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GSB Assignments

Contents

Assignment information can found in the learning management system of your unit and they will all have a specified due date and must be submitted electronically.

Layout and word limits

You are required to comply with set word limits. They have a dual role – they limit the burden on the person marking them, but most importantly they encourage good academic writing. They also provide a good indicator of the depth to which you are expected to go. Deviations beyond 10% either way may be penalised at the discretion of the unit coordinator.  Assignments are to comply with the following format, unless otherwise indicated by your unit coordinator:

  • Title page – showing your name, unit name, essay topic and word count
  • Essay – divided into subsections with appropriate subheadings, to help you organise your work, and to facilitate marking. This should include: 
  • a margin of at least 4cm on the left hand side
  • Double spaced in 12 point type
  • References – alphabetical listing of works to which you have referred.

Referencing

Referencing is important in all GSB units. UNE is transitioning to a new referencing system, and GSB units will use APA 6th referencing system unless indicated otherwise. The current teaching material may not reflect this change yet, so please do NOT use the referencing style from the topic notes as an example. The transition will be complete by 2012.

Information about APA 6th referencing and examples cna be found at  http://www.une.edu.au/tlc/aso/students/factsheets/apa-example.pdf

Information about the Chicago (Author-Date) referencing system and examples can be found at http://www.une.edu.au/tlc/aso/students/factsheets/chicago-example.pdf

If you are studying a law unit, you are required to use the Australian Guide to Legal Citation (3rd ed, 2010) (AGLC 3). This is a specialised footnoting system that is unique to Law studies.There are links to the AGLC 3, explanations and workshops that show you how to reference using this style on the ASO subject-specific site tUNEup your subject-specific writing skills: Law   

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the action or practice of taking and using as one’s own the thoughts or writings of another without acknowledgment. You must comply with the University’s policy on Plagiarism and Academic Misconduct as described at http://www.une.edu.au/policies/pdf/plagiarismcoursework.pdf. Your work will be checked for originality.

Your responsibilities are to:

  • read, understand and respect the policy on Plagiarism and Academic Misconduct found at the website above;
  • familiarise yourself with the conventions of referencing for your discipline(s);
  • avoid all acts which could be considered plagiarism;
  • seek assistance from appropriate sources with any academic writing areas where you are aware you need more knowledge and skills;
  • submit a separate signed and dated Plagiarism Declaration Form with every task, report, dissertation or thesis submitted for assessment or examination;
  • be aware that when you submit an assignment electronically, you are deemed to have signed the declaration.

Avoiding Plagiarism

You should refer to the following websites or to academic units for further advice and assistance:

Assignment Submission

Unless otherwise directed by the unit coordinator in the unit teaching materials, students must submit assignments electronically via moodle. Details of how to do this can be found at http://moodle.une.edu.au/course/view.php?id=1528 

Assignment Extensions

The granting of extensions is at the discretion of your lecturer. If circumstances prevent you from completing an assignment by the specified date, you must contact your lecturer immediately it becomes clear that your assignment will be late and outline the reasons why you need an extension.

Requests for extra time should be made well in advance of the due date, so there is time to consult your lecturer first. Sympathetic consideration is given to requests for extension of time, but you may be asked to submit a medical certificate if ill health seriously delays your work. Extensions are not granted where requests are received after the due date for submission of an assignment. Leaving 'your run a bit late' is not looked upon sympathetically.

Your lecturer can only grant extensions within the trimester period. Any requests to submit assignments after the examination week has commenced are regarded as requests for Special Extensions of Time. These must be made in writing and require supporting documentation. Please refer to the section on Special Examinations for further information.

Late Assignments

A compulsory assignment submitted after the due date without an extension (or the negotiated due date after an extension is granted) will result in an NI (Fail Incomplete) grade for the unit. A non-compulsory assignment submitted after the due date without an extension will receive 0% for the assignment.

Return of Assignments

Usually your completed assignments will be returned to you with a mark and comments, where appropriate.  Some assignments may be posted while others may be returned eletronically. Assignments will normally be returned to you within a month of the due date. GSB staff can only supply information about receipt and return dates for assignments. Marks may only be obtained from your lecturer.