Units

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Sample subject outline - 5 Week Teaching Period - 8 2013

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

Rationale

A series of high profile corporate failures both in Australia and oveseas have caused important stakeholders (e.g. institutional investors, lenders, the markets, active retail shareholder groups, regulators and the general public) to demand greater accountability from corporate boards and management.

In response, boards and managers are looking to evaluate and adopt effective practices to ensure they are governed effectively. They are also looking to the promise of other benefits arising from adopting good corporate governance practices, such as improvements to productivity and recognition in the market place as good corporate citizens.

As a result, organisational leaders are increasingly focusing on exactly to whom they are accountable, for what, and how to identify and resolve potential conflicts.

Aims

The mission of the MBA and associated programs is to provide world class, graduate business education and stimulating real world learning opportunities to develop current and future business leaders and managers to confidently lead in complex environments.

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. Describe and explain the basic principles of corporate governance and management theory that apply to boards of directors, particularly Australian boards of directors (this will include, but not be limited to basic directors' and officers' duties, governance theory, ethical frameworks and tests, CSR approaches and tools and international systems of governance). KS1.1 (MBA 1), PC3.1 (MBA 3), SEU5.1 (MBA 2 & 9)
2. Decide which theories and principles you believe are most applicable and justify your decision. KS1.1 (MBA 1), PC3.1 (MBA 3)
3. Using given legal principles and/or theory, analyse and solve governance dilemmas that involve devising practical steps a board of directors or management team could take to rectify the problem or avoid it in the future. (KS1.1 (MBA 1), CTA2.1 (MBA 4), SEU5.1 (MBA 2 & 9).
4. Present your explanations, analyses and solutions in a proper format that the relevant audience can follow. (PC3.1 (MBA 3)
5. Reflect on practice and highlight how elements of the subject apply to the world of business. (KS1.1 (MBA 1); CTA2.1 (MBA 4)).

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

Content

This unit assists students to acquire a grounding in the essential principles underlying corporate accountability and governance. Its emphasis is on understanding the core concepts and role of corporate governance in the modern enterprise. This includes the role of directors, managers and other key players in the development of sound, ethical corporate governance practices.

One component of this subject is the 'legal core' of the corporate law required to understand directors' and officers' duties. An awareness of the ethical issues that face those who govern corporations is important, as are core skills such as ability to read financial material and to determine an entity's solvency. Other issues covered include the responsibilities of corporations to multiple stakeholders and sustainability.

Comparative models of governance are discussed drawing on examples from many cultures and jurisdictions, as well as large and small businesses.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

This unit adopts a blended learning approach and as such, includes a variety of teaching and learning approaches.

Three hour face-to-face class sessions are supplemented by the textbook and a range of online materials that are designed to support and extend learning prior to, during and after class sessions. Online materials are available in the unit Blackboard site. Given the importance of the unit Blackboard site to the teaching and learning strategy used in this unit, a computer and tablet device with internet access is strongly recommended for all students.

The principal purpose of the lectures and readings is to build upon the key concepts that were introduced through the Preparation for Class activities and readings. The purpose of the case study work, experiential learning tasks and all assessment tasks is to help the student develop their understanding of the concepts and enable them to be applied within a range of business contexts.

There is an expectation that the student will participate in class sessions, to take advantage of the opportunity to discuss important issues with their instructor and their peers in an informal environment. These sessions also provide students with an opportunity to hone important generic skills that are in high demand in the business.

It is expected that students have completed all Preparation for Class activities and readings identified in the unit Blackboard site prior to coming to class to be able to maximise the learning opportunities of the class sessions.

A variety of learning activities designed to engage students in their learning will be incorporated into the lectures/workshops. Such learning activities may include short lectures, class discussions, debates, role plays, group work, guest speakers, student presentations, simulations, case study analysis, videos, readings, wikis, media/current events reports, web searches, etc.
There is a commitment to critical inquiry and intellectual debate in regard to the material covered. Students are encouraged to relate the theories and research discussed to situations known to them and will be encouraged to share their experiences relating to the topics explored in this unit with the class to enrich the overall learning experience of all students.
Expanding the awareness of Australian management policies and practices into intercultural and international perspectives is fostered within this unit. Typically, students enrolling in this unit have extremely varied backgrounds. There is diversity of professional background and socio-cultural background. Students are reminded that this is to their advantage and they have much to learn from one another. To this end, students are strongly encouraged to be sensitive to cultural, gender-related and international issues.

Assessment

Assessment Option Summary

Option A
Assessment items 1 and 2
50% of total mark allocated to final exam

Option B
Assessment item 2 only
100% of total mark allocated to final exam

Note: If a student elects to undertake continuous assessment, he or she will not be disadvantaged if their final examination performance is superior to their term-time performance. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO NOMINATE IN ADVANCE WHICH ASSESSMENT OPTION YOU WISH TO TAKE.Students will receive a variety of feedback throughout this unit.
Informally, feedback will be given verbally in class through class discussions and during the debriefing of learning activities.

Direct feedback will be available to those students who request a private or group consultation session with the lecturer.

Formal feedback will be received on both formative and summative assessment tasks through a Criterion Reference Assessment sheet which will also include written feedback on the assessment task. The Criterion Reference Assessment Sheet will be available in the Blackboard unit site at the commencement of the unit. Students will receive feedback on their formative assessment task prior to their summative assessment task being submitted.

Assessment name: Portfolio
Description: Students will submit a portfolio of up to three items. The style of presentation of each item is at the discretion of the student and should clearly demonstrate their learning in relation to that question.
Length / Duration:Variable
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Relates to objectives: Unit objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 and AOL goals: KS 1.1, CTA 2.1, PC 3.1, SEU 5.1
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: After Module 4

Assessment name: Final Exam
Description: Students may hand write their responses to the examination questions, or use their laptop under examination conditions, which for GSN473 preclude accessing the internet. If you choose to use your laptop, you must upload your answer file to the Blackboard under examination conditions at the close of the examination time. Hand written responses may be handed in at any time after the first half hour of the examination period.
Length / Duration: 2 hours, plus 15 minutes perusal
Formative or Summative: Summative
Relates to objectives: Unit objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 and AOL goals: KS 1.1, CTA 2.1, PC 3.1, SEU 5.1
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: After Module 6

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

Psaros, J. (2009). Australian Corporate Governance - a review and analysis of key issues. Frenchs Forest: Pearson Education Australia.

The publisher also has an eBook version of this textbook available through their Vital Source platform. This platform is currently available for IOS and Android devices, Mac and PCs. Before purchasing this book as an eBook, please be aware that this publisher only allows a 12 month license for this textbook in eBook format.

Other Resources

GSZ473 Blackboard Site

Risk assessment statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit. A laptop computer with wireless access is highly recommended for students undertaking this unit. This will enable students to access online resources and participate in computer-based examinations if required.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: 22-Jan-2013