BUS215 Critical Thinking & Ethical Decision-Making
Unit outline
| Important Update: | Our aim is to provide you with an optimal learning experience, regardless of how this unit is delivered. Teaching will be delivered in line with the most current COVID Safe health guidelines. This may include a mix of online and face-to-face. Please check the learning management system for announcements and updates. Thank you for your flexibility and commitment to studying with Sydney Institute of Higher Education. |
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| Enrolment modes: | Year 2, Semester 2 |
| Credit point(s): | 12.5 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Prerequisite: | Nil |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 10 hours per week over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. |
| Scheduled learning activities: | 4 timetabled hours per week, 6 personal study hours per week |
Unit description
Critical thinking and ethical decision making are essential skills for academic research and career success. This unit is designed to develop students’ critical thinking and business decision making skills. Students will learn the features of good arguments and the methods of formulating good arguments through critical reading and analytical writing. Students will also develop the ability of making decisions in accordance with organisational strategies, ethical principles and social responsibilities.
Unit learning outcomes (ULO)
| On the successful completion of this units student will be able to: | |
| ULO1 | Identify the structure of arguments and discuss how to clearly represent arguments. |
| ULO2 | Compare reasoning methods such as deductive reasoning and inductive reasoning in a problem-solving process. |
| ULO3 | Discuss creative and innovative ideas through effective and efficient group argumentation during the business decision making process. |
| ULO4 | Perform critical analysis to seek confirming and opposing evidence from a variety of contexts. |
| ULO5 | Apply critical analysis skills to question the authority of texts and to investigate the implications of texts. |
Topics to be included in the unit
| 1. | Critical thinking in accounting |
| 2. | Identifying arguments |
| 3. | Arguments and non-arguments |
| 4. | Clarity, consistency and structure |
| 5. | Assumptions and meanings |
| 6. | Finding and evaluating evidence sources |
| 7. | Critical reading |
| 8. | Analytical writing |
| 9. | Logical decision trees |
| 10. | Binary decision diagrams |
| 11. | Dynamic analysis |
| 12. | Dynamic analysis and optimisation |
Assessment
| Assessment Description |
Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) |
Indicative due week |
| Assessment 1: Mid-Semester Exam | 30% | Mid-semester exam week |
| Assessment 2: Group Assignment #1 | 20% | 11 |
| Assessment 3: Group Assignment #2 | 10% | 11 |
| Assessment 4: Final Exam | 40% | Final exam week |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. Your lecturer will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.