PLS2601/101/3//2022

Tutorial Letter 101/3/2022

Critical Reasoning
PLS2601

Semester 1 and 2

Department of Philosophy Practical and

Systematic Theology

This tutorial letter contains important information about your module.

BARCODE
 CONTENTS
Page

1 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 3
2 PURPOSE AND OUTCOMES ...................................................................................................... 4
2.1 Purpose ........................................................................................................................................ 4
2.2 Outcomes ..................................................................................................................................... 4
3 CURRICULUM TRANSFORMATION ........................................................................................... 5
4 LECTURER(S) AND CONTACT DETAILS................................................................................... 5
4.1 Lecturers....................................................................................................................................... 5
4.2 Department ................................................................................................................................... 6
4.3 University ...................................................................................................................................... 6
5 RESOURCES ............................................................................................................................... 6
5.1 Prescribed book(s) ........................................................................................................................ 6
5.2 Recommended book(s) ................................................................................................................. 6
5.3 Electronic reserves (e-reserves) ................................................................................................... 6
6 STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES ................................................................................................ 7
6.1 First-Year Experience Programme @ Unisa ................................................................................. 7
7 STUDY PLAN ............................................................................................................................... 8
8 PRACTICAL WORK ................................................................................................................... 12
9 ASSESSMENT ........................................................................................................................... 12
9.1 Assessment criteria..................................................................................................................... 12
9.2 Assessment plan ........................................................................................................................ 13
9.3 Assignment due dates ................................................................................................................ 14
9.4 Submission of assignments ........................................................................................................ 14
9.5 The assignment .......................................................................................................................... 14
9.6 Other assessment methods ........................................................................................................ 15
9.7 The examination ......................................................................................................................... 17
10 ACADEMIC DISHONESTY ........................................................................................................ 17
10.1 Plagiarism ................................................................................................................................... 17
10.2 Cheating ..................................................................................................................................... 17
10.3 More information about plagiarism can be downloaded on the link below ................................... 17
11 STUDENT WITH DISABILITY .................................................................................................... 17
12 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ........................................................................................ 17
13 SOURCES CONSULTED ........................................................................................................... 18
14 IN CLOSING ............................................................................................................................... 18

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Dear Student

1 INTRODUCTION
Dear Student,

Welcome to the Discipline of Philosophy (situated in the Department of Philosophy, Practical and
Systematic Theology) and to the blended module PLS2601: Critical Reasoning. We trust that you will
enjoy your studies and find this module intellectually both stimulating and challenging.

The tutorial matter for this module includes the following:

• Tutorial Letter 101: This Tutorial Letter contains all administrative information, the module
outline, suggested study plan, as well as your assignment questions and due dates. Please
read this Tutorial Letter very carefully.
• Tutorial Letter 301: This Tutorial Letter contains information on referencing.
• Study Guide
• Take note: there is no prescribed textbook for this module. All reading is contained within
the Study Guide. At particular locations within the guide, you will be asked to read a particular
webpage or link to a particular YouTube video.

Apart from Tutorial Letters 101, 301, and the Study Guide, you will also be able to download other tutorial
letters during the semester. These tutorial letters will not be available at the time of registration but will be
made available online as soon as they are available or needed (for instance, for feedback on assignments).
All official study material is made available electronically on myUnisa under the module’s page and the
tab “Official Study Material”.

PLEASE NOTE: The module Critical Reasoning is semesterised. If you are registered for Semester 1,
you will write the final examination for this module in May/June. If you are registered for Semester 2, you
will write the final examination in October/November. Once you have passed the examination you have
completed the module and you have earned your credits for the module.

Proper planning is essential for successful study. The syllabus is divided into a number of topics, each
with a central theme. Work out a study programme that suits your particular circumstances. Alternatively,
you can follow the suggested programme of study. Remember to organise your study programme so that
you have enough time to prepare for the examination. Work through all the prescribed material and
complete all the activities in the Study Guide and the assignments to ensure that you cover the
syllabus.
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Best wishes for your studies.

