Units
Working in Business
Unit code: BSB124
Contact hours:
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
This unit will help you to kickstart your study and your career in business regardless of your specific discipline. Not only does "Working in Business" give you an understanding of where business has come from and where it is headed, but you will also gain insights into yourself and how you can develop as both a student and professional in the business world. It covers an overview of business, the important issues for working as a professional in an organisation, and also gives you the opportunity to reflect on your own skills, preferences and career options so you can plan a future that suits you.
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2012 Summer-2 | Yes |
| 2012 Semester 1 | Yes |
| 2012 Semester 2 | Yes |
Sample subject outline - Summer 2 2013
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
A key aspect of working in business is the ability to draw upon a range of management skills including self-awareness, interpersonal effectiveness and communication. The unit provides a platform for the development of these skills by helping students to reflect on their own competencies, preferences and career options. By offering insight into the meanings of professionalism in the workplace the unit creates a solid foundation for students who wish to go on and develop their studies in business or simply wish to understand more thoroughly areas for personal and professional development.
Aims
The aims of this unit are to develop an understanding of the skills required to work effectively in a professional business environment.
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. Identify, evaluate and apply principles of intrapersonal and interpersonal effectiveness in a professional setting.
2. Identify and analyse areas for personal and professional development.
3. Apply team and interpersonal theory to facilitate collaborative working.
4. Communicate ideas in a professional manner in a group presentation and reflective portfolio.
The specific course learning goals and unit objectives that apply to this unit are shown in the assessment section of this unit outline.
Content
Intrapersonal Effectiveness
Interpersonal Effectiveness
Organisational Effectiveness
Career Planning and E-Portfolio
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
The teaching and learning approaches in this unit incorporate a number of methods to engage students and link theory and practice.
Lecture videos will review core theoretical concepts. Workshops will provide opportunities to develop broad knowledge and understanding using case studies, audience response technology and team-based learning activities. Workshops will also be the forum for the formative team-based learning and multiple-choice activities.
Tutorials will deepen your understanding of the subject and enable you to participate in team-based learning activities to develop your skills in collaborative working. As team-work is a fundamental aspect of this unit you will be expected to participate fully in the tutorial in order to contribute to the group assessment.
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
Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester, which may include:
Assessment name:
Multiple-Choice Quiz
Description:
There will be four multiple choice quizzes conducted in tutorials relating to the theory and concepts taught in the unit.
Length/Duration: 8 minutes x 4
Formative or Summative: Summative (Formative quizzes in the lectures)
Relates to objectives:
Unit objectives: 1 and AOL goals: KS (1.1)
Weight:
20%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Weeks 8, 9, 10, & 11
Assessment name:
Presentation (Oral)
Description:
This assessment requires you to collaborate with others during your tutorial to produce a group presentation on an aspect of professionalism in the workplace. (marks incorporate self and peer assessment of group processes).
Length/Duration: 15 minutes
Formative or Summative: Summative
Relates to objectives:
Unit objectives: 3, 4 and AOL goals: KS (1.2), PC (3.2), TW (4.1)
Weight:
20%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Group
Due date:
Weeks 10 and 11
Assessment name:
Reflective Portfolio
Description:
This assessment requires you to draw together the work you have done in analysing your professional strengths and preferences. You will reflect on your intrapersonal, interpersonal and organisational effectiveness and identify areas for development.
Length/Duration: 2,000 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), SEU (5.1)
Weight:
60%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Central Exam Period
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:
McShane, S., Olekalns, M., & Travaglione, T. (2012). Organisational Behaviour on the Pacific Rim (4th ed). Sydney: Mc Graw Hill
Required References:
See Week One Document
Other Resources:
Keepad (please book a Keepad for use during Lectures from the Library Loans Desk).
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
