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POLS 315
The Practice of Politics
Semester 2 2014
Course Convenor Associate Professor Jennifer Lees-Marshment Email [email protected]
Office: 1-11 Short Street, Level 3, Room 307www.lees-marshment.org
Online resource centre:https://www.coursebuilder.cad.auckland.ac.nz/flexiblelearning/practice-of-politics/
POLS 315: The Practice of Politics Convenor: AP Jennifer Lees-Marshment
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* as of 20 June*
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____________________________________________________________________________
Teaching staff Course Convenor and lecturer: Associate Professor Jennifer Lees-Marshment, Political
studies email [email protected]. Office hours: Monday 1230-130 or by appointment – please email
Marker - and Tutor for Careers Section (18 August-21 September) - Lisa Kemp [email protected]
Careers Workshops: Careers Development and Employment Services, email Catherine Stephens on [email protected]; workshop facilitators will be Jennie Miller and Tia Dawes
Media training: Richard Smith, Director University of Auckland Television Studio Workplace writing skills: Annette Keogh, Student Learning Services Original work for online resource centre development: CLeaR (the Centre for Learning
and Research in Higher Education), especially ELearning Design & Development Group Learning Designers Liz Ramsay (design and development of the online resource centre); Craig Housley (video conversion); Tony Chung (graphics)
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The Course
Course AimsThe Practice of Politics aims to develop the skills and knowledge needed for students to practice politics effectively; considering the range of jobs available in politics and government, the highs and lows of working in politics, the path to obtaining a position in politics and government and the skills to practice politics both effectively and ethically.
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Course OverviewThe course will explore four main aspects:Working in politics: ideals, jobs, practitioners and experiences The ideal of practising politics; Political Jobs; Political Practitioners; and the Highs and lows of working in politics including job satisfaction & suitability. Careers in Politics: Personal brand development plan; Applying for jobs in politics; Interviewing for jobs in politics.Applied Political Research: Academic advice about Practising politics effectively in terms of Listening, Representing & Advocating, Advising, Leading, Organising, Professionalising, Campaigning & CommunicatingSkills, Ethics and Success in Politics: Practical skill training and the Ethics of Practising Politics.
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Course topics and structure
Part 1 Working in politics: ideals, jobs, practitioners and experiencesThe Ideals of practising politics
The difference between UG study and work The Ideals of Practicising politics – motivations and goals From Theory to Practice
Political jobs and political practitioners The range of jobs related to politics Political jobs – from the job ads Tasks political jobs involve Generic skills needed to do political jobs A day in the life of a political practitioner Famous Political Practitioner Career Timelines World of work Video interviews with Political Practitioners Auckland graduates now working in politics
The Highs and Lows of working in politics The importance of job satisfaction, job suitability and psychology of happiness The hidden side of practising politics - the challenges of working in politics
such as pressure and stress Making the right choice – theories of occupation choice Work life balance and managing your mindset
Part 2 Getting a politics job: skills, applications and interviewsDeveloping a personal brand
Developing your personal brand Reflections on your fit with potential political jobs Audit and development of a plan for development Identifying and promoting your personal brand in person and online
Applying for jobs in politics The principles of effective CVs and cover letters How to find out what employers want How to communicate your skills and promote yourself
Interviewing for jobs in politics The different types of interviews The typical interview process Types of questions and how to answer How to prepare How to promote yourself
Part 3 Applied Political Research: advice from academic literature for a political organisation/practitioner
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Turning literature into advice and best practice literature reviewsStudent presentations
Informal talks on planned organisation/practitioners, area, and potential recommendations
Part 4 Skills, Ethics and Success in PoliticsPractical skill training
Media training Workplace writing skills
The Ethics of Practising Politics Barriers to equality in the workplace of politics and government The importance of ethical behavior (such as trust, integrity, reliability, honesty)
is important in the workplace of politics and government Opportunities and obstacles to achieve change when working in politics
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Formal instruction: workshops and discussion hourThere are two formal modes of formal instruction:
12 x 2-hour workshops: active learning sessions, combining lectures, small and large group discussion, audio-visual footage, political practitioner profiling and discussing a range of material.
