Units

---

Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

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

Rationale

In addition to the basic functions of management, the changing nature of managerial work emphasises the importance of facilitating, developing and integrating the organisation's human, physical and other resources. This unit examines current approaches to managing and leading; and the challenges of managing contemporary organisations amid discontinuous change.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to provide you with the key knowledge and skills you will need to become an effective and informed manager in a changing global environment. It will provide a basic foundation for further development of management theories and concepts. It examines management processes, structures and techniques, with specific reference to Australia and the Pacific Rim.

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. 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 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
Upon completion of this unit, you should be able to:

1. Apply management theories, models and principles to practice through analysis of case studies and contemporary business events to develop recommendations for future action.

2. Critically analyse and describe the challenges and opportunities in an organisation's external and internal environments, and significant issues for management for productivity, innovation and competitive edge in the future.

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

Content

• Management approaches


• The organisation's internal and external environment


• Social responsibility and ethics in management


• Planning and decision-making


• Organisational design and structure


• Leadership


• Employee motivation


• Groups and teams


• Management control techniques and principles


• Managing organisations through change and conflict


• International contexts and management approaches

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

The unit is designed to introduce you to the theory and practice of management in organisations. You are encouraged to relate the theories discussed to real-life examples and to take a critical approach to analysis. Interactive class meetings incorporate information and application activities. Each week's information topic will be based on readings as indicated in the Week 1 Unit Information document. You are asked to prepare the relevant readings before class each week to facilitate discussion.

Further information may be made available on the MGN409 Blackboard Site. Detailed information on assessment tasks and requirements will be provided in class meetings and on Blackboard.

Delivery mode
The QUT Business School seeks to create postgraduate learning environments that help participants better manage family-work-study conflicts. For example, the units in the Master of Business (HRM) program provide a range of delivery options that offer some flexibility with respect to class timetable. These delivery options vary by unit. Your lecturer will provide details in class. Flexible delivery options are supported by educational technologies to both connect you with others in the unit and with unit content. Whatever delivery option is used, you still have the option of as much face-to-face time with teaching staff as you need to support your study. We encourage you to regularly access the HR Program portal, the unit Blackboard site, attend scheduled classes, engage in on-line activities and make effective use of staff consultation times. In this unit, a flexible study option is provided by an off-campus reading week (see Week one Unit Information document for date).

Assessment

The assessment in this unit aims to support your achievement of the learning objectives for both Discipline Knowledge and Other Graduate Capabilities. Assessment has been designed in order to allow you to:

Receive feedback on your learning as you progress toward the development of knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes (formative assessment); and demonstrate your 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 the whole class

Assessment name: Report
Description: You will analyse an assigned organisation in terms of its operating environment and management response. Further information is provided in class meetings.
Length/Duration: 1,500 words
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Relates to objectives: Unit objectives: 1, 2 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), CTA (2.1), PC (3.1)
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 6

Assessment name: Presentation
Description: You will explore and discuss the application of key management concepts and practices in relation to an assigned real organisation. (Marks incorporate self and peer assessment of group processes.)
Length/Duration: 10 minutes in total
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Relates to objectives: Unit objectives: 1, 2 and AOL goals CTA (2.1), PC (3.2)
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: Weeks 7 to 12

Assessment name: Case Study
Description: You will analyse a specified organisation and prepare a report discussing specific management issues. Further information will be provided in class meetings.
Length/Duration: 2,500 words
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Relates to objectives: Unit objectives: 1, 2 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), CTA (2.1), PC (3.1)
Weight: 50%
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
Schermerhorn, J. Davidson, P., Poole, D. Simon, A., Woods, P. and Chau S. L.(2011) Management (Fourth Australian edn.), John Wiley and Sons. Brisbane.

References
Further relevant references will be provided in class and on the MGN409 Blackboard site.

There are no out of the ordinary costs associated with this unit.

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: 24-Jan-2013