SUBMISSION OF WORK: 

Essays and assignments must be submitted through the SOPHI office, located on Level 3, Lobby H, in the Main Quadrangle. Students may not hand essays or assignments directly to their lecturer or tutor.

• A completed and signed cover sheet must be attached; written work will not be marked if the plagiarism policy compliance statement on the cover sheet is unsigned. 
• The School office maintains a register of submitted work, including any claims by students that written work submitted to the School office has been lost
• Students must to retain a copy of all written work submitted.

LATE SUBMISSION AND EXTENSIONS

Essays and assignments not submitted on or before the due date are subject to penalty. Late work is penalised at the rate of 2% of the full marks of the assignment per weekday late and 2% of the full marks of the assignment per weekend late. The maximum penalty for any assessment will be 100%.

Only coordinators, not tutors, have the authority to grant extensions. Extensions will not be granted for pressures of outside work or competing academic commitments. Requests for extension must normally be submitted in writing to the unit coordinator on or before the due date. Where circumstances of illness or misadventure prevent submission of a request for extension before the due date, students may apply for special consideration through the Faculty of Arts office.

Late essays or assignments will not be accepted (except where applications for special consideration are lodged) beyond the designated return date for the relevant written work. In cases where documented misadventure or serious illness prevents students from submitting work before the designated return date an alternative assessment task may be set.

ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS

The School of Philosophical and Historical Inquiry requires satisfactory class attendance as part of participation in a unit of study. Attendance below 80% of tutorials without written evidence of illness or misadventure will be penalised with loss of marks; attendance at less than 50% of tutorials, regardless of the reasons for the absences, will result in the student being deemed not to have fulfilled requirements for the unit of study. The University does not recognise employment as excusing unsatisfactory performance, nor are timetable clashes a valid excuse. Students should not take a unit of study unless they can meet the above attendance requirement.

GRADE DISTRIBUTION

Departments within the School of Philosophical and Historical Inquiry follow Academic Board and Faculty of Arts guidelines in awarding a determined percentage of each grade. Departments may scale marks in order to fit these grade guidelines. The current guidelines for junior units of study are:

HD:    5%            D:    15%            CR:    35%            Total of Credit & above:    55%

GUIDE TO INTERPRETATION OF GRADES

This guide indicates broadly the qualitative judgments implied by the various grades which may be awarded. A more precise evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of individual essays will be provided in markers’ comments.

Below 50% (Fail)

Work not of an acceptable standard. Work may fail for any or all of the following reasons: unacceptable levels of paraphrasing; irrelevance of content; presentation, grammar or structure so sloppy it cannot be understood; submitted very late without extension.

50-54% (Low Pass)

Work of an acceptable standard. Written work contains evidence of minimal reading and some understanding of subject matter, offers descriptive summary of material relevant to the question, but may have a tendency to paraphrase; makes a reasonable attempt to organise material logically and comprehensibly and to provide scholarly documentation. There may be gaps in any or all of these areas.

55-59% (Medium Pass)

Work of a satisfactory standard. Written work meets basic requirements in terms of reading and research, and demonstrates a reasonable understanding of subject matter. Offers a synthesis of relevant material and shows a genuine effort to avoid paraphrasing, has a logical and comprehensible structure and acceptable documentation, and attempts to mount an argument, though there may be weaknesses in particular areas.

60-64% (High Pass)

Work has considerable merit, though Honours is not automatically recommended. Written work contains evidence of a broad and reasonably accurate command of the subject matter and some sense of its broader significance, offers synthesis and some evaluation of material, demonstrates an effort to go beyond the essential reading, contains clear focus on the principal issues, understanding of relevant arguments and diverse interpretations, and a coherent argument grounded in relevant evidence, though there may be some weaknesses of clarity or structure. Articulate, properly documented.

Note that roughly 35% of students in senior level units of study will receive marks within the Pass range each semester.

65-69% (Low Credit)

Competent work, demonstrating potential to complete Honours work, though further development needed to do so successfully. Written work contains evidence of comprehensive reading, offers synthesis and critical evaluation of material on its own terms, takes a position in relation to various interpretations. In addition, it shows some extra spark of insight or analysis. Demonstrates understanding of broad historical significance, good selection of evidence, coherent and sustainable argument, some evidence of independent thought.

