Assessment Policies and Procedures

SUBMISSION OF WORK: Essays and assignments must be submitted through the School 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. 

LATE 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%.

GRADES:

This Guide indicates broadly the qualitative judgments implied by the various grades that may be awarded. A more precise evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of individual essays will be provided in examiners' comments.

Fail (Below 50%)

Work not of an acceptable standard.

Work may fail for any or all of the following reasons: lack of sufficient research using appropriate sources; irrelevance of content; failure to answer the specific question or treat the specified theme; irrelevance of content; wholesale lack of analysis or interpretation; unacceptable levels of paraphrasing; presentation, grammar or structure so sloppy that work cannot be understood; very late submission without an extension.

Low Pass (50-54%)

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.

Medium Pass (55-59%)

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.

High Pass (60-64%)

Work of considerable merit.

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 clarify or structure. Articulate, properly documented.

Low Credit (65-69%)

Competent work

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 significance, good selection of evidence, coherent and sustainable argument, some evidence of independent thought, grasp of relevant scholarly literature.

High Credit (70-74%)

Highly competent work.

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 in historical terms. Well written and documented.

Distinction (75-84%)

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.

High Distinction (85%+)

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:

If you are unhappy with a grade, you should first speak to the person who marked your work. Appeals against academic judgments or grading decisions can be made either to the unit of study coordinator, or to the Chair of the History Department. Appeals may be made informally or in writing. An appeal against a grading decision or a request that work be remarked must be made within six months of the release of results for the unit of study, except in exceptional circumstances.

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

PLAGIARISM:  Plagiarism is the theft of intellectual property.

The Academic Board of the University of Sydney has defined plagiarism as ‘presenting another person's ideas, findings or work as one's own by copying or reproducing the work without due acknowledgment of the source’. The most common form of plagiarism is presenting written work that contains sentences, paragraphs or longer sections from published work without acknowledgment. In other cases, students reproduce portions of the work of another student and present it as their own. Using the structure of another’s argument is a form of plagiarism, even if the wording is changed.

The History Department encourages students to think for themselves. In assessing your work we look for evidence of your understanding and capacity for independent thought, so we are always disappointed to discover plagiarism. Our disappointment is only mitigated by the delight of successful detection: academics have very sensitive antennae and derivative phrasing will swiftly alert our suspicions. Plagiarism from the internet, in particular, is absurdly easy to detect.

The Department’s first responsibility is educative, and where plagiarism seems to arise from poor referencing practices or lack of confidence, we will alert you to the problem and suggest strategies for improvement. Regardless of the reasons for it, plagiarised work is never acceptable, and may fail because it does not meet the requirements of academic merit.  Where dishonest intent is apparent, the Department may proceed to disciplinary measures. In the most serious cases, university procedures relating to student misconduct may be invoked and can lead to expulsion.

Full details are in the Academic Board policies on Student Plagiarism: Coursework Policy and Procedures

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 the SOPHI 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 judgment 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. 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.