COMMGMT 7006OL - People and Organisations (M)
Online - Quadmester 2 - 2014
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code COMMGMT 7006OL Course People and Organisations (M) Coordinating Unit Adelaide Business School Term Quadmester 2 Level Postgraduate Coursework Location/s Online Units 3 Course Staff
Sonja Scobie
Business School
The University of Adelaide, AUSTRALIA 5005
Ph : 0412 373 204
Fax : +61 8 8223 4782
e-mail: sonja.scobie@iqapplications.com.au
Skype: scosen24Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from the Course Planner at https://access.adelaide.edu.au/courses/search.asp -
Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
The course seeks to provide a learning environment in which students can:- Develop a thorough knowledge and understanding of organisational behaviour;
- Research, analyse and evaluate information from a wide variety of sources;
- Analyse and apply theories, concepts and models in relation to organisational environments, cases and issues;
- Communicate findings in an appropriate and effective format;
- Engage in collegial online learning and constructively communicate in group discussions; and
- Develop lifelong tools for problem solving.
University Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1,2 and 3 The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 1,2,3,5 and 6 An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 2,3,5 and 6 Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 4 and 5 A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 5 A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 1,2,3,5 and 6 A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 4 An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 2,3 and 6 -
Learning Resources
Required Resources
Robbins, SP, Judge, TA, Millett, B & Boyle, M 2011, Organisational Behaviour 6th edn, Pearson, French's Forest, NSW.Recommended Resources
Students are encouraged to read beyond the textbook to enhance the learning experience. Journal articles can be accessed using the online databases.
Two useful databases are:
EmeraldFulltext
Business Source Complete
The following list provides useful academic journals for further research.
Academy of Management Executive
Academy of Management Journal
Academy of Management Perspectives
(formerly Academy of Management Review)
Administrative Science Quarterly
Harvard Business Review
Human Relations
Journal of Applied Psychology
Journal of Organizational Behavior
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
Organization Science
Organization Dynamics
Personnel PsychologyOnline Learning
Material available through online management system - LEARN. -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
This course will be taught online. Students are expected to contribute to online discussions and complete the required reading and exercises for each week.Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
The University expects you to commit approximately 9 hours for a three-unit courseLearning Activities Summary
This course will be taught as 3 modules with an introductory topic.Module Category Topic Introduction What is OB? Module 1 The Individual Attitudes and Job satisfaction
Personality and values
Emotions and Moods
Perception and decision making
Motivation and empowermentModule 2 The Group Communication/ Conflict and negotiation
Groups and Teams
Leadership
Power and politicsModule 3 The Organisation Change and Stress management
Organisational culture
Specific Course Requirements
Collegiality is an important component of the online learning environment. It is expected that students actively participate in the online discussions and contribute to activities to ensure the course functions effectively. -
Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
Assessment Due date Weighting
Related course learning outcomes Reflective journal 3 x 500 words
Journal 1 due – Day 7/Week 4
Journal 2 due – Day 7/Week 7
Journal 3 due – Day 7/Week 1045% 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 Case Study 2000 words
Due Day 7/Week 840% 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 Discussion contribution Ongoing 15% 1, 3, 5 and 6 Assessment Related Requirements
All assignments are to be lodged prior to the due date and time. A late assignment where no extension has been granted will be penalised by a reduction of 5% of the mark given for each day, or part of a day, that it is late.Assessment Detail
Reflective Journal
The reflective journal provides an opportunity to reflect on your behaviour, analyse course material that relates to your behaviour and develop strategies that may increase your effectiveness as a current or future manager.
The journal assesses your understanding of OB concepts and how you analyse and apply them to your own behaviour.
Assignment Instructions
There are three reflective journals to complete and each journal is based on a specific topic area in the course.
Journal 1 – Decision makingJournal 2 – Motivation
Journal 3 – Organisational culture
Each reflective journal is 800-1000 words and must include the following parts:- Reflection
A brief overview of a situation in which the relevant concept was demonstrated (for example, a situation in which there was a barrier to effective communication). A workplace situation is preferred, however, you may choose a personal example if necessary.
Do not provide too much detail in this section, a brief overview of the situation only (approx 10% of word count). - Analysis
Integrate theories and concepts you have covered in the course and your research that can be used to analyse your behaviour in the situation (approx 50% of word count). - Implementation
An overview of strategies drawn from the analysis to improve your behaviour and a brief action plan for the implementation of the strategies. For example, it is not sufficient to state that you need to improve your communication skills, rather, you need to address in which area of communication you have difficulty and discuss methods for improving these. It may be useful to develop a table for your implementation strategies that includes what needs improving, how you will improve it and an opportunity when you can implement the strategy. The more specific the action plan the more likely it will be implemented (approx 40% of word count).
Reflective Journal Grading Criteria Weight Reflection
- Choice of relevant situation
10 Analysis
- Choice of appropriate concepts and/or theories
- Integration of referenced theories/concepts with the situation
- Conclusions drawn from analysis, for example, how effective was your behaviour in the situation
40 Implementation
- Development of relevant and specific strategies
- Realistic and relevant action plan(s)
40 Format
- Overall quality of presentation (spelling, grammar, clarity and appropriate referencing )
10 Total 100%
The case study provides an opportunity to see organisational behaviour in action and analyse the consequences of behaviour in a specific workplace.
