Units

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Sample subject outline - 6 Week Teaching Period - 1 2013

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

Rationale

In today's complex, contemporary business environment, there are daily challenges and difficult decisions facing leaders in both business and government organisations. Rarely do students get the opportunity to gain a first-hand insight into the issues and decision making processes of experienced executive level leaders. This unit will be of particular importance to participants as it will enable them to observe a proven corporate or government executive level leader in action and provide them with access to the decision making processes and ethical dilemmas faced by this leader.

This highly experiential unit will enable participants to build on their knowledge of leadership theoretical frameworks and leadership behaviours learned in GSN415 Understanding Leadership. The practicum has been positioned to build on an Executive Coaching program and run parallel capstone Executive MBA units. By drawing upon their experiences and discussions within the leadership practicum, students have significant opportunities to prepare for and explore the responsibilities, challenges and issues raised within the capstone units.

Aims

The mission of the MBA and associated programs is to provide world class graduate business education and a stimulating learning experience to current and future business leaders and managers. The aim of this unit is to provide students with a rich learning experience that will enable them to develop advanced leadership insights derived from observations of, and strategic conversations with, a proven executive level leader from a government or corporate organisation over a ten month period. This unit also aims to provide a two-way exchange of ideas relating to emerging, contemporary leadership issues and practices between the student and the executive leader.

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.

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

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

Unit Objectives:

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

1. Critically analyse the organisational issues and the decision-making processes used by an executive in a real-world context, drawing on both the strategic conversations with an executive leader and the literature that can help to guide their analysis. KS 1.1 (MBA 1, 8, 9), CTA 2.1 (MBA 4), PC 3.1 (MBA 3)

2. Critique leadership and decision making theories to determine the application and limitations of the theories to real-world working environments. KS 1.1 (MBA 1, 8), CTA 2.1 (MBA 4), PC 3.1 (MBA 3), PC 3.2 (MBA 3), TW 4.1 (MBA 6)

3. Determine suitable strategies and practical techniques for dealing with emerging problems and opportunities through synthesizing learning from a number of different disciplines in the EMBA program. KS 1.1 (MBA 1, 8), CTA 2.1 (MBA 4)

4. Reflect upon executive decision making processes and the implications for their personal leadership styles and behaviours. KS 1.1 (MBA 1, 8), CTA 2.1 (MBA 4), SEU 5.1 (MBA 2)

5. Understand and be able to apply the principles of reflective practice as they relate to leadership decision making. KS 1.1 (MBA 1, 9)

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

Content

1. Executive level decision making approaches
2. Building an effective relationship with your executive advisor
3. Developing your leadership capability through reflective practice.

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 a 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 or 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 related to 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

Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester, which may include:

• Informal Feedback provided by the academic during class sessions and through the peer coaching sessions during the course of the practicum. Conversations with the Executive Advisor will also provide the opportunity for informal feedback.
• Formal Feedback will be provided on Assessment task 1 by the academic. The Executive Advisors will provide formal feedback at the mid-way point and towards the end of the practicum through writing a brief report comprising of a checklist and written comments.


• Direct Feedback will be provided by the academic should a student request a private consultation

Assessment name: Presentation (Oral or Group)
Description: Students are working in Action Learning Sets for the unit. Each group will choose one theory regarding leadership and decision making from the unit readings or other sources (to be approved by the Unit Coordinator). They will make a presentation to the class highlighting:
1. The essence of the theory
2. Critical analyse the approach in relation to other relevant leadership and decision making theories (from GSZ415 or other readings).
3. Identify some potential applications of the theory to their real-world workplace contexts including identifying the limitations of applying this theory to real-world contexts.
Students will also be required to prepare business standard handout that captures the essence of the theory, its application and limitations.
Length / Duration:Presentation: 15 minutes + 15 minute Q&A Handout: 1000 words including graphics.
Formative or Summative:Formative and Summative
Relates to objectives: Unit objectives: 2, 3 and AOL goals: KS 1.1, KS 1.2, CTA 2.1, PC 3.1, PC 3.2, TW 4.1
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: Approximately 1/3 of


Assessment name: Report with Reflective Journal
Description: Students will be required to critically analyse the executive level decision making processes observed and discussed with the executive advisor during the practicum, drawing upon contemporary theoretical frameworks and principles relating to executive level decision making processes.
The report will include an analysis of how the knowledge gained through the Practicum has impacted upon the leadership and decision making of the student, making appropriate reference to the synthesis of ideas and experiences from across the EMBA two year program.
Students will be required to maintain a reflective journal that covers the content and process of the EA discussions and through the Practicum, particularly with regard to decision-making. The Report described above will refer to extracts from the journal as evidence of reflective practice through the Practicum. Students may also draw upon the Feedback provided in the two Executive Advisor Reports in the preparation of this assessment task.
Length / Duration: 2500 words
Formative or Summative:Summative
Relates to objectives: Unit objectives: 1, 3, 4 and 5 and AOL goals: KS 1.1, CTA 2.1, PC 3.1, SE 5.1
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of Practic


Assessment name: Executive Advisors Report
Description: The Executive Advisor will be required to complete an Executive Advisors Report on two occasions to provide feedback to the student against key criteria of:
1. Engagement and motivation
2. Professionalism
3. Critical thinking
4. Reflective practice
5. Communication skills
6. Leadership development
Length / Duration:2 - 3 pages
Formative or Summative:Formative
Relates to objectives: Unit objectives: 1, 3 and AOL goals: N/A as this is a report completed by the Executive Advisor
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid-way through


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:
There is no set text for this unit. There are relevant book chapters and articles on the CMD and students are expected to refer to other references from earlier related units (GSZ415 in particular).

Required References:


• Practicum Handbook


• Readings


• Blackboard site
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Risk assessment statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with 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 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: 08-Jan-2013