SUS1501 is a somewhat
fun, but also very challenging module. The key success factors in this module
is how well you put your thoughts on paper and handing in all the assignments (on time). You have to debate issues for which there are no correct answers. Be careful that you do not
neglect your other subjects because you get caught up in this very
time consuming module.
There is no exam or
study guide for this module you will be divided into groups and you
will have access to the discussion material online. Each assignment
gives you a story of some sort to read and then there are some
requirements that you have to meet.
I will give some
tips, use them, don't use them. It is up to you.
General
1. DO NOT USE
WIKIPEADIA! Everybody uses it, it's for lazy people! Use the online
journals on MyUnisa (Sciencedirect and Academic Search Premier) for
articles. Who do you think has better ideas on these topic? You an
undergraduate student or a professor who publish their opinions in peer
reviewed journals. What is boils down to is that you basically are
not allowed to have ideas, everything you say has to be referenced
from a source. Have a bibliography at the end of each assignment with
at least 3 sources that you consulted.
2. Use the reference
technique described in CBC1501 or Google the "Harvard referencing".
3. If somebody in
the group makes a very academics statement that just does not fit
in with an undergraduate student, Google the phrases and post the
reference so they can get zero. Do not plagiarise or tolerate
plagiarism. Some people will copy their whole assignment from
articles on the internet. Not fair if you take days to write your assignment and they just steal other people's work.
4. Write
academically.
Introduction
"This
assignment will investigate the benefits of online education. The
following paragraphs will present a short history of online education
followed by benefits and some drawbacks. A short case study will be
discussed and finally a conclusion will be drawn"
Tell the reader what is going to follow, no ideas just yet.
Tell the reader what is going to follow, no ideas just yet.
Body consisting of three paragraphs (History, benefits and
drawbacks, case study as mentioned in introduction).
(You will use
sentence like)
Author A, states
that there a three benefits . These benefits are also mentioned by
author B and it is further stated that there are two other benefits
especially to undergraduate studies. For online education to be
successful it needs to adhere to the following model described by
author C. A drawback of this model is that it does not consider
people who are not as rich, as the model is based on ivy league
schools (Author D)
(You have made
the lecturer aware that you have read up and know what you are
talking about. You did not state any of your own ideas, but used
experts in the field to build your case. Nobody can say you are wrong
because you have not stated anything, it is all theory. NOW VERY NB,
apply the theory.)
In the given case
study no mention is made of any of theses steps that describes a good
online education module. The benefits stated by the various authors
is evident in ....... One benefit mentioned is not clearly
illustrated
(Basically
present the theory from journal articles that you are going to use
and then apply it to the case study given. Do it for every topic)
One of the more difficult aspects to get right is to make one paragraph flow logically to the next paragraph. At the end you must come to some point and draw a conclusion based on the facts in the paragraphs.
Conclusion
This
essay/assignment investigated ... and it was discussed under the
topics .....
(links with your
intro and add a final thought)
5. Comment as much
as you can on other students posts. If the assignment is so bad, do not
dignify it with a comment.
Hi xxxx
I have to disagree
with you this comment in your assignment "(quote it, because people
will change their assignments and make you look stupid)" I think
that....
I agree with on
"…... " ,but do you not think that ,...... should also be
considered.
(If someone
chooses option A and you have B as your option, then there is a
fundamental difference in the way you see things and this must then
be debated. If you know you have a good argument stick to it, but if
there is a huge hole and somebody points it out, acknowledge the
mistake and try to correct it in you reply comment. It shows that you are
learning. Some people will write garbage and then after you point it
out to them the will attempt to justify the rubbish they wrote. Don't
be like that.)
6 The headings of
the paragraphs are closely linked to the question they ask or the
words that has to be used. Putting the words in the heading forces you to
address the relevant issues.
7. Give them want.
In the initial multiple choice questions there are no wrong answers,
but in your portfolio you have to show that you had some change of
heart (even if you did not) and change some answers. To show that your outlook and understanding of the world has developed in some way.
Assignment 1
Record
your answers and keep them, you are going to use the answers in the portfolio that has to be handed in at the end of the semester.
Make sure you keep to the deadlines.
Assignment 2
Read and reread the
assignment and then read it again to make sure you understand it.
Answer all the questions.
Analysis of the act using
Kant’s steps. If it fails a step, Kant would not agree with
it.
Express your opinions
clearly and make sure they are coherent and that it flows.
If you think it is acceptable then debate it with the people who said it is not acceptable. Use
economic theory if you must, but get your point across.
Some points:
Salary is an incentive.
The gap between rich and
poor (gini coefficient)
Some people might think
you or a family member of yours earn more they can ever aspire to.
There are many ways to
think about this assignment just make sure you can argue the point you want to make.
Assignment 3
Answer all the questions
using the keywords
“Utilitarianism is a
tradition in which actions are judged as good or bad based on the
aggregate good or bad which that act would lead to.”
Assignment 4
What is the best option
for me? (not the ethical or correct answer, be selfish)
Assignment 5 and 6
These assignments I will
leave up to you to figure out. There are no correct answers just good
and bad arguments. The module leader has a PhD in ecology so do not
think you are going to fool him with some random argument. (His
answer to this question is Why? He has a good argument for it too.)
Assignment
7
Be honest about your
impact and what effect you have on the environment. Make sure you
apply the theory correctly to this assignment. Read the study
material again if you have to.
Assignment 8
Gecko argues that greed
is good but he is very critical of the greedy managers. Have a look
at assignment 6 and 7 and then think if greed is really good. If
greed is good then rhinos have no place in this world (greedy
poachers).
Distinguish between greed
and self-interest (do not confuse the two).
Portfolio
These are just some
ideas, again there is no right or wrong way. What matter most is the
quality of your arguments.
Find journal articles to
support your new views on the issues you changed your mind on. Keep
writing academically and provide support for your views.
Use sentences like:
I changed my answer to X,
the reason being....
Considering utilitarianism....
Present analysis on the
various options and state why and how your opinion on each has changed or
why it has not changed.
Conclude the portfolio
with a final conclusion, stating the most important things you have
learnt or realised and why it was a fascinating module for you. (Show
personal growth).
The portfolio requires quite a lot of time to prepare. The portfolio is due just before the start of the exams so plan so you it does not interfere with you other exams.
The portfolio requires quite a lot of time to prepare. The portfolio is due just before the start of the exams so plan so you it does not interfere with you other exams.
