Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

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

Rationale

This unit involves a structured course of study focusing on a selected topic or set of topics which you have identified as significant to your professional development in the HRM discipline. The primary purpose of the unit is to augment or extend your professional knowledge beyond classroom instruction, to develop applied reaserch skills, to integrate learning with work, and provide an opportunity for self directed learning. In order to achieve these purposes, you will develop an individually tailored learning contract. The specific program of study will be developed in conjunction with and approved by the Unit Coordinator.

Aims

The unit is designed to provide valuable professional portfolio building through advanced level examination of content and the development of self-directed learning skills. It provides an opportunity for theories, principles and concepts addressed in the classroom to be examined more comprehensively or for these to be tested in the reality of a private, public or community sector organisation. The unit builds upon theoretical understanding of the discipline by providing an environment in which you may gain first-hand experience of how theories and concepts are utilised in practice. In developing synergies between theory and practice, this unit involves the application of learned knowledge, development of professional skills and abilities, and assessment of acquired learning as it relates to the specific topic. The unit has a strong professional practice focus.

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 the unit, you will be able to:

1. Demonstrate critical and applied awareness of the synergies between theoretical and practical dimensions of HRM/Management as they apply in an actual organisational setting
2. Engage in self-directed learning, and show evidence of project management skills
3. Demonstrate advanced research and presentation skills
4. Develop advanced analytical skills

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

Content

The content of this unit will be shaped by the specific learning objectives you have developed.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

The unit presented to you is based on self-directed learning and a negotiated learning and assessment contract. You still have the option of as much face-to-face time with teaching staff as you need to support your study. The Unit Coordinator/Supervisor makes a commitment to critical enquiry and intellectual debate in regard to the material covered, and you are encouraged to relate theories, concepts and research to your specific topic.

Delivery Mode

The Faculty of Business seeks to create postgraduate learning environments that help participants better manage family-work-study conflicts. For example, the units in the Master of Business (HRM) program provide a range of delivery options that offer some flexibility with respect to class timetable. These delivery options vary by unit. Your lecturer will provide details in class. Flexible delivery options are supported by educational technologies to both connect you with others in the unit and with unit content. Whatever delivery option is used, you still have the option of as much face-to-face time with teaching staff as you need to support your study. We encourage you to regularly access the HR Program portal, the unit Blackboard site, attend scheduled classes, engage in on-line activities and make effective use of staff consultation times.

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: Project (Applied) Part A
Description: Appropriate content based assessment reflecting your learning objectives as documented in your approved learning contract. Projects are usually completed individually, however group projects may be negotiated. Assessment weighting and due dates will be by negotiation with the Unit Coordinator.
Length: As negotiated with supervisor
Formative or Summative: Both
Relates to objectives: Unit Objectives 1-4 and AoL goals: KS (1.1) and (1.2); CTA (2.1), PC (3.1) and (3.2); SEU (5.1) as appropriate.
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Negotiable

Assessment name: Project (Applied) Part B
Description: Appropriate content based assessment reflecting your learning objectives as documented in your approved learning contract. Projects are usually completed individually, however group projects may be negotiated. Assessment weighting and due dates will be by negotiation with the Unit Coordinator.
Length: As negotiated with supervisor
Formative or Summative: Both
Relates to objectives: Unit Objectives 1-4 and AoL goals: KS (1.1) and (1.2); CTA (2.1), PC (3.1) and (3.2); SEU (5.1) as appropriate
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Negotiable

Assessment name: Project (Applied) Part C
Description: Appropriate content based assessment reflecting your learning objectives as documented in your approved learning contract. Projects are usually completed individually, however group projects may be negotiated. Assessment weighting and due dates will be by negotiation with the Unit Coordinator.
Length: As negotiated with supervisor
Formative or Summative: Both
Relates to objectives: Unit Objectives 1-4 and AoL goals: KS (1.1) and (1.2); CTA (2.1), PC (3.1) and (3.2); SEU (5.1) as appropriate.
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Negotiable

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

There is no prescribed textbook for this unit. You will be expected to make extensive use of relevant electronic academic and practitioner information resources. You will also be expected to access contemporary literature on your topic(s) and relevant material on applied research methods related to your field of study.

There are no out of the ordinary costs associated with this unit.

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.

Depending upon the nature of your project it may be necessary to obtain university ethics clearance.

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: 04-Jul-2012