Units

---

Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

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

Rationale

Effective leadership, negotiation and communication are vital in the successful management of projects in professional organisations. Managers at all levels must deal with and lead others through ongoing change and complexity, while managing constraints in time, cost and quality, as well as social, political and environmental influences. Effectiveness in communication equips managers for successful advocacy and negotiation, provides them with the skills to motivate others, and to develop and maintain good business relationships. Managers must also be able to effectively structure, develop and present solutions to complex issues through written proposals, audio visual and oral presentations. Finally, effective leadership, negotiation and communication skills are becoming increasingly important for Engineering, Built environment and other professionals to bridge cultural boundaries in an increasingly globalised world.

Aims

The aim of this particular unit is to:

• Provide individuals with knowledge and understanding of the role and nature of leadership in organisations, and the values, attributes and skills of effective leaders.


• Equip students with a thorough knowledge of how to communicate skilfully and effectively using appropriate written and oral forms.


• Encourage students to develop an understanding of their audience and sensitivity to language use, and to demonstrate the value and power of language as a means of persuasion in managerial contexts such as in advocacy of ideas and negotiation of desired outcomes.

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
On completing this unit, students will be able to:

1. Use theoretical frameworks to analyse leadership.
2. Describe and analyse the leadership behaviour and the tasks performed by leaders in contemporary business environments.
3. Analyse leadership in relationship to the situation, followers, values and In a variety of contexts and environments.
4. Understand the role of persuasion and negotiation in managerial contexts.
5. Critically evaluate the communication needs of specific audiences and implement persuasive strategies to elicit desired outcomes.
6. Learn via class modelling exercises, how to organise, structure, and strategically deliver a professional persuasive oral presentation to an identified audience.
7. Organise and write a professionally structured persuasive proposal to cater for diverse audience needs.
8. Work effectively with diverse others in a team situation to strict deadlines.

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

Content

In keeping with QUT's commitment to the internationalisation of its programs, the content of this unit is not exclusively Australian, but draws on a number of case studies from the region and from around the world. The prescribed text on leadership uses examples from around the world and different sectors, including business, politics, and the not-for-profit sectors.

The modules covered in this unit have been selected to offer students a contemporary perspective on the environment in which they will manage and lead. The topics on leadership begin by developing an understanding of the nature of leadership, moving through a variety of theories about leadership and finishing by exploring some of the contextual issues such as power, and the international context. Communication is a key generic capability that contributes to successful business practice and leadership effectiveness and also enhances interpersonal effectiveness. The unit provides an opportunity for students to reflect on their communication style, learn about key communication strategies available to, and used by, effective communicators, and to practise these skills in a structured environment. The unit also provides the opportunity to explore business issues of interest while engaging in effective problem solving with a group of peers from a diversity of backgrounds. Learning to work in culturally and professionally diverse work groups and to negotiate differences of opinion and approach are critical elements of contemporary postgraduate education and project management.

This opportunity creates many challenges including the management of time, conflict, and data from a variety of sources. Structured activity of this nature provides an excellent environment for personal reflection and behaviour modification.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

This unit makes use of a range of interrelated teaching and learning strategies. The assessment instruments used in this unit are designed to measure the extent to which students have achieved the objectives of this unit.

Weekly class meetings are split into a 2-hour lecture and workshop activities and exercises in tutorials. To supplement these activities, a range of resources are available on the AMN435 Blackboard site.

Formative assessment will be conducted in class to provide immediate feedback as well as through written feedback on proposals.

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: Draft Proposal
Description: An individual contribution to a group proposal.
Length/Duration: 600 words + supportive readings
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Relates to objectives: Unit objectives: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and AOL goals: KS (1.2), TW (4.1)
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 6

Assessment name: Group Written Proposal
Description: The feedback on the first assignment will be incorporated into the second assignment.
Length/Duration: 2,000 words
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Relates to objectives: Unit objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4 and AOL goals: KS (1.2), TW (4.1)
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: Week 12

Assessment name: Final Exam
Description: Case-study examination. This will be a closed book examination comprising four questions that are designed to bring out your overall learning and understanding of leadership and negotiation.
Length/Duration: 2.5 hours + 10 minutes perusal
Formative or Summative: Summative
Relates to objectives: Unit objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4 and AOL goals KS (1.1), CTA (2.1), SEU ( 5.1)
Weight: 40%
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

Recommended Text
Dubrin, A. J. (2013). Leadership: Research findings, practice, and skills (7th edition.).
Mason, OH: Cengage (South-Western)

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