internet. Mobile devices alone are not sufficient.

• For technical support go to: http://mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/informatics/help
• For student quick guides on the use of iLearn go to: http://mq.edu.au/iLearn/student_info/guides.htm

The unit will be taught in English; all assessment components should be submitted in English.

As this unit involves a series of lectures in preparation for independent research, attendance at all lectures is highly recommended, attendance at tutorials is compulsory. Students who miss tutorials must provide evidence of an unforeseen and serious disruption (e.g. illness, supported by a professional authority form) via ask.mq.edu.au. Ongoing work commitments are not a valid reason for missing classes.

It is expected that you prepare for each lecture with the help of the reading material which is provided to you via the iLearn online platform. Each lecture will then provide you with information, references and relevant sources guiding you towards more independent research. For each lecture, you will be given focus questions to discuss online in preparation for your tutorials. Adequate preparation will help you to engage with the topics discussed in the tutorials.

For each week of the semester, an abstract of the respective lecture will be made available via ILearn; an audiorecording of the lecture (via ECHO), as well as lecture notes will be uploaded into iLearn after the lecture. In each week’siILearn component, you will also find the set readings for the week’s lecture as well as the focus questions for discussion online in preparation for your tutorials, and where relevant, a list of references for further readings.

Beginning in Week 2, the tutorials provide you with the opportunity to actively participate in discussions and to enhance your essay writing skills.

You are expected to visit the iLearn site for INTS 100 more than once a week to obtain all updates in information, to access the set readings and to post your online contributions to the focus questions.

 Submission of Essays

 Please submit both essays online via Turnitin found in the Assessment folder in iILearn. Please note that assignments have to be submitted by 5pm on the day of the due date.

Advice on Essay Writing

Students are expected to present a very clear and concise answer. You are advised to ensure that every sentence you write relates directly to the question and contributes to your argument.

In contrast to the online discussion, your formal writing skills will be assessed. The better the writing, the clearer your argument. You are strongly advised to proof-read your essay prior to submission. Spellcheck will not identify a correctly spelled word used incorrectly in a sentence ("where" instead of "were" as one example of a common mistake which will alter the meaning of your sentence and detract from your argument). Proofread for spelling, style, syntax, vocabulary and grammatical mistakes, all of which will weaken your essay and have the potential to change the meaning of what you had hoped to express. Do not leave either the reading or the writing for the Essays until the last moment. If you rush reading on the topic, you will not have time to develop your thoughts. If you rush writing on the topic, you will not have time to re-read for content and style or to proof-read for errors. The Essay is intended to be an exercise in addressing a particular question and developing your arguments. Every author and website referenced in the essay must appear in your bibliography. Referencing styles are explained and illustrated at: http://www.lib.mq.edu.au/readyref/cites.html.

Be consistent with the referencing style you choose. Essay 2 requires wider reading, and you are expected to use a range of sources. Please note that Wikipedia and Encarta are not considered academic references for the purposes of the Essay and the Take Home Exam.

You will be supplied with references for each individual lecture on ILearn. In addition to taking notes in class, please use ILearn and E-Reserve (Library) to obtain the necessary information.

Please familiarise yourself with the material available in the library by attending one of the library information tours offered at the start of each semester.

Assignments are to be your own work. Using someone else's words (either another student's, from a book, a journal article or a website) without clear acknowledgement is plagiarism and can incur serious penalties. The University defines plagiarism in its rules: “Plagiarism involves using the work of another person and presenting it as one’s own.” Plagiarism is a serious breach of the University’s rules and carries significant penalties. Information about plagiarism can be found in the Handbook of Undergraduate Studies, on the web at http://www.student.mq.edu.au/plagiarism and on the Faculty of Arts cover sheet, which you must sign before you submit your assignments. If you are in doubt consult your lecturer or tutor.

HD

High Distinction which denotes work of outstanding quality. This may be demonstrated in areas such as criticism, logical argument, interpretation of materials or use of methodology. This grade may also be awarded to recognise a high order of originality or creativity in student performance;

D

Distinction which denotes work of superior quality in the same areas of performance as above. This grade may also be awarded to recognise particular originality or creativity in student performance;

Cr

Credit which denotes work of predominantly good quality, demonstrating a sound grasp of content together with efficient organisation, selectivity and use of techniques;

P

Pass which denotes a clear pass and satisfactory achievement of unit objectives;

F

Fail which denotes that a candidate has failed to complete a unit satisfactorily.