Dr E.S.N. Mkhwanazi
Senior Lecturer
Department of Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology
Telephone: +27 12 429 6397
e-mail: mkhwaesn@unisa.ac.za

2 PURPOSE AND OUTCOMES

2.1 Purpose

The module Critical Reasoning will be useful to you, the learner, in a wide range of fields where basic
critical thinking skills are required, for example, psychology, education, social work, communication
science, public administration, English studies, managerial professions, and Health Sciences.

Learners credited with the module Critical Reasoning are orientated towards independent thinking through
active participation in the development of their competence in critical reasoning skills. They are sensitive
to fallacies in reasoning and adopt a critical attitude towards stereotypes and biases. They demonstrate
the basic competence to analyse and evaluate different kinds of arguments, and to construct their own
arguments by applying their experience and competencies acquired through their studies in critical
reasoning.

2.2 Outcomes

A range of tasks in study guides, tutorial letters, assignments and examinations will show that you, the
learner, have achieved the following outcomes:

• Learners can demonstrate an understanding of the importance of clear thinking for effective
communication and decision-making strategies.
• Learners can apply their critical reasoning skills to the analysis, construction and evaluation of
complex arguments.
• Learners can demonstrate the competence to identify arguments and to analyse different kinds of
arguments.
• Learners can apply knowledge and skills in evaluating different types of arguments.
• Learners can apply knowledge and skills in constructing own arguments.

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3 CURRICULUM TRANSFORMATION
Unisa has implemented a transformation charter based on five pillars and eight dimensions. In response
to this charter, we have placed curriculum transformation high on the teaching and learning agenda.
Curriculum transformation includes the following pillars: student-centred scholarship, the pedagogical
renewal of teaching and assessment practices, the scholarship of teaching and learning, and the infusion
of African epistemologies and philosophies. These pillars and their principles will be integrated at both
programme and module levels as a phased-in approach. You will notice a marked change in the teaching
and learning strategy implemented by Unisa, together with how the content is conceptualised in your
modules. We encourage you to embrace these changes during your studies at Unisa in a responsive way
within the framework of transformation.

4 LECTURER(S) AND CONTACT DETAILS

4.1 Lecturers

The module leader is:

Dr Ezekiel S.N. Mkhwanazi

Office: Room 09-67, WMM Building, Muckleneuk Campus, Preller Street,

Muckleneuk Ridge, Pretoria, SOUTH AFRICA
Postal address: PO Box 392, UNISA, 0003, SOUTH AFRICA
Telephone: +27 12 429 6397
e-mail: mkhwaesn@unisa.ac.za

The secondary lecturer is:

Prof. Pascah Mungwini

Office: Room 09-100, WMM Building, Muckleneuk Campus, Preller Street,

Muckleneuk Ridge, Pretoria, SOUTH AFRICA
Postal address: PO Box 392, UNISA, 0003, SOUTH AFRICA
Telephone: +27 12 429 6317
e-mail: mungwp@unisa.ac.za

You will be linked to your e-tutor on myUnisa. Please only use the official tutor site on myUnisa to contact
your e-tutor. You will not have the e-mail address or cellphone number for your e-tutor.

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PLEASE NOTE:

All administrative queries must be directed to the relevant administrative departments at Unisa. This
includes queries about registration, finances, delivery of study material and so on.

All queries that are of an academic nature, i.e. about the content of the module, should be directed to
your lecturers. Please read your tutorial matter thoroughly, as your module leader is often contacted with
queries that are already answered therein.

4.2 Department

Should you be unable to reach your lecturers, or if you desire to contact the Department, you are welcome
to contact our administrative officer, Ms. Petronela Sekhukhune, at the following contact details:

Office: Room 09-51, WMM Building, Muckleneuk Campus, Preller Street,

Muckleneuk Ridge, Pretoria, SOUTH AFRICA
Postal address: PO Box 392, UNISA, 0003, SOUTH AFRICA
Telephone: +27 12 429 6888
e-mail: sekhunp@unisa.ac.za / philosophy@unisa.ac.za

4.3 University

Contact addresses of the various administrative departments are included in the brochure Study@Unisa
which you received with your study package. Always use your student number when you contact the
university.

