Students
MQBS8000 – Contemporary Business Issues
2021 – Session 1, Weekday attendance, North Ryde
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group activities on campus, and most will keep an online version available to those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face-to-face and online activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Cynthia Webster
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
(Admission to MCom or MCyberGovMgnt and 40cp at 8000 level) or (admission to MBioBus or MCyberSec and 80cp at 8000 level)
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
This is a course-wide capstone unit that is intended to be taken by students in their final session of study. The unit is designed to broaden students' understanding of the importance of strategic business matters in the areas of an organisation's planning, operations, leadership, ethics and broader sustainability, economic and global developments. Through the unit's real world experience opportunities and engagement in business challenges requiring cross-disciplinary insights and knowledge, students are not only required to develop their reflective and integrative thinking but also engage in the development of their future-focused, strategic thinking. Students are exposed to contemporaneous business intelligence devised to give them the opportunity to consider practical implications of business issues and challenges and to investigate strategic business matters within the context of a business environment. Students work in self-managing teams to prepare group reports, complete practice-based tasks and conduct a session long research-based project. |
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:
- ULO1: Integrate knowledge and skills from alternative discipline-specific perspectives to address complex, global business issues.
- ULO2: Discuss the relationship between sustainability, value creation and governance within a business context and articulate an informed ethical position.
- ULO3: Critically analyse recent and developing business issues, formulate creative and strategic solutions and defend propositions.
- ULO4: Demonstrate professional written, verbal and interpersonal competencies on personal, social and practical issues in a team environment.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practice-based tasks | 40% | No | Weeks 2 - 10 |
| Project | 40% | No | Week 12 |
| Reflection | 20% | No | Weeks 1 & 13 |
Practice-based tasks
Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Weeks 2 - 10
Weighting: 40%
Practice-based assessment tasks are given throughout the session. Some of these are take-home tasks, others are to be completed during the workshops. Students must submit a total of four (4) tasks for grading. Each task is worth 10%.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Discuss the relationship between sustainability, value creation and governance within a business context and articulate an informed ethical position.
- Critically analyse recent and developing business issues, formulate creative and strategic solutions and defend propositions.
Project
Assessment Type 1: Project
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Week 12
Weighting: 40%
This assessment has two components. One component is a 2,000-3,000 word group report worth 20% (assessed as a group). The other component is a group presentation of 3-4 minutes per group member worth 20% (assessed individually).
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Integrate knowledge and skills from alternative discipline-specific perspectives to address complex, global business issues.
- Discuss the relationship between sustainability, value creation and governance within a business context and articulate an informed ethical position.
- Demonstrate professional written, verbal and interpersonal competencies on personal, social and practical issues in a team environment.
Reflection
Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Weeks 1 & 13
Weighting: 20%
Students will be required to submit two 500 word reflection essays (worth 10% each).
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Integrate knowledge and skills from alternative discipline-specific perspectives to address complex, global business issues.
- Demonstrate professional written, verbal and interpersonal competencies on personal, social and practical issues in a team environment.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
Delivery:
- This unit consists of 3 hours teaching per session, one 1 hour lecture and one 2 hour seminar or computer laboratory face-to-face or via Zoom.
- The timetable for classes can be found on the University website at: http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au/
Resources:
- There is no required textbook for this unit. Readings, multi-media cases, simulations and self-directed modules uploaded weekly on iLearn.
- Access to a personal computer and the internet is required to access the resources and learning materials on iLearn.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
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 help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
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
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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.
Unit information based on version 2021.05 of the Handbook