Skip to main content
Unit outline_

PMGT5872: People and Leadership

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

This is a core program unit with a focus on enhancing leadership and people management capability. It covers diverse traditional and innovative theories, models and tools. It complements traditional views based on PMBoK, applying diverse approaches to contemporary project environments. Many of the unit tasks are framed in uncertain and potentially ambiguous terms as is common in many project environments. Topic areas covered: Project context; Personal Competence; Interpersonal Competence; Team Competence. The unit references a range of Australian and global Project Management, Management and Consulting Standards. It integrates theory and practice to optimise results.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Project Management
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
PMGT6872
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Karyne Ang, karyne.ang@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Individual reflection report
Individual reflection report
10% Formal exam period
Due date: 11 Jun 2021 at 23:00

Closing date: 25 Jun 2021
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO10
Presentation group assignment Symposium Presentation
Team presentation to a chaired panel based on the Symposium paper submitted
10% Multiple weeks
Due date: 02 Jun 2021 at 23:00

Closing date: 11 Jun 2021
7-minute team presentation
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Presentation group assignment Symposium chair and reviews
Panel Chair, Discuss, Moderate and Keep time during the Symposium
5% Multiple weeks
Due date: 02 Jun 2021 at 23:00

Closing date: 11 Jun 2021
5-7 minutes (max)
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Assignment VBlog 1, 2, 3
Blog 1 as baseline Learning goals, Blogs 2-3 are learnings and reflections.
10% Multiple weeks
Due date: 14 May 2021 at 23:00

Closing date: 28 May 2021
3-5 minutes (max) per blog
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO10 LO9 LO7
Assignment group assignment P&L Symposium paper
Academic paper based on the P&L Symposium theme in the present year.
20% Week 08
Due date: 30 Apr 2021 at 23:00

Closing date: 28 May 2021
2300-2500 words (max) academic paper
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO9 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment group assignment Symposium paper peer reviews
Written Peer-reviews (max 500 words each), submitted as a single document
5% Week 10
Due date: 14 May 2021 at 23:00

Closing date: 21 May 2021
2 peer-reviews, 500 words (max) each
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO10 LO9 LO8 LO7
Assignment Case Study: Critique a project-based event
Critique a project-based Australian event as a case study
30% Week 11
Due date: 21 May 2021 at 23:00

Closing date: 04 Jun 2021
3000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO9 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO3 LO2
Assignment group assignment Team In-Class Group work
In-class groupwork and Q&A discussion notes submitted on Canvas
10% Weekly
Closing date: 04 Jun 2021
Weekly in-class groupwork
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO9 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Team In-Class Group contributions & submissions (10%): Due Weekly 2-11, This team-based assessment task is based on in-class groupwork and any Q&A discussion notes made and completed during weekly workshop sessions, and must be submitted at the end of each workshop week. Marks are based on a combination of your quality contributions in class and the submitted uploads.

    Teams for in-class group work are pre-assigned.

  • Symposium integrated major team assignment (40%). Teams for Symposium tasks are self-assigned.

    • 1) P&L Symposium papers (20%) – Week 8, 2300-2500 word academic paper based on the theme of the symposium in the present year. The theme will be released in Week 4.
    • 2) Symposium paper peer reviews (5%): Week 10, TWO Written Peer-reviews (max 500 words each), compiled and submitted as 1 document
    • 3) Symposium Presentation (10%) – Week 12 & 13, 7-minute presentation
    • 4) Symposium chair and reviews (5%): Week 12 & 13: 1x Oral Chairperson and 2x Oral Discussants, 1x time-keeper, 2x zoom moderators, 5-7 minutes session chairing, commentary and discussion. A good session will demonstrate a clear synthesis and integration of ideas between papers, presentations, verbal and written reviews.
  • Individual video blogs (10%): Week 5, Week 7, Week 10. Reflect and record your baseline, mid-semester and end-semester individual learning goals and learnings drawn from this unit of study and the workshops activities/assessment tasks, via individual/personal video blogs. Each original video should be minimum 3 minutes and maximum 5 minutes. You are to verbally and visually communicate your specific personal, professional and academic learnings relevant to People, Teams and Leadership, in a project management context, in a video format. Submit 3 personal videos in total.
  • Individual case study critique report (30%): Week 11. Analyse and Critique a project-based Australian event as a case study in relation to people, teams and leadership. A range of topic areas and criteria are provided on Canvas. Submit your 3000 word report through Turnitin.
  • Individual reflective essay (10%): Week 14. Submit a 1500 word reflection essay relevant to this unit of study and its learning activities, based on specific criteria provided in the Canvas Assignments page. Reflections should be specific and consistent with the content in this unit of study, and individual VBlogs, learning activities and assessment tasks. Please submit your reflection report through Turnitin.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas. Special considerations for groupwork or individuals within groups may be administered differently.