70-74% (High Credit)

Highly competent work, demonstrating clear capacity to complete Honours successfully. Evidence of extensive reading and initiative in research, sound grasp of subject matter and appreciation of key issues and context. Engages critically and creatively with the question, and attempts an analytical evaluation of material. Makes a good attempt to critique various interpretations, and offers a pointed and thoughtful contribution to an existing debate. Some evidence of ability to think theoretically as well as empirically, and to conceptualise and problematise issues. Well written and documented.

75-84% (Distinction)

Work of a superior standard. Written work demonstrates initiative in research and reading, complex understanding and original analysis of subject matter and its context, both empirical and theoretical; makes good attempt to ‘get behind’ the evidence and engage with its underlying assumptions, takes a critical, interrogative stance in relation to argument and interpretation, shows critical understanding of the principles and values underlying the unit. Properly documented; writing characterised by style, clarity, and some creativity.

85%+ (High Distinction)

Work of exceptional standard. Written work demonstrates initiative and ingenuity in research and reading, pointed and critical analysis of material, innovative interpretation of evidence, makes an insightful contribution to debate, engages with values, assumptions and contested meanings contained within original evidence, develops abstract or theoretical arguments on the strength of detailed research and interpretation. Properly documented; writing characterised by creativity, style, and precision.

APPEALS:

All care is taken to ensure that marking is consistent and fair and that markers adhere to the assessment criteria as advertised.  In some rare cases, however, a student may feel that the mark awarded does not reflect the quality of the work done.  If you wish to lodge an appeal against the grade awarded, the first step is to contact the Unit of Study Coordinator to arrange for a time to discuss the assessment task.  This should happen within twenty working days of marks being made available to students.

If you are not happy with the outcome of this discussion, then you may appeal formally against the grade awarded. The student should first read the Academic Board Resolution on ‘Student Appeals Against Academic Decisions’.This appeal should be lodged within twenty working days, of the outcome of discussions at local level as outlined above. The appeal must be lodged through the Faculty Office (attention Dean of the Faculty of Arts) and include the following:

• Appeal for Reassessment Form (available here)
• Written statement outlining the reasons for appeal and any additional supporting documentation. The written statement should draw attention to such matters as perceived injustice in terms of bias or inconsistent application of the grade descriptors published by the Department.

The Dean will follow up on your appeal within the time limits and according to procedures set out in the Faculty policy on Student Appeals and Re-marking of Written Work

All information concerning your appeal will be confidential and you will not suffer disadvantage as a result of your appeal (e.g. your mark will not be lowered).

Full details are in the Academic Board policy on Student Appeals Against Academic Decisions

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

The School of Philosophical and Historical Inquiry is committed to the principles of academic honesty as set out in the Academic Board policy on Academic Honesty in Coursework. Students have a responsibility to familiarise themselves with these principles.

In accordance with Academic Board policy, the School’s definition of academic dishonesty includes but is not limited to:

• plagiarism: for full details see below;
• recycling: the submission for assessment of one’s own work, or of work which is substantially the same, which has previously been counted towards the satisfactory completion of another unit of study, and credited towards the satisfactory completion of another unit of study, and credited towards a university degree, and where the examiner has not been informed that the student has already received credit for that work;
• fabrication of data;
• the engagement of another person to complete an assessment or examination in place of the student, whether for payment or otherwise;
• communication, whether by speaking or some other means, to other candidates during an examination;
• bringing into an examination and concealing forbidden material such as textbooks, notes, calculators or computers;
• attempts to read other student’s work during an examination; and/or
• writing an examination or test paper, or consulting with another person about the examination or test, outside the confines of the examination room without permission.

In suspected cases of academic dishonesty, students may be counselled or the matter may be referred to the Head of School.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the theft of intellectual property. The School of Philosophical and Historical Inquiry is opposed to and will not tolerate plagiarism. Students have a responsibility to understand the full details of the Academic Board policies on Academic Honesty in Coursework and Student Plagiarism: Coursework Policy and Procedure.