11 x 1 hour discussion hours: assessment preparation and listening to guest speakers working in politics
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Practice of Politics online resource centrehttps://www.coursebuilder.cad.auckland.ac.nz/
flexicourses/2118/publish/1/
A key learning resource for The Practice of Politics is the online resource centre which hosts a range of resources including, but beyond, what we will use in the workshops and discussion hours. These need to be consulted to identify ‘workshop preparation’ before each workshop. And there are further resources on each subpage of a workshop with further academic literature, websites, and videos which students can consult for the assessment, when it suits them best.
The online resource centre also has a student note section, enabling students to make their own private notes after consulting resources which they can save and use later when compiling their written assessment. There is also the opportunity to make public comments to enable online discussion.____________________________________________________________________________
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The Practice of Politics 2014 Course timetableWk Workshop Monday 10-12 Discussion Hour Tuesday 12-1 Assessment
due1 Monday 21 July 10-12
Working in politics: ideals and the courseJennifer Lees-Marshment and other teaching staff
- no discussion hour -
2 Monday 28 July 10-12Working in politics: political jobs and political practitionersJennifer Lees-Marshment
Tuesday 29 July 12-1Assessment advice: Report 1 Working in politicsJennifer Lees-Marshment
3 Monday 4 August 10-12Working in politics: the highs and lows of working in politicsJennifer Lees-Marshment
Tuesday 5 August 12-1Working in politics: what politics employers want and employees need to offerGuest speakers Jacinda Adern, Labour MP; Simon O’Connor, National MP; Garth Bray, TVNZ Journalist
4 Monday 11 August 10-12Careers in Politics: developing your personal brand and reflections on your fit with potential political jobsCareers - Jennie Miller and Tia Dawes
Tuesday 12 August 12-1Careers in Politics: Brand audit and development planCareers - Jennie Miller and Tia Dawes
Report 1 Working in
politics Monday 11
August4pm, Arts 1 Reception
5 Monday 18 August 10-12Careers in Politics: applying for jobs in politics Careers - Jennie Miller and Tia Dawes
Tuesday 19 August 12-1Careers in Politics: Developing an applicationCareers - Jennie Miller and Tia Dawes
6 Monday 25 August 10-12Careers in Politics: interviewing for jobs in politicsCareers - Jennie Miller and Tia Dawes
Tuesday 26 August 12-1Careers in Politics: interviews Careers - Jennie Miller and Tia Dawes
Mid-semester break Monday 2 September-Sunday 15th September
7 Monday 15 September 10-12Applied Political Research - turning literature into adviceJennifer Lees-Marshment
Tuesday 16 September 12-1Assessment advice: Report 3 Applied Political ResearchJennifer Lees-Marshment
Report 2 Careers in
PoliticsMonday 15 September4pm, Arts 1 Reception
8 Monday 22 September 10-12Applied Political Research – student presentationsJennifer Lees-Marshment
Tuesday 23 September 12-1Skills, Ethics and Success in Politics: Introduction to appearing in the media
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Richard Smith9 Monday 29 September 10-12
Skills, Ethics and Success in Politics
Surnames A-L: Media Training Richard Smith
(location: Media studio, Kenneth Myers Centre, 74 Shortland Street)
orSurnames M-Z: Workplace
Writing Annette Keogh, Student Learning
Services (location: usual workshop room)
Tuesday 30 September 12-1Skills, Ethics and Success in Politics: Writing in and for governmentGuest speakers Catherine Murray Market Economics/formerly Auckland Council
10 Monday 6 October 10-12Skills, Ethics and Success in Politics
Surnames M-Z: Media Training Richard Smith
(location: Media studio, Kenneth Myers Centre, 74 Shortland Street)
orSurnames A-L: Workplace
Writing Annette Keogh, Student Learning
Services (location: usual workshop room)
Tuesday 7 October 12-1Skills, Ethics and Success in Politics: Writing a policy briefDr Julie McArthur from Politics & IR
Report 3 Applied Political Research
Monday 6 October
4pm, Arts 1 Reception
11 Monday 13 October 10-12Skills, Ethics and Success in Politics: Ethical behaviour in the workplaceJennifer Lees-Marshment Guest speaker Gary Hale, Manager Integrity & Investigation Unit, Auckland Council
Tuesday 14 October 12-1Assessment advice: Report 4 Skills, Ethics and Success in PoliticsJennifer Lees-Marshment
12 Monday 20 October 10-12Skills, Ethics and Success in Politics: Pragmatism and Principle in Practising PoliticsJennifer Lees-Marshment
Tuesday 21 October 12-1Skills, Ethics and Success in Politics: Changing the world in the political workplaceGuest speaker Labour MP Louisa Wall t.b.c post election
