CQUniversity Unit Profile
HRMT20024 Managing Human Resources
Managing Human Resources
All details in this unit profile for HRMT20024 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

Organisations are facing a crisis in productivity and global business competition which is threatening their very existence in the market. Coupled with this challenge is the demand that organisations deliver an increased quality of work life to employees and comply with an intricate and complex set of laws, regulations and court decisions. This unit provides you with an introduction to human resource management (HRM), and to frameworks and models that explain the core functions of HRM such as planning, recruitment, development, reward and motivating employees. In this unit, you will examine how human resources functions, strategies, and practices help an organisation to perform efficiently and effectively, and assist organisations to achieve a sustained competitive advantage. You will also examine the role of HRM in diverse organisations and different cultural contexts to understand what constitutes ethical human resource management.

Details

Career Level: Postgraduate
Unit Level: Level 8
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 10
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

There are no requisites for this unit.

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 3 - 2018

Brisbane
Distance
Melbourne
Sydney

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Postgraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Presentation
Weighting: 25%
2. Written Assessment
Weighting: 30%
3. Written Assessment
Weighting: 45%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Critically assess the role and functions of HRM for strategic integration and achieving organisational objectives
  2. Analyse contemporary issues in managing human resources within the context of current professional and academic literature
  3. Identify and evaluate human resource management strategies and practices to plan, attract, recruit, develop, motivate and reward employees and respond to internal and external changes
  4. Develop a critical understanding of contemporary human resources issues including ethical issues.
Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Presentation - 25%
2 - Written Assessment - 30%
3 - Written Assessment - 45%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Knowledge
2 - Communication
3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills
4 - Research
5 - Self-management
6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility
7 - Leadership
8 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1 - Presentation - 25%
2 - Written Assessment - 30%
3 - Written Assessment - 45%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

Human Resource Management: Strategy, People, Performance

Edition: 5th (2014)
Authors: Robin Kramar, Timothy Bartram , Helen De Cieri, Raymond Noe, John Hollenbeck, Barry Gerhart, Patrick Wright
McGraw Hill Education
North Ryde North Ryde , NSW , Australia
ISBN: 9781743070536
Binding: Paperback

Additional Textbook Information

Paper copies are available from the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au (search on the Unit code)
Or you can purchase the ebook: http://www.mheducation.com.au/9781760421762-aus-ebook-for-human-resource-management for $54.95

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 6th Edition (APA 6th edition)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Linda Colley Unit Coordinator
l.colley@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 05 Nov 2018

Module/Topic

HRM and Strategic HRM?

Chapter

Chapters 1 & 2

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 Begin Date: 12 Nov 2018

Module/Topic

Legal and safety contexts of HRM

Chapter

Chapters 3, 4 and 15

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 Begin Date: 19 Nov 2018

Module/Topic

Analysis and design of work

Chapter

Chapter 6

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4 Begin Date: 26 Nov 2018

Module/Topic

HR planning

Chapter

Chapter 7

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment 1 - Presentations

Vacation Week Begin Date: 03 Dec 2018

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 5 Begin Date: 10 Dec 2018

Module/Topic

Recruitment and selection

Chapter

Chapter 8

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment 1 - Presentations

Week 6 Begin Date: 17 Dec 2018

Module/Topic

Employment relations challenges

Chapter

Chapter 5

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment 1 - Presentations


Assessment 2 - Annotated bibliography (2500 words) Due: Week 6 Wednesday (19 Dec 2018) 11:55 pm AEST
Week 7 Begin Date: 31 Dec 2018

Module/Topic

Managing diversity and work-life balance

Chapter

Chapter 9

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment 1 - Presentations

Week 8 Begin Date: 07 Jan 2019

Module/Topic

Performance management

Chapter

Chapter 10

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment 1 - Presentations

Week 9 Begin Date: 14 Jan 2019

Module/Topic

Learning, development and career management

Chapter

Chapters 11 and 12

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment 1 - Presentations

Week 10 Begin Date: 21 Jan 2019

Module/Topic

Motivation, rewards and compensation 

Chapter

Chapters 13 and 14

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment 1 - Presentations

Week 11 Begin Date: 28 Jan 2019

Module/Topic

Employee turnover and retention

Chapter

Chapter 17

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment 1 - Presentations

Week 12 Begin Date: 04 Feb 2019

Module/Topic

Evaluating and improving HRM

Chapter

Chapter 18

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment 1 - Presentations


Assessment 3 - Essay: Attracting and retaining staff (2500 words) Due: Week 12 Thursday (7 Feb 2019) 11:55 pm AEST
Assessment Tasks

1 Presentation

Assessment Title
Assessment 1 - Presentation

Task Description

The primary purpose of this assessment is for you to develop a critical understanding of future trends in HRM within the context of current academic literature. The second purpose is to develop your oral communication and presentation skills. You will explore the question: “What is the current research for the HRM topic?”

The HRM topic is drawn from the unit profile for weeks 4 – 12 inclusive and are as follows:
Week 4 HR planning
Week 5 Recruitment and selection
Week 6 Employee relations challenges
Week 7 Managing diversity and work-life balance
Week 8 Performance management
Week 9 Learning, development and career management
Week 10 Motivation, rewards and compensation 
Week 11 Employee turnover and retention
Week 12 Evaluating and improving the HRM function

Full instructions are available on the Moodle site, including instructions for distance students.


