Students

HRM 107 – Introduction to Human Resources

2017 – S2 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Troy Sarina
Contact via troy.sarina@mq.edu.au
E4A, 632
Monday 3pm to 4pm
Teaching Assistant
Jackie Gorrick
Contact via jackie.gorrick@mq.edu.au
Department of Marketing and Management
Via appointment
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit provides an introduction to human resource management (HRM) in Australia, key policies and practices and contemporary environmental influences on HR strategy formation. Major topic areas include: human resource planning and staffing; employee training and development; performance appraisal; managing a workforce; and workplace health and safety. On completion of this unit students will be able to demonstrate the links between the different areas of HRM and the contribution of HRM in businesses. Students will develop graduate capabilities in a range of areas including critical thinking, creativity and innovation and communication skills.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Identify and investigate key concepts and theories in Human Resource Management.
  • Explain and evaluate the connection between Human Resource Management and organisational processes, plans and policies. This includes an awareness of key issues involved in sustainability and a basic understanding of the impact this can have on professional practice.
  • Apply principles of groupwork, communication and evaluation
  • Develop and apply effective critical thinking and argument-making skills.

General Assessment Information

Important:

It is the responsibility of students to view their marks for each within session assessment on iLearn within 20 working days of posting. If there are any discrepancies, students must contact the Unit Convenor immediately. Failure to do so will mean that queries received after the release of final results regarding assessment marks (not including the final exam mark) will not be addressed.

Please note there will be no transfer of marks from other assessments (e.g. group debate) to the final examination.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Group Report 40% No Tuesday 3rd October 4pm
Assessed Coursework/Debate 10% No Ongoing
Final Examination 50% No Formal Examination Period

Group Report

Due: Tuesday 3rd October 4pm
Weighting: 40%

Examining the role of HRM in organisations through a group assessment project targeting critical thinking and group report writing. 50% of this group report will be assessed individually. See Assessment Guide on iLearn for details. 

Submission details: Submit group assignment to drop box at Business and Economics Student Services (BESS) before the due date (see Assessment Guide).  Students are also required to submit an identical copy of the group assignment to the turnitin drop box by the due date.

Extension requests: The University is committed to equity and fairness in all aspects of its learning and teaching. In stating this commitment, the University recognises that there may be circumstances where a student is prevented by unavoidable disruption from performing in accordance with their ability. A  disruption to studies policy exists to support students who experience serious and unavoidable disruption such that they do not reach their usual demonstrated performance level. The policy is available at:http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html

Late submissions: No extensions will be granted. There will be a deduction of 10% of the total marks available for the assignment for each 24 hour period or part thereof that the submission is late (for example, 25 hours late in submission – 20% penalty). This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for disruption to studies is made and approved.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and investigate key concepts and theories in Human Resource Management.
  • Explain and evaluate the connection between Human Resource Management and organisational processes, plans and policies. This includes an awareness of key issues involved in sustainability and a basic understanding of the impact this can have on professional practice.
  • Apply principles of groupwork, communication and evaluation
  • Develop and apply effective critical thinking and argument-making skills.

Assessed Coursework/Debate

Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 10%

Develop critical thinking: arguing and substantiating a point of view (class debate). See Assessment Guide on iLearn.

Late submissionsNo extensions will be granted. Students who have not submitted the task prior to the deadline will be awarded a mark of 0 for the task, except for cases in which an application for disruption of studies is made and approved.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and investigate key concepts and theories in Human Resource Management.
  • Apply principles of groupwork, communication and evaluation
  • Develop and apply effective critical thinking and argument-making skills.

Final Examination

Due: Formal Examination Period
Weighting: 50%

2 hours. Assessing understanding of themes discussed in the course. This will be a closed book exam. The exam format will be made available later in the semester.

A final examination is included as an assessment task for this unit to provide assurance that:

  1. The product belongs to the student and
  2. The student has attained the knowledge and skills tested in the exam.

 A 2 hour final examination for this unit will be held during the University Examination period in the First Half Year 2017.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and investigate key concepts and theories in Human Resource Management.
  • Explain and evaluate the connection between Human Resource Management and organisational processes, plans and policies. This includes an awareness of key issues involved in sustainability and a basic understanding of the impact this can have on professional practice.
  • Apply principles of groupwork, communication and evaluation
  • Develop and apply effective critical thinking and argument-making skills.

Delivery and Resources

Classes

One 2-hour lecture each week plus one 1-hour tutorial each week. The tutorials commence in Week 1.