The case study will assess your ability to analyse a workplace situation and integrate relevant theory with case examples.
The case study should be written as a short structured 2000 word essay.
Include the following sections in your essay:- Introduction
Ensure you include a brief overview of the case study and key issues. - Discussion
This section should provide an analysis of the questions. The analysis should follow the order of the questions.
Do not use the questions as headings. Headings and sub-headings should reflect the core concept or process under discussion. - Conclusion
- Reference list
Case study Grading Criteria Weight Overview of case and statement of key issues 5 Demonstrates an appropriate choice of course concepts relevant to the case study questions. 20 Demonstrates critical thinking and insight in addressing the questions. 60 Format
- Overall quality of presentation (spelling, grammar, clarity and appropriate referencing )
- Consistent flow between case study questions
10
5Total 100%
Students are expected to contribute to the class discussion in a substantive way each week. Substantive participation includes responses to discussion questions as well as discourse between students related to the subject matter. Substantive responses must be based upon the course content, theory or personal experiences, not mere opinion. A simple "I agree" will not count. Examples of substantive participation do not include posting of assignments or a question you might have for the facilitator or the group. Posting assignments or emails to students and/or teaching staff outside of classroom threads does not count as discussion participation. Substantive responses should also include appropriate documentation/citation where appropriate.
As a general rule, students need to post at least 2-3 substantive responses each week beyond the posting of assignments. However, students should not be limited in the number of discussion postings that they contribute each week. Quantity is considered important, but the quality of the responses is even more important.
Students are expected to read all discussion area postings. The quality of the student responses will be graded. Students will earn participation grades based upon the quality of their responses to both weekly learning activities and discussion questions.
Discussion Contribution: Grading CriteriaCriterion Weight Discussion Response demonstrates critical thinking and insight. 15 Response indicates you understand the assignment and the underlying concepts. 20 Student response to question met minimum substantive expectations 15 Demonstrated appropriate writing style and language choice. 10 Participation Posted required subsequent responses to posts of your classmates, or to responses to your initial post—responses are substantive in nature (at least 100 words). 15 Responses indicate critical thinking and constructive feedback and meaningful inputs to the discussion. 15 Demonstrated quality of writing and concise language choice. 10 TOTAL 100%
Submission
- Extensions to the due date of individual assessment may be granted under special circumstances. An extension request based on illness or on exceptional personal circumstances must include the "Supporting Statement / Certification Form" that is page 4 of the Supplementary Assessment application available at: www.adelaide.edu.au/student/exams/pdfs/supp_applic.pdf
- Students applying for an extension based on medical reasons must visit their medical practitioner, with that approved University form, and have the medical practitioner complete it. A normal doctor's certificate will not be accepted. For supplementary examination on compassionate grounds refer to: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/student/exams/pdfs/supp_applic.pdf
- Quality of English expression is considered to be an integral part of the assessment process. Marks may be deducted because of grammar and spelling.
- Please must retain a copy of all assignments submitted.
- Assignments are to be submitted in soft copy formats. Soft copies should be submitted via the DropBox function. It is the students’ responsibility to ensure that soft copies of assignments have been received by the teaching staff.
- Lecturers can refuse to accept assignments, which have not acknowledged the University’s policy on plagiarism.
A copy of the Postgraduate Programs: Communication Skills Guide will have been given to you at the beginning of your program. This guide will assist you structure your assignments. A copy of the guide can also be downloaded from the “Assignment Requirements and Supplementary Resources” section or from http://www.adelaide.edu.au/professions/hub/downloads/MBA-Communication-Skills-Guide-2014.pdf
This publication also provides guidelines on a range of other important communication skills including writing essays and management reports, making oral presentations etc.
In preparing any written piece of assessment for your postgraduate studies it is important to draw on the relevant ‘literature’ to support critical analysis. Also essential is to reference the literature used. Correct referencing is important because it identifies the source of the ideas and arguments that you present, and sometimes the source of the actual words you use, and helps to avoid the problem of plagiarism. (Further information on plagiarism is provided later in this course outline.)
The Harvard system is widely used in the Business School. Guidelines for the use of this style of referencing can be found in the Communication Skills Guide.
Further assistance with referencing is available from the Faculty’s Learning Support Advisors. The contact details are provided on page 6 of the Communication Skills Guide.
Late Assignment Submission
Students are expected to submit their work by the due date to maintain a fair and equitable system. Extensions will generally only be given for medical or other serious reasons. All requests for extensions must be emailed to the lecturer in charge of the course before the due date. Each request will be assessed on its merits. A late assignment (without prior arrangement) will be penalised by a 5% mark reduction for each day that it is late.
Return of Assignments
Lecturer’s aim to mark and return assignments to students within two (2) weeks of the due date with written feedback.
Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme) Grade Mark Description FNS Fail No Submission F 1-49 Fail P 50-64 Pass C 65-74 Credit D 75-84 Distinction HD 85-100 High Distinction CN Continuing NFE No Formal Examination RP Result Pending Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.
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Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
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Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- International Student Support
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
- YouX Student Care - Advocacy, confidential counselling, welfare support and advice
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Elder Conservatorium of Music Noise Management Plan
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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Fraud Awareness
Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.
The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.