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Study break & assessment period
Report 4: Skills, Ethics
and Success in Politics
Tuesday 28th
October 4pm, Arts 1 Reception
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Expectations of students
The course is built on the concept of an active student and collaborative learning, whereby active students:
learn from peer discussions in seminars learn from their own independent research such as the report work together: you may see things, think things, find things the teaching staff have
not, so bring them into class and contribute them to the discussion
Collaborative students: suggest examples and be part of the learning process are co-producer not just a passive consumer contribute ideas for new resources for class and the course builder site understand that the convenor/tutor is a facilitator, rather than font of all knowledge
So, how much you learn depends partly on what you do. Below are a range of activities you need to complete.
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Complete the Workshop Preparation before class: Students need to complete the set preparation before each workshop, so that they have knowledge of material draw on in discussion. The set tasks for each workshop are on the online resource centre.
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Attend and participate: Within both the seminar and discussion hour students will be put into small groups and asked to discuss various questions. The more you put into these discussions, the more you will learn, and the better you will do on the course.
=================================Use the online resource centre: Workshop preparation and further resources are all provided
on: https://www.coursebuilder.cad.auckland.ac.nz/flexiblelearning/practice-of-politics/
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Use e-devices (especially to access the online resource centre) in class appropriately and effectivelyUse e-devices in class as you would working in politics: to help you do your work but not hinder it, so don’t let it distract class and don’t record anything!
The coursebuilder site is designed for use as your choose; so you are encouraged to use it in class in a way that helps discussion.
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Furthermore, urgent demands and the expectation of immediate response are typical of political staff life, and so nearly constant electronic communication is an accepted part of the culture. In recognition of this, students are allowed to use electronic devices (e.g. smart phones, lap top computers and personal data assistants) in class to aid them with the course.
But, in order to promote free discussion, class video and audio may not be recorded or broadcast; and the use of electronic devices must not distract or disrupt other students or the class as a whole.
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Self-directed preparation: The University’s general expectation that each course requires an average of ten hours’ work per week.
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Listen, read, learn but don’t record/copy: Do not record classes; this is not only unethical to do without asking it potentially breaches privacy (of the lecturer and students making comments) but copyright (of materials allowed to be used in education but not recorded). If you have difficulties taking notes, go to the Student learning centre for help. Similarly please follow the law with regard to all materials on the online resource centre or via Cecil and work within the provisions of the Copyright Act (1994) and the University’s negotiated copyright Licences. Any material provided by the teaching staff may be used only for the University’s educational purposes as it might include extracts of copyright works copied under copyright licences. You may not copy or distribute any part of the material to any other person. Where this material is provided to you in electronic format you may only print from it for your own use. You may not make a further copy for any other purpose. Failure to comply with the terms of this warning may expose you to legal action for copyright infringement and/or disciplinary action by the University.
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Ask for help: The Convenor (or tutor for the careers section 18 August-21 September) will respond to reasonable requests for help or if you are having problems with a topic or deadline. Student Learning Services is also another course of assistance, details of which are in this syllabus: they can help with note taking, reading, and writing amongst other things and you should go to them for help when needed.