The timetable for classes can be found on the University web site at: http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au/ 

  • Once the tutorial groups are formed, students cannot change their classes.
  • Attendance will be taken in all tutorials.
  • Tutorial attendance is imperative.

 

Technology Used and Required

Students are required to learn how to use word processing, iLearn and the library journals catalogue

 

Unit web page

Course material is available on the learning management system (ilearn).

The web page for this unit can be found at:  https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/login/MQ/

 

Required texts and materials

The Compulsory Text for the unit is:

Nankervis, A., Baird, M., Coffey, J., & Shields, J. (2017). Human resource management: Strategy and practice (9th ed.). Melbourne: Cengage. This text can now be purchased from the Macquarie University Co-op Bookshop.

 

Consultation Times

You are encouraged to seek help at a time that is convenient to you from a staff member teaching on this unit during their regular consultation hours. In special circumstances, an appointment may be made outside regular consultation hours. Students experiencing significant difficulties with any topic in the unit must seek assistance immediately.

 

Teaching staff will generally respond to emails within 48 hours (excluding weekends). Accordingly, students must organise their study schedules to ensure that they do not feel the need for urgent email replies.

 

Requirements to Complete the Unit Satisfactorily

In order to complete this course satisfactorily you must achieve an total mark of at least 50 out of 100.

Unit Schedule

Topics to be covered each week are as follows:

Week

Week Commencing

Lecture Topic (& reading)

Tutorial Topic (see detailed program below)

1

31st July

Unit Overview

Evolution of HRM (Ch 1)

Introduction Tutorial

2

7th August

The Context of HRM (Ch 2)

The Evolution of HRM (Ch 1)

3

14th August

Employment Relationships, Industrial Relations and HRM  (Ch 3)

Understanding Argument Making and Debating Processes

4

21st August

The Role of Law and Regulation in HRM (Ch 3)

Employment Relationships, Industrial Relations and HRM (Ch 3)

Group Debate 1

5

28th August

HR Planning in Dynamic Environments  (Ch 4 and 5)

Role of Law and Regulation in HRM (Ch 3)

Group Debate 2

6

4th September

Attracting Talent and Effective Employment Selection (Ch 6)

HR Planning in Dynamic Environments (Ch 4 and 5)

7

11th September

Retaining and Developing Staff (Ch 7)

Unpacking the Selection Process (Ch 6)

 

MID SESSION BREAK    18th September to 1st October

8

2nd October

Reading  Week - NO LECTURES THIS WEEK

GROUP REPORT DUE: Tuesday 3rd October 4pm

NO TUTORIALS (Public holiday Monday 2nd October)

9

9th October

Managing Performance (Ch 8)

Talent Development (Ch 7)

Group Debate 3

10

16th October

Strategic Reward Management (Ch 9)

Examining Issues Related to Managing Performance (Ch 8)

Group Debate 4

11

23rd October

Negotiation at the Workplace (Ch 11)

Motivating Workers: Reward Management (Ch 9)

Group Debate 5

12

30th October

Workplace Health and Safety & Employee Wellbeing (Ch 10)

Understanding the Processes Underpinning Effective Negotiations (Ch 11)

13

6th November

Future of HRM, Subject Review and Exam Preparation

WHS & Employee Wellbeing (Ch 10)

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html​

Disruption to Studies Policy (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html

Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.

Extension requests: The University is committed to equity and fairness in all aspects of its learning and teaching. In stating this commitment, the University recognises that there may be circumstances where a student is prevented by unavoidable disruption from performing in accordance with their ability. A  disruption to studies policy exists to support students who experience serious and unavoidable disruption such that they do not reach their usual demonstrated performance level. The policy is available at:http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html

Late submissions: No extensions will be granted. There will be a deduction of 10% of the total marks available for each 24 hour period or part thereof that the submission is late (for example, 25 hours late in submission – 20% penalty). This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for disruption to studies is made and approved.

 

Students are required to obtain an overall mark of 50% in order to pass this unit.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Identify and investigate key concepts and theories in Human Resource Management.
  • Explain and evaluate the connection between Human Resource Management and organisational processes, plans and policies. This includes an awareness of key issues involved in sustainability and a basic understanding of the impact this can have on professional practice.
  • Apply principles of groupwork, communication and evaluation
  • Develop and apply effective critical thinking and argument-making skills.