5 RESOURCES
5.1 Prescribed book(s)

There is no prescribed book for this module.

5.2 Recommended book(s)

There are no recommended books for this module.

5.3 Electronic reserves (e-reserves)

There are no e-reserves for this module.

5.4 Library services and resources information

The Unisa Library offers a range of information services and resources:

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• For brief information, go to https://www.unisa.ac.za/library/libatglance

• For more detailed Library information, go to
http://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library
• For research support and services (eg Personal Librarians and literature search
services), go to http://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library/Library-
services/Research-support

The Library has created numerous Library guides: http://libguides.unisa.ac.za

Recommended guides:

• Request and find library material/download recommended material:

http://libguides.unisa.ac.za/request/request
• Postgraduate information services: http://libguides.unisa.ac.za/request/postgrad
• Finding and using library resources and tools:
http://libguides.unisa.ac.za/Research_skills
• Frequently asked questions about the library:
http://libguides.unisa.ac.za/ask
• Services to students living with disabilities:
http://libguides.unisa.ac.za/disability

Important contact information:

• Ask a Librarian: https://libguides.unisa.ac.za/ask
• Technical problems accessing library online services: Lib-help@unisa.ac.za
• General library related queries: Library-enquiries@unisa.ac.za
• For queries related to library fines and payments: Library-fines@unisa.ac.za

6 STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

The Study @ Unisa website is available on myUnisa: www.unisa.ac.za/brochures/studies

The website has all the tips and information you need to succeed at Unisa.

6.1 First-Year Experience Programme @ Unisa

For many students, the transition from school education to tertiary education is beset with anxiety.
This is also true for first-time students to Unisa. Unisa is a dedicated open distance and e-learning
institution. Unlike face-to-face/contact institutions, Unisa is somewhat different. It is a mega
university, and all our programmes are offered through a blended learning mode or fully online
learning mode. It is for this reason that we thought it necessary to offer first-time students
additional/extended support so that you can seamlessly navigate the Unisa teaching and learning
journey with little difficulty and few barriers. In this regard we offer a specialised student support
programme to students entering Unisa for the first time. We refer to this programme as Unisa’s
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First-Year Experience (FYE) Programme. The FYE is designed to provide you with prompt and
helpful information about services that the institution offers and how you can access information.
The following FYE programmes are currently offered:
• FYE website: All the guides and resources you need to navigate through your first year at
Unisa can be accessed using the following link: www.unisa.ac.za/FYE

• FYE e-mails: You will receive regular e-mails to help you stay focused and motivated.

• FYE broadcasts: You will receive e-mails with links to broadcasts on various topics related to
your first-year studies (eg videos on how to submit assignments online).

• FYE mailbox: For assistance with queries related to your first year of study, send an e-mail to
fye@unisa.ac.za

6.2 E-tutors:

Once you have been registered for a qualifying module, you will be allocated to a group of students with
whom you will be interacting during the tuition period as well as an e-tutor who will be your tutorial facilitator.
Thereafter you will receive a sms or an email informing you about your group, the name of your e-tutor
and instructions on how to log onto myUnisa in order to receive further information on the e-tutoring
process.

Online tutorials are conducted by qualified e-tutors who are appointed by Unisa and are offered free of
charge. All you need to be able to participate in e-tutoring is a computer with internet access. If you live
close to a Unisa Regional Centre or a Telecentre contracted with Unisa, please feel free to visit any of
these to access the internet. E-tutoring takes place on myUnisa where you are expected to connect with
other students in your allocated group. It is the role of the e-tutor to guide you through your study material
during this interaction process. For you to get the most out of online tutoring, you need to participate in the
online discussions that the e-tutor will be facilitating.

7 STUDY PLAN
It is important to work out a study plan that suits your particular circumstances. Remember to organise
your study plan in such a way that you have enough time to prepare for the examination.

In order to adopt a sensible and realistic study plan, we provide you with an explicit indication of
the notional study hours you need to spend on each topic of the study material. The notional study
hours attached to this module is 120. Please keep in mind that notional study hours refer to the
time you actively spend on the study material.