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Submit your work on time and according to departmental regulations: You must submit your assessment work via cecil and turnitin on time otherwise you will face penalties. All assessed work must comply with Politics and International Relations regulations.
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Use Cecil: Any changes to the course or important notices will be posted on Cecil. Please ensure that your email address is current.
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Go to CDES for help with the Careers ReportThe Career Development and Employment Services is teaching the careers section of the report including workshops and discussion hour. They will also offer a one on one service to students wanting help with developing their CV and job covering letter. So if you have queries about your careers report assessment, go to them.
Career Development and Employment Services also offer various tools online via their website www.cdes.auckland.ac.nz which you should explore. One example is they partnered with InterviewStream™ to offer the latest in virtual mock interview technology. This service will allow you to:
conduct and record virtual mock interviews from any space with an internet connection and a webcam
review practice interview recordings with structured self-assessment.
To access interview stream 1. go to https://auckland.interviewstream.com/default.aspx 2. Click “Create Account” (Please use your University of Auckland email address)3. Once on the InterviewStream™ home page, get started with the InterviewStream™
User Guide under “Helpful Resources”, as well as a video tutorial that walks you through the virtual mock interview process.
NB: InterviewStream is best viewed with the Mozilla Firefox browser.
We encourage you to take advantage of this technology (now used by a number of the top US business schools) to gain both fresh insight and added competitive advantage via the service on your ‘soft’ presentation and interview skills.
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Turn up for the right skills sessions in the right place 29 September and 7 OctoberIn order to allow smaller group teaching and accommodate actual practical experience in the TV studio, for weeks 9 and 10 the class will be split into groups by surname: A-L; and M-Z, and go to different places for different teaching.
Surnames A-L Surnames M-ZWeek 9, Monday 29 September 10am
Go to the TV Studio Kenneth Myers Centre, 74 Shortland Street for media training
Go to the usual workshop room to receive training on workplace writing
Week 10, Monday 7 October 10am
Go to the usual workshop room to receive training on workplace writing
Go to the TV Studio Kenneth Myers Centre, 74 Shortland Street for media training
Media trainingMedia training is run by Richard Smith in a studio on campus. Richard has extensive experience in providing advice and training in this area. In both sessions students will be interviewed either individually or in pairs. The interview will most likely ask students about
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their reports completed or being drafted, such as Report 3, Applied Political Research; such as what is the report about, who is it for, what advice or final recommendations it will give and so on. Students will get to watch each other being interviewed whilst in the studio, learning from each other. The studio is located on campus at the Kenneth Myers Centre, 74 Shortland Street. Please arrive early as it can be a bit difficult to find once in the building; from last year we remember needing to find the building, go through entrance, walk towards the stairs inside and then turn left to get to the specific room.
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___________________________________________________________________________
Course assessment
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Assessment will be a form of active learning in itself, based upon the activities and content of the workshops not just reading. Students are asked to complete four reports, one for each part of the course, each with different activities and questions.
Assessment deadlinesWeek
Assessment Deadline Submission Word count
% of final mark
E-copy Hard-copy4 Report 1 Working
in politics Monday 11
August4pm
To Turnitin
Arts 1 Reception
with attached turnitin receipt
and cecil-assignment
tracking form
2000 25
7 Report 2 Careers in Politics
Monday 15 September
4pm
None* 25
10 Report 3 Applied Political Research
Monday 6 October
4pm
2000 35
13 Report 4: Skills, Ethics and Success in Politics
Tuesday 28 October
4pm
1000 15
*estimated 1000; but the brand development plan, CV and covering letter have a page limit, not word limit
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Report 1: Working in Politics: ideals, jobs, practitioners and experiencesAnswer all 10 questions below in your report. In answering all of these questions, explain, illustrate and justify your answers, drawing on relevant material such as that used in the workshops and on the website, and show careful reflection in relation to what it means for you personally.
