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Unit of study_

WORK6001: Organisational Analysis and Behaviour

Semester 2, 2022 [Normal evening] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit introduces students to the behaviour of people when acting as members of an organisation. The aim of the unit is to provide an understanding of the processes and structures that influence organisational behaviour, by drawing on ideas from psychology, sociology, management and anthropology. Topics covered include: personality and the self; learning and socialisation; motivation and commitment; group behaviour and dynamics; organisational design and boundaries; organisational culture, change and leadership.

Unit details and rules

Unit code WORK6001
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 Nate Zettna, nate.zettna@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Essay Report
Written essay report
40% Week 07
Due date: 23 Sep 2022 at 23:59

Closing date: 07 Oct 2022
1800 words length (excluding references)
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Assignment group assignment Group assignment
Group presentation and facilitation
30% Weekly 30mins (presentation/facilitation)
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Participation Participation
Weekly
10% Weekly n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
Small test Weekly quizzes
weekly (10 quizzes, best 8 quiz scores)
20% Weekly 10 quizzes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Essay report: Based on analysis of a case, discuss key questions in relation theory and practice involving key topics presented in the first half of the semester.

Group assignment: For each group’s allocated week, choose one of the two weekly discussion questions and develop an evidence-based response to the question through a group presentation and group facilitation activity.

Participation: Participation marks will be based largely on preparation (e.g., completing the required readings), attendance, and engagement during tutorials.

Weekly quizzes: In-class (lecture) online weekly quizzes will be assessed based on students’ understanding of the relevant topics commencing Week 3.

Detailed instructions will be available on Canvas for assessments.

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 Introduction to WORK6001 OAB Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 02 Introduction to WORK6001 OAB Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Individual Attributes Lecture (2 hr) LO1
Week 03 Individual Attributes Tutorial (1 hr) LO1
Emotions & EI Lecture (2 hr) LO1
Week 04 Emotions & EI Tutorial (1 hr) LO1
Needs & Motivation Lecture (2 hr) LO1
Week 05 Needs & Motivation Tutorial (1 hr) LO1
Perceptions & Decision Making Lecture (2 hr) LO1
Week 06 Perceptions & Decision Making Tutorial (1 hr) LO1
Group & Team Dynamics Lecture (2 hr) LO2
Week 07 Group & Team Dynamics Tutorial (1 hr) LO2
Diversity & Inclusion Lecture (2 hr) LO2
Week 08 Diversity & Inclusion Tutorial (1 hr) LO2
Leadership, Power & Influence Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 09 READING WEEK Independent study (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 10 Leadership, Power & Influence Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Work Design Lecture (2 hr) LO3
Week 11 Work Design Tutorial (1 hr) LO3
Organisational Culture Lecture (2 hr) LO3
Week 12 Organisational Culture Tutorial (1 hr) LO3
Mentally Healthy Workplaces Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 13 Unit Review Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Mentally Healthy Workplaces Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3

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

–There is NO TEXTBOOK required for this unit

–All required readings can be accessed on Canvas link (‘Reading List’)

–The ‘Reading list’ document is also available under Modules

 

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. apply individual-focused theories of organisational behaviour to workplace situations in order to improve behaviour and outcomes at the individual level
  • LO2. apply group-focused theories of organisational behaviour to workplace situations in order to improve behaviour and outcomes at the group level
  • LO3. apply organisation-focused theories of organisational behaviour to workplace situations in order to improve behaviour and outcomes at the organisation level.

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, additional organisation case studies have been incorporated in the lecture material.

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.