You need to spend at least 1.5 hours per day for 80 days to cover all the prescribed material in this

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module.

We suggest the following study plan, which is based on a minimum of 1.5 study hours per day. You can
of course work out your own study plan that suits your particular circumstances, bearing in mind the
minimum required 1.5 study hours per day. It would be helpful to keep an exercise book or file specifically
for this module. Herein, keep your completed activities and summaries of the theoretical aspects of the
module.

Consult my Studies@Unisa for general time management and planning skills.

SEMESTER 01, 2022

Suggested schedule:
Study Unit 1: What is Critical Reasoning? 10 notional hours
In this unit, you will explore what critical reasoning is. This is the Tuesday, 1st February – Friday,
start of your critical reasoning journey. 4th February 2022

Reading: Study Guide, Lesson 1

Activities: 1) Complete the activities in the Study Guide.

2) Make a summary of the lesson’s theory.

Study Unit 2: Different kinds of Writing and Definitions 15 notional hours

This unit examines the different kinds of writing and definitions. Monday, 7th February – Friday,
11th February 2022
Reading: Study Guide, Lesson 2

Activities: 1) Complete the activities in the Study Guide.

2) Make a summary of the lesson’s theory.

Study Unit 3: The Argument 20 notional hours

In this unit, we start to engage with the building blocks of Monday, 14th February – Friday,
the argument – namely, premises and conclusions. 11th March 2022

Reading: Study Guide, Lesson 3

Activities: 1) Complete the activities in the Study Guide.

2) Make a summary of the lesson’s theory.

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Study Unit 4: Different types of arguments 20 notional hours
In this unit, we look at the different types of arguments – specifically, Monday, 14th March – Friday,
we look at empirical and value, and deductive and inductive 25th March 2022
arguments. We also distinguish between validity and soundness.

Reading: Study Guide, Lesson 4

Activities: 1) Complete the activities in the Study Guide.

2) Make a summary of the lesson’s theory.

Study Unit 5: Fallacies 20 notional hours

This unit examines some of the different fallacies. Monday, 28th March – Friday, 8th
April 2022
Reading: Study Guide, Lesson 5

Activities: 1) Complete the activities in the Study Guide.

2) Make a summary of the lesson’s theory.

Study Unit 6: Analysing, Mapping and evaluating arguments: 20 notional hours

This unit shows you how to analyse and evaluate arguments. Monday, 11th April – Friday, 22nd
April 2021
Reading: Study Guide, Lesson 6

Activities: 1) Complete the activities in the Study Guide.

2) Make a summary of the lesson’s theory.

Revision 15 notional hours

Specific study for the examination. Monday, 25th April – Saturday,
30th April 2021

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SEMESTER 02, 2022

Suggested schedule:
Study Unit 1: What is Critical Reasoning? 10 notional hours
In this unit, you will explore what critical reasoning is. This is the Monday, 4th July – Friday, 8th
start of your critical reasoning journey. July 2022

Reading: Study Guide, Lesson 1

Activities: 1) Complete the activities in the Study Guide.

2) Make a summary of the lesson’s theory.

Study Unit 2: Different kinds of Writing and Definitions 15 notional hours

This unit examines the different kinds of writing and definitions. Monday, 11th July – Friday, 15th
July 2022
Reading: Study Guide, Lesson 2

Activities: 1) Complete the activities in the Study Guide.

2) Make a summary of the lesson’s theory.

Study Unit 3: The Argument 20 notional hours

In this unit, we start to engage with the building blocks of Monday, 18th July – Friday, 19th
the argument – namely, premises and conclusions. August 2022

Reading: Study Guide, Lesson 3

Activities: 1) Complete the activities in the Study Guide.

2) Make a summary of the lesson’s theory.

Study Unit 4: Different types of arguments 20 notional hours

In this unit, we look at the different types of arguments – Monday, 22nd August – Friday,
specifically, we look at empirical and value, and deductive 2nd September 2022
and inductive arguments. We also distinguish between validity
and soundness.
Reading: Study Guide, Lesson 4
Activities: 1) Complete the activities in the Study Guide.
2) Make a summary of the lesson’s theory.

