Units
Sustainability in A Changing Environment
Unit code: MGB310
Contact hours: 3
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
This unit provides participants with an opportunity to investigate selected and critical issues in the relationship between business activity and the imperative of creating sustainable futures. The unit draws on interdisciplinary sources to encourage the development of a systemic view that incorporates global, corporate, and personal levels of analysis. The unit prepares participants to make a significant contribution to the sustainable development of organisations and society. The unit will be of value to business and non-business students seeking careers in private, public, and not-for-profit sectors.
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2013 Semester 1 | Yes |
| 2013 Semester 2 | Yes |
Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
Corporate sustainability has been widely acknowledged as fundamental to the ongoing success of organisations across a diverse range of industries in both regional and global contexts. Corporate sustainability aims to meet the needs of organisational stakeholders today while protecting, supporting and enhancing the human and natural resources that will be needed for future development. Therefore, the need to understand how corporations can develop appropriate capabilities and approaches to change for the integration of environmental and social performance with key business objectives has become paramount. Further, knowledge of the design and the leadership of the change programs needed to make these shifts are now integral to management success.
Aims
The unit provides you with an understanding of the management competencies and capabilities demanded by employers seeking to develop sustainable approaches to organisational development.
Objectives
Course Learning Goals (Undergraduate)
The Faculty of Business 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 Integrate and apply disciplinary theory and skills to practical situations
1.2 Incorporate the use of technology appropriate to the discipline and context
Be critical thinkers and effective problem solvers (CTA)
2.1 Identify, research and critically analyse information relevant to a business problem or issue, be able to synthesise that information in order to evaluate potential solutions, make recommendations or otherwise effectively address the problem or issue
Be professional communicators in an intercultural context (PC)
3.1 Communicate effectively through written tasks appropriate to varied contexts and audiences
3.2 Communicate effectively through professional oral presentations appropriate to varied contexts and audiences
Be able to work effectively in a Team Environment (TW)
4.1 Demonstrate effective team skills in order to contribute appropriately to the production of a group output
Have a Social and Ethical Understanding (SEU)
5.1 Apply ethical reasoning, standards or codes of practice relevant to the discipline and make decisions that are informed by social and cultural understanding
Unit Objectives
Upon completion of this unit, you should be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of sustainable management within a global context
2. Apply specific management knowledge and techniques for the management of sustainable organisations
3. Identify and explain the approaches used by managers to develop sustainable organisations
4. Identify and assess performance issues related to the management of sustainable organisations
5. Exhibit analytical skills through the interpretation, analysis and evaluation of information related to corporate sustainability
The specific course learning goals and unit objectives that apply to this unit are shown in the assessment section of this unit outline.
Content
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
This unit will be conducted as a two hour lecture and 2 hour tutorials in weeks 2, 4, 6,7,8,10 and 12. Specific readings are allocated for each week of the class. It is expected you have read these prior to class. Classes will often involve discussion or debate to which you are expected to contribute.
This unit uses the SafeAssign tool in BlackBoard. SafeAssign is a text matching tool that assists students to develop the academic skills required to correctly use and cite reference material as well as to check citations and determine possible instances of plagiarism. You will be expected to submit draft and/or final versions of one or more assignments using SafeAssign. Your Unit Coordinator will provide detailed information on how the software will be used in this unit.
Assessment
Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:
Assessment name:
Individual Presentation
Description:
You will prepare a presentation based on an organisation provided in class.
Length/Duration: 10 minutes
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Relates to objectives:
Unit objectives 1, 3, 4 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), PC (3.2)
Weight:
40%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Weeks 6, 7
Assessment name:
Change Management Report
Description:
You will be provided with a case study and asked to analyse it in respect to specific theories covered in the unit, with a focus on implementing sustainable change.
Length/Duration: 2,000 words
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Relates to objectives:
Unit objectives 2, 3, 4, 5 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), CTA (2.1), PC (3.1), SEU (5.1)
Weight:
60%
Internal or external:
Internal
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
Prescribed Text
Title: Moscardo et. al. 2012. MGB310 Sustainability in a Changing Environment - QUT Custom ISBN: 9781118412596
Required References
See unit Blackboard site for other resources.
Other References
Other readings, as outlined in the Week 1 document, are available on the unit's Blackboard site and the Course Materials Database (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: 17-Jan-2013