The ideals of practising politics1. Discuss the range of motivations for why someone want to go and work in politics2. Reflecting on this in terms of your own situation, discuss why you might want to go and
work in politics
Political jobs3. Search current advertisements for jobs related to politics, identify 5 jobs you might like
to do, and explain why, relating your answers to both the nature of the job (skills and duties etc) and your own self (motivation, job satisfaction etc)
NB: provide the job title and organisation; and make sure they are jobs related to politics
Political Practitioners4. Discuss the range of tasks that political practitioners engage in; the skills they need in
their job; and their background to becoming a political practitioner5. Reflect on what this has taught you about your own potential career working in politics.
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The Highs and Lows of Working in Politics6. What is job satisfaction and why is it important?7. What impact might the life cycle have (or already have had) on your motivations for,
and experience of, working in politics over time?8. Discuss the difference between a job, career and vocation, and reflect on what this
means to you personally9. Identify and discuss the top 5 key challenges of working in politics
Type of politics jobs that will make you happy10. Looking forward, identify the type of jobs in politics with the most potential for you to
get job satisfaction and success and explain why you think they are the ones you should pursue
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Report 2: Careers in Politics: personal brand, applications and interviewsComplete the 4 tasks below.
Brand and Skills Audit and Development plan1. Rate yourself on a scale of 1-5 (1=Developing, 5=Outstanding) with regard to each
category, providing evidence with a variety of examples from all aspects of your life. These categories will assist you in identifying how you fit with graduate and politically oriented employers. [no page limit]
2. Create a Personal Brand and Skills Development Plan [page limit: 2 page]
NB: Please use the form on the online resource site to complete the brand and skills audit and development plan.
Applying for jobs in politics 3. Complete a targeted CV for one of the politics jobs provided [page limit: 3]4. Complete a draft application letter for the same job [page limit: 1]
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Report 3: Applied Political Research: advice for a Political OrganisationTask: Write an advisory report for a political organisation or individual practitioner, drawing on academic literature, for how to improve their practice in one of the areas listening, representing and advocating, advising, leading, organising, professionalising, campaigning and communicating.
This is like a best practice literature review – an analysis of academic research that draws out recommendations for practice for a particular organisation or practitioner in politics. You need to:
a) Choose an organisation/practitioner in politics (such as Auckland Council, MFAT, Greenpeace, the Prime Minister, Minister, local MP, the Labour Party, NATO)
b) Choose which area of practising politics to focus on (you may use literature from more than one but discussion should focus on one only to ensure it will in-depth enough).
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c) Read and review the literature, identifying from it principles for what makes best practice in the area (e.g. leaders should show vision), and connect this it to your chosen organisation or practitioner with the most important recommendations for improving practice (e.g. John Key needs to make his vision clearer)
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Report 4: Skills, Ethics and Success in PoliticsAnswer all 6 questions below in your report. In answering all of these questions, explain, illustrate and justify your answers, drawing on material in the workshops and on the website through all classes on this part of the course, and showing reflection in relation to what it means for you personally.
1. Outline the main principles for effective workplace writing in politics 2. Discuss the key points do you need to bear in mind when appearing in the media,
answering their questions, or advising others such as politicians what to do3. Identify the barriers to equality in the workplace that you need to be aware of4. Discuss why ethical behavior (such as trust, integrity, reliability and honesty) is
important in the workplace of politics and government5. Outline what you have learnt about opportunities and obstacles to achieve change when
working in politics6. Reflect on how you would personally manage the dilemma of pragmatism versus
principle when working in politics
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Expected style of the reportsThe way reports are written is more flexible than traditional academic essays. For example:
They can include sub headings, tables, appendices, images, bullet points, numbers They should still be properly referenced and sources even if it is an internet site or your
own interview Where appropriate, it can include a title and a contents page Your readership is the intelligent general reader, not the specialist, and therefore you
should use non-specialist language and explain all technical terms The structure, content and headings will be different depending on which report it is;
for example in the case of the careers report, it will obviously include the CV and covering letter; in the case of the reports 1 and 4 they will include the questions. You can copy and paste the questions into a word document
Length of reportsThere is a generic word length for reports 1, 3 and 4. It is up to you how much you write under each question; marking will be holistic on quality not quantity. Sometimes students end up writing more words overall, and it needs to be cut down to fit the word length, so make sure you allow time for re-drafting. Whilst keeping to the word limits might seem like hard word, it is good practice in concise writing useful for working in politics.