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 Study Unit 5: Fallacies 20 notional hours
This unit examines some of the different fallacies. Monday, 5th September –
Friday, 16th September 2022
Reading: Study Guide, Lesson 5

Activities: 1) Complete the activities in the Study Guide.

2) Make a summary of the lesson’s theory.

Study Unit 6: Analysing, Mapping and evaluating arguments: 20 notional hours

This unit shows you how to analyse and evaluate arguments. Monday, 19th September –
Friday, 30th September 2022
Reading: Study Guide, Lesson 6

Activities: 1) Complete the activities in the Study Guide.

2) Make a summary of the lesson’s theory.

Revision 15 notional hours

Specific study for the examination. Monday, 3rd October – Saturday,
8th October 2022

8 PRACTICAL WORK
There is no practical work in this module.

9 ASSESSMENT
9.1 Assessment criteria

Assignments are seen as part of the learning experience for this module. As you do the assignments,
study the reading texts, consult other resources, discuss the work with fellow students or do research, you
are actively engaged in learning.

For this module, you will have to do two assignments. Assignment 01 is by multiple choice questions,
whereas Assignment 02 is a written assignment.

Please note that you gain admission to the examination by submitting your first compulsory

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assignment by the stipulated due date.

Assignment 01 is marked by the online system, and Assignment 02 will be marked by a team of markers.
The follow-up tutorial letters are automatically made available on myUnisa (under “Official Study Material”)
at predetermined times. This means that no late assignments will be accepted. There are two reasons for
this: Firstly, the system is automated – this means it opens and closes automatically. Your lecturer cannot
change this once approved. The second reason is that the follow-up tutorial letters, which contain some
model answers to the assignments, are released automatically shortly after the due date. This means that
all students will have access to the answers, and there is no way to ascertain whether a late assignment
is one that was honestly completed.

9.2 Assessment plan

• To complete this module, you will be required to submit 2 assignments.

• All information on when and where to submit your assignments will be made available to you via the
myUnisa site for your module.

• Due dates for assignments, as well as the actual assignments are available on the myUnisa site for
this module.

o For PLS2601, your final mark is calculated as follows:

Final module mark breakdown:

Formative Assessment (assignments): 40% Assignment 01: 50%
Assignment 02: 50%
+ (100)

Summative Assessment (examination): 60%

= [100]

• Assignment 01, which is your compulsory first assignment, carries a weight of 50% towards your year
mark. Assignment 02 carries 50%. Together, Assignments 01 and 02 add up to a total of 40% of
your final mark. Since all the assignments count towards your year mark, it is in your own best interest
to complete and submit all the assignments. After the marking of the assignments, a calculation will be
made to determine your admission to the examination.
• Forty percent (40%) is the minimum required for your admission to the final examination. You must
keep in mind that admission to the examination is not automatic.
• The percentage you obtain from the minimum 40% upwards shall be credited to your final examination.
The examination itself shall contribute 60% to your final mark. You must obtain fifty percent (50%) in

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 order to pass the examination. To pass with a distinction a candidate must achieve at least seventy-
five percent (75%).

9.3 Assignment due dates

• There are no assignment due dates included in this tutorial letter.

• Assignment due dates will be made available to you on the landing page of myUnisa for this module.
We envisage that the due dates will be available to you upon registration.

• Please start working on your assignments as soon as you register for the module.

• Log on to the myUnisa site for this module to obtain more information on the due dates for the
submission of the assignments.

9.4 Submission of assignments

• Modules offered by Unisa are either blended (meaning that we use a combination of printed and online
material to engage with you) or online (all information is available via the internet). In all cases of online
engagement, we use myUnisa as our virtual campus.

• From 2022, the myUnisa virtual campus will be offered via a new learning management system. This
is an online system that is used to administer, document and deliver educational material to you and
support engagement with you.

• Look out for information from your lecturer as well as other Unisa platforms to determine how to access
the virtual myUnisa module site.

• Information on the tools that will be available to engage with the lecturer and fellow students to support
your learning will also be communicated via various platforms.

