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59714 Australians at Work

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular semester, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2015 is available in the Archives.

UTS: International Studies: International Studies
Credit points: 8 cp

Subject level:

Undergraduate and Postgraduate.

Result type: Grade, no marks

There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Anti-requisite(s): 59715 Australian Workplace Cultures AND 59719 English for University Study

Requisite elaboration/waiver: Non-English-speaking background international, exchange or study abroad students who meet the requisite English proficiency score (IELTS: 5.0-6.0 overall with a writing score of 5.0; TOEFL: paper based: 510-550 overall with TWE of 3.0, internet based: 35-78 overall with a writing score of 14)

Description

This subject is designed for international students as part of an Australian Language and Culture Studies program. The subject is designed to develop students’ critical reading, writing and oral skills. These skills are developed through a range of studies that relate to Australian workplace and business cultures. These studies may include: patterns of labour, migration and employment in the Australian economy; workplace practices; sociocultural issues of gender, age, ethnicity and language in the Australian workplace; and Australia's place in the global economy.

Subject objectives

a. Identify key practices and social issues in selected Australian study, work and business cultures
b. Investigate workplace practices and social issues using selected research methods
c. Communicate ideas in a formal written text
d. Communicate ideas through formal and informal spoken texts using appropriate verbal strategies

Teaching and learning strategies

Face-to-face classes will incorporate a range of teaching and learning strategies including videos, reading and discussing case studies, interviews, group discussions, collaborative writing, and short presentations.

Content

Content covered in the subject includes: patterns of labour, migration, and employment in the Australian economy; key people and sectors in the Australian economy; workplace practices, and sociocultural issues of gender, age, ethnicity, and language in the Australian workplace; and Australia’s place in the global economy.

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Written report on an interview

Type: Report
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 20%
Criteria:
  • Accuracy of reporting: practices and issue/s
  • Coherence of structure
  • Clarity of written expression
  • Appropriacy of written style

Assessment task 2: Interview project

Weight: 40%
Criteria:
  • Relevance and range of interview content
  • Appropriate use of interview strategies to negotiate meaning
  • Coherence of written structure
  • Clarity of written expression

Assessment task 3: Seminar presentation

Weight: 40%
Criteria:
  • Relevance and range of topic
  • Coherence of structure
  • Clarity of expression

Minimum requirements

Students must complete each assessment task in order to pass this subject. Attendance at weekly classes is important in this subject because it is based on collaborative discussions and the interchange of ideas with other students and the lecturer. Students who fail to attend 85% of classes will not have their final assessment marked.

References

Australian Bureau of Statistics, n.d. http://www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/d3310114.nsf/Home/Home?OpenDocument

Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2012, Disability and work, viewed 28 January 2015, http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/4102.0Main+Features40March+Quarter+2012

Australian Council of Trade Unions, n.d. http://www.actu.org.au/default.aspx

Australian Trade Commission, 2015, Why Australia: Benchmark report, viewed 5 February 2015, http://www.austrade.gov.au/Invest/Reports-Resources/Benchmark-Report

Elder C. 2007, Being Australian: Narratives of national identity, Allen & Unwin, Crows Nest, NSW, Australia.

Federation of Ethnic Comunities' Councils of Australia, n.d. Harmony in the workplace, viewed 28 January 2015, http://www.fecca.org.au/resources/harmony-in-the-workplace-factsheets

Harper, M. & White, R. 2010, Symbols of Australia: Uncovering the stories behind the myths, University of New South Wales Press, University of New South Wales, Australia.

White, R. 1981, Inventing Australia, Allen & Unwin, St Leonards, NSW, Australia.

Workplace Gender Equality Agency, n.d. Research and resources, viewed 28 January 2015, https://www.wgea.gov.au/learn/research-and-resources