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For report 2, the careers report, lengths are in pages rather than words to reflect the convention in job applications. Please use the form on the online resource centre for the branding and skills audit and development plan.
Further guidance See assessment section on the online resource centre Attend discussion hours focused on the assessment for reports 1, 3 and 4; and see
careers for one on one advice on report 2 Careers See the feedback forms on the online resource centre that will be used to mark the
reports
Referencing your work: Harvard or Chicago AAcknowledgement of sources is an important aspect of academic writing. The University’s Referen©ite website www.cite.auckland.ac.nz provides students with a one-stop online resource for academic referencing needs. Referen©ite explains the essentials of referencing and how to avoid plagiarism. It also includes practical tools to help students reference correctly, use references effectively in writing, and gives fast access to some major reference formats with examples.
There is a different way of doing this depending on which reference system you use. Reference systems can vary from one department to another. The Department of Political Studies requires students to use one of two reference systems:
1. Harvard2. Chicago A
You can choose either one, as long as you use only one consistently throughout the piece of work.
Departmental GuideSee the Politics and IR website for a detailed guide.
Endnote: bibliography management software systemYou can use either referencing system within the bibliography management software Endnote. EndNote is a specialised database programme for storing and managing bibliographic references. We strongly recommend you attend both Library and Student Learning Centre courses on how to use Endnote to create footnotes and a bibliography while you write your assignment. You will also learn how to import references from Library catalogues or other electronic databases into EndNote libraries using filters. You may also connect directly to some remote databases and search them using EndNote, saving the retrieved references directly to your EndNote library. References in EndNote libraries can be then be sorted and searched, and incorporated automatically into papers for publication. See http://www.library.auckland.ac.nz/endnote/endnote.htm for further details.
Academic integrityThe University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting his or her learning. Where work from
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other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. Student's assessed work will be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms and penalities apply for breach of university policies. For further details including resources to help you see http://www.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/home/about/teaching-learning/academic-integrity.
Submitting assessed workReports should be submitted online via Turnitin and hard copy to ARTS 1 Reception. There are three steps to this process you need to complete:
1. ECOPY TURNITIN: submit an ecopy to turnitin and get a turnitin receipt and print it off2. CECIL ASSIGNMENT TRACKING FORM: go into cecil and download the assignment
tracking form and complete it3. ARTS 1 HARD COPY: print a hard copy of your assessment, attach the assignment
tracking form, and the turnitin receipt, and submit this hard copy to ARTS 1 Reception by 4pm on the day of the deadline.
Assignment tracking sheetYour work must include an Assignment Tracking Sheet which can be downloaded from Cecil (they are not available at the office), properly completed and stapled to the front of your essay.
Turnitin submissionTurnitin is a procedure designed to detect academic dishonesty, therefore ensuring students who do original work get the credit for it and those who copy do not. All students must submit their work via turnitin as well as hard copy, otherwise it will not count as being submitted and will be penalised or not marked.
Go to www.turnitin.com. If you have not already used it you will need to create your own profile and login. If you already have a profile, you can just login. You will need the codes for the course:
The Practice of Politics 2014 Turnitin codes Class ID: 8129178 Enrol password: PracPols14
You will get a receipt for electronic submission; print, save and attach this in case of problems. Anyone not handing work into turnitin will be marked zero - until you have submitted it via turnitin it is not counted as handed in, even if you have handed the hard copy into the office.
4pm deadline for hard copy submissionAny work received after the deadline in terms of date and time will be marked as late and grade penalties will apply, unless students have been granted an extension.
