Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2012

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

Rationale

Important note about enrolment in this unit:
This unit is delivered in both internal and external modes. The external offering of this unit is only available to 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.


Rationale:
There is an increasing focus on community and stakeholder engagement in the contemporary practice of public relations. This is essentially driven by a shift in organisational decision making to an interactive, collaborative model of stakeholder engagement that seeks partnerships with civil and private sector to manage or respond to complex policy issues. This requires an understanding of a broad range of engagement and consultation theories to enable the practitioner to incorporate these in the research, planning, and implementation of stakeholder engagement and consultation projects.

Aims

AMN462 aims to prepare students to assist organisations plan for and manage stakeholder engagement and consultation projects.

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
At the completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Understand engagement theories and strategies and the application of these in different organisational and policy settings.
2. Discriminate between engagement strategies of information, consultation and participation and determine the relevance for specific situations.
3. Identify potential engagement situations and responses.
4. Establish systems to manage engagement process from planning through to implementation of a consultation project from a public relations framework.
5. Comprehend public relations theories, practice and the importance of ethics in engagement and consultation practice.

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

Content

AMN462 introduces students to key engagement strategies of community information, consultation and participation. The unit develops student understanding of the theoretical foundations of engagement strategies and provides the skills and knowledge for students to analyse community engagement needs and establish engagement programs. Ethical practice is a key organising framework for this unit.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Weekly three hour workshops will involve discussions of the theories underpinning community engagement practices in the context of public relations practice. Embedded student led activities will encourage critical reflection of contemporary practice via exercises and case studies to ensure students have an opportunity to develop frameworks for best practice. Students will also have the opportunity to prepare for their major assignment through the workshops.

Assessment

Students please note: Assessment in this unit is offered in internal and external modes based on your course attendance mode.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: Examination (written)
Description: Assessment Name: Mid Semester Exam
Description: A mid semester exam consisting of multiple choice and short answer questions will assess student knowledge of key theoretical foundations and applications of concepts in community engagement and consultation
strong>Length/Duration: 2 hours
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3 & 4 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), CTA (2.1)
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 7

Assessment name: Project
Description: Assessment Name:Project
Description:You are to prepare a fully justified plan that responds to a client-based community engagement project.
Length/Duration: 3000 words
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative.
Relates to objectives: 1, 3, 4, 5 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), CTA (2.1), PC (3.1), SEU (5.1)
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Both
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

Please refer to the readings list available on the CMD.

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: 18-Jun-2012