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

The Executive Information Practice major of the IT43 Master of Information Technology provides graduates with the knowledge and skills to prepare themselves to be future managers and leaders in the information and IT industry. The Executive Information Practice unit is the overarching unit in the major. As a manager or leader in the IT and information profession you need to have a strong level of critical self awareness coupled with advanced knowledge of the interdisciplinary theories and principles needed for effective service design, development, management and leadership. Developing critical personal and professional self awareness is a key element in the unit, with students having the opportunity to explore individual strengths and weaknesses in areas such as emotional intelligence, team work, critical and creative thinking, leadership and management, communication and negotiation skills. Students are also encouraged to focus on their career planning and management for preparation for moving into new positions of authority and responsibility.

Aims

This unit has been developed as an overarching unit in the Executive Information Practice program, to establish meaningful links between the various units of study and to introduce you to key aspects of management and leadership as well as personal and professional development as you plan your future career journey. This unit is designed to enable you, as an individual, to reach a richer understanding of your capacities as a professional and as a future manager and leader.

Objectives

On completion of this unit, you should be able to:

1. Critically discuss your personal and professional capacities in light of current theories and principles in the area (GC1, GC6)
2. Apply the knowledge and skills of interdisciplinary professional practice drawing on disciplines such as psychology, management, economics, education and IT, to the work of a leading professional in a context of your choosing (GC1)
3. Understand the skills and knowledge required for successful career planning and management, including professional development strategies, with a commitment to the principles of lifelong learning (GC1, GC4)
4. Work productively independently and in collaboration (GC5)

Key: Graduate Capabilities
GC1 - Knowledge and Skills
GC2 - Critical and Creative Thinking
GC3 - Communication
GC4 - Lifelong Learning
GC5 - Independence and Collaboration
GC6 - Social and Ethical Responsibility
GC7 - Leadership and Change

Content

This unit is to designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge to be an effective executive information practitioner. It offers you opportunities to examine many of the issues that have an impact upon managers and leaders working in information and IT agencies. The unit will draw upon interdisciplinary fields such as education, psychology, law, philosophy and human resources management.

The unit also provides you with an opportunity to develop as a leader. You will have the opportunity to develop an understanding of your personal and professional strengths and weaknesses, which will then assist in developing your career vision and strategy. You will also explore issues such as personal values, ethical conduct and the roles mangers and leaders play in the lives of others.

The unit aims to provide a conceptual thread across the whole program of study. The program will help explore key theories and principles impacting upon the design, delivery, management and leadership in the contemporary IT and information industry.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

The unit adopts a 'community of practice' approach to teaching and learning; you are invited to become active participant in shaping and driving not just your own learning but that of your peers. You will participate in a journal club to facilitate critical engagement with the literature in the field of management and leadership in contemporary IT and information professions. During the unit you will have the opportunity to learn from current industry leaders as we explore current professional, management and leadership issues and trends in diverse organisations. The unit's teaching and learning strategies are designed to develop both the theoretical understanding and practical skills required for management and leadership in the contemporary IT and information profession. Reflective practice is a key element of the unit, as you are required to reflect on your own knowledge, skills and abilities gained throughout your course of study. Unit material and readings provide concepts and stimulate your thinking concerning principles, the philosophy and the theoretical insight into professional leadership.

You are expected to participate in the learning experience by attending, interacting and reflecting in all session, and by undertaking a wide variety of reading. Flexible study options will allow you to engage with learning materials in a way that suits you. Synchronous online interaction with your peers will be facilitated through Blackboard Collaborate, a virtual classroom environment.

Please note: This unit has an online class on average every second week. These online classes generally start at 6pm. Day and time will be negotiated with students where possible. Attendance is a requirement as assessment is conducted in class. Students will be sent an email with further details in the weeks leading up to semester.

Assessment

Class activities will provide a balanced focus on theory and the practical aspects of organising information and will work towards the completion of assessment items. The assessment items have been designed to provide you with a scaffolded learning experience. All items are to be completed individually. The assessment is the same for both internal and external students.You can obtain feedback on your progress throughout the unit through the following mechanisms:
· ask the teaching staff for advice and assistance during class sessions
· ask the teaching staff for advice and assistance during class sessions
· feedback on your ePortfolio work will be provided at the end of each sub-unit, comments will focus on both the quality of your intellectual content and on the format and construction of your work
· teaching staff are available during consultation hours to clarify assignment requirements and to assist with your understanding of unit content
· teaching staff will also regularly reply to email enquiries.

Assessment name: Portfolio
Description: Students will be required to develop a portfolio of work.
Relates to objectives: All
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of Semester

Assessment name: Critique
Description: Students will participate in a journal club in which they will engage with and critique journal articles. Students will be required to lead a discussion on a piece of literature and develop an evidence summary. Students will also be required to complete a peer review of other students' critiques.
Relates to objectives: All
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Throughout Semester

Assessment name: Report
Description: Students will prepare a discussion paper on a professional issue.
Relates to objectives: All
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid and End Semester

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

There is no required textbook for the unit. You will be expected to read widely as part of your studies in the unit. Recent articles of interest to the subject will be highlighted during the course of your study.

You will need a headset to participate in class activities and complete your assessment.

Risk assessment statement

There are no unusual health or safety risks associated with this unit.

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: 18-Oct-2012