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. Attendance will be recorded but will not of itself constitute participation. Students' participation marks will be calculated from the first class through to the last. Constructive involvement in activities is important. Mobile phones and the internet should be turned off during workshops.

Participation is based on: (1) demonstrating understanding in tutorials of required readings in weeks 1 to 6. Students will be given specific questions to consider in their reading and these will be discussed in class (2) active engagement in case study and role play discussions. This will require prior reading of distributed case studies so that students are prepared for the activities in class.

Key issues in relation to expectations of students in tutorials 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. However students should note also that silent attendance is not sufficient to earn marks for participation.

This assignment involves analysis of how particular case study organisations manage specific aspects of managing people at work. Groups are to make a presentation to the class on an assigned HRM topic in relation to a nominated company. Groups will consist of a maximum of four students. Groups are formed and allocated their topic and presentation date in week 2. Each group is required to identify the business strategy of their case study organisation, present an overview of the particular HRM practices that their case study organisation uses in a specific area of HRM (eg recruitment, performance appraisal, diversity etc), and evaluate the company's approach, using the literature on the topic as well as considering the firm's business strategy.

The 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. Detailed assessment criteria are outlined in Presentation Marking Sheet to be provided on ilearn in week 3. Each group will follow the same delivery template:

• A brief introduction to the company
• Identification of the company's dominant business strategy(s)
• Outline of the company's approach to the designated functional area of HRM
• Analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the organisation's policies, practices and strategy in the designated area. This should include reference to critical scholarly literature on HR practices and strategies as well as consideration of how well these might contribute to the firm achieving its business strategy
• Two or three recommendations for improvement in the organisation's approach.
• The time limit for the presentation is 20 min. It is to be followed by 10 minute Q & A session. Students should provide a copy of any powerpoints (or other format) they intend to use immediately before they commence the presentation. Marks will be deducted if a Group does not do this.
• The presentation will require students to critically analyse the HRM issues in their designated company using the academic literature from a variety of sources. The group’s recommendations are expected to remain practical and consider such issues as cost, labour skills, markets, politics or other challenges in implementing HR strategy that are relevant to the organisation. 

Extensions/penalties: No extensions will be granted. Requests to postpone/rearrange time of presentations’ delivery will be accepted no later than a week prior to a scheduled presentation.

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 individually written essay allows students to critically analyse current SHRM theories and provide examples of their practical applications. The essay aims at assisting students in developing and demonstrating postgraduate level research skills including critical analysis and academic writing. The word limit of the essay is 2500 words.

The essay topic will be posted on ilearn in week 2. 

Assessment criteria is outlined in the essay marking rubric located on ilearn. Students are expected to use at least 10 scholarly references in their analysis. Scholarly references generally include refereed journal articles and academic books/chapters. When writing the essay, 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, addresses the essay question in a focused way and uses scholarly references to support and substantiate the analysis.

The essay must be submitted in hard copy to the Lecturer at the beginning of the week 7 lecture (Thursday 10th September)

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.

A two hour exam will be held during the university exam period. Students will be required to answer both short essay questions and short answer questions. As a guide, essay responses are expected to be a minimum of 2 pages in length. Students will be assessed on their ability to analyse and argue the relevance and application of HRM principles in key areas of practice to particular company contexts. Students are expected to present themselves for examination at the time and place designated in the University Examination Timetable. Documented illness or unavoidable disruption are the only exceptions when students can apply for Disruption of Studies. Consult Final Examination Policy for further details.