Penalisation policy for late workFor late work submitted after 4pm on the deadline with no extension:
1. Work submitted up to two days late will lose 5 marks
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2. Work submitted between three and five days late will lose 10 marks3. Work submitted between six and ten days late will lose 25 marks4. Work submitted more than ten days past the due submission date will not be accepted
and the student will be given a 0% mark for the essay.
NB: Work submitted more than ten days after the deadline will normally receive a mark of 0 and not be marked. However, in exceptional cases only, the course convenor may allow the essay to receive a mark of up to 50 to pass, should the work deserve it.
Extensions for work submitted after the deadlineIf you have a problem with completing your work on time because of personal of health issues then you should seek an extension in advance of the deadline from the course convenor for Report 1, 3 and 4; and the tutor for Report 2 Careers in Politics. An extension will only be granted:
1. Where there is 'good cause', backed up by documentary evidence if required by the convenor.
2. If the convenor or tutor authorises an extension; it is entirely at their discretion, and it is also completely at their discretion to decide how long an extension to grant
3. If you fill out the PS03 - Coursework Extension Form (available from http://www.arts.auckland.ac.nz/webdav/site/arts/shared/Departments/political-studies/documents/PS-03%20%20Coursework%20Extension%20Form.pdf)
4. You need to fill it in and hand it in with the hard copy of your assessed work. If the extension has been granted by email or face to face, then it will then be accepted when your work is marked, or you can take it to be signed before you submit your work).
Good cause covers genuine cases which are not related to your academic work, such as sudden illness (supported by medical certificate), last-minute death in the family, official leave of absence or similar circumstances
Bad cause includes reasons such as the following: ‘I had lots of other essays to submit at the same time.’One of the key study skills you must learn is time management. You must expect that deadlines will coincide and plan your research and writing time well in advance accordingly.
‘I've been feeling a bit unwell recently.’If you have been seriously ill in the days preceding the deadline and have the appropriate medical certificates to support your case, then this may constitute grounds for an extension. If you have a long-term medical condition it is your responsibility to make sure that the department, tutors and convenors know about this well in advance of the deadline.
‘I couldn't get the books from the library.’The solution here is not to leave work to the last minute. Convenors make every effort to ensure that texts are available in sufficient numbers, but inevitably there is a pressure on material as the deadline looms. If there is a genuine problem with availability of source materials contact the module the tutor (or convenor) well in advance of the deadline.
‘I couldn't get on the computers/internet/use the printers/use the copier.’
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You must expect that problems like this will arise, particularly towards the end of the semester. Allow good time to do both the necessary research and to prepare the finished assessment document.
‘I accidentally deleted my file/lost my essay before handing it in.’It is your responsibility to look after your own work. It is good practice to keep back-up copies of important documents, never use floppy disks that are more than one year old, always make a copy of finished print-outs, email your essay to yourself and save the email.
‘I sent you an email/left a message on your answer phone asking for an extension.’If you apply for an extension, you must ensure that you talk to the tutor responsible for granting that extension and have their signature on the extension form. It is your responsibility to ensure that the request for extension has been properly received.
‘I couldn't make it in that day.’
NB: Extensions should normally be applied for before the deadline. In exceptional cases only, extensions may be granted after the deadline at the discretion of the course convenor, but otherwise students will be penalised and lose marks.
Marking and feedbackStandard Grading criteriaThe following grade descriptors will be used in this course:
GRADE
% VALUE
DESCRIPTION
A +AA -
90 – 10085 – 8980 - 84
Work of high to exceptionally high quality showing excellent knowledge and understanding of subject matter and appreciation of issues; well formulated arguments based on strong and sustained evidence; maps and diagrams, graphs and tables, etc included where appropriate; relevant literature referenced; high level of creative ability, originality and critical thinking; excellent communication and presentation skills.
B +BB -
75 – 7970 – 7465 - 69
Work showing good to strong grasp of subject matter and understanding of major issues though not necessarily of the finer points; arguments clearly developed and based on convincing evidence; relevant literature referenced; evidence of creative ability, originality and critical thinking; good communication and presentation skills.
