Units

---

Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

An ability to understand the basic functions of management and apply that knowledge to contemporary practice is a key aspect of developing competent business professionals with the skills necessary to become informed and effective managers. The unit provides a practical insight into current business issues and practices and so provides a solid foundation for students who wish to go on and develop their studies in business and management or simply wish to understand more thoroughly the role of organisations within society.

Aims

The aims of this unit are to develop a basic and applied understanding of key concepts and theories in management and to develop practical skills in problem solving and effective communication in an intercultural context.

Objectives

Course Learning Goals (Undergraduate)
The QUT Business School has established the Assurance of Learning (AoL) Goals to meet contemporary industry needs and standards. Achieving these learning outcomes will assist you to meet the desired graduate outcomes set at QUT - aligned with other internationally renowned business schools. Students will develop the following capabilities relevant to a contemporary global and sustainable business environment:

Have knowledge and skills pertinent to a particular discipline (KS)

1.1 Integrate and apply disciplinary theory and skills to practical situations
1.2 Incorporate the use of technology appropriate to the discipline and context

Be critical thinkers and effective problem solvers (CTA)

2.1 Identify, research and critically analyse information relevant to a business problem or issue, be able to synthesise that information in order to evaluate potential solutions, make recommendations or otherwise effectively address the problem or issue

Be professional communicators in an intercultural context (PC)

3.1 Communicate effectively through written tasks appropriate to varied contexts and audiences
3.2 Communicate effectively through professional oral presentations appropriate to varied contexts and audiences

Be able to work effectively in a Team Environment (TW)

4.1 Demonstrate effective team skills in order to contribute appropriately to the production of a group output

Have a Social and Ethical Understanding (SEU)

5.1 Apply ethical reasoning, standards or codes of practice relevant to the discipline and make decisions that are informed by social and cultural understanding


Unit Objectives
Upon completion of this unit, you should be able to:
1. Define and explain the basic functions of management.
2. Apply management concepts and theories to practical situations as a means to evaluate and address problems in organisations.
3. Communicate effectively in a business context.
4. Identify the dimensions of national cultures and their impact on management practice.


The specific course learning goals and unit objectives that apply to this unit are shown in the assessment section of this unit outline.

Content

Introduction to Management

Evolution of Management Thought, Contemporary Management Practice, Social Responsibility and Sustainability

Planning

Establishing goals and plans, managerial decision-making and problem solving

Organising

Structure and Design, Employee Involvement and Participation

Leadership

Control

Report Writing

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

The teaching and learning approach in this unit incorporates a number of methods to engage students and link theory and practice.

Lectures will review core theoretical concepts and provide opportunities to develop broad knowledge and understanding using videos, audience response technology and team-based learning activities.

Tutorials will deepen your understanding of the subject through your participation in a Virtual Business Project with peers. This will enable you to experience practical problem solving and decision-making in a business context. Tutorials will also be the forum for the multiple-choice tests which are part of the assessment in this unit.

This unit uses the SafeAssign tool in BlackBoard. SafeAssign is a text matching tool that assists students to develop the academic skills required to correctly use and cite reference material as well as to check citations and determine possible instances of plagiarism. You will be expected to submit draft and/or final versions of one or more assignments using SafeAssign. Your Unit Coordinator will provide detailed information on how the software will be used in this unit.

Assessment

The assessment in this unit aims to support the achievement of the learning objectives for both Discipline Knowledge and Other Graduate Capabilities for Assurance of Learning Goals (AOL). Assessment has been designed in order to allow you to receive feedback on learning as you progress toward the development of knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes (formative assessment); and demonstrate learning in order to achieve a final grade (summative assessment).Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester, which may include:

Informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, personal consultation

Formal: in writing, such as checklists (e.g. criteria sheets), written commentary

Direct: to individual students, either in written form or in consultation

Indirect: to whole class

Assessment name: (VBD) Pt 1: Business Brief
Description: Virtual Business Design (VBD) Part 1: The Business Brief Report requires you to prepare a short report on a contemporary management subject for your virtual organisation.
Length/Duration: 500 words
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Relates to objectives: Unit objectives: 2, 3 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), CTA (2.1), PC (3.1)
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 5

Assessment name: Multiple-Choice Quiz
Description: There will be four multiple choice quizzes conducted in tutorials linking to management theory and concepts.
Length/Duration: 8 minutes x 4
Formative or Summative: Summative (Formative quizzes in lectures)
Relates to objectives: Unit objectives: 1 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), SEU (5.1)
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Weeks 4, 7, 9 and 11

Assessment name: (VBD) Pt 2: Report
Description: Virtual Business Design (VBD) Part 2: This assessment requires you to write a formal business report which draws on decision theory to address a business problem in an intercultural context.
Length/Duration: 1,500 words
Formative or Summative: Summative
Relates to objectives: Unit objectives: 2, 3, 4 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), CTA (2.1), PC (3.1) and SEU (5.1)
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 13

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Prescribed Text
Samson, D. And Daft, R. (2012) Fundamentals of Management: Asia Pacific Edition (4th.ed), Victoria: CENGAGE Learning

Required References:
See Blackboard

top

Risk assessment statement

There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with lectures or tutorials in this unit. You should, however, familiarise yourself with evacuation procedures operating in the buildings in which you attend classes and take the time to
view the Emergency video.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 17-Jan-2013