Skip to main content
Unit outline_

PSYC4005: Coaching Skills for Work and Life

Semester 2, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Coaching skills are now an essential part of the contemporary workplace. Research shows that the ability to coach self and others is one of the most important skills for employees, managers and leaders. However, to date, opportunities for learning evidence-based coaching skills at universities has been very limited. By completing this unit you will develop a solid understanding of the psychology of coaching in the workplace, in organisations and in relation to personal life matters and the ability to apply such theories in real life situations. We will explore the theoretical foundations of the psychology of coaching including self-regulation theory, goal theory, change theory and solution-focused approaches to coaching and show how to apply these to real-life issues and goals. Students will leave with a portfolio of applied coaching skills, the ability to conduct both formal and informal coaching conversations, the ability to evaluate and create conceptually coherent coaching processes and having experienced a personal coaching program. Active learning in the form of peer coaching is central to this program and will guide students to integrate their developing knowledge, skills and values about coaching in ways that question and build understanding. Students need to be prepared and willing to engage in peer coaching conversations.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Psychology Academic Operations
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
144 cp of which a minimum needs to be 24 cp of 3000-level or 4000-level units of study
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
PSYC4721 or PSYC4722
Assumed knowledge
? 

Students should have the ability to read and interpret findings from scientific research, and have a basic familiarity with the empirical process.

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Elizabeth King, e.king@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Take-home extended release) Type E final exam Final Exam
Short, and long answer responses.
25% Formal exam period 48 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Tutorial quiz Coaching Quiz
This is a short online quiz on the content of the course.
15% Mid-semester break 30 minutes.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
Participation Peer coaching and Tutorial participation
Participation in tutorial and class activities including peer coaching
10% Ongoing over the semester
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Coaching reflection report
A 2500 word reflective report on your personal experience of being a coach
50% STUVAC 2500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO4
Type E final exam = Type E final exam ?

Assessment summary

  • For the online quiz student will be required to answer questions related to the first half of the course content.
  • For the participation component student will be required to attend and participate in tutorial and class activities including peer coaching.
  • For the 2500 word reflective essay/coaching report students are required to submit a 2500 word written report completed in academic apa style with referencing where appropriate, on their personal experience of being a coach and being coached throughout the semester.
  • For final long-release take-home exam students will be required to respond to a number of short, and long-form questions within 48 hours.
  • Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

Result name Mark range Description
FA 0 to less than 50 To be awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars established by the faculty.
PS 50 to less than 65 To be awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars established by the faculty.
CR 65 to less than 75 To be awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars established by the faculty.
DI 75 to less than 85 To be awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars established by the faculty.
HD 85 to 100 inclusive To be awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars established by the faculty.

 

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.

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
Week 01 Introduction to Coaching Psychology and Evidence-based Coaching Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 02 Coaching in the Workplace Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 03 Coaching relationship building skills and Mental health issues in coaching Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 04 Designing coaching programs using self-regulation theory Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 05 Integrated Goal-focused Coaching 1 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 06 Integrated Goal-focused Coaching 2 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 07 Solution-focused Coaching Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 08 Change theory 1 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 09 Change theory 2 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 10 Critically evaluating coaching programs. Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 11 Coaching Skills for life Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 12 The future of coaching Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance and participation in coaching activities and discussion through tutorials and lectures is a requirement that contributes up to 10% towards the final mark for this subject.

 

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. Appraise the social and theoretical development of personal and professional coaching and its utility in the workplace.
  • LO2. Distinguish coaching from therapy, counselling, consulting, training and mentoring.
  • LO3. Critically evaluate and classify models and approaches to coaching.
  • LO4. Generate coaching plans and conduct coaching sessions
  • LO5. Develop advanced communication skills for application across a variety of areas of life and work

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.

This is the first time this unit has been offered.

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.