• The University undertakes to communicate as clearly and as frequently as is necessary to ensure

optimum advantage in the use of the new learning management system.

• Additional information on the use of the myUnisa site for the module, as well as features to engage
and communicate with your lecturer and other students will also be made available via the online site
for the module.

• Therefore, log on to the myUnisa site for your module to gain more information on where to complete
and/or upload your assignments and how to communicate with your lecturer.

9.5 The assignment

As indicated in section 9.2, you need to complete and submit 2 assignments for this module. Please do
not mixes up assignments. If you are registered for SEMESTER 1, do semester 1 assignments, and if you
are registered for SEMESTER 2, then do semester 2 assignments. Incorrect assignments will be marked
zero. What follows hereunder, are the two assignments for both semesters.

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9.6 Other assessment methods

Below we provide you with some self-assessment activities. These self-assessment activities provide you
with the opportunity to test your knowledge and to apply your skills in critical reasoning. You could also
take the initiative and compare your answers to the self-assessment activities with your fellow students in
Critical Reasoning by posting your answers on the Discussion Forum on myUnisa and invite feedback
from them. These assessments do not need to be submitted.

9.6.1 Self-Assessment 1
Identify and name the error in reasoning in the following passages:
(a) I notice that you surf the Internet a lot lately. Do you enjoy all the pornography there?
(b) Of course, all employers are exploiters and profit seekers. It is pathetic to see Mr Davidson, the owner
of a multibillion-rand company, addressing the workers on lack of commitment and low productivity,
while it is clear that he is looking out for his own interests and his own pocket.
(c) My colleague got food poisoning from the cafeteria downstairs. I am never going to eat there again!
(d) Gambling should be legalised because it is something we cannot avoid. It is an integral part of human
experience. People gamble every time they get in their cars or decide to get married.
(e) Professor Smith’s argument on affirmative action is exactly what one can expect from a racist like
him.
(f) Given the benefits of a supply of electricity enjoyed by thousands of people, the risk of nuclear
accidents at power stations is acceptable. There can be no doubt about this because Prof. Jones, the
famous nuclear physicist, says so.
(g) If Bongani were rich, he would own a car. So if Bongani owns a car, he must be rich.
(h) We desperately need a nationalized health care program in South Africa. There are, of course, those
who oppose it, but they apparently think that the rich will take care of the needs of the poor. But listen,
this has not been the case in the past and will not be in the future.
(i) Dr Khumalo remember that you are only a junior person in this company and you will do as you are
told!
(j) Don’t believe all those doomsday pronouncements about cigarettes causing lung cancer. They are
mostly made by ex-smokers who want to justify all the suffering they went through when they quit.
(k) Either you support our communist ideals, or you are a capitalist.
(l) If Susan cares about her father, then Susan is a good person. Since Susan is a good person, it follows
that Susan cares about her father.
(m) The only proof that something is desirable is that people desire it. All people desire pleasure. Hence,
it is clear that pleasure is desirable and thus good.

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9.6.2 Self-Assessment 2
Analyse the following arguments, by applying the strategies of argument analysis explained in your
prescribed material:

For example:

An aggressive war is the great crime against everything good in the world. A defensive war, which must
necessarily turn aggressive at the earliest moment, is the necessary great counter-crime. But never think
that war, no matter how necessary, nor how justified, is not a crime. Ask the infantry and ask the dead.
(Hemingway)

Note that this passage needs rewriting to show the argument structure.

[An aggressive war is the great crime against everything good in the world] – a. [A defensive war turns
aggressive at the earliest moment] – b. Therefore [every war, no matter how necessary or justified, is
a crime] - c.

