In sessions in weeks 2, 4, 7 and 9 ,students will be asked to complete a "20 minute debrief" (20MD) activity (2.5% each). In these activities students will work in groups of 4 students, to answer questions that requires knowledge of the allocated article/case study for the week. These are not fixed groups and will include students sitting close together in the particular week. The case studies will be uploaded on iLearn in the relevant week’s folder in advance – STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO COME TO THE LECTURE HAVING READ THE CASE. The questions will only be available at the beginning of the activity and will not be made available on iLearn. Students will hand in to the lecturer their group’s answer in writing: ONE PAGE of handwritten notes that answer the question at hand. Students not attending to the lecture will not receive a mark for this activity. Details and assessment criteria are provided in the Assessment Guidelines Document available on iLearn and questions on this assessment will be answered in the lecture.

NB Case study analysis will occur after the lecture in the particular week. The lecture will be on the same general HRM topic.

Active participation by students in this Unit is essential to the teaching and learning mode. Participation enables clarification, discussion and debate about concepts and materials covered in the Unit as well as the active exploration of HR practices through role playing and case study analysis. Students are expected to attend each weekly session prepared to contribute and engage in class activities.

Key issues in relation to expectations of students are briefly outlined below. 1. Quality of contribution: Students should endeavour to make a regular and informed contribution to discussion. 2. Preparation: To make an informed discussion, students should complete the recommended reading and relevant chapters of the textbook. 3. Tolerance and Respect: Group members should allow fellow students to express contrary views and be prepared to debate points in a reasoned and tolerant manner. Students should also behave with respect and courtesy towards the Convenor and fellow students. 4. Attendance: To participate, students must attend classes.

This individually written essay allows students to critically analyse current HRM concepts and theories in relation to their practical applications. The essay aims at assisting students in developing and demonstrating postgraduate level research skills including critical analysis and academic writing. Essay topics will be available on ilearn in week 2 of session.

Submission Details: The word limit of the essay is 1500 words (+/- 10% words). Details and marking criteria are provided in the Assessment Guidelines Document available on iLearn and questions on this assessment will be answered in the lecture. The essay is to be submitted through Turnitin on iLearn and in hardcopy in the session.

Format and layout: Essays should be double spaced in Time New Roman font size 12, with either APA or Harvard referencing. There are to be no tables of contents, footnotes, or abstracts.

Note on late submissions: No extensions will be granted. There will be a deduction of 20% of the total available marks made from the total awarded mark for each 24 hour period or part thereof that the submission is late (for example, 25 hours late in submission – 40% penalty). Late tasks will be accepted up to 72 hours (3 days) after the submission deadline. This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for Disruption to Studies is made and approved.

This assignment involves analysis of how particular case study organisations manage specific aspects of managing people at work. The purpose of this assessment is to develop your skills in team building and case analysis and to provide you with the opportunity to develop competent workshop facilitation skills. In weeks 9-13 students will conduct 20 minutes presentations in groups of 4 students, with five minutes for questions to follow.  Students are expected to use Powerpoint or Prezi for their presentation and provide a print-out copy of their materials to the tutor. The group presentation consists of 2 components – collective (10%) and individual (10%). Each group member receives the same mark for the collective component of the group presentation. Each group member may receive a different mark for the individual component (individual performance). Individual and collective components are assessed on the basis of content of material and quality of presentation.

Groups may assume the position of an external management consulting firm hired to research the organisation’s HRM practices and their strategic implementations and provide professional recommendations. Details and marking criteria are provided in the Assessment Guidelines document available on iLearn. Questions on this assessment will be answered during the lectures.

Note on extensions: No extensions will be granted. Students who are not present for their group's presentation will be awarded a mark of 0 for the presentation, except for cases in which an application for Disruption to Studies is made and approved.

Research sources: In the research for their presentation, students should draw on sources they can obtain about the company both online and in print eg the company's webpage and annual reports; articles in business magazines, newspapers and other media reports; and independent reports which can build an understanding of the company and environment in which it is operating. You may also find if you search the library database that there are articles which contain research on the relevant company in academic journals as well as in HR practitioner journals. When using practitioner journals, students should remain conscious that articles generally express particular views rather than balanced, evidence-based analyses. Business magazines such as Harvard Business Review, Forbes, the Australian Financial Review, HR Monthly (from AHRI) and journal articles are often a great source of such practices and strategies. But groups must remain practical - and consider such issues as cost, laws, labour skills, markets, politics and other challenges in implementing HRM practices. Please note, you must not approach a company directly - unless of course you are an employee there already.

This individual literature review essay allows students to investigate and critically analysis contemporary SHRM issues and challenges and their implications for policy and practice in organisations. The aims aims to assist students in developing and demonstrating postgraduate level research skills including literature search, literature review, critical analysis and academic writing. The word limit of the essay is 2500 words.Topics for the literature review will be discussed individually with students in the week 4 workshop (at the end of the class).

Assessment criteria will be outlined in the assessment marking criteria located on ilearn. Students are expected to use at least 15 scholarly references in their analysis. Scholarly references generally include refereed journal articles and academic books/chapters. Students may use sections and subsections, but are not required to do so. The objective is to produce a piece of individually written work that is organised in a logical and coherent manner, consistent with literature review guidelines generally, addresses the essay question in a focused way and uses scholarly references to support and substantiate the analysis.

The essay must be submitted via Turnitin by Tuesday 7 November at 12.00 pm. Students must also provide a paper copy of the essay by Tuesday 7 November 2017 (the end of the last class).

Extensions/penalties: No extensions will be granted. Late assignments will be accepted up to 72 hours after the submission deadline. A penalty of 20% of the total available marks made from the total awarded mark will apply for each complete 24 hours period that the submission is late (eg 25 hours late in submission - 40% penalty) unless an application for Disruption of Studies is made and approved.

This Assessment Task relates to the following Learning Outcomes: • Understand the importance of thinking stategically about HRM from different theoretical perspectives and the implications for the roles of HR professionals • Identify key strategic areas of HR practice and their potential contribution to the creation of value, competitive advantage and employee wellbeing • Understand the range of alternative techniques and practices in key areas of the HR function and the reasons for choices among options • Explain how metrics, measurement and evaluation contribute to HR sustainability • Research some of the key contemporary issues for human resource management.