Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
James Hazelton
Contact via james.hazelton@mq.edu.au
E4A 239
Refer iLearn
Tutor
Andrew Skinner
Contact via andrew.skinner@mq.edu.au
Refer iLearn
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Credit points |
Credit points
3
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
18cp
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
This unit is a Planet unit and considers how sustainability issues are accounted and reported from organisational, governmental and personal perspectives. The unit engages students with key contemporary sustainability issues such as carbon pollution, water scarcity and human rights. Students investigate practical and theoretical reporting issues, including the location of reporting obligations, setting report boundaries, report content, measurement and assurance. Case studies draw on current developments in the field, including global and national greenhouse gas reporting obligations; water reporting under the Australian national water accounting standards and Macquarie University’s own efforts to undertake sustainability reporting. By completing the unit students will be able to locate key sustainability reporting obligations and reports for both governments and organisations, interpret and critically evaluate existing sustainability reports and identify areas of improvement to measuring sustainability.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Name | Weighting | Due |
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Weekly Assignments | 25% | 9am Mondays |
Class Participation | 10% | Ongoing |
Class Presentation | 10% | In seminars |
Final Examination | 55% | University Examination Period |
Due: 9am Mondays
Weighting: 25%
Submission
Assignments must be submitted on iLearn by 9am Monday each week. Students should also bring a copy of their assignments to class. Five (5) assignments will be marked at random. One assignment will be marked in the first weeks of the semester to provide students with early feedback on their performance.
Estimated student workload
Students are expected to spend 3-6 hours per week reviewing videos and prescribed readings and preparing their weekly assignment.
Marking criteria
During the semester five assignments will be collected at random and marked out of five. The assessment criteria for tutorial assignments is as follows:
0/5 – Assignment is incomplete. One or more questions have not been attempted.
1/5 – Assignment is incomplete. All questions have been attempted, but some sub-parts of questions have not been addressed.
2/5 – All questions have been attempted but some answers are incorrect and / or superficial.
3/5 – All questions have been attempted and are substantially correct.
4/5 – All questions have been attempted and the student has answered questions in detail and has included their own opinions and/or analysis where appropriate.
5/5 - All questions have been attempted and in addition to providing their own analysis the student has related appropriate questions to other materials either in the unit or in the wider context. For example the student has related the question to a previous reading referred to a current event / media article.
Note that students submitting the same or similar tutorial assignments to others in the unit risk disciplinary action. Students must also ensure that they do not inadvertently plagiarise material from textbooks or other readings. Copying material verbatim from the textbook or readings is also a form of plagiarism.
Deliverables
Written assignment.
Preparation instructions
Assignment questions will be posted on the unit webpage.
Assignments should be no more than two pages in length (excluding references and a cover page).
On the front page of each weekly assignment that you submit include the following:
Files uploaded to iLearn should be in the following format Surname_StudentID_week#.
Extension
No extensions will be granted. Students who have not completed the task by the due date will be awarded a mark of 0 for the task, except for cases in which an Application for Disruption of Studies is made and approved (in accordance with the policies and procedures).
Penalties
Late work will not be accepted.
Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 10%
Submission
Active participation in seminars is expected of ACCG 260 students. Mere attendance is not enough - students are expected to have prepared for seminars and contribute to in-class discussions and activities.
Estimated student workload
Students are expected to spend approximately 30 minutes reviewing their weekly assignments before attending class, and attend the 3 hour seminar.
Marking criteria
Participation throughout the semester will be assessed as follows:
0/10 – No participation - No substantial contribution to class discussions
1-4/10 - Limited participation - for example, occasionally contributing to class discussions
5-8/10 – Good participation – for example, regularly contributing to class discussions
9-10/10 – Excellent participation – for example, regularly contributing to class discussions and sharing relevant examples from current media or personal experience
This grade will reflect participation over the whole semester and will be posted online after the final class.
Deliverables
Peer and class discussion.
Preparation instructions
Reviewing weekly assignment before attending class.
Extension
N/A.
Penalties
Non-attendance at seminars will reduce the participation grade, except for cases in which an Application for Disruption of Studies is made and approved (in accordance with the policies and procedures).
