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Unit of study_

WORK3209: Psychological Approaches to Work

Semester 1, 2023 [Normal day] - Remote

This unit examines the process of understanding human behaviour in the workplace through the lens of psychological theories, perspectives, and approaches. This unit aims to provide students with the skills and abilities to apply psychology at work by leveraging analytical tools, techniques, and methodologies to guide action. Students will be introduced to the scientist practitioner method to examine common barriers to individual and organisational effectiveness in this unit. They will be further provided opportunities to develop their analytic skills by using data to identify solutions to these organisational barriers.

Unit details and rules

Unit code WORK3209
Academic unit Work and Organisational Studies
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
Completion of at least 48 credit points
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

WORK1003 and (WORK1004 or WORK2201) and WORK2218 and (WORK2222 or WORK3202)

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Karyn Wang, karyn.wang@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
Final exam
Written exam
30% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Assignment Individual assignment
Written report
20% Week 07
Due date: 06 Apr 2023 at 23:59
1200 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4
Assignment group assignment Group Report
Written group report
30% Week 12
Due date: 21 May 2023 at 23:59
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Participation Participation
Participation and activities
20% Weekly Continuous throughout semester
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Participation: Students are expected to make contributions to the class throughout the semester. Participation will consist of two primary elements. First, students are expected to attend and contribute to weekly tutorials (10%). Second, students are expected to participate in and complete class surveys that will be used for learning (10%). 

Individual Assignment: Students will submit a report that details the expected relationships between the psychological constructs discussed during class. This assessment helps students develop important skills that are central to the psychological approach to work including the ability to engage in the psychology literature and to critically formulate arguments about the nature and pattern of relationships that may exist between variables.  

Group Report: This assessment builds on the individual assignment. Students will work in groups to generate a report that integrates their individual insights (from the individual assignment) with the observed pattern of relationships collected from class data. 

Final Exam: The final exam assesses students’ understanding and ability to apply their understanding of the psychological approach to work. 

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.

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 What is the psychological approach to work? Lecture (2 hr) LO1
Week 02 Psychology at work: How did we get here? Lecture (2 hr) LO1
Against the Evidence: Management fads and fashions Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 03 Assessment and measurement at work (pt 1) Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Getting hands-on with scientific management (pt 1) Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 04 Assessment and measurement at work (pt 2) Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Getting hands-on with scientific management (pt 2) Tutorial (1 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 05 Exploring individual differences at work Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Enhancing survey design Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 06 The evolution of job attitudes Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Exploring individual differences at work Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 07 Well-being and work Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Using your experience and insights (pt 1) Tutorial (1 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 08 Applying psychology at work: Practitioner insights (online module) Online class (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 09 Reading week: No lecture or tutorial. Group report preparation Independent study (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 10 Quantitative approaches for insight (pt 1) Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Using your experience and insights (pt 2) Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 11 Quantitative approaches for insight (pt 2) Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Checking in and feedback (pt 1) Tutorial (1 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 12 Interpreting with care Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Checking in and feedback (pt 2) Tutorial (1 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 13 Interventions and conclusion Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Interpretation and conclusions Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2

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.

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. Critically review evidence-based psychological and analytical approaches to management and leadership
  • LO2. Evaluate different indicators and conceptualisations of organisational effectiveness
  • LO3. Leverage analytical tools, techniques, and methodologies to guide management decision-making
  • LO4. Communicate key insights in organisationally-relevant and meaningful ways

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.

This is the first time this unit has been offered.

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.