Organisational Behaviour

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

Summer: 6 hours per week plus a minimum of 12 hours per week in self-directed study.

Semester 1 and 2: 3 hours per week plus a minimum of 6 hours per week in self-directed study.

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Please note that this is a level-2 subject. Only those students who have completed the equivalent of one year of study are advised to enrol in this subject.

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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

This subject will provide an introduction to basic individual and group processes, as they affect people in organisations. Major theories and models in key areas of organisational behaviour will be examined; including group dynamics, motivation, stress, communication, conflict, power, strategy, structure and change management. Tutorials will emphasise the application of theories, through the use of exercises and case studies.

• Describe the basic theories & models within organisational behaviour.
• Apply major theories and models from the field of organisational behaviour to analyse organisational problems and generate realistic solutions & recommendations, as presented in case studies.
• Summarise and evaluate recent academic research and findings on a specified topic in organisational behaviour.
• Describe practical application of theories and concepts in team work assignment.
• Identify and critique management approaches in the field and collaboratively develop alternative models of practice.
• Solve problems of management practice.
• Analyse team dynamics.

Summer Semester:

• A 2-hour examination, end-of-semester (50%)
• An individual assignment of 1000 words, due in week (10%)
• A group assignment where each student individually contributes up to 2000 words, due in week 5 (30%)
• Tutorial participation, throughout the semester (10%)

Semester 1 and 2:

• A 2-hour examination, end-of-semester (50%)
• An individual assignment of 1000 words, due in week 4 (10%)
• A group assignment where each student individually contributes up to 2000 words, due in week 9 (30%)
• Tutorial participation, throughout the semester (10%)

You will be advised of prescribed texts by your lecturer.

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

In this subject you will have the opportunity to develop important generic skills:

• Problem solving skills and critical thinking skills will be fostered in the tutorial/workshop program and more directly within the team assignment where students have to apply theoretical material to a practical case study.
• Collaborative learning and team-work skills will be developed by working in a permanent, semester-long, student team for the case study. Team-work skills will also be fostered through exercises, role plays, and simulations that are incorporated into the tutorial program.
• Verbal and written communication skills will be developed via the individual and team assignments and through the experience of working in a team for the whole semester. The interactive nature of the tutorial/workshop program will also, indirectly, help to improve communication skills.