Assessment Due Date

During tutorial class from weeks 4 – 12 inclusive.


Return Date to Students

Assessments will be marked within one week of the presentation in the tutorial class.


Weighting
25%

Assessment Criteria

Your presentation will be assessed on the extent to which it meets each of the following criteria: Correct referencing (5%); Research aim and question (10%), Method (10%), Findings (10%), Article conclusion (10%), Contribution to topic (5%), Quality of presentation (30%), Visual Aids (20%)

Further details on each assessment criteria are outlined in the assessment rubric.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
The PowerPoint Presentation must be submitted as a single MS PowerPoint document, prior to the presentation. PDF documents are not acceptable

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Analyse contemporary issues in managing human resources within the context of current professional and academic literature
  • Develop a critical understanding of contemporary human resources issues including ethical issues.


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Communication
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills
  • Research
  • Self-management
  • Ethical and Professional Responsibility

2 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Assessment 2 - Annotated bibliography (2500 words)

Task Description

You are required to compile an Annotated bibliography of 5 peer-reviewed journal articles.

Step 1. Select one of the options for Essay 3.

Read the Assessment 3 Essay options and identify which one you will work on for assessment 2 and 3.

Step 2. Undertake research of the recent academic literature since 2010. Identify five (5) academic peer reviewed journal articles relevant to the Assessment 3 Essay topic. These must be aligned to the unit themes from Weeks 1 to 5 (e.g. strategic HRM, ethical legal and safety context, job design, HR planning, recruitment and selection. It is recommended that you undertake your research via the online ‘search’ of CQUniversity Library. You cannot use the article from your Assessment 1 presentation for Assessment 2.

Step 3. Write 2 paragraphs on each article (500 words)

For each journal article, write to the headings in the template. These include: full reference; outline of research objective and research question; outline of the method; discussion of the findings; summary of the conclusions; and an indication of how this will be relevant for your Essay 3.


Assessment Due Date

Week 6 Wednesday (19 Dec 2018) 11:55 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 8 Wednesday (9 Jan 2019)

Assessments will be returned after the marking and moderation processes are completed.


Weighting
30%

Assessment Criteria

Your report will be assessed on the extent to which it meets each of the following criteria: Quality of selected articles (15%); Identification of research aims and methods (30%); Findings and conclusions (40%); and Presentation quality of writing (15%). A full rubric is available on the Moodle site.
Penalty for late submission without approval if applicable [(-5%× 30/day = -1.5 marks/day]
Important: Plagiarism will be reported to the Academic Services Centre of the University and may result in a “zero” mark.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Only MS Word document (doc and docx only). Other types are not acceptable. Documents that cannot go through Turnitin or cannot be opened will not be marked.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Critically assess the role and functions of HRM for strategic integration and achieving organisational objectives
  • Analyse contemporary issues in managing human resources within the context of current professional and academic literature
  • Identify and evaluate human resource management strategies and practices to plan, attract, recruit, develop, motivate and reward employees and respond to internal and external changes
  • Develop a critical understanding of contemporary human resources issues including ethical issues.


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Communication
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills
  • Research
  • Self-management
  • Ethical and Professional Responsibility
  • Leadership

3 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Assessment 3 - Essay: Attracting and retaining staff (2500 words)

Task Description

There are two choices for Essay 3 – the mining sector, or the banking/financial services sector. You will write an essay on the key challenges in attracting and retaining a workforce in your selected sector.

Your essay will draw on at least five themes from Week 1 to Week 11 of this unit, being those most relevant to your selected industry sector. Your essay will draw on the academic literature (including the annotated bibliography for Assessment 2), and develop an argument applying that literature to your selected sector. You must cite at least ten (10) relevant peer reviewed journal articles, and 3 chapters from the Kramar textbook. You can cite other academic references such as books, conference papers, and book chapters but these will NOT be counted as part of the 10 journal articles.


Assessment Due Date

Week 12 Thursday (7 Feb 2019) 11:55 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Assessments will be returned following certification of grades.


Weighting
45%

Assessment Criteria

Your report will be assessed on the extent to which it meets each of the following criteria: content knowledge 40%, argument 30%, organisation and structure 15%, and presentation quality 15%. Penalty for late submission without approval if applicable [(-5% per day × 45 marks = -2.25 marks/day]. Important: Plagiarism will be reported to the Academic Services Centre of the University and may result in a “zero” mark.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Only MS Word document (doc and docx only). Other types are not acceptable. Documents that cannot go through Turnitin or cannot be opened will not be marked.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Critically assess the role and functions of HRM for strategic integration and achieving organisational objectives
  • Analyse contemporary issues in managing human resources within the context of current professional and academic literature
  • Identify and evaluate human resource management strategies and practices to plan, attract, recruit, develop, motivate and reward employees and respond to internal and external changes
  • Develop a critical understanding of contemporary human resources issues including ethical issues.


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Communication
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills
  • Research
  • Self-management
  • Ethical and Professional Responsibility
  • Leadership

Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?