Units of study descriptions - Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management
The University of Sydney website (sydney.edu.au/courses) contains the most up to date information on unit of study availability and other requirements. Timetabling information for the current year is available on this website timetabling information.
1000-level unit of study
WORK1003 Foundations of Work and Employment
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: Online modules, 1x 1 hour lecture and 1x 1 hour tutorial hour per week Assessment: in class test (15%), essay (30%), tutorial participation (10%), tutorial leadership (15%), final exam (30%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit draws on concepts from industrial relations and human resource management to examine the interests and strategies of workers, unions, managers, employers and the state. It explores the relationships between these parties as they seek to manage their environments and workplaces and to exercise control over each other. The unit enables students to understand how and why the organisation, regulation and management of work are changing in Australia and globally. As well as providing an introduction to all aspects of the study of the employment relationship, this is the foundation unit for a major in industrial relations and human resource management.
WORK1004 Foundations of Management
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1 x 2 hour lecture and 1 x 1 hour tutorial per week Prohibitions: WORK2201 Assessment: practice quiz (5%), main quiz (15%), group presentation and facilitation (15%), individual analysis and reflection (15%), tutorial participation (10%), final exam (40%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This is a foundational unit in the Management and IRandHRM subject areas. An introductory overview of management methods and approaches is provided which forms the basis of study for an advanced specialisation in management. The unit examines management as a process of planning, organising, leading and controlling the efforts of organisational members and discusses how recent trends such as globalisation, economic change and the effects of new technology have led to profound changes in how organisations are managed. The unit explores these issues with respect to both large and small, public and private, and domestic and foreign organisations.
2000-level units of study
WORK2203 IR Policy and Processes
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x 2 hour lecture and 1x 1hr tutorial hour per week Prerequisites: 24 credit points of Junior units of study including (WORK1003 or WORK1002) Assessment: class participation (10%), tutorial presentation/facilitation (10%), essay/report (40%), final exam (40%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
The aim of this unit of study is to provide an understanding of the institutions and processes engaged in the regulation of work and labour markets. At times of intense change and debate such as today, it becomes all the more important to develop understandings of industrial relations policy which are intellectually rigorous; that is, which are evidence-based, theoretically-explicit and historically-informed. This unit is framed by these considerations. Particular topics may include: the development of policy; the nature of regulation; state and federal government policies; arguments for change; the influence of lobby groups; employer and union strategy; work-family debates and policies; the working of tribunals and courts; dispute settling procedures; the development of wage determination; the outcomes and implications of policy change.
WORK2205 HR Strategies and Processes
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x 2 hour lecture and 1x 1hour tutorial per week Prerequisites: 24 credit points of Junior units of study including (WORK1003 or WORK1002) Assessment: multiple choice exam (10%), tutorial activities (20%), research essay (30%), final exam (40%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Building on the foundational coverage of Human Resource Management (HRM) issues and concepts provided in WORK1003, this unit provides a more focused understanding of key HRM concepts, processes, strategies and practices. The unit covers the way HR concepts, such as the employee psychological contract, might shape HR strategies and practices and highlights the interplay between the strategic approaches to HR and the practices of HR including talent attraction and selection; talent retention and development; managing performance and rewards; diversity and inclusion strategies, workplace health and well being to name a few. It concludes with an investigation of how the HRM system can be effectively evaluated to capture the long term sustainability of the HR processes and strategies adopted.
3000-level units of study
IBUS3104 Ethical International Business Decisions
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 1x 3 hour seminar per week Prerequisites: 48 credit points of units Assessment: Group project (30%), final exam (30%), workshops (20%), and reflective journals (20%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
In order to succeed in international business, both corporations and individuals need broad decision-making abilities. Business decision-making tools yield more coherent and justifiable results when used with an understanding of the ethical, social and environmental aspects of the process. This applies to various situations in the international business setting including business relations with government, customers, employees, and NGOs. This unit is designed to look at these non-financial elements in the decisions made within the international business context. Following the completion of this unit, students will have enhanced skills and knowledge relevant to the understanding of ethical issues and ethical decisions making in international business organizations.
INFS3050 Business Intelligence for Managers
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x 3hr seminar per week Assumed knowledge: INFS1000 or INFO1000 or INFO1003 or INFO1903 Assessment: tutorial work (10%), midÂsession exam (30%), practical assignment (30%), final exam (30%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
To gain or maintain their competitive edge, more than ever before, organisations need to rely on high-quality information to support decision making processes at all organizational levels. Business Intelligence (BI) is now being recognized as one of the top business priorities world-wide. While in the past, the term BI was used to describe a very broad range of software applications, the latest thinking in this field emphasises IS support for human intelligence, in the context of business decision making. In this unit students learn how BI helps information discovery and how to analyse multidimensional data. Students gain hands-on experience in using a commercial BI platform. These practical skills, combined with in-depth analytical skills enable students to assist any organization (regardless of its size and industry domain) to derive more intelligence from its data, improve its performance and ultimately, compete on analytics. Issues are explored from the business rather than the technology perspective. This unit does not require prior programming experience.
WORK3201 International Human Resource Management
Credit points: 6 Session: Intensive June,Semester 1 Classes: 1 x 2 hour lecture and 1 x 1 hour tutorial per week Prohibitions: WORK2217 Assessment: quizzes (30%), written assignment (30%), team strategy exercises (20%), final exam (20%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day, Block mode
This unit considers the opportunities and challenges associated with managing employees in international and cross-cultural contexts, with specific emphasis on international recruitment, selection, preparation, placement, management development, performance management, reward and remuneration in the international, multi-national and trans-national corporation. Within the context of global labour markets, the unit considers the implications of internationalisation and globalisation for human resource management (HRM), the difference between domestic and international HRM, and the challenges of cross-cultural management. This unit provides students with a theoretical understanding of IHRM and cross-cultural management, as well as a practical understanding of the issues and challenges associated with managing employees in international, global and cross-cultural contexts.
