Unit Guide

General Information

Unit convenor and teaching staff	Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor Alexandra Meldrum alexandra.meldrum@mq.edu.au Contact via Afternoon on teaching days (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays) Via appointment. Lecturer and Tutor. Alexandra Meldrum alexandra.meldrum@mq.edu.au Contact via Afternoon on teaching days (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays) 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 workforce diversity; and occupational 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 define key concepts and theories in Human Resource Management.
Explain and evaluate the connection between Human Resource Management and organisational processes, plans and policies.
Develop and apply effective critical thinking and argument-making skills.
Collaborate effectively with a team to develop a response to the HRM group project.

General Assessment Information

Important:

It is the responsibility of students to view their marks for each within session assessment on iLearn within 10 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	Due	Short Extension
Group project: HRM practice	40%	Ongoing	No
Tutorial participation	10%	Ongoing	No
Final Examination	50%	Formal Examination Period	No

Group project: HRM practice

Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual:
Short extension ³: No
AI assisted?:

Examining the role of HRM in modern organisations through a group assessment project targeting critical thinking, argument making (debate) and group report writing. 50% of this group project is individually assessed. See Assessment guide on iLearn for details.

Submission details: Submit group report to drop box at business and economics student services (BESS) before due date (see Assessment guide). Students are also required to submit an identical copy of the group assignment to the turnitin drop box on iLearn 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. No submission will be accepted after feedback has been posted.

On successful completion you will be able to:

Identify and define key concepts and theories in Human Resource Management.
Explain and evaluate the connection between Human Resource Management and organisational processes, plans and policies.
Develop and apply effective critical thinking and argument-making skills.
Collaborate effectively with a team to develop a response to the HRM group project.

Tutorial participation

Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 10%
Groupwork/Individual:
Short extension ³: No
AI assisted?:

Active participation and positive contribution to tutorial activities and discussion. Students will be required to peer assess each other during a number of class activities. The quality of these peer evaluation will contribute towards tutorial engagement marks. See Assessment guide on iLearn for details.

On successful completion you will be able to:

Identify and define key concepts and theories in Human Resource Management.
Explain and evaluate the connection between Human Resource Management and organisational processes, plans and policies.
Develop and apply effective critical thinking and argument-making skills.

Final Examination

Due: Formal Examination Period
Weighting: 50%
Groupwork/Individual:
Short extension ³: No
AI assisted?:

2 hours. Assessing understanding of themes discussed in the course. Format will be made later in the semester.

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

The product belongs to the student and
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.

On successful completion you will be able to:

Identify and define key concepts and theories in Human Resource Management.
Explain and evaluate the connection between Human Resource Management and organisational processes, plans and policies.
Develop and apply effective critical thinking and argument-making skills.

Delivery and Resources

Classes

One 2-hour lecture plus one 1-hour tutorial for each topic. The tutorials commence Monday 5 December.

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.

Warning: If you do not attend at least 80% of your tutorials your in-class assessment mark will be adversely affected.

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. (2014). Human resource management: Strategy and practice (8^th 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 the 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). In other words, do not expect an immediate response. Replies shall be within two business days. Accordingly, students must organise their study schedules to ensure that they do not feel the need for urgent email replies.

Unit Schedule

Tutorials and Lectures start on Monday 5 December 2016.

Topics to be covered in lectures are as follows:

Unit overview. Evolution of HRM (Textbook Chapter 1).
Study skills: Use of the library, research skills, constructing a critical argument.
The context of HRM (Chapter 2)
Employment relations, Industrial Relations and HRM (Chapter 3)
The role of Law and regulation in HRM (Chapter 3)
HR planning in dynamic environments (Chapters 4-5)
Attracting talent and effective employment selection (Chapter 6)
Retaining and developing staff (Chapter 7)
Managing Performance (Chapter 8)
Strategic reward management (Chapter 10)
Negotiation at the workplace (Chapter 9)
Workplace Health and Safety & Employee Wellbeing (Chapter 11)
Subject review and exam preparation.

The Individual written assignment; Understanding Argument Making (worth 10%) is due 3pm on Friday 9 December 2016.

The Group written report (worth 20%) is due 3pm Wednesday 4 January 2017.

For more details about the schedule, see the documents "Tutorial Guide" and "Assessment Details".

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

New Assessment Policy in effect from Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html. For more information visit http://students.mq.edu.au/events/2016/07/19/new_assessment_policy_in_place_from_session_2/

Assessment Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html

Grading Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.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 http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.

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.

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

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

Identify and define key concepts and theories in Human Resource Management.
Explain and evaluate the connection between Human Resource Management and organisational processes, plans and policies.
Develop and apply effective critical thinking and argument-making skills.
Collaborate effectively with a team to develop a response to the HRM group project.

Assessment tasks

Group project: HRM practice
Tutorial participation
Final Examination

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

Explain and evaluate the connection between Human Resource Management and organisational processes, plans and policies.

Assessment tasks

Group project: HRM practice
Final Examination

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

Identify and define key concepts and theories in Human Resource Management.

Assessment task

Tutorial participation

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 define key concepts and theories in Human Resource Management.
Explain and evaluate the connection between Human Resource Management and organisational processes, plans and policies.
Develop and apply effective critical thinking and argument-making skills.
Collaborate effectively with a team to develop a response to the HRM group project.

Assessment tasks

Group project: HRM practice
Tutorial participation
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

Explain and evaluate the connection between Human Resource Management and organisational processes, plans and policies.
Develop and apply effective critical thinking and argument-making skills.

Assessment tasks

Group project: HRM practice
Tutorial participation
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

Explain and evaluate the connection between Human Resource Management and organisational processes, plans and policies.
Collaborate effectively with a team to develop a response to the HRM group project.

Assessment task

Group project: HRM practice

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

Explain and evaluate the connection between Human Resource Management and organisational processes, plans and policies.
Develop and apply effective critical thinking and argument-making skills.

Assessment tasks

Group project: HRM practice
Tutorial participation
Final Examination

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

Explain and evaluate the connection between Human Resource Management and organisational processes, plans and policies.

Assessment task

Group project: HRM practice

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

Identify and define key concepts and theories in Human Resource Management.

Assessment task

Group project: HRM practice

Changes from Previous Offering

There are no significant changes in course content since Semester 2.

Assessment questions have changed, but still cover the same themes as Semester 2.

There have been changes in scheduling of classes and assessments to fit the short time frames of the intensive summer 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. (2014). Human resource management: Strategy and practice (8th 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