ASSESSMENT 1. MESS MAPPING

This individual task requires you to develop a mess map for ONE wicked problem. Wicked problems are complex, intractable and recurrent issues that attract ongoing political debate (i.e. climate change). For this task, you should select a wicked problem that is listed on the unit iLearn page OR you can choose an issue related to your interests, provided that you discuss it with teaching staff to confirm it is suitable (by the end of week 4). Depending on the wicked problem you have selected, you should undertake your own research on its cultural, economic, political and/or social dynamics (whichever you consider most important).

Mess maps are visual tools that aim to display the complexity of wicked problems, present the uncertainty surrounding both problem formation and potential solutions, and capture the extent of political debate (see week 3 lectorial materials). Your mess map should present the key political, social, cultural and/or economic dynamics of the wicked problem you have selected, as well as the interconnections between these dynamics. The challenge is to present the context and complexity of the wicked problem in a way that aids understanding of it to a non-expert audience. 

The mess map should be presented on one page in landscape or portrait orientation. We recommend using software programs such as Canva, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Powerpoint, Apple Pages, Apple Keynote, Google Docs, Google Slides or Adobe Creative Suite. Your mess map should be uploaded to Turnitin by the due date in .pdf, .png or jpg formats. Please check the resolution of your mess map after you have submitted it on Turnitin to ensure that it is legible. 

ASSESSMENT 2. CASE STUDY RESEARCH REPORT

This individual task requires you to write a 2000-word research report on the complex social issue that have you focused on in your mess mapping assignment. This report should be formatted using word processing software and submitted online via Turnitin. Standard fonts size 12 and 1.5 line spacing should be used. The goal of this task is to research, examine and reflect upon the various political, social, economic and/or cultural dimensions of your case study. Complexity is central to understanding social problems as well as to their possible or provisional solutions, and should be a key focus of this Research Report. In your report, make sure to describe and clearly sketch out the full dimensions of your social/political issue, the main protagonists involved in its historical unfolding, as well as the complexity of any provisional policy or political 'solutions' you identify to manage, contain, or deal with it. 

ASSESSMENT 3. EVALUATION FRAMEWORK

This individual task requires you to write a 1500-word paper that presents an evaluation framework that you have developed to assess a policy proposal or existing program. While it is not compulsory, we highly recommend that you select a proposal or policy that is related to the wicked problem you selected for the Case Study Research Report. If you have any concerns about the suitability of a proposal or program, please consult with teaching staff. This evaluation framework should provide background information on the issue/problem that the proposal or program seeks to address, a clear overview of the proposal or existing program and develop an applied social research methodology. This applied social research methodology should: identify the research problem to be addressed, including which aspects of the proposal or program will be assessed: select either an evaluation or social impact assessment approach (providing a short justification); explain what social research methods (qualitative, quantitative and/or mixed methods) will be applied to address the research problem; and briefly identify key ethical issues that may arise. More information will be presented on iLearn.  

Important Assessment Information 

Academic Integrity

Academic Integrity is an intergral part of the core values and principles contained in the Macquarie University Ethics Statement. Its fundamental principle is that all staff and students act with integrity in the creation, development, application and use of ideas and information. This means that:

• All academic work claimed as original is the work of the author making the claim
• All academic collaborations are acknowledged
• Academic work is not falsified in any way
• When the ideas of others are used, these ideas are acknowledged appropriately
• Self-plagiarism (resubmitting your own work - including past assignments for this or other units - without attribution) is an unacceptable academic activity
• Chat GPT and other generative AI software programs should not be used when preparing or drafting assessments.

University Grading Policy

The grade that a student receives will signify their overall performance in meeting the learning outcomes of the unit of study. Graded units will use the following grades

HD    High Distinction        85-100

D      Distinction                 75-84

Cr     Credit                        65-74

P      Pass                          50-64

F      Fail                              0-49

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University.

Special Consideration (Extensions)

The University recognises that students may experience events or conditions that adversely affect their academic performance. If you experience serious and unavoidable difficulties at exam time or when assessment tasks are due, you can consider applying for Special Consideration.

You need to show that the circumstances:

1. were serious, unexpected and unavoidable
2. were beyond your control
3. caused substantial disruption to your academic work
4. substantially interfered with your otherwise satisfactory fulfilment of the unit requirements
5. lasted at least three consecutive days or a total of 5 days within the teaching period and prevented completion of an assessment task scheduled for a specific date.

More information about Special Consideration is available in the Policies and Procedures section of the unit guide. You can apply for Special Consideration via https://connect.mq.edu.au/s/

Late Assessment Submission Penalty  

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of ‘0’ (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue.    

This late penalty will apply to non-timed sensitive assessment (including essays, reports, posters, portfolios, journals, recordings etc). Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs etc) will only be addressed by the unit convenor via a Special consideration application that has been submitted online. The Special Consideration outcome may result in a new question or topic. 

Unit Structure

There are three parts to the online-flexible offering for SSCI3001 this session:

• The Lectorial. This can be accessed via the ECHO Active Learning Program (lectorials are held on Monday evenings and the recording should be available within 24 hours). The recordings may or may not cover the full session (such as group discussions and activities), so we do not advise listening live.
• The Individual Activity. The individual activity will be available via the weekly tabs on iLearn and should take about one hour to complete.
• The Discussion Forums. Please contribute to the group discussion forums that can be accessed in the weekly tabs on iLearn.

There is no requirement, but you are welcome to attend lectorials. Lectorials will be held at 3pm to 6pm on Mondays in the Group Activity Space 216 on Level 2 of Building 01 Central Courtyard from weeks 1 to 13 of semester (inclusive). 

Required and recommended resources

There is no required textbook for SSCI3001. Required readings are online available via Leganto (see below).

Technology used

The following technologies are used in this unit...

Email

Make sure that you regularly check your student email for correspondence with teaching staff and unit announcements.

iLearn

Important information about the weekly schedule, course readings and assessment are all available on the course iLearn page. If you do not have access, please contact IT help. You are required to check iLearn and your student email regularly for course updates and information.

Turnitin

All written assessments need to be submitted online via Turnitin only. A link to Turnitin will be available via the Assessments tab on the iLearn page. Please contact the convenor if you cannot find it (do not leave it until the day of the assessment). There is no need to submit a hard copy of the assessment or to include a cover sheet.

Feedback will be made available online via Turnitin. It will take four forms (in no particular order): specific comments in the text of your paper; overall comments; a score on a qualitative rubric (that cannot be used to calculate your mark numerically); and a numeric score out of 100. Once you have received your assignment back, please make sure that you have access to these forms of feedback. 

ECHO Active Learning Platform

Recordings of the lectorials will be made available via the ECHO Active Learning Platform. These recordings will not necessarily cover the entire session and will become available after the session is held on Monday afternoon (typically within 24 hours). 

Leganto

Leganto is the electronic system for accessing unit readings that can be accessed via the iLearn page. Readings are allocated via topic. As well as the required readings for each topic, you will find recommended and optional readings. The required readings are available in pdf or electronic format. If you are not able to access the readings, please contact the unit convenor via email.