Course Title: Contemporary Issues in Business

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Contemporary Issues in Business

Credit Points: 12


Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

BUSM3958

City Campus

Research

660H Grad School of Business

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2008

Course Coordinator: Professor Lynne Bennington

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 0130

Course Coordinator Email:lynne.bennington@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 158.02.08

Course Coordinator Availability: By email or telephone apart from when in Singapore


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

This course is available only to part-time Research Candidates enrolled in the Doctor of Business Administration. The pre-requisites for the DBA include successful completion of a MBA or equivalent.


Course Description

This course aims to ensure that candidates are not only at the cutting edge of major contemporary issues facing business and government but able to present their ideas in approporate fora. Candidates will be expected to select a current business issue, conduct a critical literature review on the topic, and submit the work to an appropriate refereed journal.  A summary of the work should also be prepared as a "press release" and a formal presentation made to the class. 


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

By the completion of this course you should be able to:

  • Apply theory and research to understand and explain major issues facing business and government
  • Understand how to go about publishing your work
  • Train others on the issue selected 
  • Communicate both in academic circles and with external stakeholders about such issues
  • Offer creative, pragmatic, ethical and sustainable solutions to business issues

The graduate capabilties for the DBA program include :

Knowledge: Material covered and provided in classes will cover both ‘classic’ and current theoretical and practice issues. Written work will require demonstration of knowledge of relevant theory.

Creative: Readings, class discussions and assessment tasks will aim to develop candidates’ ability to creatively apply theories to practical situations.

Critical: Debate and discussion as well as written work will emphasize the need for critical thinking and the ability to demonstrate a critical perspective.

Responsible: The importance of business ethics and personal integrity will be integrated into class material and discussion.

Employable: This course involves substantial self-directed learning and candidates will be required to be self-motivated and adaptable, with good communication skills. Successful completion of the assessment will require an appreciation of practical factors and complex issues commonly faced in business.

Life-long learners: The importance of refinement & development of the skills through practical, critical experience will be stressed. Amongst other objectives assessment will require students to think broadly, take in new concepts and explore possible effects of competing influences as part of their professional development.

Potential leaders: This course integrates aspects of theory with practice, and contributes to the development of leadership traits such as vision, communication and strategic thinking



Overview of Learning Activities

This course will involve workshops/seminars. Participants will be required to make presentations as part of the program. 
Candidates are expected to take responsibility for their own learning and manage their time accordingly.


Overview of Learning Resources

References/resources/articles will be provided through the Learning Hub. Candidates will also need to engage in extensive literature searches for relevant material for the learning and assessment tasks.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment is available as a Pass or Fail grade only in this course. Candidates must complete each assessment task at "DBA level" (which means that the work must be at a higher standard than that expected at MBA level and must indicate that the student has achieved the graduate capabilities specified above. Assessment tasks will include a critical review of  literature related to a contemporary issue in business (assigned by course coordinator), a major presentation/training seminar, and a short piece suitable for business press/professional magazine.