Core academic policies

Academic honesty is the cornerstone of equitable education and its maintenance is key to fostering a fruitful intellectual environment. The department takes matters of honesty, including cheating and plagiarism, very seriously. In principle, action will be taken in accordance with University Senate policies. For detailed information, please access the senate policies on this matter.

No extensions will be granted for tests without a medical certificate. Extensions for assignments must be negotiated well before the assignment deadline. To arrange an extension for assignments, contact the .

Language, particularly in oral assessments, is evaluated on a range of tangible and less tangible criteria. You can contact the if you feel that you have received an unreasonable grade. However, before doing so please review the criteria on which you were assessed and consider your performance in light of those criteria.

Assessment marks assigned during the semester should be considered preliminary (raw). All grading decisions related to late submissions, makeup assignments, absences, or any other assessment matter will be made with the primary objective of ensuring fairness and equality. In principle, grading practices will follow guidelines established by the Faculty of Arts. Students are advised to retain all marked assignments that are returned during the semester.

Students who miss an assessment due to justifiable illness or misadventure should contact the instructor immediately to discuss makeup arrangements where applicable. Students who miss a significant assessment, such as a semester exam, should apply for Special Consideration with the Faculty of Arts. Please enquire at the Faculty of Arts office about forms and procedures. Note that Special Consideration is generally only approved when assessments are missed due to extenuating circumstances that are readily demonstrable.

All email from instructors or university personnel will be sent to students’ registered University of Sydney email accounts. It is the responsibility of students to check their accounts regularly. Not checking email will not serve as an excuse for failing to complete an assignment or follow instructions.

When writing to instructors or other members of the class, please write with courtesy. Limit your communications to legitimate and carefully-considered questions, comments, or concerns, and please be sure that your questions are not answered in the course outlines. Include a proper salutation and your full name, and please write in complete, grammatical sentences.