All students are required to include a signed statement of compliance with work submitted for assessment, presentation or publication certifying that no part of the work constitutes a breach of the University’s policy on plagiarism. This statement of compliance is printed on all assignment/essay cover sheets and written work will not be marked if the compliance statement is unsigned.

In accordance with Academic Board policy, the School defines plagiarism as presenting another person’s work (ideas, findings or written and/or published material) as one’s own by presenting, copying or reproducing the work without acknowledgment of the source. Common forms of plagiarism include but are not limited to:

• presenting written work that contains sentences, paragraphs or longer extracts from published work without attribution of the source;
• presenting written work that reproduces significant portions of the work of another student; and/or
• using the structure of another person’s argument, even if the wording is changed.

Legitimate cooperation between students is permitted and encouraged but students should be aware of the difference between cooperation and collusion. Discussion of general themes and concepts is allowed but students are not permitted to read each other’s work prior to submission or cooperate so closely that they are jointly selecting quotes, planning essay structure or copying each other’s ideas.

While plagiarism is never acceptable, there is a distinction between negligent plagiarism and plagiarism that involves dishonest intent.

Negligent plagiarism is defined in Academic Board policy as ‘innocently, recklessly or carelessly presenting another person’s work as one’s own work without acknowledgement of the source’. In the case of negligent plagiarism, the School’s first responsibility is educative. Where plagiarism is deemed to arise from poor referencing practices or lack of confidence, students will be counseled, provided with strategies for improvement and referred to appropriate services for assistance. They will also be issued with a written warning explaining the consequences of any subsequent breaches of the University’s policy prohibiting plagiarism.

Dishonest plagiarism is defined in Academic Board policy as ‘knowingly presenting another person’s work as one’s own work without acknowledgement of the source’. Where dishonest intent is apparent, the School may proceed to disciplinary measures. In the most serious cases, University procedures relating to student misconduct may be invoked and can lead to expulsion.

The School of Philosophical and Historical Inquiry encourages students to think for themselves. In assessing students’ work academic staff look for evidence of understanding and capacity for independent thought; it is always disappointing to discover plagiarism. Written work containing plagiarism will be assessed according to its academic merit, but may fail because it does not meet the minimum standard required.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATION:

Special consideration applies only to cases of serious illness or misadventure during a semester or occurring at the time of an examination.
 

To apply for special consideration students need to:

1. Obtain a special consideration form from the Faculty of Arts office, Faculty of Arts website or the Student Centre.
2. Complete the special consideration form:
   • For consideration due to serious illness - have a registered medical practitioner or counsellor complete the Professional Practitioners Certificate.
   • For consideration due to misadventure attach appropriate documentation (e.g. police report).
3. Make the appropriate number of copies - one copy per assessment for which special consideration is sought.
4. Lodge the original of this form with the Faculty office.
5. Lodge a stamped copy of the form with each School office.

Applications must be received no less than one week from the end of the period for which consideration is sought (i.e. within one week of the date of the assessment). Students must retain their stamped receipt. Students will be notified of the academic judgement concerning their special consideration application by the relevant unit coordinator.

Full details are available in the Academic Board policy on Assessment and Examination of Coursework

SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS

Special arrangements may be made available to students unable to meet assessment requirements or attend examinations for the following reasons:

• essential religious commitments or essential beliefs (including cultural and ceremonial commitments);
• compulsory legal absence (e.g. jury duty, court summons etc)
• sporting or cultural commitments, including political/union commitments, where the student is representing the University, state or nation;
• birth or adoption of a child; and
• Australian defence force or emergency service commitments (including Army Reserve)

Special arrangements for assessment or examination may include but are not limited to:

• alternative dates for submission of assessments;
• provision of alternative assessment tasks; and
• alternative examination times/arrangements

Applications for special arrangements should be made in writing to the Head of School and Faculty on these forms. Students seeking special arrangements will need to provide sufficient and relevant supporting documentation in English.

Full details are available in the Academic Board policy on Special Arrangements for Examination and Assessment.

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ABN: 15 211 513 464 Created by: Stephen Robertson
Contact: stephen.robertson@usyd.edu.au Last Updated: 13 February, 2009
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