Assessment tasks

  • Group Report
  • Assessed Coursework/Debate
  • Final Examination

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Identify and investigate key concepts and theories in Human Resource Management.
  • Explain and evaluate the connection between Human Resource Management and organisational processes, plans and policies. This includes an awareness of key issues involved in sustainability and a basic understanding of the impact this can have on professional practice.
  • Apply principles of groupwork, communication and evaluation
  • Develop and apply effective critical thinking and argument-making skills.

Assessment tasks

  • Group Report
  • Assessed Coursework/Debate
  • Final Examination

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Identify and investigate key concepts and theories in Human Resource Management.
  • Explain and evaluate the connection between Human Resource Management and organisational processes, plans and policies. This includes an awareness of key issues involved in sustainability and a basic understanding of the impact this can have on professional practice.
  • Apply principles of groupwork, communication and evaluation
  • Develop and apply effective critical thinking and argument-making skills.

Assessment tasks

  • Group Report
  • Assessed Coursework/Debate
  • Final Examination

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Explain and evaluate the connection between Human Resource Management and organisational processes, plans and policies. This includes an awareness of key issues involved in sustainability and a basic understanding of the impact this can have on professional practice.

Assessment task

  • Final Examination

Changes from Previous Offering

There are no significant changes since last Session.

Global and Sustainability

Developing sustainable organisations through the creation of innovative practices. 

Research and Practice

This unit gives you practice in applying research findings in your assignments

This unit gives you opportunities to conduct your own research

The Compulsory Text for the unit is:

Nankervis, A., Baird, M., Coffey, J., & Shields, J. (2017). Human resource management: Strategy and practice (9th ed.). Melbourne: Cengage. This text can now be purchased from the Macquarie University Co-op Bookshop.

Other useful texts which comprehensively cover the core material include:

  • Bratton, J., & Gold, J. (2012). Human resource management: Theory and practice (5th ed.). Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
  • De Cieri, H., Kramar, R., Noe, R. A., Hollenbeck, J. R., Gerhart, B., & Wright, P. M. (2008). Human resource management in Australia: Strategy, people and performance (3rd ed.). North Ryde, NSW: McGraw-Hill.
  • Stone, R. J. (2013). Human resource management (8th ed.). Milton, QLD: John Wiley & Sons

 

The publications listed below are highly recommended for further reading on the topics covered in the unit. Students should also consult them for the research and preparation of assignments.

Books

These are suggested books in order to broaden your reading.

  • Boxall, P., & Purcell, J. (2011). Strategy and human resource management (3rd ed.). Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
  • Bratton, J., & Gold, J. (2012). Human resource management: Theory and practice (5th ed.). Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
  • Brewster, C., Carey, L., Dowling, P., Grobbler, P., Holland, P., & Warnich, S. (2007). Contemporary issues in human resource management: Gaining a competitive advantage (2nd ed.). Cape Town: Oxford University Press.
  • De Cieri, H., Kramar, R., Noe, R. A., Hollenbeck, J. R., Gerhart, B., & Wright, P. M. (2008). Human resource management in Australia: Strategy, people and performance (3rd ed.). North Ryde, NSW: McGraw-Hill.
  • Legge, K. (1995). Human resource management: Rhetorics and realities. Basingstoke: Macmillan Business. [also 2005 Anniversary edition].
  • Leopold, J., & Harris, L. (2009). The strategic managing of human resources (2nd ed.). London: Pearson Education.
  • Noe, R., & Winkler, C. (2009). Employee training and development for Australia and New Zealand. North Ryde, NSW: McGraw-Hill.
  • Shields, J. (2007). Managing employee performance and reward: Concepts, practices, strategies. Port Melbourne: Cambridge University Press.
  • Stone, R. J. (2013). Human resource management (8th ed.). Milton, QLD: John Wiley & Sons.

Journals

Apart from books, students will find it invaluable to get into the practice of reading relevant articles from journals. Below students will find a list of journals to start their reading and research. Those suggested can all be found within the university library system.

  • Academy of Management Journal Journal of Industrial Relations
  • Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources Work, Employment & Society
  • Australian Journal of Management Employee Relations
  • Human Resource Management Journal Harvard Business Review
  • International Journal of Human Resource Management

Some useful websites:

  • http://www.fwa.gov.au http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/
  • http://www.ahri.com.au http://www.shrm.org
  • http://www.deewr.gov.au/ http://www.hreoc.gov.au/
  • http://www.ilo.org/ http://www.psmpc.gov.au/
  • http://europa.eu.int/comm/dg05/index_en.htm
  • http://www.innovations.gov.au