WORK3206 Regulation at Work
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1 x 2 hour lecture and 1 x 1 hour tutorial per week Prohibitions: WORK2227 Assessment: case study (30%), tutorial presentation (20%), tutorial participation (10%), final exam (40%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit of study examines the regulatory framework that exists around paid work in Australia. It examines the development of employee and employer rights and responsibilities through the employment contract and labour law. It focuses on both individual and collective regulation of work in Australia paying particular attention to the industrial sphere, as well as health and safety and discrimination. Both the aim and purpose of industrial regulation and the impact of this regulation on workplace relations is analysed.
WORK3207 Future of Work
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1 x 2 hour lecture and 1 x 1 hour tutorial per week Prohibitions: WORK2225 Assessment: tutorial participation (10%), tutorial facilitation (10%), written opinion piece (10%), research essay (30%), final exam (40%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
How people relate to work and organisations changes with the society around it. The aims of this unit are to analyse the way contemporary work has changed through three significant themes/modules. The first theme or module analyses how social change has shaped the nature of work and identity at both collective and individual levels. The second theme examines how institutions outside work, such as the interface of work and family, and unpaid work shapes contemporary work and business. The third module analyses remote and borderless work in Australia and overseas.
WORK3600 IR and HRM in Practice
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1b Classes: 1 x 2 hr lecture and 1 x 1 hr tutorial per week Prerequisites: 2018 commencing students: completion of at least 120 credit points including WORK1003, WORK1004, WORK2203 and WORK2205. 2018 continuing students: completion of at least 120 credit points including WORK2203 and WORK2205. Prohibitions: WORK2215 Assessment: individual assignment (30%), group assignment (30%), final exam (40%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Note: This unit should only be undertaken by students in their final semester of the IR and HRM major.
This capstone unit bridges the gap between theory and practice in human resource management and employment relations by integrating knowledge and consolidating key skills developed across the major. It aims to provide students with practical experience in identifying, analysing, and solving contemporary business problems. The unit covers critical issues and builds skills in negotiation and influence, managing in a diverse environment, implementing practices to enhance diversity, equality and inclusion and building sustainable organisations. It contextualises this material in relation to the self, the organisation and institutions. Much of this unit is dedicated to a problem-based/experiential approach to learning. Students ensure their career-readiness by demonstrating their ability to apply concepts, theories, frameworks, methodologies, and skills to authentic problems and challenges faced in the field of human resource management and employment relations.
4000-level units of study
BUSS4000 Honours in Business
Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Prerequisites: BUSS4001 AND 2 x Honours coursework units in the specialisation area ((BUSS4112 and BUSS4113) or (BUSS4212 and BUSS4213) or (BUSS4312 and BUSS4313) or (BUSS4412 and BUSS4413) or (BUSS4512 and BUSS4513) or (BUSS4612 and BUSS4613) or (BUSS4712 and BUSS4713) or (BUSS4812 and BUSS4813)). Corequisites: BUSS4104 Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
This unit is administrative only and serves as a consolidation for all marks to represent a single final mark for students undertaking Honours. Marks will be calculated as follows: BUSS4001 (20%); BUSS4X12 (10%); BUSS4X13 (10%); BUSS4104 (60%).
BUSS4001 Business Honours Research Methods
Credit points: 12 Session: Semester 1 Prerequisites: Students must meet the entry requirements to the Honours program, including completion of a pass undergraduate degree and a major in the specialisation area Assessment: research methodology assessment (50%), research proposal development (50%) Mode of delivery: Block mode
This unit is an introduction to research methods used in business disciplines. The unit provides students with an understanding of the range of methods that may be used to answer research questions, their strengths and weakness and underlying philosophical assumptions. Key elements of the research process are addressed, including the purpose of the research; devising the research questions and hypotheses; selecting a research strategy; methods and procedures for data collection and analysis; and interpreting and reporting the results. Students learn important research terminology, how to write a research proposal and ethical considerations in conducting research.
BUSS4812 Work and Organisational Studies Honours A
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Prerequisites: Students must meet the entry requirements to the Honours program, including completion of a pass undergraduate degree and a major in the specialisation area Corequisites: BUSS4001; BUSS4813 Assessment: minor essay (40%), major essay (60%), individual facilitation of seminar discussion (0%) Mode of delivery: Block mode
This unit covers advanced research-integrated coursework topics in Work and Organisational Studies such as inter-organisational relations, global value chains and production networks, outsourcing and offshoring, CSR, corporate reputation, employment regulation and institutions, strategic management and HRM.
BUSS4813 Work and Organisational Studies Honours B
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Prerequisites: Students must meet the entry requirements to the Honours program, including completion of a pass undergraduate degree and a major in the specialisation area Corequisites: BUSS4001; BUSS4812 Assessment: individual facilitation seminar discussion (0%), individual presentation (25%), draft opinion article (0%), final opinion article (25%), reflective essay (50%) Mode of delivery: Block mode
This unit covers advanced research-integrated coursework topics in Work and Organisational Studies relating to contemporary scholarly debates about the future of work.
BUSS4104 Business Honours Thesis
Credit points: 24 Session: Semester 2 Prerequisites: BUSS4001 + 2 x Honours coursework units in the specialisation area Corequisites: BUSS4000 Assessment: individual thesis (100%), oral thesis communication (0%) Mode of delivery: Supervision
This unit comprises the research and writing of a supervised thesis on an approved topic in business. A written Honours Thesis and presentation of the research work is undertaken.