Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

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

Rationale

This unit is delivered in both internal and external modes. The external offering of this unit is only available to domestic students admitted to the BS16 Master of Business, BS17 Master of Business (Advanced), BS18 Master of Business/Master of Business courses and the BS39 Graduate Certificate in Business.

Organisations face increasing uncertainty in their business environments. Understanding the processes of and being prepared for issues and crises are essential components to making communication decisions and mitigating further risk. Issues and crisis management draw in all professions and this unit will integrate a range of action strategies with a focus on communication approaches.

Aims

This unit aims to prepare students to assist organisations plan for and manage issues and crises that may affect organisational reputations.

Objectives

Course Learning Goals (Postgraduate)
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.

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

1.1 Well-researched knowledge and critical understanding applied to issues at the forefront of a specialised discipline area
1.2 Ability to select and use effectively a range of tools and technologies to locate and/or generate information appropriate to the disciplinary context

Be critical thinkers and effective problem solvers (CTA)

2.1 Apply logical, critical and creative thinking and judgement to generate appropriate solutions to problems in the disciplinary context

Be professional communicators in an intercultural context (PC)

3.1 Ability to create and present professional documents and/or reports using high levels of analysis/synthesis/evaluation for a range of contexts and audiences
3.2 Ability to orally communicate and justify ideas and information, at a professional level, for a variety of contexts and audiences, including peers and discipline specialists

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

4.1 Operate effectively and with flexibility to achieve common goals in collaborative settings, using a range of skills, including leadership, negotiation, reflection, proactivity and support for team members

Have a Social and Ethical Understanding (SEU)

5.1 Apply knowledge of the ethical, social and cultural dimensions relevant to business situations, including appropriate standards or codes of practice, to provide courses of action

Unit Objectives
1. Identify and characterise organisational issues and crises and explain how and why crises and issues emerge.

2. Select and apply key theoretical concepts and frameworks relating to issue and crisis trends, types, cycles and responses to historical and current cases, evaluating the effectiveness of crisis response.

3. Develop recommendations for the management of issues and crises based on organisational strategy.

4. Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively to different audiences using a range of genres.


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

Content

This unit will cover a range of topics from defining crisis and issues and understanding the potential impact on organisations through to identifying response strategies for emerging crises and recovery strategies. Students will use historical and contemporary case studies to explore relevant concepts.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Theoretical developments in the specialist area will be examined and supported by practical applications from reported cases. Where practical, the students will work with a client to understand the issues/crisis research and planning process in an organisation. In class interaction on contemporary cases will be an important part of the learning process. An online learning and teaching site will be provided as an additional resource to students and to enhance student exchange.

Assessment

Students will receive verbal and/or written feedback on their learning during the workshops. Students will also receive formal written feedback on their assignments within two weeks of the assignment due date.

Assessment name: Case Study
Description: Length: 2,000 words
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Brief Description:Students will select a resolved crisis and analyse the crisis response strategies. Students will also reflect on the appropriateness of these responses and provide recommendations for future practice
Relates to objectives: Relates to learning outcomes:Unit objectives: 1, 2, 4 and AoL goals: 1.1, 2.1, 3.1
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 7

Assessment name: Report
Description: Length: 2,500 words
Formative or Summative: Summative
Brief Description: Students will select an organisation and evaluate its crisis preparedness using available information. In response to these findings, students will prepare selected elements of a crisis plan.
Group or Individual: Individual or in pairs
Relates to objectives: Relates to learning outcomes:Unit objectives: 1, 2, 3, and 4 and AoL goals: 1.1, 2.1, 3.1
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Group with Individual Component
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 Texts

Coombs, W. T. (2012). Ongoing crisis communication (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

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: 20-Dec-2012