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Unit of study_

WORK1003: Foundations of Work and Employment

Semester 1, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

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 a foundation unit the industrial relations and human resource management and management majors.

Unit details and rules

Unit code WORK1003
Academic unit Work and Organisational Studies
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Jo Orsatti, jo.orsatti@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Frances Flanagan, frances.flanagan@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Presentation group assignment Tutorial debate facilitation
Presentation
20% Multiple weeks 25 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Participation Tutorial participation
Attendance and participation
5% Ongoing Ongoing
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Tutorial activity reflection portfolio (Part 1)
Two (2) brief responses to tutorial and learning activities
10% Week -04
Due date: 17 Mar 2023 at 23:59
500 words (2 x 250 words each)
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Critical essay response development
Guided essay response preparation
10% Week 07
Due date: 07 Apr 2023 at 23:59
300 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO5 LO7
Assignment Critical Essay
Written essay
25% Week 09
Due date: 21 Apr 2023 at 23:59
1100 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7
Assignment Tutorial activity reflection portfolio (Part 2)
Six (6) brief responses to tutorial and learning activities
30% Week 13
Due date: 26 May 2023 at 23:59
1500 words (6 x 250 words each)
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Critical essay: The essay question is designed to develop your critical, analytical, and research skills. Students will be asked to develop a response to a current work and employment issue using quality scholarly sources from unit materials and library databases.
  • Critical essay response development: To build understanding and critical assessment skills you will be asked to respond to guided questions that will help develop your critical essay. You will receive feedback on these responses that can be used to improve your critical essay.
  • Tutorial participation: Students will be assessed on preparation, tolerance, respect, attendance, and participation. Students are requried to make a regular and informed contribution to class discussions.
  • Tutorial debate facilitation: Students in their tutorial classes will be allocated to a small group for the purpose of an in-class presentation and facilitation on the allocated week’s debate topic.
  • Tutoral activity reflection portfolio (Part 1): Students are asked to provide two brief responses to tutorial and learning activities for week’s 2 and 3.
  • Tutoral activity reflection portfolio (Part 2): Students are asked to provide six brief responses to weekly tutorial and learning activities throughout the semester.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

In accordance with Business School policy (https://www.sydney.edu.au/handbooks/business_school/rules/faculty_resolutions.shtml), "any assessment submitted after the due time and date will incur a late penalty of 5% of the total marks per 24 hour period, or part thereof, late (note that this is applied to the mark gained after the submitted work is marked)". This does not apply to students with extensions resulting from an approved special consideration application, special arrangement or previously arranged disability adjustment.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to the World of Work and Employment Relations Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 02 Employment relations and the changing context Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 03 Ideologies in work and employment relations Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 04 Interrogating work and employment relations ideologies Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 05 Writing convincing critical essays Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 06 The state and the regulatory framework Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 07 Employers and employer associations Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 08 No classes - reading week (Critical essay due Friday 21 April) Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO5 LO7
Week 09 Workers, employees and trade unions Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 10 Recruitment, selection and development Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 11 Pay and performance Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 12 Contemporary challenges in work and employment Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 13 Conclusion, unit overview and exam preparation Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7

Attendance and class requirements

Lecture recordings: All lectures and seminars are recorded and will be available on Canvas for student use. Please note the Business School does not own the system and cannot guarantee that the system will operate or that every class will be recorded. Students should ensure they attend and participate in all classes.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Bray, Waring, Cooper and Macneil (2018). Employment Relations: Theory and Practice (4th edition), Sydney: McGraw-Hill Education (Australia) Pty Ltd.

You can purchase the text via online retailers or access an online version through the library:

https://sydney.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/61USYD_INST/1r05knn/alma991031501116105106

Make sure to use the fourth edition and not an earlier version of the book.

Other readings for this unit can be accessed through Leganto, available on Canvas.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. define and explain key terms in employment relations
  • LO2. demonstrate an understanding of approaches to employment relations in the Australian context and identify the strategies of the major institutional ‘parties’ in employment relations
  • LO3. explain the economic and political context in which employment relationships develop
  • LO4. explain current issues in employment relations, as reported in the media and in public policy debates, and their implications for managers, organisations, employees, and other employment relations parties
  • LO5. demonstrate the analytical skills and the ability to read and write in a critical and academically-appropriate fashion
  • LO6. work effectively as a part of a group to better understand the ‘world of work’
  • LO7. locate relevant and current reading, data, and research.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

In response to student feedback the critical essay has been further structured and divided into two assessments, with feedback to be provided before the second component is due.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.