Due: In seminars
Weighting: 10%
Submission
Students will make one in-class presentation in the semester. Dates will be assigned in the first weeks of class. Further details will be provided on iLearn.
Estimated student workload
Students are expected to spend approximately 5-10 hours on the class presentation.
Marking criteria
Detailed marking criteria will be provided on the unit webpage.
Deliverables
1/ Proposed presentation topic for approval by the tutor.
2/ Powerpoint slides submitted by 9am Monday of the week of presentation.
3/ Oral presentation in class.
4/ 1-page presentation summary in class.
Preparation instructions
Detailed instructions will be provided on the unit webpage.
Extension
No extensions will be granted. Students who have not completed the task by the due date will be awarded a mark of 0 for the task, except for cases in which an Application for Disruption of Studies is made and approved (in accordance with the policies and procedures).
Penalties
Late presentations will not be accepted.
Due: University Examination Period
Weighting: 55%
Examination conditions
The final examination will be of two hours duration (plus ten minutes reading time). Calculators and dictionaries will not be permitted.
What is required to complete the unit satisfactorily
All topics will be examinable. A final examination is included as an assessment task for this unit to provide assurance that:
i) the product belongs to the student; and
ii) the student has attained the knowledge and skills tested in the exam.
Refer to the Faculty webpage for the supplementary exam period.
Contact hours for ACCG 260 comprise video lectures and one 2 hour seminar each week. Students are expected to review the videos before attempting tutorial questions.
The timetable for seminars can be found on the University web site at: http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au/
There is no prescribed text for the unit.
Weekly readings are drawn from the following sources:
The unit makes extensive use of video materials which are available on the unit webpage. Videos are expected to be viewed before attending the seminars.
The web page for this unit is located at: http://ilearn.mq.edu.au/ Please note that student activity on the unit web page is logged, and may be utilised by the Unit Convenor and other University staff in resolving student disputes regarding such issues as assignment submission. Instructions for obtaining help with accessing the unit web page can also be found at the above URL.
Students are expected to have prepared for seminars through reading the prescribed texts and watching the prescribed videos. Students are further expected to participate in seminars via open discussion and group work.
Students are expected to have fast and reliable access to the internet. As noted above lectures are delivered via video and therefore a good internet connection is essential.
Satisfactory completion of ACCG 260 is an overall passing grade. There is no requirement to achieve a passing grade in each individual assessment component, including the final exam. However, since each assessment component contributes to the overall learning outcomes of the unit, students are expected to complete each assessment task in order to maximise their educational experience.
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
New Assessment Policy in effect from Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html. For more information visit http://students.mq.edu.au/events/2016/07/19/new_assessment_policy_in_place_from_session_2/
Assessment Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.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.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
The nature of scholarly endeavour, dependent as it is on the work of others, binds all members of the University community to abide by the principles of academic honesty. 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:
Further information on the academic honesty can be found in the Macquarie University Academic Honesty Policy at http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Macquarie University uses the following grades in coursework units of study:
Grade descriptors and other information concerning grading are contained in the Macquarie University Grading Policy which is available at:
http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
If, at the conclusion of the unit, you have performed below expectations, and are considering lodging an appeal of grade and/or viewing your final exam script please refer to the following website which provides information about these processes and the cut off dates in the first instance. Please read the instructions provided concerning what constitutes a valid grounds for appeal before appealing your grade.
Supplementary Examination
If a Supplementary Examination is granted as a result of the Disruption to Studies process the examination will be scheduled after the conclusion of the official examination period. Please note that the supplementary examination will be of the same format as the final examination.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
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:
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:
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:
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:
Materials in ACCG 260 have been updated to reflect recent developments in environmental accounting and reporting, particularly in the areas of carbon pricing, water and human rights.
Assessment tasks have been changed based on student feedback and to enhance achievement of learning outcomes: the requirement to submit a mid-semester assignment has been removed, an extra weekly assignment will be marked and a class presentation is now required.
ACCG 260 makes extensive use of contemporary research in sustainability accounting, including a number of research papers authored by Dr Hazelton, the Unit Convenor. The unit also examines contemporary practices in sustainability reporting by both governments and organisations as well as Macquarie University.