Outline

Overview

A hallmark of great leaders is the ability to analyse critical situations, understand different points of view and the values underpinning these positions. Being able to reflect on one's and others' philosophical stances, and conveying them accurately, is crucial to effectively meet the needs of a variety of stakeholders. In this unit of study, you will improve your understanding of logical reasoning and rhetoric, by identifying the common fallacies that appear in public and private discussions and debate, and how to argue by analogy. You will also develop your ethical awareness and cultural competence. In this unit, you will start a personal journey towards becoming a reflexive thought leader.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Strategy, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	SMBA6001
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Stephen Cummings, stephen.cummings@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Jarrod Ormiston, jarrod.ormiston@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 August 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written test	In-semester Test In-semester Test	30%	Week 08 Due date: 26 Sep 2026 at 09:50	1 hour	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Q&A following presentation, submission or placement	Group pitch Q&A session Students in assigned groups will respond to queries by a panel on their pitch performance.	5%	Week 08 Due date: 27 Sep 2026 at 09:00 Closing date: 07 Oct 2026	10-15 mins	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Group pitch Presentation Students in assigned groups will present their views on an assigned topic.	20%	Week 08 Due date: 27 Sep 2026 at 09:00 Closing date: 07 Oct 2026	6 mins	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Evaluation	Peer assessment - feedback fruit Students will be required to assess individual contributions to the group assignment.	5%	Week 08 Due date: 27 Sep 2026 at 17:00 Closing date: 07 Oct 2026	~200 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Creative work	Opinion Piece + Video Opinion Piece + Video + Reflection	40%	Week 10 Due date: 12 Oct 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 22 Oct 2026	800 words + Video 90 Second + Reflection	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.聽
Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.聽
Fail	0 - 49	When you don鈥檛 meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the聽Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the聽Current Students website聽for more information on AI in assessments, including聽details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

According to University and Business School policies.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website聽provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the聽Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM)聽which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the聽Current Students website聽for more information on AI in assessments, including聽details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a聽simple extension.鈥� The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can鈥檛 complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for聽special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students,聽聽includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy聽reflects the University鈥檚 commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 03	22 Aug - Intro, bullshit, talk vs action	Lecture (7 hr)
Week 03	23 Aug - Arguments, rhetoric, worldviews	Lecture (7 hr)
Week 06	10 Sep - Ethical perspectives	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 06	11 Sep - Multimodal communication	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 07	19 Sep - In-semester test, video storytelling	Lecture (7 hr)
Week 08	26 Sep - Op-Ed workshop	Lecture (7 hr)
Week 08	27 Sep - Group presentations	Lecture (5 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Lecture recordings and attendance:聽Note that in contrast to the University default text regarding class recordings on the Camperdown Campus, MBA classes held at the CBD campus are not systematically recorded, and 100% class attendance is expected for each unit of the MBA program.

If there are extenuating circumstances as to why you are not able to attend a specific class, please contact your unit coordinator or the unit co-instructor prior to the commencement of this unit, as there are some classes which are compulsory and failure to attend may require you to withdraw from the unit.聽A unit聽requirement is 90% attendance, and those who drop below this level may not pass the unit.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

See Canvas

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Demonstrate an ability to draw on insights from across relevant business and social skills to critically analyse a variety of business related problems.
LO2. Produce written and visual outputs that demonstrate a sound knowledge of critical thinking skills drawing from philosophy, ethics, and business communications.
LO3. Excel at working with others and demonstrating leadership capabilities to draw on the strengths of peers with diverse backgrounds, values and talents.
LO4. Provide evidence of personal development including leadership and communication skills as well as ethical awareness, cultural competence and show an ability to reflect on how these might contribute to more effective management of organisations.
LO5. Emerge with an ability to clearly articulate a well reasoned, culturally appropriate and informed perspective on some of the major forces shaping contemporary organisations and society (ethical, social and professional understanding).

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all 爆料王 graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one鈥檚 personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Live debates have been introduced both during classes and as assessments following students鈥� suggestions. The final OpEd is now to be written on an ethical issue related to the student鈥檚 own organizational/work environment. This responding to feedback asking for more flexibility on the topic and also as the final assessment becomes a more meaningful exercise for students to reflect on their own values and how these can be brought constructively in their work setting.

Additional information

Disclaimer

Important: the 爆料王 regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an .

爆料王

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

SMBA6005: Critical Analysis and Thought Leadership

Semester 2, 2026 [Block mode] - Castlereagh St, Sydney

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links