C +CC -
60 – 6455 – 5950 - 54
Work showing a knowledge of subject matter and appreciation of main issues though possibly with some lapses and inadequacies; arguments developed and supported by some evidence and references; creative ability, originality and critical thinking present but limited; adequate communication and presentation skills.
D +D
45 – 4940 - 44
Work lacking breadth and depth. Work generally has gaps. Frequently work of this grade takes a simple factual approach and understanding and coverage of material is inadequate; does not
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attempt to interpret the material; at the lower end, indicates a need for considerable effort to achieve improvement; communication and presentation skills are poor.
D- 0 - 39
Highly unsatisfactory. Work shows a lack of knowledge about and understanding of the topic. Inadequate in degree of relevance, sometimes completeness, sometimes both. Communication and presentation skills are weak.
Feedback formsA specific feedback form is used to make each report; please see this on the online resource centre as it is a useful guide to how you will be marked.
Provisional marksPlease note that the Department has recently adopted a bell curve formula to the distribution of grades and may impose this at the final markers meeting. Students should therefore understand that any mark they receive during the course are provisional only, and subject to change by the department at this final meeting.______________________________________________________________________
Getting help
Generic writing and communication skillsStudents often lose marks in their assignments because of weaknesses in terms of structuring material, ensuring material and comment is relevant to the question, referencing all points, and covering both/all sides of the question, rather than problems related to the content of a particular course. It is important that you develop good skills in this area as soon as possible as you will be graded throughout your degree on such aspects.
You may wish to get help before and after completing an assessment from the SLC or the Department's Tuakana Programe.
Student Learning Serviceshttp://www.library.auckland.ac.nz/student-learning/ Student Learning Services offers instruction and support in a wide-range of areas to students enrolled at the University of Auckland. These are delivered through workshops, and individual consultations provided by academically qualified and experienced tutors. There is support for undergraduates, postgraduates, Maori and Pacifica students, English language students and learning disabilities students.
The city campus location on the third floor of the Information Commons Building, at The University of Auckland, which is on the corner of Alfred and Symonds Streets, Room 320, Level 3, Information Commons building, 11 Symonds St, Auckland 1010, New ZealandPhone: +64 9 373 7599 ext. 88850Email: [email protected]. City opening hours are 9am-5pm, Monday through Friday.
Politics librarianSimona Traser is the Politics librarian; her email [email protected]
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Career Development and Employment Services www.cdes.auckland.ac.nzCareer Development and Employment Services assist students and recent graduates to:
• Recognise your unique capabilities• Identify the right job fit• Develop skills to manage your evolving career pathways• Enhance your employability• Understand the NZ job market
See the wide range of free workshops, events and resources at www.cdes.auckland.ac.nz
Student representation, complaint, grievance and appeal proceduresAs a general principle, the University encourages the prompt and informal resolution of all student concerns and complaints as they arise, in a collegial and non-adversarial manner. It is particularly important that procedures and processes be applied in a consistent manner – if in doubt, consult your course co-ordinator or Academic Head.
The University, in collaboration with the Auckland University Students Association, supports a class representative and Student/Staff Consultative Committee system. Your class will elect a class or year representative at the start of the semester. Student reps have two roles: as advocates/mediators for the class or year they represent; and as a member of the departmental Student/Staff Consultative Committee, where student reps and academic staff discuss departmental issues. The class rep is a Primary point of contact for students who have a problem or a suggestion to make about teaching or course quality, or student learning conditions.
Students have several initial options if they wish to raise concerns, or complain, about a course, its delivery or teaching:• Bring the matter directly to the teacher, or course co-ordinator; or• Talk to the class representative, who may then raise it directly with the teacher, or pursue the matter at a meeting of the relevant Staff/Student Consultative Committee; or• Contact WAVE, The Student Advocacy Network maintained by students, or the University Proctor.
Please see the AUSA web site http://www.ausa.auckland.ac.nz/wave/grievance.html
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