 

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

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

5% per day for written submissions; no mark for no-shows for in-class assessments.

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.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

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
Multiple weeks Independent study guided by the online content and workshops (Week 1-13). You are expected to undertake 8-10 hours per week of independent study in addition to the workshops Independent study (96 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Week 01 1. Introduction to leadership in complex and challenging project environments; 2. Knowing oneself and others; 3. Models of leadership; 4. The reflective practitioner Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Week 02 1. Values and beliefs; 2. Personality and behaviour; 3. Communication; 4. Presenting to groups Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Week 03 1. Managing stress and interpersonal conflicts; 2. Facilitating groups Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO9 LO10
Week 04 1. Building high performing teams; 2. Multiple Intelligences and EQ Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7 LO9 LO10
Week 05 Leaders and systems thinking Workshop (2 hr) LO6 LO7 LO9
Week 06 1. Power and politics; 2. Negotiating shared outcomes Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO7 LO9 LO10
Week 07 1. Vision, mission and strategy Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO7 LO8 LO9
Week 08 1. Cultural competencies in leadership; 2. Leading and facilitating for diversity and inclusion Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO7 LO9 LO10
Week 09 1. Dealing with negative workplace behaviours; 2. Resilience and positive thinking Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO9 LO10
Week 10 Managing and leading stakeholders Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO9
Week 11 Leading and facilitating change Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO9
Week 12 Creating value through people and leadership; People & Leadership Symposium (assessed) Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO9
Week 13 People & Leadership Symposium (assessed) Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance is encouraged for all workshop sessions. Absenteeism may affect in class individual and team performance and assessments.

Special considerations applications must be made in advance for approvals. Any absenteeism and appeals must be supported by a valid reason evidenced through official documents e.g. medical certificate or company documentation.

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. recognise leadership competences (to inspire, motivate and influence) in order to manage the group, and also understand stakeholder behaviours, assumptions and expectations.
  • LO2. understand the differences in leadership styles, situations and context.
  • LO3. manage oneself and other's emotions effectively through development of emotional intelligence
  • LO4. effectively and collaboratively work in a team and solve complex problems through engaging with team members and utilising the strengths of other team members
  • LO5. recognise cultural differences and hence be able to communicate effectively across cultures and boundaries
  • LO6. understand interdependencies and the complex system that surrounds a project and the project's stakeholders
  • LO7. build the bridge between leadership and project management.
  • LO8. analyse the impact of different leadership theories through time under different lenses such as: psycohistory, psychology, genetics, social sciences, economy, and so on.
  • LO9. map the leader skills needed in a project team and identify possible gaps.
  • LO10. gather and reflect on lessons learnt at the end of the group and individual assignments, reflect on past experience in order to improve future practice.

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.

Feedback from the USS survey about increasing the challenge in the tasks and having increased teamwork opportunities have been considered. The new assessment tasks are intended to facilitate student ownership and empowerment for their own learning, and for students to exercise more critical thinking in how they view people and leadership in project management in relation to this unit of study. This is through the development of opportunities to further link theory with real-life practice using project-based events as case studies. Assessment tasks are varied to instil interest, authenticity and originality of authorship.

Expectations:

Normally students are expected to undertake 8-10 hours per week of independent study per 2 hour workshop session. PREPARATION BEFORE CLASS is key to the successful peer-to-peer engagement and learning in this unit.

This unit of study has an interactive and participative hands-on workshop approach based on the concepts of flipped (preparing beforehand, self-directed learning) and blended learning (using online resources, technology and live learning in class). The principles of flipped learning and online interactions and online resources would apply to students in both face to face and Online environments. Discussions and collaborative sessions can be conducted in both online and face to face modes. We strongly urge students to take leadership and ownership of their own learnings, come prepared to discuss, engage and learn in an interactive environment.

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.