Faculty of Business: Management
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level: Undergraduate

Result Type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 21129 Managing People and Organisations OR 22157 Australian Corporate Environment OR 48260 Engineering Project Management OR 16910 Project Management 1
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are also course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Handbook description

This subject develops an understanding of the nature of intrapersonal and interpersonal competencies and their relevance to management practice in contemporary organisations. It explores behavioural skill learning in order to establish a platform for continued development on the part of the student. Cultural and gender issues are also explored in this context.

Topics covered include the nature of intrapersonal and interpersonal competence; theoretical underpinnings of behavioural skills learning; self-management skills; basic interpersonal communications skills; assertion and influence skills; and the applied skills of small group management, presentation, negotiation and conflict resolution, interviewing, networking and leadership.

Subject objectives/outcomes

On successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the application of various theoretical frameworks in leadership and communication skills in diverse and flexible organisations.
2. Demonstrate increased self-awareness and proficiency in nominated skill areas.
3. Apply a range of techniques and theoretical frameworks to develop skills in the area of management and communication.
4. Understand and appreciate the role of reflection in effective skill development.

Contribution to graduate profile

This subject contributes to the objectives of the Management major and the major in Human Resource Management through its focus on the practical development of intra and interpersonal skills and an emphasis on providing students with a foundation knowledge in the theory of organisational communication and skill development. The subject addresses the role of information technology, ethics and diversity as integrating themes with an emphasis on skill development in the context of the organisation and the global business environment.

Teaching and learning strategies

The subject is delivered through a series of workshops in which the various theoretical frameworks and techniques are taught and their application demonstrated and emphasised through experiential learning activities. The approach adopted encompasses the elements of Kolb and Fry's (1975) Experiential Learning Model, namely: Concrete Experience – active participation in the experience; Reflective Observation – examination of the experience; Abstract Conceptualisation – integrating your experience into your perceptions; and Active Experimentation – trying out new learning.

Content

• Developing self awareness
• Managing stress
• Solving problems creatively
• Communicating effectively
• Gaining power and influence
• Motivating others
• Managing conflict
• Empowering and delegating
• Building effective teams
• Making oral presentations
• Conducting interviews.

Assessment

Skill Development Project (Individual)	40%
This addresses objectives 2, 3 and 4.
Oral presentation (Group)	20%
This addresses objectives 2 and 3.
Formal Examination – essay questions (Individual)	40%
The examination will be in a multiple choice format. It assures objectives 1, 2 and 5.

The formal examination will be conducted under University Examination conditions, and hence thoroughly address secure assessment concerns. The assignments will be secured through an updating of updating of tasks across semesters, and the skill development project will require reflection of the students' own personal experiences.

Recommended text(s)

Carlopio, Andrewartha and Armstrong (2001) Developing Management Skills: A Comprehensive Guide for Leaders; 2nd Edition, Prentice Hall, Sydney.

Indicative references

DeVito, J. (1999). Essentials of Human Communication. Longman, New York.

Dwyer, J. (1999). Communication in Business: Strategies and Skills. Prentice Hall, Sydney.

Gamble, T. (1998). Public Speaking in the Age of Diversity. Allyn and Bacon, Boston.

Hooke, J. and Philips, J. (1996). Getting your message across: the seven steps to communicating successfully in every situation. Simon and Schuster, Sydney.

Lumsden, G. and Lumsden, D. (1997) Communicating in groups and teams: sharing leadership, 2nd Ed, Wadsworth Pub. Co., Belmont, California.