Global Business Practicum

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2013:

Estimated total time commitment of 156 hours per semester

Completion of a minimum of 50 points at time of application if enrolled in a 200-point degree and completion of a minimum of 50 points at time of subject commencement if enrolled in a 100- or 150-point degree.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Students will be assigned in small groups to a Practicum Organisation. Working in teams, they will undertake a structured business planning or business development exercise. This will be supported by seminar work providing approaches, tools, techniques and reporting format. During the practicum, in-depth work will be undertaken in identifying the scope, opportunities, constraints and recommendations of the exercise. Students will learn to work with unstructured and incomplete information in real business settings, to develop research and networks to support their enquiry, to work successfully in teams, to present their findings and seek and received constructive feedback in a range of settings. Students will also be encouraged to plan, reflect and modify their approaches to improve the outcomes of their efforts in managing the business project.

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

• Apply theory and practice of graduate level studies in commerce to resolving real-world business issues;
• Research, analyse, evaluate and propose practical business solutions within the bounds of the exercise;
• Identify key strategic questions, assess options related to the exercise, communicate progress and check direction with team members, academic mentor and the practicum organisation;
• Demonstrate key attributes sought by employers including cross-cultural communication skills, interpersonal skills, time management, commercial acumen, initiative, independent learning and team skills.

Team presentation of one hour duration to host company, including brief report of 1,000 words (40%) to be completed at the end of two weeks in-company placement, full team report on project (with accompanying file of resources) of 5,000 words in length (40%) to be submitted 3 weeks after return from in-company placement, peer review assessment (10%) and reflective individual essay of 1,000 words (10%), both to be submitted in the final week of the subject (Week 6).

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On successful completion of this subject, students should have improved the following generic skills:

• Verbal and written communication skills through discussion and assigned tasks;
• Project management, including accurate scoping of project, development of approaches, timelines, execution and timely completion;
• Team work demonstrated by good communication within the group, understanding of skills brought by individual members, organising for achievement and presenting group report;
• Communication skills in an international business context;
• Research, problem solving and critical thinking;
• Documentation preparation and presentation skills through assigned tasks and the practicum exercise;
• Interpersonal skills through the practicum exercise and assigned tasks.

A quota applies to this subject. Selection is based on grade average for all subjects taken in the Graduate School of Business and Economics available at the selection date. Students will apply for a place in the subject through the Graduate School of Business and Economics. Travel and accommodation costs will be borne by the student. Students must be eligible to obtain visitor visas in the country where the business practicum is conducted.