The tutorial programme is an integral part of this unit.  Tutorials give students an opportunity to clarify material covered in lectures and readings, explore and apply key concepts in discussion, exercises and case studies, and prepare for the assessment for this unit. 

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; and

(3) contributions to the question and answer/discussion sessions which follow group presentations.

Your mark will be calculated from the first tutorial through to the last tutorial in week 12.  Constructive involvement in activities is important. Mobile phones and the internet should be turned off during tutorials. Key issues in relation to expectations of students in tutorials are outlined in brief below.

1.  Quality of contribution:    Students should endeavour to make a regular and informed contribution to discussion.

2. Preparation: In order to make an informed discussion, students should complete the recommended reading and relevant chapters of the textbook.

3.  Tolerance and Respect: Students should allow fellow students to express contrary views and be prepared to debate points in a reasoned and tolerant manner. Students should behave in a respectful and courteous manner towards their Tutor and fellow students.

4.  Attendance: In order to participate, students must attend tutorials. However  students should note also that silent attendance is not sufficient to earn marks for participation.

This assessment item is an individually written assignment in which students will be required to critically analyse a particular strategic human resource issue or issues, using concepts covered in the Unit and scholarly literature to support their analysis. This essay has a maximum word limit of 2500 words. The essay topic will be posted on ilearn in week 2.

The assessment criteria are 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. Students may use sections and subsections,in organising their essay but are not required to do so. This is purely a matter of choice! 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 through Turnitin by 5.00 pm Thursday, 28 April (week 7).  There is No requirement to submit a hard copy.  All essays will be marked online.  Feedback will be provided online and via the tutorial.  Students may also discuss feedback with their tutor during an agreed time.  

Extensions/penalties

No extensions will be granted. There will be a deduction of 10% 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 – 20% penalty). This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for disruption of studies is made and approved. No submission will be accepted after solutions have been posted. 

In the tutorials, students will be formed into teams for the purpose of engaging in a debate. Teams will have a maximum of 4 members. 

Each debate will consist of two teams: an affirmative team that upholds the proposition and a negative team that opposes it. Debates will be scheduled for the last five weeks of semester. The number of debaters on each side should be equal and the time allowed for each side should be the same. Two objectives of the debates are that students develop an understanding of both sides of controversial strategic human resource management issues and have an opportunity to apply concepts in understanding the strategic and policy implications of the issues. The Debate Topics and Detailed Instructions and Guidelines for the conduct of the debates will be provided in separate documents lodged on ilearn in a file titled 'DEBATES'. 

The formation of teams will occur in the week 3 tutorial and allocation of Debate Topics will occur during the week 4 tutorial. There will need to be an even number of groups in each tutorial. Note. No change of schedule or extensions will be granted unless the group provides a written request to their tutor (copying in the Convenor) at least two weeks prior to the tutorial in which they are scheduled to provide their presentation. Any rescheduling will only be granted under exceptional circumstances and subject to acceptance of the other team. 

The structure of the debates is outlined in the detailed instructions. Each team will have an opportunity to present their first speech (5 min) a second speech (5 min) and then a rebuttal (5 min). As each of these will be 5 minutes -  the total time allocated = 30 minutes. A chairperson presides over the debate and keeps time. The debating team's presentations are evaluated by the rest of the class and by the instructor. The criteria for evaluation will include the quality of the analysis, reasoning and evidence, organisation, rebuttals, and delivery. Final marks will be determined by the tutor. The marks for individual members in each team will usually be the same. However, marks may be adjusted where individual contributions demonstrably vary.

Each team should conduct research on its topic. Because of the current nature of the debate topics, you are encouraged to consult current periodicals (eg Harvard Business Review, Forbes Magazine) in addition to academic journals and books. Articles which the Convenor has placed on ilearn for each topic covered in the Lecture Program will also be useful.

In preparing for the debate and presenting speeches, students must keep in mind that this is a Strategic Human Resource Management Unit. Theoretical concepts concerning Strategic HRM, and particular issues and challenges concerning the formation, implementation, effectiveness etc of HRM strategy will be relevant. Demonstrating an understanding of this relevance will be rewarded. Using examples of existing organisations may also make a strong contribution to a team's case - you can find illustrations of how particular companies approach the different aspects and issues of strategic HRM through looking at company websites, case study excerpts in text books, periodicals and journals.

A two hour exam will be held during the university exam period.Students will be required to answer a combination of short questions and longer essay-style questions. As a guide, these essay-style responses are expected to be a minimum of 2 pages in length. Note: Exam questions will be assessing students' understanding of both the theoretical concepts covered in the  course, functional areas of SHRM, and issues associated with management and organisation of SHRM in different corporate contexts.

Exam attendance: The university exam period for Session 1, 2016 is from 14 June - 1 July. You are expected to present yourself for examination at the time and place designated in the University Examination Timetable. The timetable will be available in draft form approx 8 weeks before the commencement of examinations and in Final form approx 4 weeks before the commencement of the examinations.   http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au/exam

The Macquarie University examination policy details the principles and conduct of examinations at the University. The policy is available at: http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/examination/policy.htm

IT IS NOT POSSIBLE FOR THE LECTURER TO MOVE THE EXAM TIME - PLEASE DO NOT ASK.