Social and Cultural Studies 2

All forms of cheating and dishonest practice are taken seriously and penalties will result. Students should refer to Regulation J of the General Course and Examination Regulations

The assignments are graded against the University scale A+ to E. Satisfactory completion of the course overall to at least a C- grade is required in order to pass the course. All assignments must be submitted.

Grading Scale
Grade    GPA Value        Marks

A+              9            90 – 100
A                8            85 – 89.99
A-               7            80 – 84.99
B+              6            75 – 79.99
B                5            70 – 74.99
B-               4            65 – 69.99
C+              3            60 – 64.99
C                2            55 – 59.99
C-               1            50 – 54.99
D                0            40 – 49.99
E               -1             0 – 39.99

The score for each assessment item will be aggregated for the final grade. Normally a student will need to pass all assignments in a course. However, at the time of the examiner’s meeting when one of the grades for an assignment is just below the passing grade and the other grades are at a satisfactory level, the examiner may also consider factors such as attendance, engagement and the tertiary literacy standard of the assignment. In consultation, the examiner may decide to award the aggregated scores/grades. Assessment procedures will follow the policies of the UC College of Education Assessment Guidelines.  Final grades will be calculated and reported using the UC Common Grading Scale.

Distance students are expected to attend class sessions during any compulsory On-site Intensive (OSI).  Students must also participate in the course sufficiently via Learn to meet the learning outcomes.

The College undertakes a process of internal and external moderation of assessment. This is to ensure that the assessment system is fair, equitable, consistent and manageable.

Work handed in after the due date with no extension granted is considered late. Late work will be accepted up to one week after the due date. The highest grade a late assignment can achieve is a C-. Lecturers reserve the right not to mark late work, and no work will be accepted after the assignments have been returned to students.

Under exceptional circumstances (e.g.. illness, accident, bereavement or critical personal circumstances) individual students may be granted an extension of the due date for an assignment. There is, however, a limit to the length of time that an extension can be granted and this should be negotiated with the course coordinator in the first instance. Extensions will not normally be given for longer than one week from the due date, unless exceptional circumstances prevail. Extensions are not granted automatically to students. Requests for extensions should be emailed to the course coordinator at least two days prior to the due date for the assignment. Relevant evidence such as a medical certificate or a letter from a counsellor may be required in order for the course coordinator to make a decision about whether or not to grant an extension. A copy of the course coordinator’s email confirming the extension (if granted) and any supporting documentation must be attached to and submitted with the assignment. Extensions will not normally be granted because of pressure of university study, e.g. several pieces of work being due at about the same time. Students are encouraged to plan their work in a realistic manner and in advance so that they can meet their assessment deadlines.

If work meets most of the criteria required to pass, the student may be given the opportunity to resubmit an assessment to bring it to a passing standard. Resubmissions are restricted to work that is originally submitted on or before the due date. Late assignments will not be considered for resubmission. You must attach the original assignment and original marking sheet to your resubmit. A resubmitted assignment that meets requirements will be awarded a minimum passing grade. A resubmitted assignment that does not meet the passing standard will be awarded a ‘D’.

As well as attending OSI classes, it is essential that all students regularly access the course Learn site. All course information such as the course kaupapa, notices, assessment information, required and recommended readings, audio recordings of some lectures, and other teaching resources etc. will be available on this site.

Students may apply for special consideration if their performance in an assessment is affected by extenuating circumstances beyond their control, where:
(a)  they have suffered an acute illness, injury, or other reasonably unforeseeable circumstances:
i.    which has prevented them from completing any major item(s) of work for assessment in a course; or
ii.   which has impaired their performance (including by interruption of pre-assessment revision) to the extent that the result(s) are likely to underestimate their true and evidenced level of mastery of the material in the course;
or
(b)  
i.    they have been selected to perform, compete, adjudicate, or officiate as a national sporting representative at national or international competitions; or
ii.   they are members of a national cultural group on tour nationally or internationally.
Please note that applications must be supported by evidence.  Further details are available at the above link.

Applications for special consideration should be submitted via the Examinations Office website http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/exams/ within five days of the assessment.

Where an extension may be granted for an assessment, this will be decided by direct application to the Course Co-ordinator and an application to the Examinations Office may not be required.

Special consideration is not available for items worth less than 10% of the course and may not be available for some other items of assessment as specified in Course Outlines.  (Refer to specific Course Outlines for this information.)

Students prevented by extenuating circumstances from completing the course after the final date for withdrawing, may apply for special consideration for late discontinuation of the course. Applications must be submitted to the Examinations Office within five days of the end of the main examination period for the semester.

NB: This information replaces any previous references to special consideration, Aegrotat or Backdated (Late) Withdrawal in the Course Information System, Learn or Course Outlines. If you are unclear about the implications or process please discuss with your Course Coordinator or contact the Student Advice team for assistance.

Students will be expected to submit their assessments via the online assessment system in the Learn class site by 11.50pm on or before the due date. The lecturer may also ask students to submit assessment work through the software Turnitin, to check for plagiarism. If this option is available students will submit work through Turnitin and obtain a report, after submitting assignments for marking via the Learn site. It is the responsibility of the students to check their Internet access and ability to submit their work via the online system.  Any technical difficulties should be notified well in advance of the due date so that assistance can be provided or alternative arrangements can be negotiated. (Students who have unreliable internet access are advised to attend to this early in the course to prevent last minute pressures.) For ICT help call our free call number 0508 UC IT HELP (0508 824 843) or on 03 369 5000.  Monday to  Friday, 8am to 5pm (excluding public and university holidays).