Conclusion — c
Premises — a, b

(a) Ecology teaches us that human life is crucially intertwined with the ecosystem as a whole, yet ecologists
frequently emphasise how little we actually know about the complicated multileveled interaction of life
forms. If we destroy one part of the ecosystem, we may unwittingly trigger a chain of events that
ultimately culminates in substantial detriment to human well-being. Hence, a serious regard for human
welfare seems to necessitate our making every effort to preserve our natural environment.
(b) The crime rate has increased since capital punishment was abolished, and the prisons are
overcrowded. Seeing that, firstly, judges need the full range of possible punishments, secondly, that,
obviously, the dead can’t apply for parole, thirdly, that retribution heals society’s wounds, and fourthly,
as we all know, death is the ultimate deterrent, it follows that the crime rate will decrease only if capital
punishment is reintroduced.
(c) Strong trade unions benefit the South African economy. Firstly, they ensure that workers are not
exploited. Secondly, their activities result in a fairer distribution of wealth in our society. Thirdly, they
give a voice to people who are often marginalized in South African politics and, finally, they promote
the ideals of democratic participation.
(d) If the media give publicity to certain types of crime, it may encourage criminals to carry out ‘copycat’
offences. If, however, they were forbidden to divulge details of crimes, this would amount to
censorship. The freedom of speech of the media is too important to sacrifice. So, the media should
be free to report crime even if this means some crimes are committed which would not otherwise be
committed.

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9.7 The examination

Examination information and details on the format of the examination will be made available to you online
via the myUnisa site. Look out for information that will be shared with you by your lecturer and e-tutors
(where relevant) and for communication from the University.

10 ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
10.1 Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the act of taking the words, ideas and thoughts of others and presenting them as your own.
It is a form of theft which involves several dishonest academic activities, such as the following:
• Cutting and pasting from any source without acknowledging the source.
• Not including or using incorrect references.
• Paraphrasing without acknowledging the original source of the information.

10.2 Cheating
Cheating includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Completing assessments on behalf of another student, copying from another student during
an assessment or allowing a student to copy from you.
• Using social media (eg WhatsApp, Telegram) or other platforms to disseminate assessment
information.
• Submitting corrupt or irrelevant files.
• Buying completed answers from “tutors” or internet sites (contract cheating).

10.3 More information about plagiarism can be downloaded on the link below
https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/myunisa/default/Study-@-Unisa/Student-values-and-rules

11 STUDENT WITH DISABILITY

The Advocacy and Resource Centre for Student with Disability ARCSWiD) provides an opportunity for
staff to interact with new and returning students with disabilities.
• If you are a student with a disability and would like additional support or need additional time for
assessments, you are invited to contact me (Dr Ezekiel Mkhwanazi at mkhwaesn@unisa.ac.za or
call me at 012 429 6397) so that you can be assisted.

12 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Question 1: I need an extension for the submission of assignment 1.

Answer: Only the university and not lecturers can grant such an extension. Please
note that there will be no extension for this assignment from lecturers.

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 Assignment No. 1 in both semesters is a compulsory assignment. Not only
is this assignment compulsory, but it is also very unique and special. It is a
“subsidy assignment” and as such indicates to us at UNISA and to the
National Department of Education in the country that you are an active
student. As a result, the Department of Education subsidises the university
based on the submission of this assignment. Failure to submit this
assignment at all or to submit it timeously will disable the university to get
any financial assistance from government for enrolling you in this module. It
is for this reason that the university has decided to make this assignment a
special indicator of your enrolment in the module. Only the university
management, and not lecturers can grant extension to this assignment.

You are therefore strongly urged to submit this assignment on time. You are
also advised to keep a copy of the completed assignment, so that in the
event that this assignment is lost on its way to or from the university, you will
have the necessary proof that you did work on it.

Question 2: I need to query my assignment marks.

Answer: Any query of assignment marks especially assignment 2 should be

accompanied by full information of your particulars (student number,
assignment unique number, and the marked assignment itself. These should
be emailed to me. Please take note the following: this module enrols many
students – between 2 to 3 thousand students per semester; there are 5 of
us who mark assignments in this module. Thus, it may take a little longer for
me to give you response on your queried assignment as I may first find out
who marked it and why did they give the marks they did.

13 SOURCES CONSULTED
See the back of your study guide for all the sources consulted. These will enable you to read further and
beyond the study guide.

14 IN CLOSING
Please feel free to contact us if you experience any problems with the content of the module.

Sincerely,

Dr. Ezekiel S.N. Mkhwanazi

Senior Lecturer
Department of Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology

© Unisa 2022

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